Cocktail parties

Ever thrown a house party that ended up with everyone sipping on coke and rum? Well, say goodbye to those days. We’re not saying that you have to be a master mixologist, but having a couple of good drinks up your sleeve can really bring a party to life. Let’s go through some of the most popular drinks and how to DIY them.

Hosting cocktail parties 

The best cocktail parties have some planning behind them. A popular theme is the James Bond party. Basically, you all dress up and attempt to look as classy as possible whilst sipping a drink of your choice, shaken, not stirred. Another good one is the indoor beach party: swimsuits, Hawaiian shirts, and alcoholic masterpieces containing whole pineapples and cocktail umbrellas.

If you’re leaning towards a more laid-back indoor beach party, the drink options can be as vibrant and tropical as the theme itself. Enhance the authenticity of your beach party drinks by checking out pop drinks locations that specialize in unique and exotic beverage offerings. By incorporating these handcrafted and visually appealing drinks into your celebration, you’ll ensure that your guests not only enjoy a sip of paradise but also appreciate the thoughtfulness put into curating a memorable cocktail experience.

Because most cocktails need several ingredients, your wallet will be looking pretty thin on your way back from the shops. There are two easy ways around this:

• Bring a bottle: Buy a simple cocktail book. Make your party invitation only, and get guests to bring a specific bottle of liqueur or spirit with them to get into the party. This way you’ll have a fully-stocked bar, and only have to shell out for the mixers (soft drinks and fruit juice) and ice. Then let people loose with the recipe book, or have a couple of designated ‘bar staff’ (rope some of your best mates into it). If possible, buy or borrow a cocktail shaker and a spirit measure. If you’re stuck, you can always use an eggcup as a measure. Or:
• Keep it simple: Pick only one or two cocktails that are based on the same spirit. Then buy the ingredients in bulk, mix them just before the party, and serve them up in pitchers or a well-scrubbed pan. Home measures tend to be much slightly more alcoholic than bar measures, so be sure to add plenty of mixers to the drinks. Avoid tricky procedures like making crushed ice in a food processor if you’re wasted.

Simple cocktail recipes 

Ever wondered ‘What drinks do I need for cocktail parties?’ Well, we’ve got you covered! Here are some easy recipes for some of the most popular cocktails in the UK! 

Mojito 

Ingredients;

• juice of 1 lime
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• small handful mint leaves, plus extra sprig to serve
• 60ml white rum
• soda water, to taste

Instructions:

Crush the mint leaves together with lime juice and sugar using a rolling pin (or any large object). Pour this mixture into a glass with some ice. Then pour over the rum and add soda water. You can even add some garnish if you’re feeling fancy!

Sex on the beach 

Ingredients;

• 2 parts vodka
• 1 part peach schnapps
• 2 parts orange juice
• 2 parts cranberry juice

Instructions:

Layer the vodka and schnapps into a tall glass and finish off with equal measures of cranberry and orange juice. Give it a quick stir and enjoy.

Pina Colada 

Ingredients;

• 1 part white rum
• 1 part coconut cream
• 3 parts pineapple juice
• Crushed ice

Instructions;

Put all of the rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice into a blender and add two cups of crushed ice. Mix up the ingredients in the blender until you’ve got a nice smooth consistency. Place in a tall glass and serve with a straw and a little umbrella (essential).