Come on Over (Cocktail Party 101)
“Come on-a my house my house, I´m gonna give you candy…Come on-a my house, my house, I´m gonna give a you apple a plum and apricot-a too” - Rosemary Clooney
My sister Kelly, chef and hostess extraordinaire.
“Cocktail Hour,” few words evoke such utter release and promise - what better way to celebrate the end of a day? The cocktail party is believed to have originated at the turn of the 19th century as an evolution of the aperitif hour before dinner. As this popular "hour" gradually extended, a buffet of some kind became necessary to ease the appetites of the imbibers.
Perhaps the ubiquity of the cocktail hour can be attributed to its diversity, for this bewitching hour can be as simple as some wine and bar nuts or as lavish as champagne and caviar. Whether your taste leans toward the champagne of beers or to something with a little more “pop,” a cocktail party is one of the easiest ways to explore your inner- host.
Like so many things, the key to a successful cocktail party is to keep it simple. Remember, your guests want to be with you, and in addition the soothing effects of a cocktail are better shared than wasted over the stove. With a little planning, you should be able to be out of the fire and into “happy host glow” in no time.