10 Essentials for a Swanky Cocktail Soirée

Impress your best friends with a summer cocktail soirée of celebrity proportions! Follow along for recipe tips, outfit ideas, and more.

Follow these tips from chef Richard Kuo and beverage director Patrick Cappiello of Pearl & Ash in NYC.

A Tropical Punch

2 oz. white rum

1 oz. orange juice

1 oz. pineapple 
juice

Splash of ginger 
ale

1 sprig of mint

Shake rum and juice over ice and strain into glass. Top with ginger ale and add mint leaf as garnish. 

“The best cocktail party
 menu is made of dishes that 
can be eaten in one or two 
bites,” says Richard. “That
 way, people can eat and
 socialize.”

He suggests 
serving items like spicy 
deviled eggs topped with jalapeños and fried chicken tenders with mint mayo. “I love taking nostalgic food and turning it into something special, like chicken fingers made from high-quality ingredients and served with a bright mayo.”

A cocktail party is meant for mingling! Opt for a flirty, lightweight summer dress and sexy stilettos. Stand out with a bright lip color.  

Studio Collection Moisturizing Lipstick in Flirty & Fabulous, E.L.F. Cosmetics, $3, eyeslipsface.com

Pleated Dress by Armani Exchange, $98, armaniexchange.com 

Heels by Schutz, $200, 655 Madison Ave., NYC

Cheese Board and Chalk Set by High Fashion Home, $16, highfashionhome.com

Ambiance is key. Think: hanging lanterns and bright pillows. Serve up cocktails in pretty glassware, and don’t forget a cheese plate!

Pouf by 
Lulu & Georgia, $175, luluandgeorgia.com

Lantern by Lulu & Georgia, $140 for a set of four, luluandgeorgia.com

Hobnail Collection by Martha Stewart Collection, $9-$10, macys.com

Drink Dispenser by Pottery Barn, $69, potterybarn.com