If one of your resolutions is to invite more friends and family into your home this year then the Team at LYC are here to help. Read on for our top tips for dinner parties including a few easy tipples to get your party started.
Before your guests arrive
Ensure your guests know what to expect: There’s nothing worse than serving casual nibbles when your guests are expecting a fine dining feast.
Be prepared: It’s helpful to know what types of drinks your guests prefer and also if there are any dietary requirements. Take the pressure off by offering guests the option to bring a dish or look for things you can prepare in advance.
Create the right atmosphere: Think about which area you would like your guests in and make sure every guest has a seat. Preparing a playlist in advance helps to set the mood of the party.
On the Day
Give yourself plenty of time: Prepare as many dishes as you can in advance, allow time to set the table, tidy up and, most importantly, time to get yourself ready without rushing.
Create a warm welcome: Taking guests’ coats, handing your WIFI password out, plus a welcome drink to offer on arrival will make your guests feel welcome and relaxed, check out our cocktail recipes for some inspiration below.
Make your own Tipple
A cocktail always feels a little bit special, especially when you are served one that’s handmade by a friend. Some are very time-consuming to make and require lots of random spirits and mixtures so my advice is simple, stick to providing two for your party, one to welcome your guests, and one for after dinner.
The choices are endless of course but it’s great to have a good all-rounder that can be adapted to be non-alcoholic and child friendly too.
Fruit Punch
A fantastic, versatile recipe that tastes as good as it looks.
Ingredients
1 Orange, sliced
100g pomegranate seeds
100g Cranberries
500ml Orange Juice
250ml pomegranate juice
500ml cranberry juice
500ml lemonade, Sprite or Ginger beer
250ml Vodka, Gin or Rum (optional)
2 large handfuls of ice
Rosemary sprigs to garnish
Method
Combine all the ingredients in advance except for the lemonade and ice, then stir in once ready to serve.
Hot Toddy for Two
Another perfect cocktail that isn’t overly sweet and can be offered after food alongside tea and coffee is a classic Hot Toddy. Quick to whip up and with no fuss, it’s the perfect after dinner drink.
Ingredients
50ml Whisky
3 tsp honey (any type)
1/2 Cinnamon stick
1 lemon – cut into half (slicing one half for garnish)
2 cloves (optional for garnish)
Method
Boil the kettle, set out two heatproof glasses or mugs.
Whisk together the honey and whisky and split between the glasses, pour in roughly 250ml boiling water.
Squeeze a splash of lemon juice to taste and finish with lemon slices and a clove.
