Hosting Parties Tips

During April, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (ABCD) promotes safe and responsible alcohol sales, service, and consumption.

Montanans enjoy good times in the Big Sky year-round and are generally conscientious about alcohol choices and use.
We encourage responsible and safe behavior in all venues, whether at home, a friend’s house, or a public establishment.

In previous weeks, we shared tips and resources for public establishments. This week, we’d
like to explore similar ideas for private gatherings.

How can you raise awareness and knowledge of safe and responsible alcohol consumption at the home level?

Hosting parties is a vast opportunity to present and model appropriate alcohol behavior. Here
are some ideas to include in your next gathering to enhance the knowledge of adults and shape the younger generation.

Tips for Hosting Parties

Serve:

Poster Preview with a row of bottles and cans and text that reads: Ready to Drink (RTD) Alcoholic Beverages
Download and Print the RTD Alcohol Poster

Invites:

  • Add responsibility language to your invite
  • Add activities list
  • Offer rides
    • Pay your teenager to be the DD
    • Have ride share options

Event:

  • Never serve anyone under 21
  • Separate adult beverage options away from beverages for kids and teens.
  • Consider hiring or appointing a bartender:
    • Cocktails are consistently made
    • They can keep track of your guests’ consumption
  • Have fun activities:
    • Karaoke
    • Trivia games
    • Photo booth
    • Game console “games”:
      • Dancing
      • Bowling
      • Guitar Playing
Poster Preview with text stating: Best Practices, Responsible Alcohol Establishment
Download and Print the Alcohol Establishment Best Practices Poster
Together, we can provide every Montanan with the tools and knowledge to opt for a good and responsible time.

Recipe Ideas:

Low ABV: Rosé Spritzer

Ingredients:

  • 2 lemon slices
  • 4 dashes of peach bitters
  • ½ oz. elderflower liqueur
  • 4 ozs. sparkling rosé

Directions:

  • Place lemon slices, bitters, and elderflower liqueur in a rocks glass.
  • Add ice; top off with rosé.

Makes 1 serving.

Mocktail: Sparkling Pomgria

This Sparkling Pomgria is packed with flavor, created by combining tea, pomegranate juice, and fresh fruit. Thanks to the mix of tea and pomegranate juice, it’s a refreshing beverage without being overly sweet.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 2 tea bags (black tea, Earl Gray, breakfast tea, etc.)
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 cups pomegranate juice (Consider using a mix of pomegranate, tart cherry, and cranberry juices)
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 orange, sliced thinly; try a mixture of fruit:
    • 1 lemon, sliced thinly
    • 1 lime, sliced thinly
    • 1 cup apple chunks
    • ½ cup pomegranate seeds
  • 3 cups cold sparkling water or club soda

Directions:

  • Pour the boiling water over tea bags and cinnamon sticks. Let steep for at least 5 minutes. Discard tea bags and add the granulated sugar. Stir to dissolve.
  • Mix the tea, juices, and fruit in a pitcher. Refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to combine.
  • Add sparkling water to the pitcher before serving in a fancy wine glass.

Makes multiple servings.