Drinks and beverages are an integral part of any gathering or function and individuals often like to unwind after a long work-week with a drink or two. Classic cocktails started to be popular in the late nineteenth century as people stopped sticking to the same old pints of beer. In fact, cocktail parties have been around for quite a bit now and are often part of elaborate, multi-day functions such as weddings. As the host, it is definitely your duty to ensure this want is met, especially since it is so easy to whip up amazing cocktails that will get everyone ready to let their hair down.

To manage your guests’ spirits, it is important to have adequate knowledge regarding classic cocktail recipes for entertaining can help you to throw a successful cocktail party. But before going ahead and buying out a shop, it is advisable to cover the basics first. There are some ingredients you simply cannot make a cocktail without and these are given below.

• Ice
  Ice is considered the primary ingredient for making cocktails and almost no drink is fully prepared without some ice cubes in the glasses as when used properly, it does more than keeping your drinks chilled. So, to make different cocktails you need to store enough ice and ice cubes in your fridge, making it an essential ingredient of classic cocktail recipes for entertaining.

• Liquor
  This is an obvious one, but to host a cocktail party, you have to make sure you have multiple kinds of liquors stocked up and not just one or two. The more combinations, the better. Aside from hard liquor, keep things like sparkling wine and dry and smooth vermouth, which add a different depth to the drink.
• Syrup
  Along with the liquors and ice you need to stock several flavors of syrup. This is because the syrup is not only delicious but also reduces the sharpness in some cocktails and enhances it in others, as required. Moreover, it helps in creating prettier cocktails.

• Bitters
  There are certain rules bartenders follow to serve the cocktails. Not every recipe is suitable for every cocktail, making it important to have different ones when creating classic cocktails for entertaining a host of people.
• Garnishing items
  Garnishing is the key factor in cocktail making. Various fruits and creams are used as the garnishing material of a cocktail, and a lot of times, the rim of the glass is even decorated with salt. You can entertain your guests with the mixing of syrups and alcohols but if the garnishing is not up-to-the-mark then the drink just not look appealing enough.

Aside from these ingredients, there are certain pieces of equipment you will need to whip up perfect cocktails, whether using classic recipes or new ones while entertaining.

• Cocktail shaker
  To mix the ingredients like syrup, alcoholic components, and ice properly you need a good cocktail shaker.
• Blender
  Blender cocktail recipes are quick and easy, ensuring you have enough time to enjoy your own party! Just throw some ingredients in, pour the spirit of choice and you’re good to go!
• Cocktail glasses
  Just as you cannot serve whiskey in a tankard, you cannot serve a caprioska in a wine glass. If you want to do things right, get different glasses for different kinds of cocktails and soak in the praises that come your way.