2016 Was the Last Effortless Party Era; Here’s How To Bring It Back
Nearly ten years back, parties were about vibing to good music, gorging on simple but flavourful small bites and slurping drinks that blended seamlessly into the party vibe. Today, with too many photo-ops, staged set-ups and choreographed party moves, home hosts and party goers alike are experiencing what can only be called aesthetic fatigue. When hosting needs to feel human and harking back to times gone by heralds ease and elegance, the time travel is worth it. Think 2016-themed, effortless party planning, when a chill, no-pressure vibe was the norm.
2016 Was Peak ‘Low-Pressure’ Hosting
Photo stations at their bare minimum and party decor and dress codes which felt more in the moment, was what gatherings looked like a decade back. Blending drinks was straightforward during this era and no recipe was an act put-on for the next social media buzz. So, cocktails back in 2016 featured simple mixes, classic blends, clear flavours and most importantly, no one asked you which type of ‘artisanal,’ ‘organic’ gin you used to make a drink. While these questions are all the hype today for their well-timed relevance, back then, parties were about keeping it simple and low-pressure.
The Drinks We Drank in 2016 (And Why They Worked)
One of the main reasons the 2016 parties worked was because the cocktails served during the gathering could be easily prepped as batch drinks. There was no pressure to make drinks per glass or serve them up as miniature cocktails. You could put a delicious fruity, fizzy blend in a glass container, and guests could choose their required measures, whether it was minimalist or a full portion. Party guests wandered towards these drinks because they simply tasted good. Sweet, easy-to-batch cocktails that were even easier to explain were simply what parties featured.
– Thick berry cocktails with sweet, tart acidic flavours, that trumped over complicated, intricate blending.
– Straightforward mixes like piña coladas and other fruit-based cocktails that carried a tropical punch remained popular.
– All of these beachy drinks, with their classic tiki vibe were served in colourful jars, tumblers and fruit shells like coconuts and pineapples, which built into their charm.
How to Recreate a 2016 Bar (Without It Feeling Cheesy)
If you are a party host planning on travelling back in time and recreating a 2016 bar, without making it sound too cheesy, there are some simple hacks you could follow. All about ease, simplicity and pronounced flavours, this is a move geared towards a cocktail culture where drinks were made to fit into the party vibe, rather than curating an entire affair around the themed numbers.
– Pick 2-3 Flavour Profiles: Design a cocktail menu that chooses from a range of fruity profiles like berries, citruses and sweet and sour pineapples. These were popular flavour choices, for their deliciousness and ease of blending. Tailor drinks that use these tropical ingredients as their primary tasting notes.
– Batch Cocktails: The importance of this element in planning a successful 2016-themed party cannot be overstated. Be the host who keeps batches of sangrias and piña coladas ready, so you can actually mingle with your party guests.
– Classic Serves: Some of the most popular drinks of 2016 are also some of the most classic cocktail serves – simple, layered and flavourful. Serve a gin and tonic made using Tanqueray No. Ten Gin, a classic whisky soda blended using Black & White, an enduring vodka with soda featuring Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka and of course rum and cola made using Captain Morgan Dark Rum.
– Serve In Playful Glassware: Move over novelty props and pretentious glassware that looks pretty only in a trendy filter. Go for blingy, vibrant and colourful glassware that can carry a drink with a little room for dramatic flair.
– Simple Garnishes: And most importantly, the garnishing game has to be uncomplicated. Lemon wedges, basil leaves, rosemary sprigs and edible flowers will trump over elaborate, intricate garnishes that look good, yet quite out of tune with the earnest 2016 vibe.
Drinks That Don’t Interrupt The Night
The best party drinks are the ones no one has to think about. That’s what makes the 2016-themed party so special. Amazing dance music and EDM were making waves in this period, something that reflected the easy, low-pressure atmosphere of a home hosting event. The party seamlessly flowed from a conversation onto the dance floor and back again. Cocktails became great partners that blended into this vibe, complemented its elegance and had a certain themed, lyrical musicality that was hard to miss. Host such a stellar gathering where drinks never interrupt the night, rather become accompaniments which build into its charm.
All cocktails listed use 30 ml liquor measurements for single serves. Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
