Menu guide
Top 10 Must-Have Cocktails for an Event
A good event cocktail is quick to make, easy to like and sturdy enough to stay good in a long queue. These ten come from our own menu, and each earns its place for a different reason.
The ten
- Mojito: white rum, fresh mint, lime and soda. It is cool, green and the safest crowd-pleaser on any outdoor menu.
- Margarita: tequila, lime and orange liqueur, often with a salted rim. Bright and sharp, it suits guests who like a little edge.
- Daiquiri: rum, lime and sugar, shaken until cold. It is elegant, simple and a good test of any bartender.
- Tom Collins: gin, lemon, sugar and soda over ice. Light and long, it is ideal for hot afternoons.
- Whiskey Sour: whiskey, lemon and sugar. It gives whisky drinkers a refreshing option and works well after dinner.
- Piña Colada: rum, pineapple and coconut. It tastes of holiday and is a favourite with guests who prefer sweeter drinks.
- Tequila Sunrise: tequila, orange juice and grenadine layered into a sunrise gradient. It photographs beautifully.
- Bay Breeze: vodka with cranberry and pineapple. It is fruity and easy, and it appeals to guests who do not usually order cocktails.
- Rum Punch: rum with citrus and tropical fruit juices. It is cheerful, quick to pour and good for large groups.
- Passionfruit Picante: passionfruit and tequila with a spicy edge. It is the drink people ask about, and then ask for again.
A note on the eleventh
Our menu also includes the Screwdriver, vodka and orange juice, which is the fastest pour of all. We keep it for the busiest moments, when a queue needs to move.
Garnish and glass
Garnish tells guests what to expect before the first sip. A sprig of mint for the mojito, a lime wheel for the margarita and daiquiri, an orange slice for the sunrise and a lemon twist for the Tom Collins all do real work. We cut garnishes fresh at the venue, and we only salt a rim when a guest asks for it.
Tall drinks go into tall glasses with plenty of ice, and spirit-forward drinks arrive in smaller glasses that keep them cold and concentrated.
How to choose for your guests
Pick no more than four or five. A short list speeds service, reduces waste and keeps the counter tidy. Include one citrus drink, one fruity drink and one classic, and add something with a little heat if your guests enjoy bold flavours.
Match the drinks to the setting. Long, citrus-led drinks suit outdoor Kerala evenings, creamy drinks suit dessert time and spirit-forward classics suit quiet, formal gatherings.
How much to plan for
As a rough planning rule, assume that each guest who drinks may have two to three drinks over a four-hour event, with the first hour the busiest. We stock the counter with that in mind and adjust through the evening, so popular drinks never run out while quieter ones do not waste ingredients.
Pairing with mocktails
Every cocktail list should have mocktails alongside it, so that drivers, children and non-drinkers have something just as good. Read our guide to the top ten mocktails to build a balanced menu.
For more on how classics came to be, see the history of cocktails.
Ready to choose
You can browse every drink on the menu, or use the custom package builder to pick your own. Our Grand package includes four cocktails and four mocktails, and Elite adds curated signature drinks with live flair.