TAKE IT OUTSIDE. If you've got an outdoor space, make the party alfresco. Glamorize the space with white tree lights, hurricane lamps (place pillar candles in all your glass vases and cluster them together for extra drama), and a formal buffet table for food and drinks.
OFFER UNEXPECTED FINGER FOODS. Go exotic with skewers of grilled marinated swordfish cubes and pineapple or beef with chimichurri dip, mini grilled cheese–and–tomato sandwiches (made with baguette slices), and Asian slaw wrapped in lettuce leaves. Finish with a silver tray of Chips Ahoy ice cream sandwiches (vanilla, chocolate, or coffee ice cream between two cookies) wrapped in wax paper and sealed with a sticker.
PLAY MOOD MUSIC. Bust out your favorite lounge music, press play, and get the party started.
SEND GUESTS A WRITTEN INVITATION that asks them to
don a dope lid, their favorite frock, or their nattiest duds. Tell
everyone to arrive at 6 p.m.—the prime cocktail-hour start time
will let guests know this is not an afternoon snoozefest. Add
either loose leaf tea within the envelope or a teabag with “come
drink with me” penned on it.
SERVE SNAZZY TEA-INFUSED COCKTAILS. Think chrysan-
themum martinis (tea, sugar, and vodka served up), Green
Teasers (green-tea vodka, sugar, lemon juice, and soda water
over ice), or Cha-Cha Chais (vanilla chai tea with vodka and
triple sec over ice). Don't forget virgin options, perhaps black
tea mixed with raspberry or mango nectar over ice.
