Introduction

        Once upon a time in America people used to entertain guests in their homes and the cocktail party was the Rolls Royce of a social call. In the bustling suburbs, bars were set up on patios and theme parties like Tiki Night were commonplace. In the cities, Home Bars were a dime a dozen and ranged from a hidden away liquor cabinet with service utensils to a full-on bar built into someone’s basement. One could escape the ills of every day life and visit with friends in an intimate and sophisticated environment. The local cocktail lounge provided that outlet for many, but the cocktail party brought socializing to the safe confines of the living room. 

     A cocktail party’s success began with the hosts. The Host and Hostess made sure their guests were comfortable by setting the mood, providing hors d’oeuvres, and keeping them well-imbibed. People dressed up for the occasion. Generally, one put on their best duds to attend a cocktail party – women in sleek cocktail dresses, men in jacket and tie. This didn’t just happen on Park Avenue, getting dressed up when visiting another’s home used to be the norm! The gentlemen drank Rob Roys, Side Cars, Old Fashions, and Martinis – they knew how to make them from memory. Better yet, so did their wives and dates. My maternal grandmother continued to bring a pitcher of famous Manhattans to family parties well into her eighties. I credit her for my own love of the classic cocktail and inspiration to keep the tradition going.

     The golden age of the cocktail party was th early sixties, but like men’s fedoras, the art of home entertainment fell out of fashion. Today, cocktail parties still exist but lack the sophistication of the jet age. Recent soirees I attended are either too extravagant with hired help to do the leg work or they fall in the other extreme – wine and cheese or BYOB and board games. Occasionally someone gets it right. Unfortunately, these parties usually happen around the Holiday Season. Somehow people equate the cocktail party with Christmas time but I’m saying you can throw one year round!

Step 1

Step 1: Pick a Theme

     The best way to showcase the new set up is to throw an old-fashioned jet set cocktail party. If you have a small set up, make it simple: a dozen people, classic cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres. If you have a more elaborate set-up, then go all out.

     Before you start setting out the shrimp cocktail and deviled eggs, it is important to decide on the theme of the party. A bit of advance planning never hurt, so think about the details and logistics of your event. For the jet set feel, consider Airport Lounge or perhaps Havana circa 1959 or old Hollywood. I enjoy making Italian inspired cocktails using various amaros and serving food from the peninsula, so Roman Holiday or La Dolce Vita is my kind of theme. Start by decorating your home. I am not advocating building a full service vintage bar flanked by Campari and Cinzano posters in your living room, though that would be pretty swank. There are several easy alternatives such as low lighting in your living room/bar area, decorations such as vintage martini glasses, and serving food that matches your theme. For natural light, I employ Christmas lights or strategically placed votive candles and a few mid-century style lamps. I also throw on old movies such as noir classics, early James Bond films, or classic Cinecitta (on mute) in the background. Not only do the movies help inspire atmosphere I desire, they can also be conversation starters. For an extra touch and to keep your invite list private: send hand written invitations.

Step 2

Step 2: Cocktail Attire Request

     Cocktail attire does not mean rumpled blazer over an ironic t-shirt or khakis with an untucked stripy shirt. 

     According to about.com, cocktail attire is defined:


     The guests are the party and should understand they too create the ambiance. For men, a suit or blazer with slim tie, a crisp shirt and maybe a pocket square would be ideal. Please let your guests know that cocktail attire, not 'cocktail casual', is required. Inevitably some guests will continue to arrive in jeans or slacks and button shirts, however, if the majority of the party goers dress up it will enhance the experience and add to the mood. Ultimately, the folks who did not get dressed up the first time around tend to show up to the next shin-dig looking sharp.

Step 3

Step 3: The Booze

     After deciding on the theme, sit down and organize a cocktail list. For recipe ideas, I suggest the following mixology literature: Atomic Cocktails: Mixed Drinks for Modern Times, by Gideon Bosker and Reed Darmon, Gary Regan’s The Joy of Mixology, and Dale “King Cocktail” DeGroff’s The Craft of the Cocktail. 

     Try out a few recipes and zero in the classics to keep that Jet Set vibe going. For the traditional jet set cocktail party, stick to the classics such as the Manhattan, Martini, Gimlet, Side Car, and Whiskey Sour. Remember that cocktails, like food and attire, used to be considered seasonal. So if your cocktail party happens between Memorial Day and Labor Day, then stick to cold mixed drinks like the Tom Collins, Mint Julep, Mojito, Gin & Tonic, Cuba Libre, and Daiquiri. Save the heavier whiskey based cocktails for the frosty months to warm up guests coming in from the cold.

     Once you determine what drinks to serve, jot down the ingredients for each cocktail. Try them in advance and see if they are a good fit. Then print out a cocktail menu and have it at your bar or serving station. The devil is in the details!



