Stir up some fun with a martini party — or, as we like to call it, a “partini!” Here are our pointers.
Invitations
Send an Evite invitation to let your friends know about your party. If you’re getting fancy, use the premium “Partini” invitation below, or, for a more casual get-together, try out a free partini invitation. You can also send out a premium “Mix, Mingle and Martini” invitation or this premium “Stirred but Never Shaken” invitation. Check out our cocktail party gallery for more invitations.
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Decorations
A martini party should be a swanky affair, so jazz the place up with decorations like retro-cool bar signs and cocktail-themed napkins and paper plates.
Mention martinis and one name comes to mind: Bond. James Bond. Movie posters from some of the super spy’s classic films — like Goldfinger, The Spy Who Loved Me and Live and Let Die — will help get your guests in the party mood.
As for a color scheme, stick with colors that match the style and look of the classic cocktail: silver, black and maybe a splash of green, as an homage to the martini olive. Since the martini is the star of the show, you’ll also want to incorporate the elements of the cocktail into your decorations. Use martini glasses for serving party snacks like nuts and chocolate candies, and cocktail shakers instead of vases for your flowers.
Attire
What should you wear to a cocktail party? Why, cocktail attire, of course! Suits for the gentlemen and cocktail dresses for the ladies are appropriate outfits for enjoying this classy drink. Like your decorations, martini party ideas for outfits involve going retro.
And if you’re going with the James Bond theme, men should upgrade from suits to tuxedos while women should wear slinky, Bond-babe dresses and big hair. Think Ursula Andress, Honor Blackman or even Denise Richards, who bonded with Pierce Brosnan in The World Is Not Enough.
Activities
A martini’s vibe is loungey and hip, so your activities should reflect that. It’s natural to let your guests mingle, chill out and listen to cool jazz at a martini party, but not until the cocktails start flowing. To make the party more interactive, set up stations where guests can mix their own martinis.
Be sure to put out chilled glasses, gin, vodka, vermouth and traditional accouterments (like assorted stuffed olives, cocktail onions and twists of lemon) as well as ingredients and recipes for the hundreds of new-fangled martinis out there. You can even create a contest where guests whip up and name their own creation. Want to start some drama? Ask guests to debate which is better: a gin or vodka martini.
Food
Let the martini’s classic garnishes be your guide for party food. Bread spread with olive tapenade makes a nice accompaniment to the drinks, as does hummus with pita crisps and chips with onion dip.
Sharp cheeses like blue cheese complement the flavors of traditional martinis, so be sure to include them on your cheese tray. To keep with the bar theme, put out bowls — or martini glasses — of assorted salted nuts for guests to nibble on.
Drinks
Dirty Martini
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 tablespoon dry vermouth
- 2 tablespoons olive juice
- 2 olives
Pour gin, vermouth and olive juice into a cocktail shaker. Add olives. Shake or stir, depending on your preference. Strain contents into a well-chilled martini glass and garnish with one of the olives.
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