The team at Come Dine With Me South Africa gave us tips on how to make an alcohol-free dinner party a success.
1. Pick a great theme
A fun pop-culture theme or glamorous dress code could help create the right mood. Guests’ will be preoccupied with the décor and each other’s attire and that could make them let their guard down from the start. A masked theme is a definite win to encourage confidence. Go all out with the decorations, have some fabulous party props laid out and set up a photo booth to encourage happy snaps as an ice-breaking starter.
2. Set up an enticing drinks trolley
Just because they’re non-alcoholic doesn’t mean the drinks have to be boring. Serve up a selection of decadent virgin mocktails with all the trimmings. When there’s pineapple-ginger punch, sparkling mint ice tea, scrumptious sangria and peach bellinis on offer, who needs alcohol? Even water can be interesting when it’s infused with raspberries, mint and floral ice cubes, a few paper umbrellas also wouldn’t go amiss.
3. Play party games early on
However well you know your guests, a good game always helps to get people in the mood and set the tone to have a great time. ‘Two truths and a lie’ is an easy way to get to know guests better – everyone takes it in turns to tell two true facts and one lie about themselves and the rest of the group has to guess which is the lie.
4. Serve sensational food
Try to blow guests away with tasty morsels and sweet treats in line with your theme for the night.
