Death of the dinner party, rise of the “Home Fashioned Cocktail Hour”

October 25, 2023

Photography: Katie Sverchek

A new home cocktail party trend is sweeping the nation, as Aussies express increasing concerns about the cost of living and look for more affordable ways to socialise.

The new national survey from luxury bourbon brand, Woodford Reserve, reveals the majority (77%) of the population are no longer tied to a night out to get together with friends, with 59% believing that they are expensive and 41% admitting they spend over $150 each time they do.

Enter the era of the Home Fashioned Cocktail Hour’, with half (49%) of Aussies now choosing a cocktail night with nibbles as the preferred way to host, over a traditional dinner party (34%).

In response to the growing demand, Woodford Reserve has partnered with award-winning bar, Maybe Sammy, and expert stylist Briellyn Turton, to create the most affordable luxurious cocktail party guide so Aussies can transform their homes into the hottest bar in town.

Paolo Maffietti, Bar Manager at Maybe Sammy, shared:

“If there is something we know, it’s how much Aussies love a cocktail. We want to help them get comfortable with their at-home mixology skills, so they can relax and enjoy hosting their friends. As we see this rise of the cocktail hour sweep the nation, it’s really exciting to be able to help bring this to Aussies homes.

We are so excited to have partnered with Woodford Reserve to bring a luxury twist to three classic cocktails including the latest ‘Home Fashioned’ to win over guests when you’re next hosting. The recipes can be easily recreated at home with minimal ingredients and equipment – all for less than $10 per guest.”

Briellyn Turton, Interior Designer and Stylist, said:

“It’s exciting to see that people are wanting to use their homes to host at-home cocktail parties, as it’s such a great way to bring people together. Sometimes hosting can be intimidating when you don’t know what to do with your space. It was exciting to partner with Woodford Reserve so we could help Aussies get their homes bar ready, to make use of their space and create the perfect atmosphere.”

The research also revealed:

● Aussies want to unlock their inner mixologist: Nearly half (48%) of the population think a cocktail is a great way to treat themselves, and 42% want to make cocktails more often than they do now.
● Aussies want more autonomy over their night: More Aussies are opting for cocktail nights at home as they can play their own music (50%), save money (40%) and curate a personalised experience (34%).
● Aussies love to stretch their spirits: Half (50%) of Aussies are looking for recipes that show versatility by using the same spirit to make different cocktails, ultimately scaling back the cost of ingredients, with 40% keeping the spirit premium quality.

For more information about Woodford Reserve, the Luxuriously Affordable At-Home Cocktail Party Guide and new Maybe Sammy Cocktails recipes, visit the website here.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.