Mix Your Batch…
Prepare the batched drink before the party, and make sure you have plenty of ingredients on hand to fill your drink dispenser and serve guests. Did you invite a few close friends and neighbors or the entire extended family? Err on the safe side and plan to serve a few more people than you’re expecting. Now pick one or two recipes that fit the occasion—think chilled margaritas for hot summer afternoons, and fruity sangria for bridal showers. Set out a few appetizers that pair well with your signature beverage. Salty chips and guacamole balance the sweetness of sugary drinks, while mild cheeses soften the bite of acidic cocktails.
It’s a good idea to offer a non-alcoholic beverage for guests who don’t drink, including children, teens, designated drivers and other guests. Keep alcoholic refreshments on top of a bar, sideboard or kitchen island, and set up a pitcher or dispenser on a lower table children can access. Mix up a non-alcoholic “mocktail”, or mock cocktail. Opt for a classic lemonade or fruit punch, or infuse your mocktail with unique ingredients such as honeysuckle and lavender.
...Garnish…
It tastes delicious, but don’t forget to make your concoction look stunning. In the drink dispenser, float whatever aromatics you’d include in an individual cocktail. Add fresh citrus slices, herbs and spices to your batched drinks. Freeze berries, grapes and other small fruits ahead of time—they’ll add fresh flavor and chill the drink without diluting it. Set up a station for guests to garnish their cocktails; include ingredients such as lime wedges, mint leaves and salt or sugar for rimming glasses. Place colorful straws and cocktail napkins nearby.
Brighten your dispenser’s exterior with decor that matches the aesthetic within. Alternatively, focus on the party’s theme when decorating. If the dispenser has a separate compartment for ice, place floral blooms and extra fruit slices there. Create a display of whole fruit and unopened bottles near your drink station so everyone can see what went into their beverage. Then come up with a creative name for each pitcher or dispenser, and label key ingredients and allergens for guests with dietary restrictions.
...and Serve
Serve batched drinks in glassware that fits your beverage and the occasion. For summertime parties on the patio, keep classic champagne flutes and pitchers atop the outdoor bar. At casual gatherings, serve smoothies, tonics and more in stemless glasses. Consider shatterproof plastic glasses around active kids and pets. Alternatively, mimic the dispenser’s shape with your glassware. For tall, clean-lined containers, opt for highballs and other tall glasses, or choose curved glassware for rounder drink dispensers. Help guests remember which drink is theirs by labeling them with glass-safe markers. If you’re serving mocktails and cocktails, make sure each has a different type of glass so they’re easy to tell apart.
Learn how to serve batched drinks in your drink dispenser, and watch as guests pour, garnish and savor. Once you’ve made enough for everyone don’t forget to enjoy the party with a glass of your own.
Find more inspiration on being ready for guests ahead of time with our Party Essentials Checklist.
