Hello Darlings! What’s the Christmas season without a Christmas Cocktail Party? I have lots of advice to make your party the talk of the town…
Drinks
For holiday drinks check out our recommendations here for delicious ideas and recipes. If you want to pull out all the stops, go on a shopping spree at your local liquor store, then hire a bartender for the evening. On a budget and don’t want to get stuck behind the bar all night? Multiply a single classic cocktail recipe by 10, mix them up in pitchers, and label each one — then all you have to do is set out an ice bucket and tell guests to help themselves. Or buy a few favorite liquors and mixers, print out a fancy drink menu with recipes, title it “Specialties of the House” and let guests mix their own.
Attire
Dress to the tens! Invite guys to get dressed up with velvet jackets, ascots and pompadours, while ladies don their fanciest frocks with wraps, gloves, and cocktail rings.
Games
Sparkling conversation is what makes a cocktail party really swing, but if you want to shake things up a bit, try these cocktail contest ideas:
• Let the martini snobs compete for best mixologist. Be sure you have vodka, gin, dry vermouth, olives, pearl onions, lemon twists, a shaker and a stirrer on hand to unleash the martini magic.
• Challenge guests to create the best new cocktail (ridiculous cocktail name mandatory) from your assortment of liquors, mixers, garnishes, swizzle sticks, and drink umbrellas.
• Play a mixed-drink take on Mad Libs™. Ask one guest to come up with an adjective and another a noun (for example, Yummy Pie or Hot Wax), then ask the contestants to make that drink; best version wins.
Music
We have a fine list of great music to create delightful holiday ambiance to get your guest’s hips swaying.
Let the Missus and Mr. Booze help you get the party started!
