Party drinks on arrival - champagne, pimms, something else? (Ostrich)

How about cranberry juice (useful as a mixer later) for hot people / non-drinkers / designated drivers etc.

I hate Pimms (as do a lot of people). Couldn't you go with Cava or Prosecco instead?

I don't think you need more than one type of drink. I would say go for Pimms or else the Tesco champagne that wins the awards. Then have a non-alcoholic drink to serve alongside it too.

My cousin recently served fresh fruit juice topped up with soda and ice cubes with berries frozen into it - looked fabulous!

The prosecco in Sainsbury's is 5/6 quid a bottle, and it absolutely bloody lovely, so so drinkable. Failing that, a good cava would be fine, I'd probably go with Lindauer.

For me I'd rather have no champange than drink sparkling wine or a cheap bubbly, but I am champagne and wine snob ?

I'd go for Pimms and maybe make a few jugs of cocktails which are always nice on arrival at a party - Moscow Mule or Lynchburg Lemonade?

As baron said, prosecco. if you choose a dry-sh one, you could stick some cassis in it. presto, cheap kir "royale"

Ooh, fantastic. Prosecco it is then - from Sainsburys at that price!

Thanks for the ideas to jazz up the Pimms (I'm not big on Pimms either, but some of the people coming to the party are, so I'll keep it in!) and for the non-alcoholic drink ideas. They sound fabulous.

?

Some of the best sparkling wines I've ever tasted have not been from the Champagne region - I'd rather drink good wine than be a snob ?

Ostrich - I think I'd follow NickJ/BGB on the Presecco (spelling? brain has died for day) if I was offering Pims. And a soft drink too.

your snobbery is sooooooooo misplaced. many sparkling wines are far superior than a number of champagnes, and far cheaper.

Prosecco or pomegranate bellinis? i'd be delighted with a jug of pimms, though (for myself).

WNS. If you don't think some sparkling wines are up to the quality of champagne, then you have no right calling yourself a wine snob ?

Actually classic case in point from this thread - lindauer is very poor quality but is often (incorrectly) classed as champagne. However, some of the Prosecco which is sold by the supermarkets is far and away superior, yet lindauer commands a higher price due to the perception that its more "champagne-like". its the same with things like moet. the poorest quality champagne money can buy, yet, people will choose it over a cheap proscecco for snob reasons. in fact, i think this is the worst kind of snobbery which is built on ignorance.

What about Rum punch? I had it as a welcome drink at my wedding and loads of people asked the caterers for the ingredients.

In that case I apologise.

I have only ever tried the Lindauer type sparkling wines which I have hated. So I stick to the better tasting champagne options or a nice dry white. My comment was based upon my experience of what I have tried in the past. In fact due to the experiences I have had with the crappy sparkling wine brands I avoid them when looking at my options.

Please reccommend me something which I will happily try?

I'm loving the Cordoniu Brut in Tesco - currently half price at £4.99 a bottle.

Tesco premier cru champagne is lovely.

Well, tesco cava is very good. as is M&S prosecco. if you go to laithwaites.com and type prosecco, the first page gives a good dry one, and a decent pink one as well. give them a try

Thanks, I will do some shopping this weekend ?

Again apologies for my misplaced snobbery and twattish comment.

Hep.