THE COOL CLUB
When you’re hosting a party, one of the first things on your to do list should be to sort your welcome drinks. Why? Well, your party welcome drinks will often be the one of the first things your guests are greeted with, so naturally you’ll want to create a great impression.
Welcome drinks can be a tricky party element to decide on. After all, everyone has different tastes – while some like cocktail classics like Margaritas and G&Ts, others will prefer a sweeter affair full of fruit.
Don’t worry, you’re not doing it alone, because the party planners here at The Ice Co have been serving welcome drinks for years. Here you’ll find some top tips on how to get wow your guests, rather than leave them feeling flat.
Most economical welcome drink
There’s a reason why Pimms is so often chosen at wedding receptions. It’s delicious, can be spruced up with fruit, and a little goes a long way. Pimms is even one of the official drinks at Wimbledon, definitely making it worth a serve. You could even create a vibrant looking table full of fruits and herbs for your guests to add, or do an alcohol-free version for the sober curious.
The cocktails to get tummies rumbling
There are some really impressive cocktails out there, but some of them also serve a purpose. Yes, you guessed it, the good old aperitif. Aperitifs are alcoholic drinks supped before a meal to stimulate the appetite. Many of the best aperitifs include gin, vermouth, or dry white wine. There are also bitters like Campari and Aperol that are often used to whet the appetite. Welcome drinks based on these spirits are perfect, especially if you’re hosting a dinner party, or plan to make nibbles.
Some iconic aperitifs include the Negroni, Aperol Spritz, a Manhattan and the Martini.
One of the best welcome drinks for a hot day
Having a drink with friends in the evening summer sun is priceless. But it can also lead to melted, watered down drinks that lack flavour. We’ve got the solution to that, with our Super Cubes – giant ice cubes made from the finest spring water. They take ages to melt due to the higher surface area and go fantastically with a G&T. Don’t forget to pop in a slice!
Alcohol-free welcome drinks
The sober curious movement sweeping the nation means more people are looking for alcohol-free drink options that deliver on taste. Luckily, you can still make some delicious mocktails that use all the traditional methods of cocktail making.
We’re huge fans of the Shirley Temple, but there are others that taste amazing too, like the Apple and Elderflower Alcohol-Free and the Blackberry Limeade. If you want to give your guests a boost upon arrival, you could also whizz up some ice-cold blended coffees.
Themed welcome drinks
If you’re hosting a themed party, your welcome drinks could play a leading role. If, for example, you’re having a Bollywood themed party, you could create something like a non-alcoholic miniature Cardamom Banana Lassi or Chai. Or you could take inspiration from Mad Men, and stir up an Old Fashioned or Bloody Mary.
Something for the kids
We don’t always get a free pass from the kids – and sometimes, they come along to the party too. So, don’t forget to think about your friend’s children or any younger family members. They can join in the welcome drink fun too, check out the kids’ mocktail, Gummy Fish, or this super scrumptious Raspberry Lemonade.
Most importantly, whatever you choose to serve as your welcome drink, make sure you have fun making it!
