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Parties/celebrations

Whether you're planning a birthday or a hen do, you'll find plenty of ideas for your celebration on our Party forum.

Weak but not too weak Cocktails for 18th birthday party

41 replies

ArtyStripedSocks · 22/10/2023 10:33

Ideas please.
DD's 18th, 12 girls coming, karaoke, lots of squealing and daftness.
She has asked if they can make cocktails. Clever friend suggested pre-making two cocktails in Kilner tap jars and setting out garnishes, glasses etc so I can make weaker cocktails and they can feel like they are making them.
I was thinking pretty pink Prosecco cocktails in a champagne glass when they arrive, then they can help themselves to more cocktails when they want.
(I was going to buy an inordinate amount of bottles of water and leave them around in baskets)
Can anyone suggest two good cocktails; mojito might be a good one, no idea about the other.

And a suggestion for the Prosecco cocktail (I'm thinking dilute Prosecco with fizzy water) for when they arrive and ideas on how to keep it fizzy....
Dd is sensible. I don't want loads of pissed girls puking all over my house.

I don't drink so am a bit crap at this.....

OP posts:
EddieHowesShithousingMags · 22/10/2023 10:35

I think at an 18th party I wouldn’t be expecting the hosts mum to water down the Prosecco with fizzy water 🤮

It really would make the party memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Beetlewings · 22/10/2023 10:41

Just make 'real' cocktails with half or quarter measures? We often do light cocktails or mocktails for the more sensible customer!

Just a heads up, in my experiences Prosecco is the one thing guaranteed to make teenage girls puke

SleepingStandingUp · 22/10/2023 10:41

If you want to dilute the prosecco, I'd ay it at least needs to be a decent / flavoured lemonade
Not water. Not even fizzy water.

But honestly, 12 girls, split one bottle into champagne flutes (buy plastic if you don't own them), couple of raspberries at the bottom. Sorted. It's basically two mouthfuls.

letmesailletmesail · 22/10/2023 10:50

For the prosecco, as a PP has said either do very small servings or do something like a Buck's Fizz and add orange juice.
For the other cocktails, focus on "long cocktails" and ones with only one spirit such as vodka, orange & cranberry as they are easiest to make in advance and you can mess around with the proportions more easily.
I would be nervous about the girls bringing their own spirits and wonder if you're making it easier for them by giving them the pre-mixed drinks which they can simply top up. I'm not sure how you avoid that though.

Cheeesus · 22/10/2023 10:52

Just let her choose some nice cocktails and ask her to make them not too strong.

TLDRfuckers · 22/10/2023 10:58

Get some peach liqueur/purée and top up with Prosecco for a Bellini. Or raspberry liqueur/purée and top up with Prosecco. You can also add soda water to make them a bit more low alcohol.

Cosmopolitans are a nice long cocktail you’ll need vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and fresh lime.

Or a Kir Royale which is blackberry liqueur and topped up with fizz.

mojitos are a good call!

mildlydispeptic · 22/10/2023 11:03

Yeah, mojitos were my first thought. What with all the mint and lime and ice and soda and stuff there's not much alcohol which is why I stick to caipirinhas. Or Aperol spritzes, and use San Pelegríno San Bitter, which is nonalcoholic, instead of Aperol, but looks and tastes very similar.

mildlydispeptic · 22/10/2023 11:05

Or Moscow Mule, heavy on the ginger beer and lime, light on the vodka. And again, lots of ice.

ArtyStripedSocks · 22/10/2023 11:11

@letmesailletmesail yes, I was worried about the girls bringing booze but dd assures me that won't happen😬🤞
Vodka orange & cranberry is a good idea. Thanks.

She has specifically requested champagne, so I'm thinking pink fizz plus, peach/orange juice- v good idea. Thanks!

OP posts:
ArtyStripedSocks · 22/10/2023 11:23

@SleepingStandingUp thanks, this is why I asked. Lemonade it is, with a raspberry. Top idea re plastic champagne flutes. Just bought. Thanks.

