Cocktail Party ideas please!

kezzajane

My DD has decided that she would like a cocktail party for a few (hmm) friends for her 18th birthday. As this will need to be done on a budget, I was wondering if anyone had any nice ideas to help make it a special occasion without costing the earth. I'm already thinking about providing pre-mixed jugs of cocktails so I can limit the amount of spirits needed (in theory!), but could really do with some ideas for food & decorations. Thanks if you can help!:beer:

FieryAngel

Would nibbles be the best thing for a cocktail party? Especially if it does turn out to be more than a "few". Either that or order a takeaway?
I got some cheap cocktail umbrellas and cocktail stirrers from ebay a while back as well as a cocktail shaker set.
I do have some 'martini' style glasses but they were from John Lewis so were about 4 for £12 so not exactly cheap but they've had some good use!
Sounds like a fun night, hope it goes well

Happytravelling

Nibbles would be good for a cocktail party, but takeaway might be better at filling them up and reducing the amount they want to drink!

I've recently found ginger beer goes well with dark rum or coconut rum and with pimms, and I'm sure with lots of other things I'm yet to try, and you don't need to much spirit with these options.

To add to the feeling of celebration, perhaps a 'welcome' or toast drink of cava/ prosecco with a blackcurrant liquor (like a kir royale but cheaper than using champagne) or cut out the cost of the blackcurrant liquor and drop a strawberry in each glass instead.

Sounds like it will be fun :-)

mandco

my local sains had lots of party stuff reduced today mini napkins, cocktail stirrers, mini paper umbrellas ect 60p some plastic glassware and various foil platters too so may be worth a look.

food wise canapes and nibbles will give more of a cocktail party feel

themull1

How many friends, how much budget? A cocktail party has to have canape type nibbles, having a takeaway just makes it a party!!

sarah69696pink

definitely nibbles - can make some cheap ones though (e.g brown toast cut into little circles with philidephia smoked salmon - cheaper than actual blinis.....and so on)
Pre mixing some cocktails is a great idea - cheap ones to make are cosmos (vodka, cranberry juice and some lime wedges)
Pound shop also has lots of bits including plastic cocktail glasses (think its 5 in a pack for £1 and no washing up at the end of the night!) they also have cocktail shakers and others bits.

chanie

I'd buy the frozen party food from iceland.

Get somebody to make the cocktails so the guests don't pour their own and add too much alcohol.

Bars always add loads of crushed ice to drinks for a reason - so they can serve less.

Make up menus with pictures of the drinks and what's in them. Try and stick to cocktails with similar spirits so you won't need to buy too many.

Buy charms for the glasses so the guests will know which drink is theirs. It means you won't have to get so many glasses and the guests can take them home. Bracelets could work well.

Don't forget the cocktail accessories like umbrellas, sparklers, edible glitter etc.

Make up a couple of fish bowls and get long saturated for sharing.