Summary: With the summer over and fall here, many people choose to host parties at this time of year in their homes as the weather has turned cold and people are forced to be inside more. If you are planning on entertaining guests you should be sure to have all of the best party products on hand that will ensure that your bash will be a big hit for all who attend.

One aspect of parties without which any event is incomplete is the beverages. You will be required to prepare for cocktails, as well as mocktails, as your guests will include all kinds of drinkers. If you are unsure as to how to go about the whole beverage planning, then you could hire the services of a drinks catering company, as their experience will definitely help you make the right decisions.

There are two kinds of Beverage Packages that you will require when you are planning a party:

A Complete Beverage Package

Mocktails are very beneficial as it covers everything you will require as your bar needs are concerned. These beverage packages are planned in such a way that you will not require to plan for anything except for which drink you will be ordering. The bar package also includes the bar staff hire, which is important, as the beverages as only a good bartenders will be able to give you good drinks, which will make your guests come back for more.

Also some drinks catering company offer to tailor make your beverage package so that it can suit the theme or the specific event that you are having.

What a good beverage package should include:

The beverages: wines, cocktails, beers, non alcoholic craft cocktails and soft drinks. You can ask for champagne separately.

  • Portable bars: that is the bars that will be set up by the drinks catering company like stainless steel bars, glow bars or even bars that are equipped with draft bar systems if you want the beer to be “On Tap”
  • Consumables- you will require consumables like straws, ice, garnishes, napkins and other incidental bar equipment.
  • Glass ware or even plastic ware should be available.
  • Staff- this is will either make or break your bar standards as you will require friendly, fully trained, RSA qualified bar and wait and cocktail staff who will deliver for the event.
  • Some companies even offer added services like marquees, red carpets, frozen cocktail machines, cocktail tables and rubbish removal services.

Cocktail Packages

If you don’t require the whole nine yards where the bar services and drinks catering services are concerned then you can opt for only the Cocktail Package, which provides you staff who will make just the cocktails for you as per your requirements and the event requirements.

You can have Cocktails at Home

This allows you to have the cocktails of your choice served by the hands of the drinks catering company’s bartender. Most companies offer to get all the ingredients like the shakers, mixers, blenders, strainers, beverages, muddlers, straws and napkins.

Frozen Cocktails

These refreshingly different cocktails come in the form of slushees that are a delight to have, especially during hot summers. There are special frozen cocktail machines that keep the cocktail ready, all you have to do is ask for a frozen cocktail and it will be in your hand.

Cocktails at Work

This is a unique idea to boost the morale of your staff and colleagues as you can now serve smooth cocktails or fruit smoothies to them right at the desk, during lunch or after work. Everyone will definitely appreciate this gesture as it a small but much needed break. And it also shows that you care.

Fruit Juices and Fruit Cocktails

Fresh fruit juices are certainly the number one option for everyone who loves healthy and delicious drinks. The best aspect of serving fresh fruit juices is the wide medley of tastes you can offer. Each fruit has its specific taste and is certain to appeal to someone attending your party. Having the right selection of fresh juices will turn your party into a success.

Apart from fresh juices, you can serve non-alcoholic fruit cocktails. These are amazing for summertime parties and parties held at the beach. Perform a simple web search. You will discover dozens of opportunities. If you feel like it, you can come up with your own fruit cocktails. It is all about discovering good mixes and serving the drinks well-chilled and beautifully decorated.

Lemonade

Everybody loves lemonade. It is refreshing, it is tasty and it can be made effortlessly at home. You will need four lemons and eight tablespoons of sugar or any alternative sweetener that you prefer. Take your container and pour some cold water in. Add the sugar and stir until all of it gets dissolved. Squeeze the juice of the four lemons and add it to the cold water and the sugar. Add more water to get a liter of lemonade. Serve your lemonade well-chilled. This unpretentious drink is very healthy, since lemons are rich in vitamin C.

Homemade Punch

Homemade punch can be healthy, as well. It contains natural ingredients and it contains no artificial colorants or preservatives. Make any type of punch that you like. Whether it is alcohol free or containing some type of alcohol is entirely up to you. Try to pick organic ingredients when preparing your punch.

Ice tea drinks

Homemade iced tea is another amazing healthy option. Select your favorite type of tea. Make sure that you use enough of it, since the taste will change once the drink gets cooled. Prepare the tea the way you usually do. In case you want to offer guests diversity, you can pick several tea flavors. Add sugar, honey or another type of sweetener that you prefer. Do that while the drink is still hot to get the sugar dissolved easily.

Let the tea cool down. Add ice to it and decorate any way you find appropriate – use lemon or lime slices, nicely shaped ice cubes or anything else that will look good with other decorations. Fresh tea is certainly connected to a number of health benefits.

Theme drinks

Choosing a theme for a retirement party is not essential, but it can add an extra element of fun to the occasion, especially if you are holding the party at your workplace. In choosing a theme, consider where the person might be moving after retiring or if they have a favorite hobby that they will be pursuing in their retirement. For example, if the person is moving to Hawaii, you could throw and island-themed party. If they love to play golf, that could be a theme as well. If the person has a noteworthy trait, you can also make that a theme for the party.

Other fun mocktail party ideas include creating an all-white themed summer event with a white fabric gazebo. You can rent a 10′ x 10′ canopy and then use sheer fabric to swag the sides of the tent. You may need to bring in a tenting company to help with the small tent but you can buy the fabric yourself to create the swags. Add some color to your white cocktail parties with colored glass décor items such as vases and marbles for your buffet display as seen in the first picture. Flowers too can be fun and colorful yet simple. And for drinks, here are some cocktail party ideas that are refreshing and cool for the summer. One cocktail party menu idea is to make your own spa water.