Cocktail Party Ideas: Food, Drinks + Decor Tips for a Perfect Soiree

To make your cocktail party a success, here are a few tips:

Take It Outside

Ask for Help

Clear the Living Room

Choose a Few Drinks

It’s a good idea to limit the number of cocktails on the menu. Try offering three to five different mixed drinks, plus some beer and wine. (Most guests will have two to three drinks, so plan accordingly!) Don’t forget that some people may prefer to skip the alcohol for one reason or another; for these types of guests, setting up a couple of mocktails will suffice.

Hands-Off Drinks

Prefer to chat instead of mixing drinks? Try making pitchers of sangria, Long Island Iced Tea or whatever other drinks you choose. Avoid adding the carbonated mixers until serving and keep everything chilled. This allows you to set out the pitchers and the glasses so everyone can serve themselves. Add some beers in an ice bucket, and you have a self-serve bar with minimal effort. This setup can be served on a countertop, kitchen table or a bar top.

Create a Dining Table Feast

Food for a cocktail party doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s simplest to set up a buffet-style option on the dining room table so everyone can file around the table and fill their plates with snacks and appetizers. Use trays or bowls of ice to keep things cool if necessary. Everything should be easy to eat with fingers and you can place small dessert plates to avoid anyone from piling too much food on at once.

Use Bar Stools as Tables

Don’t Forget the Music