Alternative to a cocktail workshop: bar cocktails without mixing

Want do you want to serve your guests real bar cocktails without spending the whole evening shaking them yourself? Then there are three alternatives to a cocktail workshop: ready-made cocktails and mocktails that you simply pour over ice, a cocktail box or shot package for a small group, and cocktail catering if you want to outsource the bar entirely. That way, everyone drinks something of bar quality, and you don't have to learn or mix anything. Below you can read which option suits your party, how much you need, how to keep everything cold and serve it safely, and what alcohol rules apply in the Netherlands.

In short

• A cocktail workshop is about making. An alternative is about drinking: your guests get a good cocktail straight away, without explanation, demonstration, or cleanup.
• Ready-made cocktails and mocktails are the easiest choice for a house party. Cocktail boxes and shots are convenient for small groups and as a gift. Catering is suitable for large parties and corporate events.
• Make sure you have enough servings, ice, refrigeration below 7°C, and the right glassware. A table and calculation example further down will help you.
• Always have non-alcoholic drinks available too. Do not serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 18, and at an event, check with your local municipality first what is allowed.

Table of contents

• Why you are looking for an alternative to a cocktail workshop
• The alternatives side by side
• Which alternative suits your party?
• Our view: the party is about the guest, not the shaker
• Quantities, refrigeration, glassware, and serving
• Serving alcohol: the rules in the Netherlands
• Bar-quality cocktails, delivered to your home
• Frequently asked questions
• Sources

Why you are looking for an alternative to a cocktail workshop

A cocktail workshop is an activity. You get an explanation of spirits and flavors, a bartender demonstrates the techniques, and then you make a few cocktails yourself by shaking, stirring, and muddling. This usually takes a few hours. There is often a minimum number of participants and a maximum group size, and you pay per person. For a team outing or bachelor party where learning is the goal, that works well.

Many party hosts want something else. They are looking for the cocktails, not the lesson. A few recognizable situations:

• You are hosting a birthday or garden party at home. Your guests come and go whenever they want. A workshop with a fixed start and end time does not fit in with that.
• Your group is too large or too mixed. You are hosting fifty guests, or there are children and people who do not drink alcohol. Then part of the group will drop out at a workshop.
• You want to be the host yourself. If everyone is at the bar mixing, the rest of the party comes to a standstill. You want to talk to your guests, not do the dishes from twenty shakers.
• You want a consistent quality. At a workshop, every cocktail tastes different, because every participant mixes it themselves. Anyone who wants every glass to taste the same will choose cocktails that have already been made by a professional.
• You are looking for a gift. You have to plan a workshop together. You can give cocktails or a box right away.

Do you recognize yourself in this? Then the question is which alternative suits your party.

The alternatives side by side

The table lists the five options, based on the points that matter when planning.

Ready-made cocktails

This is the most direct alternative to a workshop. The cocktail is already made with the right ratio of spirit, sweet, sour, and flavorings. You chill the bottles, fill a glass with ice, pour, and finish the glass with a slice of citrus or some herbs. The first glass is ready within a minute, and glass a hundred tastes the same. With our cocktails, you can combine classics and original creations, so there is something on the table for every taste.

Mocktails

Good mocktails are more than lemonade in a pretty glass. They have the same balance and structure as a cocktail, but without alcohol. People who do drink alcohol often have them too: according to the Trimbos Institute, adults drink non-alcoholic drinks mainly alongside alcohol. Anyone who has a mocktail in between will last longer at the party. With bar-quality mocktails, the designated driver, the pregnant friend, and the colleague who does not drink get just as festive a glass as the rest. Want to know how to combine both cleverly? Then read our guide on a mix of cocktails and mocktails.

Cocktail box

A box is ideal for a small group or as a gift. Everything is together and you don't have to buy anything separately. For an evening with two people, the Cocktail Box with 2 pieces is convenient. For a dinner with friends or a gift for a cocktail lover, choose the Cocktail Box with 6 pieces. Still want something of that workshop feeling, but at your own pace? Then a cocktail set like The Expert Cocktail Fusion Kit is a nice gift. With it, you can get started at home.

