Hen Party Ideas – Hen Party Cocktail Making
Hens love a bit of fun and there’s no better way to get them in the mood for a night out than with some boozy cocktail making.
Cocktail making masterclasses are a tried and tested favourite in the UK and a great icebreaker for hen parties! These events include a crash course on mixology, demonstration cocktails and team games so everyone gets involved.
1. Invest in some personalised glasses
Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur or just looking to get your taste buds tingling, glassware is an essential accessory for any hen party. It can be a fun way to decorate your bar or a great keepsake that you can use for years to come.
You can find personalised glasses in all shapes and sizes but you don’t have to spend a fortune to look the part. You can get cheap plastic hen party cups for under a fiver, or you could choose from more expensive personalised champagne flutes and gin glasses.
The coupe shape is ideal for cocktails served “up,” meaning they’ve been shaken or stirred with ice, and then chilled. It also means that they don’t heat up with your hand as you sip them, a crucial factor when drinking out.
A good set of coupe glasses can set you back hundreds of dollars, but they’re a worthwhile investment because they’ll last for years to come and will make your cocktails taste better too. Evie Negri-Albert, the founder of Drinks by Evie, recommends this CB2 set of six, while Supergay Spirits co-founder Aaron Thorp suggests opting for a more upscale option like these from The House of Martini.
It is important to invest in personalised glasses for a hen party because they will help your friends remember all of the drinks that they have had during the evening. You can buy them engraved with their names or you can buy vinyl stickers from most shops on Etsy and stick them on yourself.
For a personalised touch, you can also purchase name badges or sashes for your hens. The name badges will make everyone feel special and it will help to give the whole party a fun celebratory vibe. The sashes are a bit more practical and you can pick them up from NotontheHighstreet or Etsy.
Another idea for a personalised hen party gift is to paint a few clear shot glasses and get each hen to write their own name on them. This is a great activity for the girls to do together, it’s a bit more creative and they can have lots of laughs along the way!
2. Create your own makeshift bar at home
Whether you’re a cocktail expert or simply want to try your hand at making drinks with friends, creating your own makeshift bar at home can be a fantastic way to bring some extra flair to a hen party. It’s also a great option for those who have a limited budget but still want to give their guests a special experience.
Before you begin, plan out the bar space and decide on what type of equipment you’ll need to set it up. Ideally, you’ll need power tools for cutting wood, connecting pieces, sanding and drilling.
You’ll also need a hammer, a level, tape measure, clamps, and safety glasses. It’s also a good idea to gather extra materials for your project, including wood screws, brad nails or finish nails for attaching bar molding and construction adhesives for joining larger pieces together.
For a more permanent setup, you can build a simple linear bar with stools or install shelving underneath to house your spirits and mixers. A basement is a good location for your bar, but you can also work in a corner of the living room or in a section of your eat-in kitchen.
When preparing your bar, don’t forget to set out garnishes that your guests can use to customize their drinks. These will add extra flavor and fun, so make sure to have fresh herbs like thyme, basil, and mint available. Alternatively, you could slice some citrus wheels or opt for dried fruit.
It’s also a good idea to set out plenty of ice, especially if you’re hosting a party with lots of people. It can make it easier for everyone to get a drink, which will help them keep their spirits up.
Another great way to add a little extra flair is to have your bar fully stocked with some of your favorite cocktails. Ensure that you have bottles of your favorite tipples, such as rum, vodka, tequila, brandy and Scotch. You can also stock up on your favourite mixers, such as juices, sodas, and creamers.
Having your own DIY home bar will also allow you to experiment with different styles and designs, which is a fun experience for anyone. Once you’ve set up your bar, you’ll be able to create the perfect space for any occasion!
3. Try out some classics
Cocktails have become the go-to drinks for many hen parties, and for good reason! They are a great way to get the party started and keep guests happy and hydrated.
There are plenty of different cocktails available for a hen do, but one of the best things about them is that they are also easy to make. There are a few hen parties in the UK that offer cocktail making masterclasses so you can try out some delicious drinks before your big day!
The classic Cosmopolitan is a favourite of most hens and can easily be made with equal parts cranberry juice, orange liqueur and vodka. Simply mix these together in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.
You can also make a Kir Royale which is a blackcurrant-flavoured prosecco or champagne cocktail using creme de cassis, and is perfect for anyone who loves a sweet drink. If you are having a summery themed hen do then a strawberry daiquiri would also be a fun alternative.
It is important to try out some classics at a cocktail making hen party because they are easy to make and look great. It is also a great idea to include some non-alcoholic options in the menu for people who want to avoid drinking alcohol but still enjoy the experience.
Another hen party classic is the Pink Lady, this has been a staple in hen parties for many years and has a lovely feminine flavour to it. It can be served in a flute or coupe glass and it is a great way to wow your guests with a little bit of cuteness!
A classic for any hen party, it is a simple recipe and can be stored in jugs ready to serve. It can be quite a refreshing drink to have on a hot summers evening and is easy to make ahead of time so it can be stocked up for the party!
The Jammy Bastard is another popular boozy option and works well as a party drink. It has a lot of similar tastes to an Amaretto Sour but is slightly more sour and is very easy to drink.
4. Go off script
Hen parties are a great chance to get together before the big day and have a good old laugh. There are lots of different activities you can organise but it is essential to make sure that all guests can participate in the hen party without fear of getting hurt or being left out. This means that you should consider who will be attending the hen party, their relationship with the bride and their age range.
Then, you can start to think about which activities are appropriate for the group of hens who will be attending your party. It is best to keep it simple – something that everyone can get involved in. You might not be able to do a full-blown murder mystery or scavenger hunt for example as these would be too much for a lot of people but something like a scavenger hunt with clues, puzzles and hidden items will be fun for most of the guests.
Another activity that will get the girls laughing is Cocktail Charades. This game is a great way to break the ice and make people feel more at ease with one another. It also allows you to create a themed game that will be appropriate for the group of hens and the age range.
In this game, each hen has to pretend to be a particular ingredient in a cocktail. For example, a mixer might be orange peel or a garnish might be a cherry. This is a hilarious game that can be played by all ages, from the littlest girl to the oldest lady!
This is a great activity to use for your cocktail making hen party because it requires good teamwork and co-ordination. However, it can be a bit of a messy game if things aren’t properly managed.
It’s a great idea to add a game or two during your cocktail making hen party as well as the usual drinking games. These can include things like No-Hands Cocktails and Cocktail Match-Up.
In this game, each hen has to make a cocktail that matches a friend’s. This will make it a great game to play with your hens and help you to find out just what makes them tick!