When hosting a festive drinks party, it's important to ensure that all your guests have a great time enjoying one another’s company. It's all about balance - alcoholic drinks deliver social lubrication and a convivial buzz... unless people overdo it, ruining it for others and guaranteeing themselves both headache and embarrassment the next day!

An original idea for achieving a great balance is by hosting a Light Cocktail party. Using high quality mid-strength spirit options like Cut Classics will allow you to create delicious cocktails that are flavourful and enjoyable, while also reducing the risk of anyone getting too drunk. It’s also a more eye-catching invitation than the usual beer, wine and bubbles options!

What are Mid-Strength Spirits?

Mid-strength spirits – also known as Light Spirits – are alcoholic spirits that have a lower alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage compared to traditional spirits. For example, at 20% ABV, Cut Classics contain half the alcohol typically found in gin, vodka and rum. These spirits provide a milder alcohol impact, making them a great option for mixing in cocktails without overwhelming the drink – or the drinker – with alcohol.

Why Serve Light Cocktails at Parties?

By serving Light Cocktails made with lower strength spirits at your festive drinks party, you can offer your guests a wider variety of drinks without the risk of overindulgence. These spirits are perfect for creating refreshing cocktails that are ideal for sipping throughout the evening. The lower alcohol content actually allows the unique flavours of the spirits, and other cocktail ingredients, to shine through, enhancing the overall drinking experience.

Tips for Creating Light Cocktails

It's easy to make less strong versions of classic cocktails using Cut Classics. Our 20% ABV spirits will reduce the core spirit’s alcohol content by half. This can be complemented by using lower strength alternatives for other elements of a cocktail. For example, cocktails such as a Cosmopolitan or a White Lady traditionally use Cointreau (40% ABV), which can easily be replaced with a good quality Triple Sec (20% ABV) with no loss of flavour or enjoyment.

We recommend offering guests a variety of Light Cocktail options – people have different taste preferences, and your guests will also be impressed by having a choice of beautiful drinks to enjoy.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Cut Classic Dry Martini

Add 60ml of 20% ABV Cut Classic London Dry, 10ml of Dry Vermouth and a dash of orange bitter to a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir (no shaking, Bond fans!) until the outside of the glass is very cold. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

2. Cut Classic Dark ‘n’ Stormy

Put a handful of ice in a high ball glass. Cut a lime in half and squeeze half the juice over the ice. Add 200ml of ginger beer. Add 50ml of Cut Classic 20% ABV rum. Allow the rum to seep through the ginger beer for a great visual effect. Garnish with a lime wheel from the unused half.

3. Cut Classic Cosmopolitan

A very festive option with its red colour! Mix 50ml of Cut Classic 20% ABV vodka with 20ml of Triple Sec (20% ABV rather than 40% ABV Cointreau), 30ml of Cranberry Juice and the juice from half a lime. Shake over ice in a cocktail shaker. Serve in a couple glass and garnish with orange zest.

4. Cut Classic White Lady

Combine 50ml of Cut Classic 20% ABV London Dry with 25ml Triple Sec (20% ABV), 25ml lemon juice, 2 tsp of sugar syrup, half an egg white (if desired), and a handful of ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake until outside of cocktail shaker feels very cold. Strain the drink into a clean glass, then discard the ice, put the cocktail back into the shaker and shake vigorously in order to get a froth from the egg white. Serve in a coupe glass with a twist of lemon.

5. Cut Classic Daiquiri

Put 50ml of Cut Classic 20% ABV rum into an ice-filled cocktail shaker with 25ml lime juice and 10ml sugar syrup. Shake well and serve. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

6. Cut Classic Sea Breeze

Another festive looking cocktail! Pour 50ml Cut Classic 20% ABV vodka, 100ml cranberry juice and 50ml grapefruit juice over ice in a high-ball glass. Stir until outside of glass feels cold. Garnish with lime wheel.

** If you have any questions about these ideas, or would like some further inspiration for festive cocktails, please drop us a line: hello@cut-classics.com **

Check out our Light Cocktail Party Pack - a great starting point for your first Light Cocktail party! 

Conclusion

Hosting a festive drinks party with light cocktails made using mid-strength spirits is a great way to kick off the holiday season responsibly. By offering light and flavourful cocktails, you can ensure that your guests have a festive and enjoyable evening without the worry of excessive alcohol consumption.

Cheers to a merry, bright and light festive party!