Shot package

Shots give a party a moment: the toast at a birthday, the start of the dance floor, or the last round. You chill a shot package and share it when the moment comes. Explanation is not necessary and it always results in a photo.

Cocktail catering

At a large party, a wedding, or a corporate event, you want to outsource the bar entirely. Then professionals pour for you, with a menu that suits your guests and the program. In our guide on creating a cocktail catering menu, you can read how to choose the right mix. In the overview of cocktail catering costs, you can see what the price depends on. Are you unsure if your group is large enough? In our article on minimum order for cocktail catering, you can read what the options are.

Which alternative suits your party?

Choose based on three things: how many guests are coming, how long the party lasts, and whether you want to pour yourself.

Small house party, up to about ten people

Think of a dinner, a birthday on the couch, or an evening with girlfriends. Take a cocktail box or a few bottles of ready-made cocktails, and put a bottle of mocktail next to it. You don't need a bar. A place with ice, a few nice glasses, and garnish on the counter is enough. Our tips for cocktails for small groups help you to get everything on the table without stress.

Larger private celebration, from ten to fifty people

For an anniversary, garden party, or large birthday party, it pays to create a fixed drinks area. Choose two or three cocktails and one or two mocktails, so that the choice remains manageable. Put the bottles in a cooler box or a tub with ice, and ask someone to run the bar during the first hour. This way, the party gets well underway. For the toast moment, prepare shots. How to cleverly prepare large quantities, you can read in cocktails for large groups.

Corporate event or large party

At a staff party, client event, or open day, pace and image are important. You want to avoid queues at the bar. Catering fits here, or a combination: a staffed bar for the main cocktails and ready-to-serve drinks on high tables. Six formats that work well can be found in cocktails for your company party. Do you receive your visitors in waves, such as at an open day? Then read how to serve cocktails without long queues.

Our view: the party is about the guest, not the shaker

At a cocktail workshop you learn to mix. Someone hosting a party wants something else: that every guest has a glass in their hand within a minute that tastes like a good cocktail bar. That is why we make cocktails and mocktails that are already ready, with premium ingredients and spirits. You take them out of the cooler, pour them over ice, and you are ready.

We often see that hosts spend the whole party behind the bar. They measure, look for the lime squeezer, and wash glasses. That is a waste. A party is made by the people, by the conversations, and by the moment when everyone raises their glass at the same time. When the drinks are taken care of, you have time for your guests.

That is why we think in complete experiences. There are cocktails for those who love a strong classic, mocktails that are just as well prepared for those who do not drink, shots for the highlight of the evening, and glassware and accessories that complete the whole. Does it need to be bigger or more personal? Then we will think along with you about customization or arrange the catering for your event.

Ruud

Quantities, refrigeration, glassware, and serving

Good cocktails deserve a good presentation. With these four points you are well on your way.

Calculate how many servings you need

Calculate based on your guests and the duration of the party, not on the number of bottles. Estimate how many drinks a guest has per hour. In the first hour, that is usually more than later in the evening. A calculation example: you have 20 guests and expect an average of three cocktails per person. Then you need 60 servings. Does a quarter of your guests come by car or drink no alcohol? Then about 15 of those servings will be a mocktail. Take a few extra of the cocktail that you expect will be the most popular. A few servings over is better than a bar that is empty at ten o'clock.

Keep everything well cold

Cold cocktails taste fresher, and refrigeration is also a matter of food safety. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority prescribes for food and drinks at markets and events that perishable products must be stored below 7°C. It recommends checking the temperature with a digital probe thermometer. That rule applies to vendors at events, but is also a good habit at home. Put the bottles in the refrigerator a day before. During the party, place them in a cooler box or a tub with ice, in a place out of the sun. In addition, buy enough ice cubes to put in the glasses. On a warm day, the ice melts faster than you expect.

Think about allergens

Are you organizing an event where you provide drinks? Then according to the NVWA you must be able to give your guests information about allergens. Even at a private party, it is hospitable to add what is in each drink, for example on a small card next to the bottles. This way, a guest with an allergy or intolerance can choose for themselves. At a wedding or a large party with catering, you want to arrange this well in advance. In the article on how to choose catering for your wedding, you can read how to compare options and quotes and include allergens in your planning.