     Buying the right booze is crucial. It is also important to stock your bar according to the number of guests. Purchase several bottles of the basics: gin, vodka, whiskey, blended scotch, and rum. Most people drink vodka, so buy a decent bottle of Stolichnaya for your premium cocktails and a less expensive brand for mixed drinks. The same goes for gin, I prefer Plymouth gin for martinis, gimlets, etc and Beefeater or Gordon’s for mixed drinks. Follow that pattern with the rest of your liquor inventory. Try not to get carried away with the most expensive types of liquor and, conversely, stay away from rotgut well brands. If your guests are decent folks they should show up with a bottle too. If they drink something specific, they should be civilized enough to bring the brand. Lastly, realize that not all your guests drink alcohol, so have alternatives like Virgin Bloody Mary or plenty of soda (include diet), water, and juices. I always prepare a pitcher of water and a virgin cocktail mix for the designated driver.

Step 4

Step 4: Preparing The Bar

     If you have a home bar, then prepare it for service. You can also create a bar area by setting up a table to hold the alcohol, glassware, cocktail making kit and utensils. Cut up your garnishes. If you have a condiment holder, then put each garnish in the slots. If not, then use small bowls or rocks glasses for each garnish. Set up several pitchers of pre-mixed cocktails. I make a pitcher of the most popular or time-consuming cocktails such as the Whiskey Sour or Sidecar. Imagine having to make individual Sidecars with twenty people expecting drinks. It can get hectic. If you have a mini-fridge, it is a good idea to stock it with bags of ice and your pitchers of cocktail mix. Remember when the ice is gone, the party is over. Also keep extra garnishes like lemons and limes on hand.

     Set up your barware in easy reach and have your shakers and mixing paraphernalia clean and ready for the guests. Periodically you will have to go to the kitchen and clean out your shakers, glasses, etc. Do not let glasses stack up in your sink since they will be harder to clean later.

Step 5

Step 5: The Music

     Think of the music that will be playing as background or mood music. It is meant to bring together the lounge feeling created by your theme. Have a decent collection of period music set up on your CD player, hi-fi, or I-Pod. I create my own play lists for each soiree. When throwing a retro cocktail party stick to Keely Smith, Charlie Parker, Wes Montgomery, Desi Arnaz, Xavier Cugat, Peggy Lee, Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima, Louis Jordan, and lounge music from exotica impresarios Martin Denny, Esquivel, and Les Baxter. Ultra-Lounge puts out a great retro party series; I recommend Ultra-Lounge Vol. 1: Mondo Exotica, Ultra-Lounge Vol. 2: Mambo Fever, Ultra-Lounge Vol. 4: Bachelor Pad Royale, and Ultra-Lounge Vol. 9: Cha-Cha D’Amour.

The music adds color to the party, like the low lighting, and is not meant to be a distraction or drown out conversation.

Step 6

Step 6: Food

     Because the food is perishable, this step is next to last. Please keep in mind the type of food you buy depends on the size and general theme of your party. If your cocktail party is an intimate affair with a dozen or so people, you may want to create a dinner party feel by asking guests to bring a dish or appetizers, etc. For larger parties, do not chintz out on quality but just remember that after three of your classic cocktails, your guests may start dipping carrots in salsa and devour a plate of artichoke dip when the munchies take over. Try to have something salty on the bar for people to nibble on; standards like peanuts and pretzels should do nicely.

     For the Last Flight Out of Havana Party, I ordered Cuban Sandwiches, sweet plantains, grilled shrimp, and ropa vieja from a local Cuban restaurant. I then chopped the Cuban sandwiches into bite size appetizers; put the marinated shrimps and prawns into a table spread with rice, the meat, and beans and plantains. I also served my Cuba Libres with old fashion Coke bottles for an extra retro touch. The point is try to deviate from the standard chips and dips and other standard crudités; make your cocktail party one of a kind.

     I suggest Cocktail Food: 50 Finger Foods with Attitude, by Mary Barber and Sara Whiteford for some original recipes.

Step 7

Step 7: Hosting

     As the host of your party, make sure you interact and speak with each of your guests. Introduce people to each other and make them feel welcome and comfortable. Since I have a full home bar, I usually tend, which ensures conversations with every guest. Meanwhile, my wife works the room, refills hors d’ouerves, and takes care of odds and ends. Inevitably, a few guests enlist their services and help with cleaning glassware, setting out food, and making drinks.

     To become an expert at hosting cocktail parties I recommend The Art of the Cocktail Party: The Complete Guide to Sophisticated Entertainment, by Leslie Brenner and Juliet Jacobson. For the suburban folks, get Patio Daddy-O by Gideon Bosker to capture that true 1950s BBQ feel.

The Party

The Party

     At long last the plan for your jet set party is complete and you are ready for the business of home entertainment. The seven steps illustrated is a frame work meant to bring the art of the cocktail party back from the past. My suggestions center around achieving a vibe reminiscent of the jet set age because that was the time when the classic cocktail party achieved its popularity and nostalgic mystique. However, it is fine to 86 the 'retro' aspect of this piece but please concentrate on some of the formal aspects such as the attention to details, hosting, and setting the mood. The extra effort can turn your parties into must attend events. Your guests will be amazed at what you’ve created in a short amount of time. Suddenly, no one will be responding 'Maybe' on your Evites, in fact screw Evite – send written, yes written invitations and fly under the radar!! So dim the lights, put on the hi-fi, stir that pitcher of Gimlets, and for heaven’s sake do not forget the ICE!