Sorrento Bar and Bar Stool by Casa Novalia Drink Trolley from San Remo by Casa Novalia

Conjure up the classic cocktail party, and the picture that likely comes to mind is rendered in glamorous black-and-white, peopled by elegant dames in sophisticated, nipped at the waist dresses and handsome, rock-jawed gents in full suit and tie, all of whom banter and flirt, martinis in hand, amidst a haze of cigarette smoke. This was the ‘50s after all. If our picture came complete with sound, we’d probably hear Ella, Lena and Cole taking turns spinning on the hi-fi stereo at 33 1/3 r.p.m. That stands for revolutions-per-minute for all of you under-40 crowd. We’re talking cool baby.

Funny thing is, the picture is really much the same today sans the smoke, this being 2005 after all. All across the country, people are catching on to the idea that home is not only where the heart is, but also where it’s at when it comes to entertaining. Hence, the classic cocktail party is enjoying a renaissance of sorts, as if they ever really went out of style!

Wait. What’s that you say? A few of your nearest and dearest sipping something scrumptious sounds positively de-lovely and delightful, but nobody would mistake you for a domestic diva in this decade or any other? Well, knock back something to stiffen that upper lip and still the beating heart. For all those who wouldn’t know their shaken from their stirred, a brew from a blend, or a cocktail weenie from, well, never mind, our modern mixologists have put together a can’t-miss party prescription with their usual distinctly Italian flair designed to make you the toast of any town in no time.

Toscana Bar and Bar Stool by Excelsior Designs

If the idea of cooking for a crowd sends you into a swoon before you’ve even taken a drink, then forget it. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres do make the perfect prelude to dinner, but nowhere is it written that serving a meal is a requirement. If dinner sounds too overwhelming or time-consuming, simply start your soiree after the dinner hour. Think finger foods with frilly toothpicks, or maybe a dessert buffet and a variety of spiked coffee drinks. Remember the fun of cocktail party food is that you can experiment since nobody will be making a meal out of any one dish. Strive for variety and estimate about one half-dozen bites per person, per hour of party (less if you are serving dinner). Err, if you must, on the side of abundance. The second biggest stumbling block to becoming known as the hostess with the most-ess is always what to buy and how much. The best bartenders figure two drinks per person (make that four if you are serving dinner). Using the usual 1.5-ounce of liquor per drink, you’ll get approximately 22 cocktails from a liter bottle. The quintessential party has 12 to 30 guests and lasts approximately two hours. Just do the math. The only cardinal rule is to purchase top-shelf brands, and not to forget that you may have guests who don’t indulge. Make sure you have a few non-alcoholic selections on hand for them.

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