This elegant Crate and Barrel hand-blown glass "Virginia" punch bowl includes six cups and a ladle and sells for $145.
Cocktail parties bring loads of cheer, not work
December 20, 2008
Special to the Star
The joy of welcoming guests into your home at this time of year can quickly lose its appeal if there's too much work involved. One way to keep hassle to a minimum is to throw a cocktail party, says William MacDonald, a Toronto designer and entertaining aficionado.
"A cocktail party can be very sophisticated and very fun without a lot of work, especially if you know which shortcuts to take," he says.
MacDonald advocates serving just wine – sparkling or still – and one or two special cocktails, rather than having a full bar, which requires a considerable investment in liquor and a full-time bartender. He also likes to serve a colourful punch.
"It's a bit of a throwback, almost Dickensian, but a good punch really quenches the thirst and it looks great in a big bowl on the table, especially if you float raspberries or cranberries in it."
Punch bowls can be rented for as little as $10, but if it's something you think you'll use again, consider buying one. Offering big bang for the buck is a Luigi Bormioli server, which can be used as a cake plate, chip dip bowl or punch bowl. Available in-store or online from Cayne's for $25. Crate and Barrel has an elegant hand-blown glass "Virginia" punch bowl set for $145 that includes six cups and a ladle. Additional cups are $9.95 each.
Ellen Keleher, product consultant at the LCBO store on Queens Quay in Toronto, is also a fan of the cocktail party because it can be themed around a colour, country or spirit.
Keleher says one of this year's most popular party cocktails is the Mojito, a mixture of lime, rum and crushed mint. To mix a batch easily, pick up a handsome kit by Bacardi that has all the necessary tools, including a brushed stainless steel muddler for crushing mint, paring knife, stirrer, tool stand, glass cutting board, measuring instruments and a 750 mL bottle of Bacardi Superior Rum. The LCBO sells the kits for about $35.
Keleher is also a fan of martinis, because "you can do them with so many twists, no pun intended." To make the perfect martini, you'll need a shaker. The LCBO sells a serviceable stainless steel version for $15.85, while Pottery Barn sells lovely coloured glass shakers for $19.50. Or you can go hands-free with Waring Pro's electric martini maker, which has both shake and stir functions on a touchpad control. It sells for about $100.
While it's fun to serve smart cocktails, it's important not to overlook the designated drivers or those who choose not to drink alcohol for any number of reasons. For them, Keleher's current favourite mocktail is made from equal parts of grapefruit, tangerine and orange juices, to which fruit-flavoured sparkling water can also be added.
For recipes for other non-alcoholic drinks, visit the LCBO's website.While you're there, read the section on responsible entertaining.
Food is an important part of the well-executed cocktail party. Not only do cocktails lend themselves to being paired with foods, encouraging guests to eat while they imbibe will lessen the likelihood of your lampshades ending up on your guests' heads.
Keleher suggests choosing artisanal wine and cheese, and cautions against food that's either very greasy or salty – because they'll cause people to drink more.
Rather than spending hours prepping in the kitchen, MacDonald suggests buying hors d'oeuvres from your local supermarket.
"You can reduce your work load even more by having food delivered. Grocery Gateway has Longo's Bustini, small pastry-wrapped nibbles, mushroom risotto or chicken. A package of 10 costs $6. Add to your order a couple of blocks of cheese, including 300-gram packs of flavoured goat cheeses that sell for $7.49.
About an hour before the party is to break up, stop serving alcohol and switch to bottled water and specialty coffees and teas. Add Green and Black's assorted miniature chocolate bars ($25 for 24 15-gram bars) and guests won't complain that the cocktails have ceased flowing.
Cleanup will be easier if you forgo plates and use cocktail napkins. Crate and Barrel has a selection of napkins with seasonal themes. A package of 20 sells for $3.95.
If your environmental conscience won't let you use paper napkins, consider linen cocktail napkins from the Pottery Barn (a package of six costs $15).
Read more great entertaining tips, Vicky's blog, and get ideas to make your holidays sparkle in Yourhome.ca's festive guide.