Inspiration
How to host the cocktail party of your dreams
Give a warm welcome
Creating an atmosphere makes all the difference when it comes to the tone of your event. A wreath on the front door shows guests that festivities are afoot, while dimly lit candles and warm lighting make the room feel cosy and inviting. Don’t forget scent either: seasonal candles or flowers instantly create a festive spirit.
Serve champagne on arrival
There’s a trick to serving something sparkling, so say the experts at Taglierè – the Ruinart-founded pop-up at Fidenza Village, near Milan. For five-star service, they suggest standing on your guest’s right-hand side to pour and keeping the champagne bottle on display, so guests know what they’re being served. Ice-filled champagne buckets and tables covered with crystal coupes make your setting all the more magical.
Offer delicious hors d'oeuvres
Everyone loves a bite to eat at a party – just make sure it complements the drink. Taglierè recommends serving its Rosé Ruinart Champagne with a mixture of smoked salmon, Italian cured meats – such as culatello di Zibello and Parma ham – foie gras, tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries, pomegranate and black grapes. You could serve individual canapés to your guests or create a deli board for a hassle-free, self-serve approach.
Create a signature cocktail
A memorable soirée needs a signature drink. Finesse yours with a champagne-based cocktail. Take inspiration from Taglierè and opt for the classic French 75 – a long, sparkling drink which makes a refreshing accompaniment to fish and shellfish, as well as a selection of spicier dishes thanks to a shot of gin.
French 75
- 15 ml lemon juice
- Ice, to mix
- 30 ml gin
- 1 tsp sugar syrup or sugar
- 60 ml champagne
- Squeeze half a lemon and strain the juice using a fine mesh strainer.
- Put the ice, gin, strained lemon juice and sugar into a shaker. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into a flute and top up with champagne.
- Garnish with a small slice of lemon peel and serve immediately.
Bring an elegant rose-coloured hue to the drink by switching regular champagne for rosé champagne. Or, choose a fragrant gin to personalise your French 75 even further.
When it comes to garnishing, be led by the colour and flavour of the cocktail. For instance, an elderflower gin pairs well with a thin slice of cucumber or a sprig of fresh rosemary, while berries complement a rosé champagne.
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