Entertaining Tips
We’ve done enough entertaining to know that a few hard and fast rules go a long way in making any gathering feel more like a party and less like a race. Here are a few tips we never stray from.
Plenty of Ice
No matter what you’re serving, always have plenty of ice on hand. Set up an ice bucket within reach of your glassware, and have extra ice ready in the freezer.
Bite-sized , hand-held snacks
If your plan is for guests to be standing, assume they will be holding a drink. This means snacks need to be bite-sized and able to be held with one hand. And always have plenty of napkins.
Have your playlists ready
Nothing kills the mood of a good party like the music suddenly ending. Make sure your playlist is lively and long enough to keep playing.
Choose glasses that can work double duty
Matching glassware to drinks can become daunting when planning a gathering. Choose a set of work-horse glasses that can be used for different drinks. A double old fashioned glass, wine glass, and a basic coupe will easily satisfy every sip in the room.
Rim your glasses in advance
Having a big batch of cocktails ready to go is only as convenient as how ready the glassware is. If you plan to serve a cocktail in a glass with a salt or sugar rim, be sure to set aside a portion of the glasses and rim them in advance. If you have adventurous guests, one other option is to set up a place on the bar where guests can prepare the rim themselves, with clear instructions printed out and all the necessary ingredients prepared in advance.
