Cocktail Party Tips

How many and how much do you need? When it comes to hors d'oeuvres, the general rule of thumb is 5 to 6 pieces per person and a total of between 6 and 8 different types of hot and cold hors d'oeuvres.

Once you've decided what to serve, here's how to estimate how much you'll need.

In addition to serving a variety of miniature treats, it's probably a good idea to offer up the easy-to-eat nibbles that everyone loves.

Hot and cold hors d'oeuvres start any party on a festive note. But estimating quantities is always a challenge.

If possible, it's always nice to have hot hors d'oeuvres passed around, so guests can enjoy them while they're still hot. Cold appetizers can be passed, too. Or they can be placed on trays and set out on tables. Having the trays placed on more than one table encourages guests to move around and mingle.

* If guests are invited to a cocktail reception only, the time of the event is important in estimating quantities to serve. The closer cocktails are to regular lunch or dinner time, the hungrier guests will be.

* 5 drinks per person for a dinner party that extends into the night.

Figure:

Cut-up vegetables: 4 to 5 lbs.

* If people know there's a full sit-down dinner after cocktails, they're less likely to fill up on hors d'oeuvres. Therefore, the 5- to 6-piece estimate could be lowered to 3 or 4 per person; conversely, if nibbles will be all that's on the menu, you may want to think in terms of 10 to 12 pieces for every guest.

If you're serving a number of beverages, you'll need less than the amounts listed below. Still, it's better to have too much than not enough. Be sure to ask the owner of the liquor store if you can return unopened bottles.

Cut-up melon balls: 8 to 10 lbs.

Potato chips and tortilla, or other chips: 4 to 5 lbs.

Many caterers figure 5 to 6 hors d'oeuvres per person. However, the number you'll need could be less--or more than double that amount! Some common sense guidelines:

* Men tend to eat more than do women.

Cooked shrimp: 3 to 5 lbs.

* Younger crowds eat more than older adults.

There are no hard and fast rules about what beverages to serve for what occasions. Some hosts and hostesses choose to serve only punch (with or without alcohol) or champagne. Some offer choices of domestic and imported beer and several types of wine. And still others offer a full range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including wine, hard liquor, champagne, and after-dinner drinks, as well as a variety of regular and diet soft drinks, fruit juices, and of course, chilled water. The choice is yours.

Champagne: 1 bottle (750 ml.) yields about 6 servings; figure 25 bottles for 50 people.

Liquor: 1 serving is considered 1 ½ ounces; each 750 ml. bottle provides 17 servings. To be safe, have at least 3 bottles each of gin and vodka, plus 2 bottles each of Scotch, rye, bourbon and rum.