The announcement of a marriage is an excellent reason for a party. I love the idea of making it a surprise by inviting intimate friends and close family over to a party and, along with your boyfriend (who has already proposed), announcing your engagement. If the announcement will be made at the soiree, the couple should host the engagement party. However, if the engagement is known it is typically thrown by the bride's parents. Another option (fellows please pay attention) is for the groom to host the party and surprise by proposing to his girlfriend in front of everyone. It's the most romantic if the groom lets all of the guests know the reason for the celebration, which can be easily conveyed in a short polite phone conversation. The last wedding I went to, the engagement party was the latter option and Ryan surprised Sarah on a vacation in Tahoe by getting down on one knee in their hotel room. Little did she know that he had rented the room next door as well and that all of their friends were waiting to commemorate the occasion. This week I am helping julieulie's parents plan an engagement for her and her husband-to-be, Scott. I created a collage (ideally of the couple) invite and chose the desserts to be on the menu. Today I am talking about what drinks should be poured during the fete, so please read more

What pairs perfectly with dessert? Champagne! Don't bother with dessert wines which can be too sweet and due to the smaller size of their bottles, are not crowd friendly. Opt for a dry (not sweet) Champagne, Prosecco, Cava or sparkling wine. Borrow champagne flutes from friends or family members to ensure that each guest can toast the happy couple. If you want to offer something other than champagne select a sweet Riesling or a Brut Rose. For non-alcoholics offer water, sparkling water, Mock Champagne, coffee (with sugar cubes!), and tea. A specialty dessert cocktail is a good idea for those who dislike champagne and I suggest offering one of the following drinks: White Russian, Strawberry Kiss, BMW, or a Chocolate Martini.

Mock Champagne
From Mixed-Drink.com

2/3 cup Sugar
2/3 cup Water
1 cup Grapefruit juice
1/2 cup Orange juice
3 tablespoons Grenadine syrup
28 ounces Ginger ale -- chilled

Combine sugar and water in saucepan over low heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Bring to boil and boil 10 minutes. Cool. Add sugar syrup to grapefruit and orange juices. Chill thoroughly. Add grenadine and ginger ale just before serving.

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White Russian
From Barmeister

1 1/2 oz Vodka
3/4 oz Kahlua
3/4 oz Cream or Milk

1. Mix the vodka and kahlua together in a cocktail shaker.
2. Pour into glass filled with ice. Float the cream/milk on top.

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Strawberry Kiss
From Inside SCV

1 oz white rum
1 oz Amaretto
4 strawberries
1 oz double cream

1. Blend all ingredients with ice until smooth.
2. Pour into a hurricane or wine glass garnished with fresh strawberry on the rim.

Makes 1 cocktail.

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BMW
From Drinkalizer

1 shot Bailey's
1 shot Malibu
1 shot whiskey

1. Shake equal amounts of Bailey's, Malibu and whiskey with ice in a cocktail shaker.
2. Strain into a rocks glass with a couple of ice cubes.

Makes 1 cocktail.

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Chocolate Martini
From Drinks Mixer

1 1/2 shots Godiva chocolate liqueur
1 1/2 shots creme de cacao
1/2 shot vodka
2 1/2 shots half-and-half

Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake and pour into a chilled cocktail glass.

Makes 1 cocktail.

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What do you think is the perfect drink for a dessert engagement party? Please tell me your concoctions below! Invites, Menu, Drinks, next up? The look and decor.