Party Planning

Whatever event you are planning, come to our wine room for a consultation and learn what is the best beverage mix, the right quantities, the right quality and the beverage that creates the best mood for your party. We will take it from there, ordering what you need and seeing that it gets to you ready to serve before your first guest arrives.

Tips for Party Planning

Did you know that as a host, you are responsible not only for your guests' comfort but also safety, even after the event? It's important to plan ahead and minimize the risks. Exercise caution and follow these tips to help keep things safer once the party has started:

Be the Host with the Most.
Plan to drink minimally or not at all in order to stay in control. You'll be better able to avoid potential problems if you can think clearly and act quickly. If someone is drinking too much, engage them in conversation, offer snacks and a non-alcoholic drink.

Treat Alcohol with Respect.
Alcohol produces a wide range of physical and mental effects that vary from one individual to another. Even at low levels, it may affect perception, judgment, coordination and decision-making long before there are obvious signs of impairment.

Designate Drivers.
Before the party gets going it's important to make sure all your guests have planned for a safe drive home. Know who the designated drivers will be. Then, serve them accordingly — that means no alcohol whatsoever.

Take the Fizz Out.
If you serve an alcoholic punch, use a non-carbonated base, such as fruit juice. The body absorbs alcohol faster when mixed with carbonation as in mixed drinks with carbonated mixes or sparkling wines.

Measuring Up.
Mix and serve drinks yourself or appoint a trustworthy bartender rather than letting guests serve themselves. And, while you're at it, be sure to measure drinks and by all means avoid serving doubles or shots. Don't refill glasses readily. Never let children serve or consume alcohol. For larger gatherings, consider hiring a Serving It Right-trained bartender or taking the training yourself.

A Drink Is a Drink.
Despite appearances a standard serving of beer, wine and spirits each contain an equal amount of absolute alcohol. That means a 12-oz. beer (5% alcohol per volume), a 5-oz. glass of wine (12% alcohol per volume) and a 1½-oz. serving of spirits (40% alcohol per volume) are all equal in alcohol content. Use a shot glass to measure drinks. Guessing can lead to excessive consumption.

No Means No.
Never make drinking the focus of your event or force drinks on your guests. If someone says no to a drink, be sure to offer them non-alcoholic alternatives or mocktails. Also, don't force abstainers to make a public statement by serving alcohol in one type of glass and soft drinks in another. Plan on providing plenty of water and non-alcoholic beverages. Guests may also appreciate your including low-alcohol beers and wines in your bar.

Serve Food.
Alcohol is generally absorbed into the bloodstream faster on an empty stomach, while food in the stomach tends to slow down the absorption of the alcohol. If you serve alcohol, always have plenty of easily accessible food on hand. If you're not serving a meal, have plenty of high-protein and carbohydrate foods available, such as cheese, meats, unsalted chips, crackers, nuts and pita bread. High-moisture-content foods, such as raw vegetables and fruits, with low-calorie dips are also good choices. Avoid salty and greasy snacks, which tend to make people thirstier.

A Bad Mix.
Never serve alcohol to minors. In Connecticut, the legal drinking age is 21 years. Nor should you plan strenuous activities or sports when serving alcohol. People may be more prone to accidents when they've been drinking.

Last Call.
Never serve guests to the point of intoxication. Stop serving alcohol at least an hour before the end of the party. Close down the bar and make the transition by serving enticing desserts and coffee or other non-alcoholic drinks.

Happy Trails.
Be prepared to arrange rides for guests with sober drivers, drive them yourself, or provide taxi fare. Be sure to have taxi numbers ready in advance. Never, ever let anyone who's been drinking get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Check it out.
Check on your home insurance policy's third-party liability coverage. Contact your insurance provider to help you understand your risks and responsibilities as a host and minimize potential problems. Following the advice your insurer gives can help you ensure a safe and entertaining event for you and your guests.

Wedding Planning
Planning a wedding and reception requires a great deal of preparation – from venue to guest list, to entertainment and transportation, there are countless details that require attention. To help with the planning of your special day, Copaco offers guidelines for beverage alcohol purchasing.