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Cocktails on the cheap
A sprinkling of logic and a dash of Blue Peter finesse will leave you with enough canapés and cocktails - you know, the one's you made earlier - so all you'll have to do is flash your pearly whites and pour.
Drinks
First things first, work out what you're going to drink. Choose up to five easy-to-make cocktails, and then ask the friends you've invited which one will be their tipple of the night. Not only will this help to establish the numbers you'll be catering for, but also whether or not you're going to need to ask for an extra shaker or two. Take a look at our top five suggestions (below)
Delegate
Forking out vast amounts of cash for spirits isn't anyone's idea of fun, so ask each guest to bring a bottle according to the quaffing tally you've already made. This means you'll be left to get back-up (a few bottles of sparkly) and plenty of cocktail mixers.
Prepare in advance
Split your kitchen surfaces up into seven specific areas:
- one for each different cocktail
- one for the food
- one for the dirty dishes
This way you can set up the ingredients and cocktail equipment, glasses, plates and canapés long before your partying throng arrive. And don't forget the crushed ice - it's so unbecoming to shovel cubes through a make-shift ice-crusher when you're dolled up like a royal.
Food
Keep it simple; opt for canapés. They're so straightforward that you can have many of them pre-prepared and shelved in the fridge just waiting for their doilied plate and garnish. Cater for ten canapés per head, and give guests a selection of at least six to choose from.
Setting the mood
You don't need yards of plush velvet drapes or to hire out the Royal Philharmonic to make your party a dazzling success. The best parties are relaxed, so go for something subtle. It's amazing what a few fairy lights and a dimmer switch can do for a room's ambience and, with a bit of decent music such as Bargrooves or Disco Kandi, you've got it made.
Off limits
Keep the party to a couple of rooms (and outside, if the weather's good). Close the doors to other rooms so that they're clearly off limits. And no candles please, or you may as well pre-book the Minor Burns Unit for the night. Cocktails and open flames do not mix.
Set a curfew
If there's one way to oust your party guests promptly, it's giving them somewhere else to go to. Pre-agree a venue you can all go on to and book the cabs accordingly. It's the perfect way to keep catering hassle down and party spills to a minimum!
Checklist
Have you got:
- Numbers of guests
- A list of who's bringing what
- Enough glasses
- Enough plates
- Crushed ice
- Blenders and shakers
- Back-up drinks
- Canapés ready prepared
- Cabs booked
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Created: 20/12/2004 Updated: 20/12/2004
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