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2welshmums · 22/10/2023 11:23

Sex on the beach with half measures.
Orange juice
Cranberry juice
Vodka
Peach schnapps
Easy and looks good too

ArtyStripedSocks · 22/10/2023 11:24

@TLDRfuckers cosmopolitans sound v sophisticated. I will find a recipe. Thanks.

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ArtyStripedSocks · 22/10/2023 11:25

@2welshmums sounds good and will also raise a chortle. Thanks.

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ArtyStripedSocks · 22/10/2023 11:25

@mildlydispeptic thanks. That sounds lovely actually

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YerAWizardHarry · 22/10/2023 11:25

Mojitos should be made fresh with crushed ice and fresh mint and lime. They’re a pain in the arse to make so they taste good!

YerAWizardHarry · 22/10/2023 11:26

Cosmopolitans aren’t a “long” drink.. they’re served in a coupe glass and have a fair whack of booze in them. I think you’d be best doing something like sex on the beach or a woo woo if they’re fairly new to alcohol and you want to make it in bulk

JaneKatSuttonGoals · 22/10/2023 11:29

Channel your inner wetherspoons 2 jugs for £10/cheap all inclusive hotel drink allday and still be sober coz cocktails are so weak - I suggest woo woo with extra juice!

I know they are 18 but would you consider cremant or real champagne rather than Prosecco because it has fewer chemicals??

MyAnacondaMight · 22/10/2023 11:38

Don’t water down the fizz - that’s so infantilising to an 18yo who has requested champagne. And a bit pointless, as somebody will invariably bring a litre of vodka in with them.

If you want to bait and switch, you’d be better putting non alcoholic wine in some jar cocktails. Like this - https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/watermelon-lychee-pitcher

Or a white wine sangria. Mix some brandy (smells very alcoholic) with non alcoholic white wine, and top with a little ginger beer. Throw in some canned peach slices and apple slices for the full effect.

Watermelon & lychee pitcher recipe | BBC Good Food

Use non-alcoholic sparkling wine to keep this watermelon and lychee mocktail feeling grown-up. It's ideal for designated drivers at a summer party

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/watermelon-lychee-pitcher

HamstersAreMyLife · 22/10/2023 11:40

I was going to suggest an aperol fizz which is longer than a belini (spelling?) But not really weaker...
There might be a way to mix caiphinia or mojito so still tasty but I've never tried, I think you need to perhaps have small fancy glasses to limit intake rather than watering down?

ArtyStripedSocks · 22/10/2023 11:41

@YerAWizardHarry I have very fond mojito memories, and like you say, because they are delicious with fresh limes and mint. I really can't be arsed but I think I will do this for her. I take your point though.

Also I will look up woo woo. Thanks for the suggestions.

@JaneKatSuttonGoals I didn't know this. I will buy champagne, as it's just one bottle and a birthday to remember. Thanks. Thecweatherspoons idea is interesting. I'll look in to it.

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ArtyStripedSocks · 22/10/2023 11:43

@HamstersAreMyLife is Aperol fizz quite bitter? I think I'd like it (if I hadnt given up my booze life) but I wonder if it's a bit sophisticated for 18 year olds? I think they'd like the idea of it as its quote cool atm?

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WrongSwanson · 22/10/2023 11:45

I'd have some lovely soft drinks /mocktails available too, and lots of sparkling water etc.

ArtyStripedSocks · 22/10/2023 11:46

@WrongSwanson yes, good plan.

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FrenchandSaunders · 22/10/2023 11:49

You’ll need more than one bottle of champagne for 13 of them!

Freshstart78 · 22/10/2023 11:51

I would stick with correct strengths. They are 18. You might save your own house from disaster but if you succeed in your plan of tricking them - then all your teaching them is they can 5 proseccos and 10 mojitos without issue. The next night out might not be so trouble free.