Choose a clear, restrained selection suited to the guests and the serving period. Familiar choices from the existing cocktail menu can work well, with an available alcohol-free option where needed; the dress code does not require a complicated drinks list.
Fit the drinks around the reception and dinner
Decide whether cocktails are for arrivals, after dinner or both. Keep the menu easy to read and confirm the glassware and supplies for the selected drinks.
A reception before a seated dinner can create a concentrated order period, so staffing and preparation matter as much as the recipes. Assign dinner wine, table drinks and cocktail service separately. Do not assume a cocktail booking covers every glass served at the tables, or that a particular drink is available simply because it is associated with formal events.
- Select from the current menu for the actual service window.
- Keep reception cocktails and dinner drinks responsibilities clear.