You’re getting ready for your cocktail party. You’ve got your alcohol, you’ve got your mixers, and you’ve got your recipes. What more do you need? Plenty. The cocktails you drink are only a part of your good time; the rest is a mix of friends and environment and high-quality consumables. If you’ve been wanting to find the perfect pairing for your party, don’t fret. We’ve got a list of some of the most important things to put on your party list.

Good Company

Image via Flickr by wickenden

Drinking alone is never the best time, and drinking a social beverage like a cocktail by yourself is even worse. Martinis and cocktails want you to drink them in the company of your best friends, laughing over the events of the day, and reminiscing about old times, whether in a bar or the comfort of your own home. If you are the type of person that loves to have people over, work on your bartending skills; if your friends think about you when they think about great mixed drinks, they’re far more likely to click “yes” to your Facebook invites.

Great Music

While you’re putting together a social event, you can't to neglect the soundtrack. The classical pairing with your cocktails is lounge music, of course, giving your party the kind of 50s and 60s flashback charm that popular shows like Mad Men celebrate. Crooners add in a classy ambience, hearkening back to the Great American Songbook tradition, and jazz connects with the era of speakeasies and jumping clubs in the city. Whether through a jukebox or a computer playlist, setting up a soundscape to enhance the fun will make for the perfect party.

Dessert

Of course, adding quality food is another way to bolster attendance at your events. Cocktails combine alcohol with sweetness, and the natural extension of that is a dessert. Nothing spells luxury like combining a decadent and calorific treat with the pleasant buzz and indulgence of an after-dinner drink. Rich dishes like chocolate mousse go great with certain cocktails, offsetting the dryness of martinis, while sweeter cocktails go better with more subtle desserts. Just be sure to plan your meal around the planned treat; a heavy meal will make everyone too full to properly enjoy the experience later on.

Vaping

Once upon a time, the de rigueur cocktail hour accessory was a cigarette in an elegant, long holder. Times changed, and as it did, we found out just how harmful tobacco smoking is to human health. Thankfully, there is a new alternative sweeping the world — vaping. Instead of producing harsh smoke by combusting plant matter, vapers work by heating liquid mixtures, called e-liquid or e-juice, to produce a vapor. Some studies have shown that vaping is far less harmful to the human body and e-juice is available in a wide choice of mixtures to match whatever you have on the menu or in your glass.

The goal of any cocktail party is to have an unforgettable time. Although excellent drinks help with that, several other components can enhance the experience. Study the list, make your plans, and throw the party that your friends will be talking about for years to come.