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Fall Cocktail Party Tips, Sips and Snacks

Cocktail parties can be a more casual and less complicated way of entertaining. Although there needs to be some food for guests to nibble on while enjoying a cocktail, serving a dinner isn't required, making it more manageable and enjoyable for the host! 


Hosting a successful cocktail party comes down to the planning. Begin by deciding how many guests, if there will be a theme, and what food and beverages to serve, and then develop a master shopping list. Don’t forget to add cocktail napkins and ice.


Make it festive! The fall season with its colorful splendor makes creating a DIY centerpiece easy. Hollow out a pumpkin (orange is no longer the only option), add flowers, and even fruit like apples, pears and pomegranates for added interest. Another simple idea - place a pillar candle on a round or long, narrow serving dish/tray and surround it with mini pumpkins, gourds, and leaves. 

Sips

Cocktails are enjoying a resurgence so you’ll want to stock the bar with the basics: vodka, gin, whiskey and bourbon along with any personal or guest favorites like tequila, rum, etc. Be sure to have non-alcoholic options and mixers (club soda, tonic, ginger ale, cola, orange juice, tomato juice), beer, including a seasonal one, and wines - a mix of white and red varieties. Other bar staples include lemon and lime wedges or slices. 


A signature cocktail adds a special touch while still keeping it simple. Extremely popular at weddings and other social events, signature cocktails may take a bit more time to make, but after that first sip, you’ll agree it’s worth it! We’re featuring a seasonal martini and mojito. These recipes make just one cocktail so you’ll want to make a pitcher or else you could end up playing bartender all night! 

Snacks

Light fare is typically all that is needed for a cocktail party, i.e. shrimp cocktail, crudite, charcuterie board, as well as a hot hors d'oeuvre or two to pass. However, if the party is close to mealtime, heartier hors d’oeuvres should be served as guests will arrive hungrier. A good rule of thumb when figuring the number of appetizers needed is 8-12 per person for a 2 hour cocktail party, and an additional 2-4 appetizers for each additional hour.


Charcuterie boards are perfect as there is something for everyone with a variety of cheeses, meats, etc. Since there’s no recipe to follow, they are easy to create. Not sure where or how to begin? This simple guide provides tips to help get started.

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