How to host the perfect Easter party

01

Plan the perfect brunch

So, you’ve decided to play host and invite friends or family over for Easter. Why not put on a brunch? Everyone loves it. It’s that perfect meal where you can combine delicious breakfast and lunch, sweet treats (hot cross buns, anyone?), and alcoholic and alcohol-free cocktails.

Panicked about what to serve? Don’t be. Try planning your brunch menu by picturing the plate like this: protein and a carb-y side and then extras like homemade bread, pastries and fruit. Eggs should be on the menu, perhaps with salmon and bagels. If you have any vegan guests, try scrambled tofu or a a chickpea omelette.

02

Mix up egg-ceptional cocktails

If you’re hosting an Easter get-together, bubbles are a must. But instead of the obvious choice of Mimosas, try serving a French 75. It's light, citrusy, subtly sweet and just as easy to make and sip. You'll need gin, champagne, freshly squeezed lemon juice, sugar, or simple syrup. You can use a Copa glass, tumbler, or cocktail glass.

As its Easter, chocolate is key. And this applies to cocktails too. A Chocolatini (that's a chocolatey take on a classic martini, by the way) is where it's at. And, if you don't have all the equipment on hand, don't stress too much. Use a measuring jug instead of a shaker or a small shot glass (25ml) and some measuring spoons instead of a jigger.

03

Set up an Easter egg hunt

Who said Easter egg hunts are just for kids? Everyone can get involved. Arrange one for you and your crew. Of course, the joy of an Easter egg hunt is chocolate, but you can give yours a twist. Try hiding cocktail recipes in the Easter eggs. Your guests will need to make the cocktail they find in their eggs in a cocktail competition later in the evening. Or ditch the chocolate and hide mini drink bottles instead. When all the drinks have been collected, use them to host a cocktail-filled brunch, have all the ingredients ready and waiting on the self-serve beverage station.

04

Prep a cracking al fresco feast

There's nothing like Easter to put a spring in your step. The weather is warming up, the grass is greener, everything just feels fresher, lighter and brighter, and you can finally enjoy hosting outside. What better way to welcome the new season than with an al fresco feast that everyone will remember? We know lamb is pretty standard fare for Easter, so fire up the barbecue and cook kebabs or a smoked leg of lamb. But don't forget about the non-meat eaters; try serving veggie skewers or sweet potato black bean burgers.

As for drink options, just make sure you're pairing your food with the right drinks. With cocktails, you'll want to match the flavour profiles of your dish. Rum cocktails go really well with lamb, and gin pairs well with veggie and vegan options, but don't just serve classic G&Ts. Oh no, we're talking Gin Sangria or Elderflower G&Ts as the citrus from the gin will complement the flavours perfectly.

05

Set up an eggstra-special table

When hosting an Easter party, as well as sprucing up your home, don't forget to show the dinner table some love. You can spruce up the table with a few DIY bunny place cards, floral napkins and a centrepiece. DIY-ing your own napkins is pretty easy; simply roll a floral stamp with a thin layer of fabric paint and apply it to light pastel-hued linens. You'll get an amazing visual result with minimal work.

Get your drinks involved, too. Give them an Easter vibe with fruit garnishes or decorative ice cubes.