Go back to the swinging '60s with a martini party.
Cocktail parties are great fun, and 1960s martini-themed parties are great to take the idea further and try to evoke the atmosphere of those carefree gatherings. Careful planning and preparation for your party will ensure that you and your guests have a great time. Make sure your party venue is large enough to accommodate your guests, with comfortable seating areas and a space for the all-important cocktail bar. Does this Spark an idea?
Planning
Make sure you have plenty of olives for your martini cocktail party.
Send out your invitations well in advance to ensure a good turnout. Make them formal in style, with details of the desired arrival time and an RSVP address. Give your guests a taste of what they can look forward to---for example, "martini cocktails and swinging '60s dancing." Specify the dress code for your 1960s martini themed party, such as A-line, Mary Quant--inspired dresses for the women and velvet suits for the men. An important stage of the planning is to buy all the ingredients you will need for your cocktails. Decide how many cocktail choices you want to offer, and print menus listing them by name so that your guests can choose what they want. You may want to stick to classic martini cocktails, such as cosmopolitans or dirty martinis, or create your own and give them names inspired by 1960s culture. Basic supplies will include vodka, gin, vermouth and gourmet olives.
Decoration
Make an attractive display of your martini glasses to impress your guests.
Elegance is key for a cocktail party. Make a well-stocked bar the focal point of the room; arranging your martini glasses on shelves or hanging them above the bar will add an interesting feature. A large ice bucket with tongs can be another focal point. A couple of retro pieces in the room will make a big impact, such as a bar mirror or a velvet chaise longue. Instead of bright overhead lights, use low-wattage bulbs in strategically placed lights around the room for a romantic, sophisticated atmosphere.
Entertainment
Encourage party guests to make their own cocktails.
Apart from plenty of 1960s music on your record player or jukebox, a couple of fun ideas to keep your guests entertained are easy to arrange. Consider hiring a bartender for the evening who can perform tricks while mixing cocktails and give demonstrations to allow your guests to try mixing a martini cocktail themselves. Organize your guests into small groups to take part in a 1960s-themed quiz, with prizes for the winning team.
Tags: your guests, your martini, cocktail party, focal point, Make sure, martini cocktail, martini cocktails