Incase you forgot.....

How to Throw a Cocktail Party


Cocktail parties are a great way to entertain because they accommodate any kind of guest list, ranging from neighbors to business associates. Regardless of what kind of crowd you're entertaining, however, there are a few basic guidelines to throwing a fabulous cocktail party...

Steps

Set the appropriate time. The traditional time frame for a cocktail party is two to three hours in length held between 6 P.M. and 10 P.M. tst
On the rocksBuy more than enough ice. Remember that you're not just using it for drinks, but also for chilling bottles and cans. Generally, having 1 lb. of ice per guest should be adequate.

MojitosHave a variety of glasses on hand, depending on the variety of drinks you plan to offer. You should offer wine glasses for wines, juice and water; straight-sided highballs for tall drinks; tumblers for spirits and juices; and martini glasses. In terms of quantity, be ready with approximately twice as many glasses as you'll have guests.

Stock your bar.
For the wine drinkers, have one bottle for every two people, assuming five servings per bottle.
For the beer drinkers, have one six-pack for every two people, assuming 12 oz. servings.
Get one or two liquors that can be made into a variety of cocktails (probably vodka, rum, gin, scotch, bourbon, blended whiskey, or tequila)
Don't forget mixers and garnishes, including orange juice, soda, tonic, ginger ale, cola, tomato juice, Tabasco, lemons, limes, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce.
Prepare the menu. Aim for variety (meat, vegetarian, hot, cold, spicy, and sweet). If you're not serving dinner, estimate 6 bites per person, but remember that it's better to have too much food than not enough.

Offer coffee to your guests towards the end of the party to keep them alert for the ride home. Keep the number of a local taxi service handy, just in case some of your guests have a little too much fun.