So now, after much diligent coordination of your party comes the daunting task of choosing what to serve your guests. Wine and beer, Martinis and Cosmopolitans, or a mix of everything? Planning your party’s drink menu can be quite overwhelming. That being said, your drink menu and all its ingredients should never be an afterthought.
Don’t panic just yet. If you are feeling overcome by what to serve, the best course of action is to keep the menu simple. It’s not necessary to have a bar that puts your local watering hole to shame. If you are throwing a simplistic party at home and not having it professionally catered, then you don’t need every mixer, juice, and bottle known to mankind. I would suggest one kind of alcohol, maybe two or three flavors of vodka and a lot of different mixers and juices. Or, turn it around and buy four or five kinds of liquor and only one type of mixer and soda. Don’t forget about your guests that don’t drink. Make sure you have plenty of non-alcoholic beverages like water and soda. The following are some “keep it simple” options that will fit any at home party.
- Serve wine only- red and white wine only. It’s classy, stylish, and effortless.
- Serve wine and beer or wine and champagne only.
- Offer champagne only. It’s a party in a glass.
- Serve wine and one mixed drink. You can offer vodka or rum with a selection of mixers or serve pre-made cocktails from a pitcher. This is a good solution for those who don’t have the confidence to be an on on-demand bartender. And people will generally drink what is pre-made.
- Tequila, vodka, and rum are always clutch and you can mix them with everything. Most people can pull a drink from these three alcohol types.
The worst thing that can happen at your party is your well drying up. There is nothing more embarrassing and inhospitable than running out of alcohol. Make sure your bar is well stocked. So before you go into the liquor store, make a list of what you need. The number of bottles will vary on the size of your party and what kind of alcohol you want to serve. My party planning alcohol guide is based on a guest count of twenty to thirty guests.
- 1 to 3 bottles of vodka, including flavored ones. Vodka is always a safe bet because you can serve it on the rocks and it mixes with any kind of juice, soda, or tonic.
- 1 bottle of gin for old school martini lovers and tonic drinkers galore.
- 1 bottle of tequila. It’s the prime ingredient of a margarita, and a great shot.
- 1 bottle of rum to make some mean Mojitos or spice up sodas, fruit salads, and fruity flavored mixers.
- 1 bottle of whisky, which is basically a broad category that includes bourbons and scotches.
- Beer, red and white wine, and champagne are a given. Having all three on hand is best, but not a must. And if you are strapped for funds it’s OK to have only enough champagne for one glass per guest for a group toast.
- Mixers, garnishes, and flavor boosters add punch to your cocktails. Straight alcohol does not make a full bar.
Put some flavor in your event and stock up on these mixers.
- SODA: Tonic, Coke or Pepsi (and diet versions), club soda, and flavored mixers such as vanilla-flavor cream soda.
- JUICES: Orange, cranberry, grapefruit, lemon, lime, and pineapple juice.
- FRUIT PUREES: melon, watermelon, pear, raspberry, etc.
- VEGTABLE JUCIES: cucumber or tomato
- HERB INFUSIONS: rosemary or cilantro, to make any cocktail novel.
Cocktails always go hand in hand with a little bit of…
- BITTERS-an herbal infusion devised to take away the sweetness of cocktails, especially champagne cocktails.
- GRENADINE-a liqueur made from pomegranates. It will add a fruity flavor to any colorful cocktail. Also, use it to mix with margaritas.
- COURSE SALT-Use it on the rim of margaritas, margarita shots, tequila shots. Or, sprinkle it in the oyster of your hand and take a lick of salt with a shot of tequila. Bottoms up!
- TABASCO SAUCE- just a few drops in a Bloody Mary.
Presentation is everything! These garnishes are essential.
- LEMON-Add a lemon twist to any vodka cocktail other than a martini. Also, keep sliced wedges in a glass by the bar at all times.
- LIME- Add to any gin cocktail other than a martini, unless someone orders it with a twist.
- OLIVES AND STUFFED OLIVES- A martini standard.
- ORANGES- Good for anything with Cointreau.
- CELERY-It’s crunchy and fun to eat!
- PINEAPPLE- It yells summertime with rum and tonic and screwdrivers.
- BANANAS- Mmmmm…chocolate martinis.
- FRESH MINT- For juleps, mojitos, and even plain water, a fresh spring of mint goes a long way.
- SUGAR- It adds a burst of sweetness to most cocktails, especially when you use the rim of the glass.
- MARASCHINO CHERRIES- Shirley Temple or Manhattan?
- WHIPPED CREAM- It’ll froth up hot coffee cocktails to make them lighter and smoother.
By: Michael Bassolino
