This past February, we hosted our second Neighborhood Martini Party. It’s the perfect cure for cabin fever during our long, dark, cold winters in Ohio. Both times, it was a huge success. Everyone has a good time, and then safely WALKS home!
So here are a few tips we’ve learned from our soirees:
- Invite about 4 – 5 couples, because it’s hard to mix a lot of martins at once. With a smaller group, you can serve a bigger variety of martinis, and still mix / shake / stir them individually so they’re nice and fresh.
- Use doodle.com to find a date that works for everyone. It’s a free site and very handy for getting a lot of people’s schedules in order.
- Choose a designated bartender, usually my husband. But, it’s also fun to invite or hire a guest bartender if you know anyone. My husband practices his martini technique for weeks, and refines the menu and recipes each time. It’s hard work but someone has to do it.
- Decide on your martini menu. Here’s the menu from our last party. We include a couple of classics, and a couple of dessert martinis to cap off the evening.
- Pick a theme. You would be amazed how a bunch of 40- and 50-something folks love to dress up! For our first martini party, the theme was the Rat Pack; for the second it was Mad Men. Our next martini party theme will most likely be Sex and the City or James Bond. Be creative, give instructions and examples in the invitation. Here’s the one we used:
- Be creative. It doesn’t have to be a party martini. A Miami-themed Mojioto party would fun, too. You can serve Mojitos, Cuban sandwiches, play some Gloria Estefan!
- Prepare some theme-appropriate games (we played Charades, for example), and get some theme music from your local library. Our favorite is The Rat Pack Live at The Sands.
- Prepare a themed and / or seasonal menu. Since we were all yearning for Spring, my menu was a combination of 1960’s appetizers combined with some Spring foods. So, I prepared deviled eggs, mixed nuts, grilled lamb chops, asparagus wrapped in prosciutto, chocolate fondue, etc.
- Print both the martini and meal menus and have them available to your guests.
- Stock your home bar with all the necessary ingredients, garnishes, and supplies, all prepped in advance. Get your martini glasses sparkling clean. If you’re afraid of tall martini glasses being knocked over in the heat of the moment, the new stemless glasses are great and versatile (I’ve used them for serving cold soups, appetizers, and desserts). Ask your neighbors to bring extra cocktail shakers.
- Place an ice bucket filled with small water bottles, beer, club soda, etc., nearby for guests who may not want to imbibe in martinis.
And for our finale … my husband’s treasured Cosmopolitan / Pomtini recipe. We don’t give it out often, but I’m willing to share the fun if credit is given:
John’s Cosmopolitan Martini Recipe
4 parts Absolut Citron Vodka
2 parts Cointreau
1 part freshly squeezed lime juice
4+ parts high quality cranberry or pom juice*
*Lately, I prefer pom juice because it has a more vibrant color, and more distinct taste. Ocean Spray-type cranberry juice cocktails lack flavor and color. Try using a high quality, 100% cranberry juice that is not a “cocktail” and perhaps organic.
For just one martini, use about 8 ice cubes in shaker, and measure out all ingredients into the shaker. Give it a good 40 shakes, then set the shaker down and let the concoction rest a few minutes and mingle with the ice cubes. Poor into a pre-chilled martini glass and garnish with a lemon or lime wedge, or cherries. Cheers!
