It is just for grownups. Done properly, it can be the most sophisticated way to network or socialize.

A cocktail party is a great way to mix and mingle with friends or colleagues. Just to give you some background information, cocktail parties usually begin between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., lasting for about two hours. Of course, rules are made to be broken, so have it at midnight for six hours if you want.

The menu for such an event usually consists of hors d'oeuvres, appetizers and tapas.

Preparation for a cocktail party can be much different than your average dinner party or birthday celebration. Even though good food is a must, your party can be a bust if you don’t have a plan to give your guests variety and a bar stocked to keep the libations flowing.

As always, I have you covered on the basics:

Stock the Bar: For your most basic bar you will need vodka, whiskey, red and white wine and a beer selection. To make things more interesting, don’t forget the tequila, rum and flavored liquors. You will need to make sure you have mixers, such as juice and soda, and garnishments like cherries and limes.

Make sure you are Icy: Avoid an errand to the store during your soiree by making sure you stock up on ice. Not only do you need ice for mixed drinks, you will require it to keep wine, beer and mixers chilled. To be on the safe side, plan on having one pound of ice for every two guests in attendance.

Keep up with the flow: Perhaps the worst thing that can possibly happen at your cocktail party is to run out of the cocktails. There are many online drink calculators to help you figure out how much liquor, wine or beer you need. I also included a chart below to help make sure you have enough bottles to go around.
 

Be on your best behavior: As the host, be responsible enough to limit guests you see doing too much drinking, and don’t forget to offer coffee and water, especially before their departure. It is a good idea to stop serving drinks about 20 minutes before the party ends. Hiring a bartender to serve and play police can make your night go more smoothly.

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