A cocktail party at home is one of the most fun ways to celebrate. You don't need a professional bar in your living room, but you do need the right equipment, plenty of ice and a bit of planning. Here's the list.
1. The bar equipment
Our cocktail kit includes a shaker, a jigger, a strainer, a bar spoon and a muddler. That's everything you need to mix most cocktails. Hire is ISK 2,990 per day. If several people are mixing at once, or you have two stations, it's good to have two kits.
2. The right glasses
- Cocktail glasses (27 cl stemmed coupe) for drinks that are shaken and served without ice. ISK 249.
- Lowball glasses (33 cl) for drinks on ice. ISK 190.
- Highball glasses (34 cl) for long drinks and alcohol-free drinks. ISK 190.
Allow 2–3 glasses per guest. Return them unwashed and we do the washing up.
3. Syrups and purée
Most cocktails use sugar syrup, while passion fruit purée and flavoured syrups make colourful, full-flavoured drinks. One litre of sugar syrup makes around 40–50 drinks. See how much you need.
4. Ice, and more of it
The ice always runs out first at a cocktail party. Allow 1 kg per guest and keep it in the freezer or a cool box until the party. If you're serving drinks with crushed ice, you'll need more.
5. A short menu
Two or three cocktails on the menu, including at least one alcohol-free, is plenty. That keeps the bar moving, you need fewer ingredients and less is left over. Write the menu on a board or print it out so your guests can see straight away what's on offer. You'll find ideas for alcohol-free drinks in our article on alcohol-free cocktails.
6. A bartender, if you want to enjoy the evening
Whoever mixes the cocktails stands behind the bar all evening. If you'd rather be with your guests, you can hire a bartender for ISK 8,990 per hour, minimum 2 hours. All our bartenders have at least two years' bar experience. The bartender brings the bar tools (shaker, jigger, strainer and bar spoon), so you only need the cocktail kit if you mix the drinks yourself. We go through the menu with you in advance and help you work out the quantities. You provide the drinks, the ice and access to water.
Checklist
- Cocktail kit, one for each mixing station, if you mix yourself
- Cocktail, lowball and highball glasses, 2–3 per guest
- Sugar syrup, flavoured syrups and purée to suit the menu
- Fresh lemon and lime juice
- Ice, 1 kg per guest
- A menu with 2–3 cocktails and one alcohol-free option
- A bartender, if you want to enjoy the evening with your guests
All the equipment is delivered to your door, and delivery and collection are free in the capital area*. Browse the equipment. *On orders over ISK 10,000
Frequently asked questions
What's in the cocktail kit?
A shaker, a jigger, a strainer, a bar spoon and a muddler.
How much ice do you need for a cocktail party?
Around 1 kg per guest.
Does the bartender bring the drinks?
No. You provide the drinks, the ice and the water. We help you work out the quantities.