Choose glassware and garnish that suit

A cocktail in a plastic cup feels like lemonade. A chilled glass with a slice of citrus feels like a bar. You only need a few types of glasses: a tumbler for drinks on ice, a tall glass for long refreshing cocktails and mocktails, and a coupe or shot glass for the toast. In our collection of glassware and the cocktail accessories, you will find what you need to complete the drinks area. More ideas for atmosphere and presentation can be found in our guide on creating a drinks experience for parties at home. Want to know what terms like 'on the rocks', 'twist', or 'dash' mean? Then check out our list of essential cocktail terms.

Serving alcohol: the rules in the Netherlands

Cocktails are a staple at any party, and responsible serving is just as important. According to the Trimbos Institute, more than three-quarters of people aged 18 and over in the Netherlands occasionally drink alcohol (2025 figures). This means that at almost every party, some of your guests will not be drinking alcohol. Also keep these rules in mind:

• No alcohol for anyone under 18. The Dutch government states that alcohol may not be sold to anyone under 18. Are teenagers coming to your party? Then clearly separate the mocktails and keep the alcoholic drinks out of their reach.
• Do not serve anyone who is visibly drunk. In the hospitality industry, you may not serve alcohol to anyone who is visibly drunk. The same applies to being a good host at home. Offer them a mocktail or water instead.
• For an event: check with your municipality first. According to the Dutch government, you need permission from the municipality to serve alcohol at an event. You can apply for this exemption through your municipality and find out more on Ondernemersplein. Please note that the conditions vary from municipality to municipality. In Barneveld, for example, such an exemption may only allow you to serve low-alcohol drinks, such as beer and wine. Are you organising a neighbourhood party, an open-air event or a party in a public place? Then ask your own municipality what is allowed. Mocktails are often the easiest choice for that part of the programme.

At a private party in your own home or garden, it is all about hospitality and looking after your guests. Provide water, something to eat and a safe way to get home, and agree on who will be the designated driver.

Bar-quality cocktails delivered to your home

At Cocktails by Nina, you can order cocktails, mocktails, cocktail boxes and shots that are ready to serve. They are made with premium ingredients and spirits. You can also order glassware, accessories and decorations, so you can have everything you need for your drinks in one go. Shipping is free within the Netherlands from €75 and in Belgium from €100. Do you live in or around Amsterdam? Then you can also pick up your order directly.

For a party at home, start with our cocktail boxes. Planning something bigger, want a bespoke solution or need catering for your event? Explore the options on our website and tell us what you have in mind.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to a cocktail workshop for a party at home?

For most house parties, ready-made cocktails and mocktails are the easiest choice. All you have to do is pour them over ice and add some garnish. A cocktail box is convenient for a small group or as a gift, because everything is already included.

Can I also cater for guests who do not drink alcohol?

Yes. Always have one or two mocktails ready that are just as well presented. This way, everyone can enjoy a festive drink, including the designated driver, pregnant guests and anyone under 18.

How many cocktails do I need for my party?

Multiply the number of guests by the number of drinks you expect each person to have. For 20 guests having three drinks each, you will need 60 servings. Subtract the number of guests who do not drink alcohol and order that amount as mocktails. Always order a few extra servings of your most popular cocktail.

When should I choose cocktail catering instead of serving myself?

Choose catering if you have a lot of guests, if you want the bar to be a real eye-catcher or if you want to be the host at a corporate event. Then professionals will serve the drinks, and you can focus on your guests. Read our blog to find out how much it costs and how to put together a menu.

Sources

• NVWA: Selling food and drinks at markets and events
• Dutch government: Reducing harm caused by alcohol use
• Dutch government: Rules to combat problematic alcohol use
• Ondernemersplein: Selling and serving alcohol
• Municipality of Barneveld: Serving alcoholic drinks at an event
• Trimbos Institute: Adults drink non-alcoholic drinks mainly alongside alcohol
• Trimbos Institute: Alcohol statistics
• Iktrouwmetjou: Choosing catering for your wedding

Recommendations

• Enjoying a cocktail without a recipe: how to do it
• No mixer needed: types of drinks for every party
• Cocktails for small groups: how to serve them without the stress