Throwing a dinner party or having friends over for drinks? Follow Tanqueray’s top tips for hosting, so you can do it with style
Cater for everyone
Do your homework well in advance and ask your guests if they have any dietary needs, allergies or preferences, so you can plan your dishes and drinks accordingly. There’s nothing worse than discovering someone is vegan or gluten intolerant, and then either have to scrabble something together last-minute or not have anything to offer them at all.
Give guests a warm welcome
Before your soirée starts, clear your entry hall and coat rack so there’s plenty of room for your guests’ belongings. That way, they can be relieved of their outerwear within moments of arriving. Soon after that, they should have a drink in their hand and be introduced to the other guests. Also have some nibbles waiting. Think nuts, olives, flatbread, crudité, dips… You can make them feel more special by serving them in nice bowls and adding extra flourishes. Try drizzling olive oil and a sprinkling of toasted pine nuts over houmous, for example, or stirring a pinch of lemon zest or finely chopped fresh thyme into olives.
Set the scene
To create a cosy atmosphere, use lamps and candles and make a couple of music playlists. Start with gentle, relaxing chill-out music, then later in the evening, shift the mood with party classics that will get people dancing. Decorative details are essential too, so get that Christmas tree up and those twinkly fairy lights on, arrange some shiny baubles on your coffee and side tables, and if you’re cooking dinner, go all out with the tablescaping. Lay a pretty tablecloth, arrange elegant candle holders, pop holly cuttings in bud vases or glass jars with ribbons tied round them, add hand-written place cards, and use your finest glasses and plates.
Prep in advance
You’ll want to spend as much time as possible with your guests, so chop, peel, mix, blend and put together as much as you can beforehand. That way, the only thing you’ll need to worry about while entertaining is getting things in the oven and serving. This includes drinks – have lemons and any other ingredients you’re using sliced and ready to go, and if you’re doing cocktails, have some pre-mixed, so they’re ready to pour. Something simple like a Rangpur gimlet, made with just Tanqueray Rangpur Lime Distilled Gin and a little lime cordial, will always go down well, or check out Stanley Tucci’s video below for more drink inspiration.
Stock up on the best
You want to make your guests feel special, so use quality ingredients where it matters most – this is especially true when it comes to beverages. Although you’ll want a variety of soft drinks and mixers (and plenty of ice), make something exceptional like Tanqueray the star of the show. The perfectly balanced London Dry is ideal for making a classic G&T, while the gin connoisseurs among your friends will love the premium No. Ten, which brings an explosion of citrus with each sip. It’s best enjoyed with ice, tonic water and a slice of pink grapefruit.
For unique flavours that are sure to surprise and delight, there’s the bittersweet and zesty Flor de Sevilla, the sumptuous Blackcurrant Royale made with delicate vanilla, and the fresh-tasting Rangpur Lime featuring ginger and bay leaves. Simply serve with ice, a good tonic or even lemonade, and garnish with fresh fruit that will complement the flavours of your chosen gin.
Go with the flow
Aim to bring out a new canapé or refill nibble bowls and drinks at least every 30 minutes. If you’re too busy cooking and sorting out the food, ask someone else to take care of the drink top-ups for you. Alternatively, you could set up a drinks station, so your guests can help themselves. You don’t need to provide a full bar, simply put out a bucket of ice, a bottle of Tanqueray, some other ingredients, such as premium tonic water, lemon juice and sugar syrup, and a few garnishes like mint sprigs or twists of orange peel – enough to create a couple of cocktails. Leave a copy of the recipe instructions, and let people have fun making their own. If you need any ideas, just watch the video below.
Plan entertainment
Sometimes good music, great company and fantastic food and drink is all you need for everyone to enjoy themselves, but if there is a bit of a lull, have something else up your sleeve. Whether it’s a party game, a board game, karaoke or even a favourite festive film for guests to settle in front of, it doesn’t hurt to have a plan B lined up.