There are few things more embarrassing than hosting last-minute guests and being thoroughly unprepared to do so. As a host, it is customary to offer hospitality in the form of food and drinks - in fact, “would you like a drink?” is often one of the first things a host will ask. As such, keeping a steady supply of drinks on hand for unexpected guests will grant you the peace of mind that you can accommodate anybody that walks through your front door. Here is an essential list of drinks to keep on hand.
Offering your guests a tall, cold glass of water is the most basic form of hospitality, particularly on warm days. However, tap water varies significantly from area to region, and the water from your tap may taste entirely different to that of your guests. As such, you may want to keep bottled water in your refrigerator. Alternatively, you could invest in a high-quality filter to remove the calcium and magnesium, softening the water and eliminating any hint of chlorine.
There are few problems in life that a warm cup of tea or coffee cannot fix. While instant coffee will always suffice in a pinch, offering your guests freshly brewed coffee made from high-quality, organic beans is one surefire way to win the title of "host with the most". In terms of tea, opt for crowd-pleasing varieties, such as English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Mint and Chamomile - even better when served in a charming teapot. You could even make your own loose-leaf tea blends.
Large bottles of soda can quickly overcrowd your refrigerator. However, you can avoid this issue while still having the means to offer unexpected guests a delicious glass of their favourite soda by investing in a sparkling water machine. By keeping a selection of soda syrups, you can concoct a sweet, sparkling beverage at the touch of a button. Swapping plastic bottles for a sparkling water machine is also an eco-friendly swap you can make to your everyday life to reduce your carbon footprint.
Fruit juice is a healthier alternative to soda with equally refreshing qualities. If you’re not a regular drinker of fresh fruit juice, fortunately, you can purchase long-life cartons and bottles, so you’ll always be prepared for last-minute guests. Alternatively, you could invest in a juicer so you can provide your guests with freshly-squeezed fruit day or night. Owning a juicer is also an excellent way to boost your own consumption of nutritious fruit and vegetables.
If you want to offer your adult guests something a little stronger, beer is a simple, crowd-pleasing option that is hard to refuse, ideal for socialising. You could opt for light, popular varieties or take a chance with some locally-brewed craft ale if you want to really impress your guests. All beer should be kept chilled and is best served between 38-55° F, so store your bottles or cans in your refrigerator.
A bottle of high-quality merlot shared between friends is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Furthermore, red wine can be stored away in a cupboard or cellar for up to three years without spoiling, so even if you’re not a regular wine drinker, you can keep a few emergency bottles handy. You can also store unopened white wine for the same length of time; however, you will need to chill it for around two and a half hours for it to reach its ideal serving temperature.
A high-quality sipping or mixing whiskey is always good to have at the back of the cupboard. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to spend a fortune to get your hands on an exceptional bottle of bourbon or scotch. Once opened and stored correctly, a bottle of whiskey can last for up to two years; however, if you’re worried about waste, you could always use surplus whiskey as a cooking ingredient for sauces and desserts.
Keeping a few cartons of long-life oat, almond or soya milk in your pantry will enable you to cater for unexpected guests with allergies or dietary restrictions. Of course, you could always offer black tea or coffee. Still, your vegan or lactose-intolerant guests will appreciate being served a hot, comforting beverage comparable to their regular coffee shop order.