PartySpot > Party Style: 10 Cocktail Party Must-Haves

Party Style: 10 Cocktail Party Must-Haves

Party Style: 10 Cocktail Party Must-Haves

Photos By: Jen Kroll Photography, Grand Rapids, MI
You may think throwing a cocktail party is a piece of cake. But your half-empty bottle of vodka and case of “Two Buck Chuck” might not cut it -- you need to be prepared and fully stocked. Shake things up and stir in a little fun with our top 10 cocktail party must-haves.
 
-- Brianne DiSylvester
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Take all those half-empty bottles of liquor and bottom-shelf brands to make a featured cocktail…use extra rum for mojitos or spike lemonade with vodka for a refreshing summer drink. Mix in a drink dispenser or pitcher, then add some decorative fruit and label each one. The easy-pour spouts on Pottery Barn’s drink dispenser will ensure less spills and make a gorgeous addition to your table. Drink dispenser, $79, PotteryBarn.com
Making a great cocktail is an art, but with this bar tool set from Crate & Barrel it can be a cinch. Even if you have no idea how to mix a martini, you’ll at least look stylish with these polished stainless steel tools, which include tongs, a strainer, a spoon, a jigger, and a bottle opener. Don’t forget to pick up a cocktail shaker too. Bar tool set, $50, CrateandBarrel.com Ribbed cocktail shaker, $20, CrateandBarrel.com
Now that you have a fully stocked bar, organize all your bottles with a liquor dispenser. Not only will it impress your friends, you’ll love it because it dispenses just the right amount of alcohol -- 1.5 ounces of booze per pour -- for the perfect cocktail, minus any spills. Black & Silver large 4-bottle liquor dispenser, $30, Target.com
No cocktail is complete without a stylish glass to sip from. Serve your guests tasty libations in this frosted olive green collection from Midnight Glassware. A variety of styles -- including highball, wine, martini, and double old-fashioned glasses, as well as champagne flutes -- are sold in sets of six. The best part: They’re translucent enough to see when your guests need a refill. Midnight Glassware Collection, $30, Target.com
Shake up your cocktail party with some unexpected wit -- after all, parties are a time to let loose. These retro napkins from Anne Taintor will have your guests cracking with humorous sayings printed on vintage drawings. Pick up some cocktail-inspired ones like “Ta-daa! Now let’s have a cocktail…” or “She liked her men like her cocktails…neat, but with a twist.” Anne Taintor retro napkins, $5 for 20, YouNeedaDrink.com
Add a splash of color to your table with bright Souper bowls from Urban Outfitters. These tiny bowls are the perfect size to stock garnishes like limes, lemons, cherries, oranges, olives, and pearl onions. They’re also great for serving munchies like cheese and crackers, fruit salad, olive mixes, and shrimp. Souper bowls, $15 for 4, UrbanOutfitters.com
Next to booze, ice is the most important part of any cocktail party -- run out and you’ll have a revolt on your hands. Make sure your party goes off without a hitch by keeping your ice bucket fully stocked. The Eva Solo ice cube cooler has a thermos bowl to keep your ice cold, plus the silicone lid also doubles as an ice tray. Eva Solo ice cube cooler, $127, Wrapables.com
Swizzle sticks make it fun to stir up those drinks. These colorful stirrers, in yellow, pink, orange, blue, and green, will make any drink stand out -- they also come in handy to help guests differentiate their cocktail from everyone else’s. Cut a few down to fit in martini and old-fashioned glasses. Swizzle sticks, $6 for 25, PerpetualKid.com
Play the perfect host and serve your guests in style. This recycled tin tray from CB2 will catch everyone’s eye. Recycled packaging labels cover the sturdy wooden frame and the lead-free lacquer finish makes for easy cleanup. Stock it with napkins, cocktail stirrers, garnishes, and signature cocktails so everything your guests need is within reach. Recycled tin tray, $60, CB2.com
Beyond a martini and a gin and tonic, you may be clueless in mixology. Arm yourself with Cocktail and select a few signature drinks for your soiree. This handy book has more than 50 drink recipes that’ll wow your guests. Cocktail by Oona van den Berg, $13, BarnesandNoble.com
For more party planning ideas, check out these terrific tips. Party Planning: Cocktail Party Basics Menu Ideas Party Planning: Hosting a Wine Tasting Party