Unexpected Guest Preparation: Beverages

When a guest arrives in your home, the first thing a good host does is offer them a place to sit and a beverage. Because of this, having a good stock of beverages set aside on the off chance that unexpected company arrives is a great way to stay prepared. We recommend always stocking the following in a seperate refrigerator for the express purpose of serving guests:

Water

• 6 medium to large size bottles of flat water
• 3 to 4 large bottles of sparkling water
• 1 bottle of tonic water

Other Non-Alcoholic Beverages

• 1 bottle of lemonade
• 6 bottles of flavored drinks like Hansen's or Snapple
• A selection of 2 or 3 types of soda; extra points for stocking Coca Cola in the old fashioned glass bottles

For guests who come over on the weekend or in the evening, it's also important to stay prepared with a selection of wine, beer and cocktails on hand. We suggest:

Wine

• 1 bottle Cabernet Sauvignon
• 1 bottle Pinot Noir
• 1 bottle Chardonnay
• 1 bottle Sauvignon Blanc
• 1 bottle of Champagne for impromtu celebrations

Beer

• 1 package of bottled pale beer like Amstel or Blue Moon
• 1 package of bottled dark beer like Guiness
• 1 package of bottled domestic beer like Coors or Budweiser

Hard Alcohol

• 1 bottle of vodka
• 1 bottle of gin
• 1 bottle of scotch or whiskey
• Vermouth for martinis
• Cosmopolitan mix

One Last Beverage Tip:

Have monogram or family name cocktail napkins made, and set them aside for use when guests show up. Design your own at Plum Party, an affordable website for stylish, customized items. It's just one more little trick to impressing guests when you haven't had time to fully prepare for their arrival.