Dude, where's my drink?

Hosting a Party.

A few things to consider when hosting a get together……

Recently, I attended a cocktail party thrown by a gentleman in his late thirties. Now, some would say that said party should get cut a little slack because he is a bachelor. No way. There is no excuse for random bottles of booze - college-style - with only a few cubes of stale ice still in the tray!

If you take the time to plan a party then you should take the time to prep so that guests feel comfortable and appreciated. When you arrive at a cocktail party, you shouldn’t have to make your own cocktail. Your host should give it to you within five minutes of arrival. Later in the evening, it’s OK if the bar becomes self service.

When a drink is made for you, it gives something better than a buzz…it gives you a feeling of being taken care of. This is important because the arrival at a cocktail party can sometimes be a little stressful. You could encounter people you don’t know or worse yet...people you don’t like. On top of that, there are many ways to become a little frazzled en route.

I am not saying that your first drink has to be a masterpiece, but it should be served pronto. Here are a few tips that without much effort make this easy to pull off.

1. Decant Booze and Mixers into Pitchers-This looks better and if you must is a way to disguise cheap liquors

2. Chill the drink ingredients

3. Prep Garnishes

4. Put the ice in a bowl

5. Premix a couple of standard cocktails so they are ready to pour

6. Make sure you clear space in the fridge for beer