Host your Own Cocktail Evening
A night in with friends but make it bougee – that’s what House Blend is all about. Turn your home into a pop-up cocktail bar and invite your nearest and dearest for an unforgettable night in. With the help of Proper Crisps and award-winning mixologist Charles Gillet, we’ve sorted the snacks, the drinks and even the menu so you can focus on setting the vibes of your own pop-up cocktail bar. In case you need it we’ve also included a few tips on getting the vibes just right after opening up our own “House Blend”. Whether you’re planning a cozy date night or hosting a lively get-together with friends, we’ve got everything you need to make your cocktail evening unforgettable. Check out the tips and tricks below and let us help plan your next cocktail evening!
Our Signature
Cocktail Recipes
When opening your own “House Blend” pop-up try these crowd-pleasing signature drinks from Charles, each one designed to add a personal touch to your evening. Once you have selected which one(s) suit your vibe best, download your shopping list here so that your supermarket experience is that bit easier!
Orange is the new Coffee
A smooth, bold cocktail with the perfect blend of coffee, vanilla, and orange flavours. A true conversation starter for your next date night.
Crisp Pairing: Sea Salt Chocolate bark
Ingredients
- 30ml Vanilla Vodka
- 30ml Kahlua
- 45ml Coffee (instant, filter whatever works for you)
- Juice of half an Orange.
Recipe
Add all ingredients to a shaker. Fill with ice. Shake. Double strain (using a hawthorn strainer on the shaker to catch the large bits of ice and a fine strainer to catch the small ice shards for a smoother drink) into a chilled cocktail glass.
Fruits of the black forest
A rich and warming cocktail with dark rum, Chambord, and a touch of chocolate bitters.
Crisp Pairing: Proper Crisps Chilli Crisp
Ingredients
- 45mls Black Magi-Spiced Rum
- 15mls Chambord
- 3 dashes of Cacao or Chocolate bitters
- 2 Orange Zest.
Recipe
In a short glass or rocks glass, express 1 orange zest, then add bitters, then Chambord, then rum. Fill glass with ice. Stirr (about 4 times. The idea is to create some dilution but not too much) add the last orange zest.
Gin and fancy Juice.
A sparkling, refreshing mix of gin, elderflower, and prosecco.
Crisp Pairing: Rosemary and Thyme
Ingredients
- 45ml Gin
- 30ml Lemon juice
- 30mls Bakers Elderflower and lime cordial
- Top with Prosecco.
Recipe
Add the gin lemon and cordial to a shaker. Shake and double strain into a tall glass or even a wine glass or flute. Top with Prosecco. Garnish with lemon wedge.
Pantry Punch.
A big batch cocktail that is perfect for sharing. A fruity, fizzy concoction with flavours of passionfruit and pineapple. Feel free to make a non alcohloic verison by using RTD’s or focus simply on fruit juice!
Crisp Pairing: Avocado Crème Chilli Bacon Jam Tortilla Bites
Ingredients
- 1 bottle of Citrus Vodka
- 1L of lemon juice
- 1.5 L of lemonade
- 1 bottle of Prosecco
- 1 small bottle of barkers passionfruit and lemon topping
- 1L of passionfruit fizzy drink.
- 30ml of Vanilla essence
- Bag of ice
- Cans pineapple chunks (this can also be whatever fruit you want. Be creative!)
Recipe
Add everything to a large bowl or dispenser with a tap. Stir and serve into whatever cups you want.
Meet your House Blend host,
Charles Gillet
5-Step Guide
to Hosting the Perfect Cocktail Evening
Whether you’re planning a casual hangout or an intimate date night, this guide is your go-to for hosting an amazing cocktail evening. From choosing the right drinks to setting the mood, we’ve got you covered!
Lighting
Lighting is often overlooked when hosting but it has a major sensory influence. Did you know that dim lighting enhances the taste of food and drink? When hosting during the evening, opt for soft lighting such as candles, dimmed lamps or string lights. No one wants to feel as if they are back in the office with those bright overhead lights! Colour changing LED lighting is also a big crowd pleaser.
Music
Music sets the tone for the evening so tailor the music to the energy you want! Need help with music? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We love this Soft House playlist on Spotify. For a more social vibe, have your guests choose the music. Create a shared playlist on apple music or Spotify and get your friends to add their favourite tunes ahead of time.
Food
Serve food that is easy to eat and pairs well with your drink of choice. Cheese boards or grazing tables are a great entertaining option as it allows many food options to be incorporated. For added elevation, we think you can’t go wrong with Goats Cheese and Mascarpone Crisps for a fancy crowd pleaser with minimal effort. Or if you are looking for a spicy kick, Avocado Crème & Chilli Bacon Jam Tortilla Bites go down a treat. Offering sweet treats are never a bad idea so why not try this sea salt chocolate bark recipe? Think outside the box and create some unique recipes to offer your guests!
Drinks
Cocktails are fun to make, visually appealing and best yet- customisable to your guests’ preferences and the vibe of the evening! Cocktails are a great way to elevate your hosting night and earn you compliments along the way. Print the House Blend menu, get your shaker and strainers out and put on your bartender hat to serve your mates their cocktail of choice.
Activities
Interactive activities keep the mood lively and serves as a great icebreaker for your guests. If you want less pressure on the night, setting up a ‘Make Your Own Cocktail Station’ or hosting a cocktail making competition are great interactive activities to involve your guests in.
Turn your Home into a 'House Blend' space
Now you have got the recipes, food and music sorted- why not add a touch of sophistication to your evening as well? We have created a downloadable menu so that you can print off your own at home! This is great if you wanted to showcase all the four cocktails. We have included the food pairings that go best with each drink as well, just to make your life a bit easier! Download the menu here
Need food inspiration?
Check out our wide range of recipes.
