Serving the Washington DC and Baltimore metropolitan regions of Maryland, MD and Virginia, VA, including: Montgomery County, Howard County, Prince George’s County, Frederick County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Alexandria Old Town County, Arlington County, Fairfax County and Fall’s Church City. We offer quality catering and personal chef services, a delightful fusion of world cuisine, integrating only the freshest all natural and organic seasonal ingredients, purchased from our local farmers markets. We specialize in weddings, cocktail parties, dinner parties, social catering, corporate catering and party planning. In addition we offer a wonderful selection of specialty desserts and made to order cakes. Gift boxes for all occasions and our cookie collection lines, are available for order within the continental united states. Please call for order information. Additionally cooking classes and cooking demonstrations are available to the general public. Please note all prices are subject to change without notice. Photos by Matthew Lyons © Copyright 2009 and Dixie D. Vereen © Copyright 2009.  Copyright info. Updated beverage planning chart page 4/9/09.

Copyright ©  2009 www.AlchemyCaterers.com  Carla Hall

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Other Considerations

Wine: White (common varietals include Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Pinot Grigio) Red (common varietals include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Shiraz/Syrah, and Zinfandel)

Mixers: Some common mixers include club soda, tonic water, ginger ale, 7-Up or Sprite, cola, juices (tomato, orange, pineapple, cranberry, grapefruit, etc.), bitters, and grenadine.

Garnishes: lemons, limes, maraschino cherries, green olives, and cocktail onions.

Ice: Estimate 1 pound per person (for both chilling beverages and drink service.) More ice will be needed for an outdoor, warm-weather party, or if the party lasts more than 4 hours.  About 1/2 pound of ice is needed if the beverages are pre-chilled or the party is of short duration.

Cocktail Napkins: Estimate about 4 cocktail napkins (or 2 linen napkins) per person per hour, less if your guests will be using small cocktail plates for food.

Glasses: Choosing glasses – the basics include all-purpose wine glasses, Beer pilsners, Champagne flutes, Highball glasses, and Loball glasses.  

Mixers and Garnishes: Depending on the cocktails you plan on offering, you may need any or all of the following:

Juices: Orange juice, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, tomato juice or V8, pineapple, lemon or lime juice (fresh squeezed when possible or Roses), pomegranate

Mixes: Bloody Mary, Margarita and Sweet and Sour

Carbonated beverages – club soda, tonic water, cola, 7-up or Sprite, ginger ale

Flavoring Agents: Angostura bitters for drinks like Old Fashioneds, salt, pepper or horseradish for drinks like Bloody Marys, confectioner’s sugar for fizzes and flips, grenadine, simple syrup, cream of coconut, etc.

Dry Vermouth if you plan on making martinis.

Sweet Vermouth if you plan on making Manhattans.

Salt or Sugar for rimming cocktail glasses (for Margaritas)

Common Garnishes: Lemon or lime peel or wedges, orange slices, Maraschino cherries, olives, cocktail onions or celery stalks.

Other LIQUEURS for specialty drinks...

Kahlua or other coffee flavored liqueur

Creme de Menthe

Creme de Cacao

Amaretto

Brandy and/or Cognac

Grand Marnier

Drambuie

B&B (Brandy & Benedictine)

Triple Sec or Cointreau

Apple Pucker Schnapps (for Appletinis)

Bailey’s Irish Crème

Southern Comfort

Peach Schnapps

Frangelico

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beverage planning chart