Martini Party Planning Tips
“Martini – shaken, not stirred”. This catchphrase first appeared in Ian Flemming’s widely popular James Bond novel “Diamonds Are Forever” in the late 50s. From that point on, the phrase became iconic in the movie adaptations, and it has been used in every James Bond movie ever since. However, the phrase’s popularity went beyond cinema. In fact, this single line inspired many people to try this irresistible drink themselves. The creativity went even further, ultimately leading to the creation of a one-of-a-kind Martini party.
Whether you’re a fan of the super spy himself or you simply can’t resist this ultra-sophisticated drink, a Martini party is the perfect theme for celebrating your most joyous occasions. Be it a birthday party or kissing your ex goodbye, this theme is ideal for those who want a bit of luxury in their celebrations. Still, planning one may get a bit tricky. In this case, who better to help you than the Cocktail Boys themselves?
In this blog, you’ll learn how to host the ultimate Martini party that even Bond himself would want to attend! From the decor to Martini recipes that will sweep your guests off your feet, we’ve covered everything to ensure you have the party of the century. Naturally, you can always count on the Cocktail Boys to make your event unforgettable.
Charleston vs. Savannah Martini Party
Before diving deep into the Martini party theme, decide where you want to host your party. Both Charleston and Savannah are known for their historic charm, yet are unique in their own right. With this in mind, these iconic cities can offer diverse settings for your Martini party.
For one, Savannah has this amazing ability to take you back in time. Popularized as the “Hostess City of the South”, you can only imagine the events that take place here. For that reason, you can make your Martini party an ode to Bond himself. Think vintage bar signs, unique cocktail glasses, and personalized decor that will awaken the spy within your guests. In short, Savannah is the perfect city if you wish your event to be highly sophisticated and luxurious. That said, don’t be afraid to be as opulent as you desire!
On the other hand, Charleston is the definition of Southern hospitality. Just walk into a bar in the city, and you’ll know exactly what we mean! Because of this, you can mix up your Martini party theme. In other words, you don’t have to be as sophisticated as the setting “demands”. Draw inspiration from the city’s history instead of following the Bond route. For instance, you can create hand-written invitations and have them delivered by post. This will surely make them curious, leaving them on the edge of their seats for the spectacle that’s about to come!
Nevertheless, our Cocktail Boys always advise you to take your ideas outside the box. If you want to create a super modern Martini party in these historic cities, just go for it! As long as you put thought and effort into the planning process, your guests will love it.
Setting The Decor
What’s a Martini party without the fabulous decor? As you know, there are countless variations of the drink which can serve as inspiration. For one, you can stick to the classic clean aesthetic. Martini’s are usually clear, so try to incorporate as much glass as possible. You can use transparent vases and place white flowers inside them for an extra elegant touch. Additionally, most Martinis feature olive garnishes, meaning you can use the color for various details such as napkins, table liners, and so on. If you want to add even more color splashes, go for gold accents, providing the ultimate glitzy and glamorous feel.
Apart from the drinks, we advise you to use Martini glasses for everything! Instead of usual snack bowls, serve nuts, olives, and finger food in the glasses. Naturally, the Cocktail Boys can fetch them for you, and we can even dress up in super fancy suits to match the Martini party theme.
Dress To The Nines
Not only is Mr. Bond incredibly sly, but he’s also always dashing (think Daniel Craig in Skyfall). With this in mind, take a page out of 007 himself and put on your best cocktail dress for your Martini party. Sequins, sparkly fringes, flapper attire – anything goes! If you’re going for a vintage feel, you can even check out some thrift shops in your area to see whether you can score a retro dress. Additionally, tuxedos for women are very in-vogue – just see how many celebrities are rocking them on the red carpet nowadays! With that in mind, surprise everyone by wearing one yourself. This will be quite unexpected, and you’ll surely leave everyone dazzled by your appearance. Don’t forget to notify your guests about the dress code!
We know that you’ll look absolutely stunning for your party, and you’ll most likely want to show off your attire to your Insta friends. Thankfully, the Cocktail Boys are the best amateur photographers out there, so best believe we’ll capture some fantastic-looking shots. One of our Boys can even cosplay as Mr. Bond, posing as the ultimate photo “prop” for your Martini party!
Set The Mood
Interestingly enough, lighting and music are usually the most overlooked parts of the planning process. However, they’re super important for your Martini party, so we’ll show you how to nail it.
Let’s start with the lighting. Firstly, no overhead lights anywhere, not even in the bathrooms. A Martini party usually has a dash of mystery attached to it, so opt for atmospheric lighting. You can even get some red bulbs to add a sense of sultriness, which will also look great in the photos. Green, on the other hand, exudes mystery and drama, so a combination of the two will achieve the atmosphere you’re going for.
As for the music, we have quite interesting ideas, though it may be a bit challenging to achieve. Still, it’s always a good idea to go the extra mile to perfect the Martini party theme. You can always rely on streaming services and Bluetooth speakers, but we suggest you take the vintage route for the music. Ask your friends to bring their favorite vinyl and see if you can get a record player. This will set the mood in unimaginable ways! Since our Cocktail Boys are also excellent DJs, you can count on them to keep the records spinning all night long!
The Perfect Martini Menu
Finally, you can’t plan a Martini party without a thought-out drink menu. You can never go with the classic gin martini, no matter if you like it shaken or stirred. However, bartenders around the world have created all kinds of variations of this fabulous drink, some of which you can use for your party. To make things easier, do no more than three types on your menu.
If you’re hosting an all-girl Martini party, a Pink Martini will do just the trick. All you need is vodka, vermouth, orange bitters, and grenadine. Best of all, you don’t need to be an expert mixologist to create this. Just place everything in a shaker full of ice, shake it up, and serve! Alternatively, you can go for a Pear Martini. This one has a flavorful punch, but it’s rather strong, so try not to overindulge. Get some pear vodka, peach schnapps, melon liqueur, and pineapple juice to taste.
On the other hand, if your guests are not the biggest fans of alcohol but still want something to get the party going, a Mango Madness Martini is ideal. This one isn’t as strong as the previous two and tastes amazing! You need regular rum, Malibu rum, and some mango juice. Be careful not to pick up mango nectar because it’s thicker, and it will ultimately ruin the drink’s texture.
Lastly, don’t worry about the designated drivers and those who don’t drink alcohol at all. You should include a mocktini on the menu, as well as wine and beer. Another helpful tip – it’s best to prepare the garnishes like olives the night before. This will save you time, meaning you can fully enjoy every second of your Martini party.
Speaking of, you don’t want to serve Martinis all night long, right? That’s where the Cocktail Boys come in! Just bring the drinks, and we’ll take care of the rest. Given our name, you can expect nothing but perfection!
Hire The Cocktail Boys For An Unforgettable Martini Party!
Now that you’ve learned everything about how to throw a Martini party, all that’s left to do is go into planning mode! You’ve probably realized the Cocktail Boys can make your night more spectacular than ever. Aside from our bartending, photography, and DJ-ing services, we are undoubtedly the best hype men. Simply put, there won’t be a single dull moment at your Martini party, be it in Savannah or Charleston. Contact us and inquire for additional information.
Curious to learn more about how to throw epic parties? Check out our blog!