Home » Food and Drink »  Entertainment »  Ten Tips for a Great Cocktail Party

Plan ahead

How you lay out the party space can affect how much fun everyone has. For example, don't put the bar and snack table in the same spot. The entire crowd will be concentrated in that one cramped space. If you do have a snack table, put it on the opposite side of the room. Instead or in addition, distribute bowls of munchies throughout your space for meandering guests and sudden snack attacks.

Know your numbers

Curious about how much liquor to buy? It depends on how many people you're inviting. For example, a bottle of wine will yield 6 half glasses while a bottle of champagne, 6 to 12 flutes. Assuming that guests are using two ounces of liquor per mixed drink, a quart will yield 16 to 21 drinks; a liter, 17 to 22 drinks. Assume at least two drinks per guest.

Know the people

Don't do a sweep of the liquor shelves, grabbing every type of liquor you've ever heard of and that might possibly be used in a drink. You know whom you're inviting. It's okay, and more economical, to limit people's choices of liquors. Just be sure to have lots of mixers on hand such as juices (especially orange and lemon), soda, water, and colas.

Invent something special

Mark the occasion of your first party by inventing a totally new cocktail. The fun part is that you get to invent one (which means lots of experimenting!) and then name it.

Get enough glasses

The point of a cocktail party is drinks, yes? Make sure you've got plenty of glasses on hand for whatever you're serving: beer mugs, wine glasses, martini glasses, soda glasses, and so on. Don't forget plates for hors d'oeuvres and lots of napkins, too.

Stock up on snacks

Ample nibbles are essential . Don't skimp! If your guests are drinking on empty stomachs, your swanky cocktail party could become a disaster in no time. To minimize stress, look for snacks that are easy to prepare (as in, open bag, pour in bowl) or that can be prepared ahead of time.

Create an atmosphere and ambience

Swank or serene, ‘hep’ or exotic: The most intriguing party scene goes beyond the basics to beguile all of the senses. Taste is there – in all that you serve. Next concentrate on smell (scented candles), sight (lighting, plus the colour and shape of finger food, plates, and serve ware), and sound (music). When all of the elements come together, your soiree is a success.

Choose good music

The goal of good background music is to keep your guests relaxed and the gab flowing. Music that is too loud will force people to yell at each other and discourage , while a frenetic tempo will put people on edge.

Delegate to your delegates!

Don't be saddled with the responsibility of being the sole bartender on duty -- how can you enjoy the party and greet everyone if you're stuck filling drink requests? Be sure you have all the appropriate tools available for guests to make their own: blender, jigger, shaker, strainer, and corkscrew opener. Then simply point them in the right direction. One note: Keep an eye out for dwindling supplies such as ice and glasses, so that you can restock as needed.

Don't forget to have dry sober drivers!

The responsible sober drivers that transport all the happy people home. Make sure you take care of these guests, too, with water, juices, sodas, or iced tea.

Hot tip:

Have your guests name your new cocktail – it could be great fun.