What do I take to drinks with new friends?

[DannY97]

We recently made friends with another couple with kids the same age as ours, and they’ve invited us round for evening drinks in the garden in a week’s time. We like them and are looking forward to it, but I was thinking about what to take with us. Of course usual suspects would be Prosecco/wine, but I’m not a wine drinker and the taste of Prosecco gives me a headache. I’m much more of a cocktail sort of girl, and my husband doesn’t like wine either. We’re a bit worried that all they’ll have is wine, so we’re thinking we bring something else. It’s been so hot in England lately that it will be a lovely evening but just want to make sure we can join them with a drink.

But what is an appropriate thing to bring? Turning up with cocktail ingredients doesn’t seem like the right thing to do!

If we’re going to bring wine, I’ve heard Moscato is a very sweet wine that is good for wine-dislikers - is this true? Is it considered an appropriate wine to bring to a social event?

Please help these two cocktail lovers act like we’re functional adults with a mature palate!

I wouldn't go with a sweet wine. A decent Sauvignon from Marlborough is a pretty safe bet for garden drinking. Maybe an aperol spritz? I don't like the stuff but am very much in the minority!

Unless it was stipulated that it was a cocktail event, I wouldn't assume they'd be making them.

Do you drink pimms? You could take a bottle, lemonade and fruit? At a friends BBQ, she made a delicious 'cocktail' with frozen mango cheeks and alcohol. Not even sure of the alcohol, but all she did was wizz it in a blender.

I'd take a bunch of flowers, wine for them and something you DO drink. Years ago there were frozen margueritas in a bag. Not sure if they are still around but would you drink those?

Marks now do a 12 pack of mixed cocktails - comes boxed. I find them rather strong though!

Aperol spritz is Prosecco based so no good if that gives you a headache.

I’d bring some of whatever you’d normally drink, and come prepared to share and try something different.

What about Pimm’s? Bring the lemonade and fruit too so you can make a jug to share.

Another idea- alcoholic ginger beer or cans of G&T?

I'd love it if someone brought Pimms or Spritz ingredients - both could work although ideally take ice too as you can never guarantee how much people have.

Take some tinned cocktails for you, most supermarkets sell them now, and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc for them as a host gift.

I'd take along a bottle of elderflower cordial and some sparkling water for me and a cold bottle of white as a gift. Maybe some beers as that's what dh tends to drink.

Like the Pimm's idea though - could take some of the premixed cans or a small cooler with bag of ice, box of fruit salad, bottle of Pimm's and bottle of lemonade.

I would take a bottle as a gift and a bottle that I would drink whilst there. Last drinks I went to I took a Pinot Grigio and elderflower presse.

I think it's fine to take something you like to drink and maybe a nice bottle of wine for them

You can buy bottles of ready mixed cocktails from major supermarkets. My current favourite is a cosmopolitan from Waitrose.