Party season is officially upon us, but don’t panic we’ve put together some of our top tips for throwing the perfect Christmas cocktail party.
Food
Even though it’s a cocktail party, nibbles should be mandatory – no one wants to leave feeling hungry and cocktails on an empty stomach don’t always work out so well.
Whether you’re whipping up your best dish or getting in the caterers make some labels to let your guests know what they’re eating.
We love these cinnamon stick ones.
Dress code
Set a dress code whether it’s glamorous cocktail attire of your ugliest Christmas jumpers it’s a perfect way to set the tone of the evening.
Need a Gin-themed Christmas jumper – Click here
Glamorous goodbyes goodies
Treat your guests to a little Christmas gift to take home like a miniature Slingsby to hang on their tree – think of it as an adult party bag.
Christmas tipples
We think everyone will agree a Christmas cocktail party needs some showstopper tipples – try out our ‘Let it sloe’ punch or the delicious ‘White Port Rickey’. Make it a drink to remember by getting creative with your garnishes think; candy canes, gingerbread men or get some Christmas cocktail stirrers
Let it Sloe
In a rocks glass, simply add:
30ml home-made Slingsby Navy Strength sloe gin*
1 Tbsp Damson jam
20ml Sweet red vermouth
10ml White grapefruit juice
*To make the homemade Navy Strength Sloe Gin. Add one bottle of Slingsby Navy Strength Gin to a sterilized glass container. Prepare 1kg of Sloe berries: Using a fork prick each sloe berry 2 – 3 times, this will allow the gin to infuse. Add the sloes to the gin and seal tightly. Store in a cool dark place for a minimum of 3 weeks. The longer the gin is left the better the sloe berries will infuse. Serve in a rocks glass.
White Port Rickey
35ml Slingsby Rhubarb gin
50ml White port
25ml Lime juice
10ml Sugar syrup
Top with soda
Hard shake the gin, port, lemon juice and sugar syrup together and pour over ice into a tall glass. Top with a splash of soda, swizzle with a candy cane.
Image Credits: Notonthehightstreet.com, lulastic.co.uk, Red magazine
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use.