Wine Enthusiast Magazine / July 2010 / "Mad Men" Cocktail Party Guide

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"Mad Men" Cocktail Party Guide

Throw the perfect 60s-inspired cocktail party.

AMC's blockbuster hit series and Emmy award-winning show, Mad Men, is abundant with drama—along with cocktail swilling, cigarette smoking, overt sexism and inevitably, inter-office (read: adulturous) romance.

In honor of our favorite ad agency stars, here's our guide to throwing a sophisticated, 60's-inspired cocktail party that would make Betty Draper proud.

The Drinks: Think classic cocktails (and if you own a bar cart, roll it out).

Rarely seen without a glass of Scotch in hand, the ad men at Sterling Cooper are known to throw back Canadian Club (Don Draper's pick) in nearly every scene. In addition to three-martini "business" lunches, work meetings on the show often include Bloody Marys, while the ladies seem to favor vodka gimlets (served in martini glasses with a wedge of lime) along with Mai Tais.

Keep it simple, and pick two or three retro cocktails to offer during the party (also consider the Old Fashioned or Grasshoper)--along with copious amounts of Scotch. Break out the decanter, highball glasses and any retro accessories (like a vintage tablecloth or tiki glasses) to help set the scene.

The Snacks Menu: Epitomizing the perfect 60's housewife, Grace Kelly look-alike Betty Draper would serve fancy hors d'oeuvres on her best china to impress Don's guests. Follow suit by dishing up a few old-school appetizers, like Deviled Eggs and finger sandwiches (on white bread of course). Add a few cheese balls and chips with onion dip (in honor of Pete's chip and dip obsession) to keep the focus where it belongs: on the booze. Bonus points for keeping a supply of candy cigarettes out--it will help guests get into character.

The Music: By hour two, we hope you've served enough Scotch to make your guests start attempting the Twist. Sam Cooke, Ella Fitzgerald and Chubby Checker are fine choices for a 60's soundtrack.

The Attire: Now for the fun part: costumes. Ladies should wear their best vintage dresses, hats, gloves and of course, matching shoes. Red lipstick  and "done" hair is practically a requirement. Men can show off classic black suits worn with white shirts and ties--but adding a fedora will turn heads and hopefully encourage (inappropriate) flirtation.