by Jack Roman

To help make you a legend for throwing your first New Year’s Eve cocktail party, here is a “professional” board of experts. The combined knowledge here includes Jack, with 13 years specializing in event planning and hosting, Dan who has spent over 10 years preparing some of the best dishes at top restaurants, and a 23 year old harlot, Kristen, who loves to party and has the photos to prove it. The only way to blow this shindig is if you don’t make it to the club by 12 midnight; but you can handle that on your own, right?

The Drinks

As a group we decided that any legendary party is a classy party, so you will want to focus on the basics. Get a couple of premium vodkas, like Kettle One, Stolichnaya or Grey Goose. A premium gin, like Bombay goes very well with New Year’s cheer. And lastly, one highly coveted bottle of Scotch, something like the Glenmorangie. There are better scotches out there, but this one is bad enough for everyone to like.

If you’re expecting wine drinkers, you should have at least one bottle of Fat Bastard Red, a Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio and several bottles of Martini and Rossi champagne on hand. If you expect Diddy or Fiddy Cent to show up, you will have to drop the $275 on the Louis Roederer Cristal from East Point Pick n’ Save. However, all your going to find in Milwaukee is 1998-2000, the ones preferred by your average hip-hop mogul date back to 1997 and 1995, so expect some disappointment there.

When it comes to mixers, rely heavily on anything that will turn your drink some shade of rose. Namely, cranberry juice. Remember the Cosmopolitan, with the help of four chics from New York, kick started the American martini revolution. Also keep tonic, pineapple juice, club soda, cola and a selection of Press Cocktail Sodas on hand. These will make your guests think that you’ve done this before. Have OJ and white cranberry juice cocktail out of the refrigerator and in a decanter and they’ll know you’re a pro.

The Food

If you’re going to liquor them up in a classy way you have to keep them fed in the same manner. Chef Dan says to ditch the potluck idea, and go over to Metro Mart. “For 10-15 people invest a Grant, $50 for you people who don’t see them too often, in a cheese and vegetable platter, sausage platter and shrimp cocktail platter. Now wrench another fifty out of your wallet and drop it on chicken satay skewers, a vegetarian pasta salad, some cheesy spinach dip and French bread.” These are the basics and really all you need to have.

Want to make it special? Dan says to get couple pounds of beef tenderloin, some charcoal and some cooking skills. Then prepare a spread of medium-rare grilled filet topped with Gruyere cheese and a balsamic reduction dipping sauce. Serve them cut into small squares with beef under cheese and use black plastic picks stuck through them as the handle. “You just know these wont last long, but it’s only the late comers who will suffer the consequence.” Which ever way you go with food, don’t forget a fresh holiday cake, German chocolate should suffice.

The Scene

“Women love parties. Men just love to drink.” Keep that in mind, Kristen says, when you start inviting people. “You want to tilt the percentages toward more ladies than men and at least as many singles as couples. This will ensure every one has fun and that they keep telling stories about your party throughout the year.”

We all agreed on a dress code. After all, it is New Year’s Eve! While prom dresses should have been burned years ago, an evening dress for ladies and a button down, clean shoes, slacks and a tie for guys and creates a good look for those late night photos. Otherwise, don the latest in fashion forward gear including a velvet jacket, aviator sunglasses at night, and/or 80’s inspired garb.

Kristen also says to focus on decoration. “If it’s a New Year’s party, make it festive; get the black plates and plastic cocktail glasses; some flowers and make creative use of tinsel. And to round it out, low lights and good music.” Also, make sure you have plenty of disposable cameras laying around, in addition to the host’s digital camera. There’s no better invite for next years party then some photographic reminders of the debauchery of the previous year’s event.

-Jack Roman

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