Hostess with the Mostess

The Thin Man screen shot, uploaded by Verpabunny

Cocktail party season is upon us, and with that, I thought I'd put together a little guide. This guide is aimed at a full stocked bar - depending on how many people you are inviting (and their drinking habits), you will most likely have liquor left over for yourself or another party. Of course, you can edit out products that you don't feel match the style of your party. This list has been compiled with help from Bachelor Pad's entertainment articles, especially "Penny Party: A Primer for Easy Entertaining," by Penny Star, Jr., and lessons learned from my many blunders in party hostessing.

Cocktail Party Equipment
• Napkins, paper towels and bar towels
  I use small fabric napkins. You can make them yourself by cutting down towels or using fabric scraps. A bar towel can be any small face or kitchen towel you have, but try to use dark colored or black towels so stains won't show.
• Cocktail shaker/strainer, corkscrew and bottle opener
  If you can, try to have two of each. When it comes to corkscrews and bottle openers, one is always going to get lost and you don't want to spend your whole night rinsing or asking your guests to rinse out the one cocktail shaker.
• Print-out of cocktail recipes or a cocktail/bartender recipe book
  If you opt with a print out of recipes you've compiled, try to put it in a plastic sleeve so it can withstand a drink-mixing atmosphere.
• Ice bucket or several ice trays in the freezer
  An ice bucket can be as simple as a large bowl on top of a towel with a cup for scooping. I stick to using ice trays so I don't have to worry about melting ice. My absolute favorite is the vintage aluminum "Magic Touch" ice trays, which have a pop-out lever that snaps the ice cubes from the tray. Simplest way to make ice and there are plenty on Ebay.
• Tub or sink of soapy water
  If you have a double-sink, fill one side with soapy water and ask your guest to put their used glasses to soak in the warm water. If you have a single sink, fill a storage or (new) foot tub with soapy water and place it beside the sink.
• Carpet cleaner
You're friends will spill or break something, be prepared.

Stocking the Bar
Unless you are planning on taking shots, stick with mid-range liquors rather than top-shelf stuff. Stay away from flavored liquors unless you have a signature cocktail for your party that uses one. Non-flavored liquors will maximize mixing possibilities and those listed below will be able to make nearly any cocktail you wish.
• Vodka
• Gin
• Rum
• Whiskey
• Scotch
• Tequila
• Bitters
• Sweet & dry vermouth
• Triple sec
• Rose's Lime Juice
• Olives and cherries
• Club soda, tonic, cranberry and orange juice

Additional Tips
• Use the Tub or Sink
If you are having a lot of guests over, use the tub as a cooler. Alternatively, if it is a smaller party, the bathroom or kitchen sink works just as well. Fill it with ice and place your champagne, beer and soda in there. Drain melted ice when party is over. Clean up is done.
• Candles
If you have no time to clean, dim the lights and entertain by candlelight - it will "hide" your messy nature.
• Finger Food
Always serve some snacking food so that your guests have something in their stomachs and don't get silly-drunk. Try to stay away from just chips and salsa and go for items that are somewhat filling, but can easily be eaten by hand. (Like cheese balls, mini-sandwiches, layered bean dip or cupcakes.) Have a variation of both sweet and salty items so you have something to appeal to all your guests. If you have a large living room or are allowing your guests to walk around the apartment/house, place some doubles of food from your main food table in one or two other locations to encourage mingling.
• Music, Dress & Saying Goodnight
  Music is key, and you want to set-up at least a 4-hour party play list. It will depend on the type of party you are having to dictate the volume, but I tend to put it low enough to add background noise. Some people like enforcing a dress code or theme to their cocktail parties. I tend to be mellow if I am only inviting close friends and let them come as they are, although I enjoy theme parties (Last winter we had an ugly sweater party). A general dress code that is still lenient is a no jeans rule. Some party pros also recommend having an end time for your party, say 10 to 2 so you aren't stuck in the awkward position of telling people to just get the hell out of your house already. Penny Star suggests playing the national anthem and then some "white noise" (ah, just like how the TV used to say "good night" back in the day) or if you are into Sinatra, play "One more for my baby" as a sound-off to your party.

Comments

[Tara]

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