How to host the perfect Christmas party
Tips for hosting a Christmas party at home
It's Christmas! The season of indulgence, festive music and Santa sweaters. But the best part is spending quality time with your favourite people. If you're hosting this year, we know it can be stressful - especially if you're in charge of the big day. But don't panic. We've teamed up with drinks and hosting expert, Pippa Guy, to share her secrets and hacks for pulling off the best Christmas Day ever.
Pre-batch cocktails to seamlessly get the party started
So, it's your turn to host Christmas, and you're understandably a little nervous. You know how the phrase goes – "if you fail to plan, you're planning to fail", so you know that the secret to pulling off a stress-free Christmas day is prep!
Once you've locked down the drinks and cocktails you want to serve, stock up on their ingredients and make sure the non-drinkers are covered too. Our top tip is to pre-batch cocktails to save yourself time and effort.
Pippa recommends Negronis as the ultimate timesaver. Batch mix it by using an empty 700ml bottle, and add to it equal parts gin, Campari, sweet vermouth and water (we recommend 175ml of each or 6oz) and pop it in the freezer. It's then already mixed, so all you have to do is pour over ice and garnish with orange peel on the day. It also means you can serve smaller sizes or tasters if needed!
Decide on a theme and deck the halls
While there's no rule book that says you must have a theme, choosing one will definitely help make your home look more magical and, of course, impress your guests. Think about the theme you want to convey. A white winter wonderland complete with sparkles can look fresh and modern, or a traditional style with multicoloured lights can look cosy and comforting. The key to this is remembering that you don’t need to spend hundreds on decor. Take a look at what you might already have stored away or scour charity shops to reuse and recycle pre-loved decorations.
The ultimate Christmas cocktail menu – what to serve and when
It's Christmas Day and you're prepped and ready to go. There's nothing left to do except serve up the drinks and celebrate. If you're looking for a festive drinks menu that will delight your guests throughout the day, check out these expert recommendations from Pippa.
Cocktails to serve during dinner
For those who aren’t partial to a glass of wine with food, we have some options that will keep guests happy all the way through dinner.
Pippa recommends:
Gin cocktails
For gin, something long, fizzy and light in flavour always goes down well during a big meal - think a Tom Collins or a Vodka Soda with fresh lime to help aid digestion. Swap out the alcohol for Gordon's or Tanqueray 0.0% to keep things alcohol-free if you prefer.
Whisky cocktails
If you're serving turkey, Pippa says consider Johnnie Walker Black Label due to its delicious blend of orchard fruits and smoky undertones that complement the succulent flavour of poultry. Opt for a classic whisky and soda, or level up the wintery vibes by switching your mixer to a ginger ale. If you're looking for something with vermouth, go for a rich Manhattan which will pair perfectly with richer meats you may be serving.
Cocktails to serve after dinner
With dinner finished and guests enjoying parlour games, quizzes or a festive movie, thoughts inevitably turn to dessert. For those not wanting a dessert, consider serving these post-dinner cocktails as alternatives to pudding.
Baileys on the rocks
It doesn’t get more Christmassy than Baileys over ice, especially if you’ve had enough mixing for the day. Relax and take comfort in knowing your guests will love a simple glass of Baileys – even better if you have a bottle of Baileys Chocolat Luxe set aside for your chocolate-loving guests.
Espresso Martino
A sure crowd pleaser, the Espresso Martino offers up all the flavours of the classic sip just without the alcohol. Seedlip Spice 94 replaces the traditional vodka, bringing warming spices which perfectly complement the bold flavour of espresso.
And Christmas Day is served…
As you prepare to host a memorable Christmas gathering, don't forget that the drinks you serve can really set the mood. There are lots of options to choose from, like old favourites such as French 75 and Baileys, or more unique drinks like the Mojito Ho, Ho. The most important thing to remember is to relax and enjoy spending time with your loved ones. Have a Merry Christmas!
Pippa Guy
The Bar Team & Pippa Guy
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