Party Planning
You’re already tasked with confirming the guest list, reserving the space, sending out the invitations. When will you have time to plan which drinks you will serve at your event? No need to worry, let Toddy's Liquor & Wine help you from start to finish. Call to schedule an appointment or come by and meet with one of our Team Members who are prepared to assist you in selecting the appropriate beverages for your gathering. We have the largest selection of wine, beer and spirits, which means you can find something to please everyone on your guest list. With our incredibly low prices, you are sure to stay within your budget.
Planning Drinks for Your Party
Most guests will consume two drinks during the first hour of your event and one drink during each following hour. When planning an event serving wine, beer and spirits, the general rule of thumb is that:
- 50% will prefer WINE
- 30% will prefer BEER
- 20% will prefer MIXED DRINKS
If you do not anticipate serving mixed drinks at your event, then you should plan on 60% of your guests consuming wine and 40% beer.
Wine Planning
Everyday, our trained staff is swirling, sniffing and tasting wines to make sure that they are ready for your party and your guests. We love to help make your planning a little bit easier by taking the stress out of buying the wine. Whether you're looking for a case of reds or just two bottles that go with poultry, we can help. See our buying tips below or browse our Wine selections.
Drink Planning for Your Wine Party
There are three common sizes for buying wine. Knowing how many servings are in each bottle will help ensure that you are purchasing enough for you and your guests.
- 750ml = 5 Servings
- 1.5L = 10 Servings
- 1 Case (twelve 750ml bottles) = 60 Servings
Use your new planning skills to shop our huge selection of Wine for in-store pickup.
White, Red, Sparkling: Do I need all of these?
Consider a few factors:
- The time of day you are hosting
- The food you are serving
- The theme of the party
- The climate of the party setting
Beer Planning
Beer, like wine, comes in different styles and colors and is excellent for pairing with food. Your beer options for a party are plentiful, but where to begin? We’re here to help. In addition to the popular domestic and imported pale and light lagers that can be found everywhere beer is sold, there is a whole world of beer available at Toddy's to make your party special and unique.
Beers to Impress
Would you like to add flair with some beers that are big in character (and often higher in alcohol) that are sure to satisfy the passionate beer enthusiasts attending your party? If so, some of the following styles may fit the bill for your gathering:
- American Black Ale
- American Double/Imperial IPA
- American Double/Imperial Pilsner
- American Double/Imperial Stout
- American Strong Ale
- Baltic Porter
- Barley Wine
- Belgian IPA
- Belgian Strong Dark Ale
- Belgian Strong Pale Ale
- Doppelbock
- Dubbel
- Herbed/Spiced Beer
- Quadrupel
- Russian Imperial Stout
- Saison/Farmhouse Ale
- Tripel
- Weizenbock
Outdoor Party Hints
Having your party outdoors? Follow these steps to help maintain a great beer experience:
- Keep bottles away from exposure to direct sunlight, including when chilling on ice. Use a cooler with a cover, or better yet set up the cooler(s) in a covered, shaded area. Sunlight can interact with the hops in beer and cause a “skunky” aroma in the beer.
- Consider the season and weather when selecting the beer and quantity of each beer style for the party. In the middle of a hot summer day, for example, guests may choose a full-bodied dark Stout less than some other styles.
- Provide real glassware where allowed/possible. Beer tastes best consumed from a glass, not from the bottle or can. Provide plastic cups where glassware is not viable.
- Have a recycle bin or receptacle available at the beer station for the empty bottles and cans.
Spirits Planning
Your bar can be one of the biggest meeting spots for your party guests. Having a complete setup with peoples' favorite mixers and garnishes goes the extra mile to make people feel like you've put the extra effort into making them feel special.
Drink Planning for Your Party
There are three common sizes for buying wine. Knowing how many servings are in each bottle will help ensure that you are purchasing enough for you and your guests. (A serving equals 1.5 oz jigger. All numbers are approximate.)
- Fifth = 750ml = 15 Servings
- Quart = About 1 Liter = 20 Servings
- Half gallon = About 1.75L = 35 Servings
Put together your favorite Spirits drinks and order today for in-store pickup.
Cocktail Corner
The trendy thing to offer at events these days is a “signature cocktail.” Signature cocktails should go with the theme of your event and are a fun addition. Usually these cocktails use one or two spirits combined with different juices or mixers. Total Wine carries 2,000 different types of spirits and mixers to help you make the perfect cocktail! We have you covered if you opt to offer a full bar at your event..
Bar Setup
Whether your party (and budget) is big or small, you should stock your bar with the essentials. This simple breakdown of the most popular drinks and garnishes can help you put together your bar so that you're not over-or-understocked in any one Spirit.
The "Basic" Bar Bourbon Gin Rum Blended Scotch Tequila Vodka Sweet Vermouth Dry Vermouth Triple Sec |
Mixers Sour mix Orange juice Cranberry juice Tonic water Soda water Vodka Cola Lemon/lime soda Ginger ale |
Garnishes& Extras Bitters Olives Lemons & limes Tonic water Maraschino or brandied cherries Grenadine Lime juice Sweet and sour mix |
The "Well-Appointed" Bar The "Basic" bar, Mixers, Garnishes & Extras, plus: Single Malt Scotch Canadian or American Whiskey Orange liqueur Gourmet bitters Blue cheese-stuffed olives Gourmet sodas Ginger beer |
The "Super-Premium" Bar The "Basic" and "Well-Appointed" Bar, Mixers, Garnishes & Extras, plus: Liqueurs (Coffee, peppermint schnapps, etc.) Brandy Cognac Port Sherry |