The Cocktail Hour is back! Martha Stewart, Emeril, Bobby Flay....even Oprah...has dedicated episodes to this popular get-together. Cocktail Hours originated in the 1950's and continued into the mid-70's. Weekday cocktails began when Hubby arrived home from work and ended at dinnertime...usually 2 hours....and consisted of either Manhattan's (stirred) or Martini's (shaken). Saturdays tho were Cocktail Party time. Everyone had a special Cocktail Set........................................
Barware (courtesy Google search)
Kitchy Shakers.........(courtesy Google Search)
and My Fav, but only cause of what it's made out of...Aluminum..and it's mine!
There was also the Hors d' vours and foods synonimous with Cocktail hours
Cocktail Kabobs------Button Mushrooms and Cocktail Franks marinated in French Dressing
Canapes
Olives stuffed with pimento
Broiled Grapefruit
Potato chips with onion dip.....just to name a few.
The Cocktails included the Manhattan, Daiquiri, Whisky Sour, Tom Collins and others. I used my vintage BGH set of 12 specialty cookbooks for these, but you could go on the 'net and get a myriad of suggestions for vintage cocktail parties.
There were also those kitchy little extras........swizzle sticks, beanbag ashtrays, and cocktail napkins...like this one I found on the internet........................
In the 1950-60's who could forget some of the beautiful built-in bars in any Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra movies. The everyday folks I knew had these for their rumpus rooms, dens, or family rooms.....................
I found these retro bars on the internet and had to include them....
can't you just see Luvee and Mr. Howell with Gilligan as the Bartender?
Now this is the quintisential 40's Cocktail Bar.
And this pic is of a 1960's Cocktail Bar. Understated, modern, blends in with the decor of the room.
furniture peices were available in a wide variety of styles...modern, art deco, country, My parents had one that was definately an Early American./farm house feel from the early 70's.....it's a divider between kitchen and family room and it now displays vintage bottles, glassware, teapots, and cookbooks.
The Cocktail Hour had a dress code.....Dinner jacket for the host.....Suit or sport coat for the gentlemen.....and the ladies....................the Cocktail Dress
...............(courtesy Google search).
I found these examples on the internet........ But we can't forget the Cocktail Jewelry
Rings, brooches, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Even men had Cocktail Pinky Rings.
And, the one all important accessory any Hostess had to wear was the............................................
Cocktail Apron.
They were fancy little numbers, usually made of taffetta
Like this one...........................
I had to do a little redo on this vintage taffata beauty, but the flocked and glittered floral pattern is all original. I also added a few vintage buttons for a bit more umph. This apron is a bit unusual....it is one size fits all. The aprons I find to recreate, redo, repurpose...well.....some....okay they don't quite tie all the way...women were petite back then....but this one fits.
Now this little Cocktail Hour Cutie is probably from the late 50's- early 60's. It's tropical floral accent to commorate the our 50th state..Hawaii....I just see the Tiki Bar poolside now...
It was in excellent condition when I found it, but I did have to do a little seam repair and of course add a little cocktail bling..........................
I added 4 little cocktail charms at both pockets.
You can click the pics to enlarge.
You can visit me at Apronation if you'd like add these to your collection...both are available for $19.99. If you'd prefer you can contact me at
melody@brownginghamcreations.com to arrange aquiring them.
Sorry....seems blogger had some issues and lost posts from last Wed to last night.
I was linked into Rednesday Wednesday and Three or More Wed.
Hope Blogger has taken care of it's glitches
Uh,,,wait a minute.......it is Friday the 13th...not their bad. It's the Gremlins.
