Here are some tips and basics to make sure you impress the crowd at your next party.

There’s something special about playing host, the thrill of preparation, the joy the company brings and the pride in presenting your home. Everything is dressed up and in place, the best of your fine china and silverware have been laid out and the bar is stocked up with the finest spirits ready to be served and you are prepared to serve with style.

A glass apart – take the time to learn about what kind of glass best accompanies what you are serving. Each kind of spirit, liqueur or wine has a specific kind of glass that suits it best. Knowing the difference will surely impress as well as elevate the experience. Find all your glassware needs right here.

Shaken not stirred –Explore a few cocktails/mocktail recipes, they’re a surefire way to make things more fun and add a great variety with just a few simple ingredients. Be it a simple martini, a classic old fashioned or any of your personal favourites, whipping them up yourself adds a special kind of flair, so garb your shaker, measuring cup, strainer and muddler and get practising.

Presentation makes perfect – although it may not make a difference to the taste of your drinks, adding a touch of decoration elevates the experience, be it garnishes such as a wedge of lime or a slice of orange or the kind of glass you serve in, presentation matters when you’re looking to add that wow factor to your serving skills.

Cool as ice – stock up your freezer when preparing to host a party, ice is one of the essentials you do not want to be running out of, be it to put in your drinks or to keep cans and bottles chilled at your bar counter. A good ice bucket adds to the aesthetic of your bar so pick one according to your setting, with options available in glass and metal as well as different styles and finishes, the styling possibilities are endless.

Now that you know your basics, go ahead and put together your own style, with everything you could need available right here, pick and choose your favourites and get ready to host your party with impeccable style.