Offering a welcome drink is a great way to make your guests feel special and valued. It immediately creates a warm, hospitable environment and shows that you want your guests to relax and enjoy themselves. There are many options for welcome drinks – from non-alcoholic beverages to cocktails and wine. The key is choosing a drink that matches the occasion and tastes of your guests. Follow these tips on how to offer a welcome drink for any type of gathering.
Should You Offer a Welcome Drink?
Offering a welcome drink sets the right tone when guests first arrive. It makes people feel pampered and gives them something to sip on as they mingle. A welcome drink helps “break the ice” and gets conversations started. It also shows you have gone the extra mile to make people feel comfortable in your home. However, a welcome drink is optional. Here are some factors to consider:
- Type of gathering – More formal events like dinner parties warrant a welcome drink. Casual get-togethers may not need one.
- Time of day – A welcome drink is best suited for evening events. Offer non-alcoholic beverages for daytime gatherings.
- Guest preferences – Know if some guests don’t drink alcohol before serving cocktails.
- Group size – Self-serve beverages may be better for large groups. Individual drinks work for more intimate gatherings.
In most cases, a welcome drink is a thoughtful touch that will delight your guests. But gauge the situation before deciding to serve one.
Non-Alcoholic Welcome Drink Ideas
For daytime or casual events, offer refreshing non-alcoholic beverages. Have them ready as soon as guests arrive. Some easy options include:
- Infused water – Citrus, fruit, herb infusions in water look elegant. Set out pitchers with citrus slices.
- Iced tea or lemonade – Sweeten with simple syrup to allow guests to adjust sweetness.
- Specialty sodas – Offer unique flavors like ginger beer, root beer, Italian sodas.
- Sparkling juice – Set out cranberry juice, sparkling apple cider in fancy glasses.
- Coffee or tea – Offer regular and decaf, along with milk, sugar, lemon.
- Fruit-infused water or herb teas – Let guests steep their own combinations.
For kid gatherings, try apple juice, fruit punch, smoothies, or chocolate milk. Have plenty of options so guests can choose their favorite thirst-quencher.
Non-Alcoholic Welcome Drink Ideas
| Beverage | Serve | Flavor Ideas |
|---|---|---|
| Infused water | Pitchers | Citrus, berries, cucumber, mint |
| Iced tea | Individual glasses | Peach, raspberry, pineapple |
| Lemonade | Fountain or pitchers | Classic, strawberry, coconut |
| Sparkling juice | Chilled glasses | Cranberry, apple cider, grape |
Cocktail Welcome Drinks
For evening dinner parties or sophisticated events, offer guests a cocktail as they arrive. This elevates the experience and sets a celebratory mood. Choose a cocktail that matches the occasion and season. Prep the ingredients in advance along with glasses, garnishes, ice, napkins and cocktail sticks. Hire a bartender to make and serve drinks if you prefer. Here are popular cocktail options:
Cocktail Welcome Drink Ideas
| Cocktail | Base Spirit | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Old Fashioned | Bourbon | Spirit-forward, slightly sweet |
| Mint Julep | Bourbon | Sweet, minty, refreshing |
| Moscow Mule | Vodka | Fizzy, zesty, citrusy |
| Mojito | Rum | Sweet, tangy, minty |
| Martini | Gin or vodka | Smooth, elegant, sophisticated |
Tailor your cocktail to the season. In summer serve light and fruity drinks like mojitos, sangria and vodka lemonade. Warm up guests in winter with Manhattans, hot toddies, spiked ciders.
Choosing the Right Wine
For wine lovers, an ideal welcome drink is a glass of bubbly or white/red wine. Pick wines that complement your meal or occasion. Some choices include:
- Sparkling Wine: Always festive. Serve Prosecco, Cava or Champagne.
- Dry White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay. Refreshing.
- Light Red Wine: Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Sangiovese. Medium bodied.
- Full Bodied Red: Cabernet, Malbec, Zinfandel. Robust.
- Rosé: Dry, fruit forward pink wines. Fun, food-friendly.
- Dessert Wine: Port, Sherry, Late Harvest Riesling. Sweet end to a meal.
If dinner is served shortly after guests arrive, choose crisp whites or fruity reds that activate the palate. For a longer cocktail hour, serve a range of options – sparkling, white and red.
How to Serve Welcome Drinks
The way you present welcome drinks also enhances the experience. Follow these tips for service:
- Set up a drink station near the entryway so it’s the first thing guests see.
- Offer individual glasses for cocktails and wine. Pitchers or decanters work for punch-style drinks.
- Greet guests with a tray of filled glasses so they can take one immediately.
- Have cocktail shakers, ice, citrus, herbs, glassware easily accessible.
- Use glass stirrers, swizzle sticks, straws, citrus garnishes to dress up drinks.
- Supply napkins, coasters and water glasses for guests to refresh between cocktails.
Hiring a bartender lets you enjoy the party while leaving drink-making to a professional. Or have guests help themselves from a self-serve station. Welcome drinks are all about starting the celebration off right!
Welcome Drink Service Tips
| Goal | Method |
|---|---|
| Immediate Service | Greet guests with tray of filled glasses |
| Self-Serve Simplicity | Prep ingredients and glassware on table or bar |
| Personal Touch | Mix and serve custom cocktails as guests arrive |
Non-Alcoholic Options
Always have non-alcoholic choices on hand for those who don’t or can’t drink. Having a range of interesting options shows you’ve considered all your guests.
- Fruit juice – Freshly squeezed orange, grapefruit, pineapple, pomegranate juices.
- Sparkling drinks – Italian sodas, sparkling lemonade or cranberry juices.
- Spiced teas – Chai, ginger, hibiscus, mint herbal iced teas.
- Coffee drinks – Iced coffee, cold brew, espresso tonics.
- Smoothies – Fruit, green, protein smoothies.
- Mocktails – Virgin mojitos, piña coladas, fruit spritzers.
Set out the non-alcoholic options alongside the cocktails so guests can easily choose. Make them just as eye-catching and delicious as the mixed drinks.
Welcome Drink Etiquette
Follow some basic etiquette to ensure your welcome drink offering goes smoothly:
- Only invite the number of guests you can accommodate for drinks and dining.
- Be prepared with enough ingredients, ice, glassware and garnishes.
- Offer guests a towel or napkin to wipe condensation from glasses.
- Discreetly provide water and snacks to guests who have had too much.
- Don’t pressure anyone to drink alcohol, and always have appealing non-alcoholic options.
- Stay sober yourself so you can graciously host and attend to guests.
- Keep the mood upbeat and celebratory, not boisterous.
With good planning and a well-stocked drink station, your welcome cocktail hour will delight guests and kick off any event in style.
Conclusion
Offering a welcome drink is a time-honored way to immediately make guests feel special. Cocktails, wine and non-alcoholic beverages all fit the bill. Prep ingredients in advance and have an attractive drink station ready as soon as guests arrive. Greet visitors with filled glasses or custom cocktails. Include non-alcoholic options and always practice good hosting etiquette. A welcome drink sets a warm, gracious tone for any gathering, so consider making it part of your next event.