~~Our First Show! Hosting a Fabulous Cocktail Party~~

Today we launched our new internet radio show on Blog Talk Radio - "Cocktails and Conversation with the Event Diva" (www.blogtalkradio.com/cocktailsandconversations)

March 20th marked the first official day of spring and for most this is also the official kick off to entertaining. With the weather getting warmer more people are finding themselves hosting parties...barbeques...open houses. Tonight we thought we would talk about how to host a fabulous cocktail party.

Tonight's Signature Cocktail

Sour Apple Martini

1 1/2 oz. Sour Apple Pucker

1/2 oz. Triple Sec

1/2 oz. Vodka

1 1/2 oz. Sour Mix

Add all ingredients in a shaker with a small amount of ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cherry in the bottom of the glass.

CHEERS!

What is a Cocktail Party?

A cocktail party is a social gathering, held early in the evening, usually for a period of about 2-3 hours, typically from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M.or 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. It may take place in a home, at a private room in a restaurant or hotel, or in a business such as an art gallery or bookstore. Cocktails, wine, and soft drinks are served, though contemporary cocktail parties may offer wine and soft drinks exclusively and skip the cocktails. Beverages are accompanied by finger foods, which are meant to delight the palate, stave off hunger until dinnertime, and complement the cocktails. Cocktail parties are great for entertaining friends or business associates, or a combination of both.

Party Decisions

Your cocktail party can be as simple or as complex as you wish to make it . As with any event that you host there are a few questions you should ask yourself when beginning to plan your party.

1. What is you budget for this event?
2. How many guests will be attending? This number will impact your budget greatly, so if you're working with a limited budget keep the guest list small.
3. Is this a casual event for friends or a formal business networking event?
4. Will there be a full bar or a limited cocktail menu?
5. Will the party be indoors or outdoors? If outdoors what is the plan B in the event for inclimate weather?
6. What type of foods will you serve?
7. Is there a theme/occasion for your party?

The Food

A full course meal is not necessary when hosting a cocktail party. Simple foods like hors d'oeuvres and other finger foods allow your guests to graze throughout the event. Serving something like cheese and crackers, a veggie platter and a nice fruit display is nice and simple for the novice cocktail host/hostess. You could also do a themed cocktail party where you serve just desserts or maybe a chocolate cocktail party and do a chocolate fountain with all the fixings! Remember it can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. If you don't have the desire, time or talent for cooking then do what I do and call your favorite caterer or take-out restaurant for help.

The Drinks

Now we all know you can't have a cocktail party without having the cocktails!!! There are two options available to you when it comes to serving the drinks...

1. Have a full bar - this option gives your guests the option to choose their favorite drink. This is great if you have a well stocked bar or if your are willing to buy the basics (liquor and mixers) and are able to mix up a variety of drinks. Think the movie "Cocktail".

2. Come up with a drink menu or serve a signature drink - this is my favorite option because it encourages your guests to step out of their "cocktail" comfort zone and possibly try something new. This is also a great way to save money because you don't need to have a fully stocked bar. I like to select and ore-mix several cocktails that I will be serving through out the night right before my guests arrive. That way I can spend more time talking with the guest and less time behind the bar (or in my case in the kitchen) mixing drinks.

I would also like to share with you some helpful hints on making your next cocktail party a fabulous one...

• Make sure you have all the essentials for your bar. If having a full bar make sure to have a variety of liquor and mixers (soda, soda water, juice, etc.).
• Send your invitations out early but not too early. 2-3 weeks should be more than enough time unless it is a busy time of the year - like around the holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas).
• Make sure you stock up on cocktail napkins, plates, and glasses.
• Plan on 50-75% of invited guests to attend when estimating the number of drinks you'll be pouring and how many bottles you'll need. A good rule of thumb is that on average each guest will have 2-3 drinks during the evening.
• Add a WOW factor to your event. This could be a speciality drink, garnish, food dish, decor element, or gift (take away).

Always remember that every good host/hostess is responsible for those drinking at their party. Be aware of guests who have had too much to drink and cut them off when necessary. When they are ready to leave call them a cab or arrange to have them leave with a designated driver. It's also good practice to keep in mind that everyone may not want to drink, so make sure you have a few non-alcoholic drinks or "mocktails" available for them.

But the most important thing to remember when hosting any event is to have fun. Planning early and properly will ensure that you will spend less time stressing and more time enjoying your guests.

Happy Planning!