Pleasing the Masses: Got a great big guest list? Here's your game plan.

Edit Content So your party's about to start, your guests are on their way, and you're sitting cooler than the cocktails you're about to serve. Why? You've planned ahead and made sure you have everything you need to pull off a fabulous party. What to Serve Limiting the drink options for your guests helps save time and money. Try highlighting only a few popular cocktails at your party-for instance, give your bar a martini theme, or serve drinks that can be prepared in advance (like punch or sangria). As a general rule of thumb, make sure your guests have at least two cocktail options, two wine options and three beer/bottled beverage options. Most importantly, make sure to have options for guests who may not want to drink, or who may be driving. Punch It Mix up your party with these punch recipes. Prepare these crowd-pleasers in advance to save time. Mint Julep Myrtle Bank Punch Planter's Punch Royal Cider Grog Smirnoff No. 21 & Champagne Sparkle Vodka Sangria What to Get Make sure you have the right glassware, garnishes, and tools. Assume that each guest can metabolize about a drink an hour-1.5 ounces of spirits, so plan accordingly. Prepare mixers like sour mix and simple syrup in advance. Don't forget to pick up napkins, stirrers, and most importantly, ice (at least one pound per person). How many cocktails will you serve at your soiree? Plan on one and a half ounces of spirits per hour per guests. Here's how that pans out when you go shopping (based on one and a half ounces of spirits per drink): 1 750 ml bottle = 17 cocktails 1 L bottle = 22 cocktails 1.5 L bottle = 34 cocktails Beer & Wine 1 bottle of wine (750 ml) serves five to six guests Fifty bottles of beer (12 oz.) serve 30 guests. (Ideally, each guest should have no more than one drink per hour.) Mixers For every 30 guests, pick up two to three 2 L bottles of the following: Club soda, cola, diet cola, ginger ale, lemon/lime soda, tonic water. Stock up on two quarts of each of the following for every 30 guests: Cranberry, grapefruit, and orange juices Misc. Napkins, stirrers, olives, maraschino cherries and lime juice. Remember to focus on your drink menu and your guests when you're at the store. One thing you should definitely remember is how to serve responsibly-use a jigger when you pour so you know how much alcohol is in each drink. And have fun! Click here to add new content

(* = required)
Pleasing the Masses: Got a great big guest list? Here's your game plan. Recipient's email:* Your name:* Your email:*		Personal note (optional): Send me a copy I confirm the recipient is 21 or over *
By clicking on the send button, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy of this website.

So your party's about to start, your guests are on their way, and you're sitting cooler than the cocktails you're about to serve. Why? You've planned ahead and made sure you have everything you need to pull off a fabulous party.

What to Serve
Limiting the drink options for your guests helps save time and money. Try highlighting only a few popular cocktails at your party-for instance, give your bar a martini theme, or serve drinks that can be prepared in advance (like punch or sangria). As a general rule of thumb, make sure your guests have at least two cocktail options, two wine options and three beer/bottled beverage options. Most importantly, make sure to have options for guests who may not want to drink, or who may be driving.

Punch It
Mix up your party with these punch recipes. Prepare these crowd-pleasers in advance to save time.
Mint Julep
Myrtle Bank Punch
Planter's Punch
Royal Cider Grog
Smirnoff No. 21 & Champagne Sparkle
Vodka Sangria

What to Get
Make sure you have the right glassware, garnishes, and tools. Assume that each guest can metabolize about a drink an hour-1.5 ounces of spirits, so plan accordingly. Prepare mixers like sour mix and simple syrup in advance. Don't forget to pick up napkins, stirrers, and most importantly, ice (at least one pound per person).

How many cocktails will you serve at your soiree? Plan on one and a half ounces of spirits per hour per guests. Here's how that pans out when you go shopping (based on one and a half ounces of spirits per drink):

1 750 ml bottle = 17 cocktails
1 L bottle = 22 cocktails
1.5 L bottle = 34 cocktails

Beer & Wine
1 bottle of wine (750 ml) serves five to six guests
Fifty bottles of beer (12 oz.) serve 30 guests.
(Ideally, each guest should have no more than one drink per hour.)

Mixers
For every 30 guests, pick up two to three 2 L bottles of the following: Club soda, cola, diet cola, ginger ale, lemon/lime soda, tonic water.

Stock up on two quarts of each of the following for every 30 guests: Cranberry, grapefruit, and orange juices

Misc.
Napkins, stirrers, olives, maraschino cherries and lime juice.

Remember to focus on your drink menu and your guests when you're at the store. One thing you should definitely remember is how to serve responsibly-use a jigger when you pour so you know how much alcohol is in each drink. And have fun!