Hosting friends and family for a party is one of life's great pleasures and winter is the perfect season for it. Welcome your guests with a celebratory cocktail, either with fancy canapés or simply a bowl of crisps. The key to stress-free success is to keep your cocktails simple, and to prepare as much ahead of time as you can. This includes lining up sparkling clean glassware and shaker, getting your garnishes ready and having time to put on your glad rags well before the first ring of the doorbell. And make sure you make yourself a “tester” of whatever you’re serving so when your guests arrive, you’ll be all set to pour their drinks with aplomb.
