Cocktail (reception) : A cocktail is a reception organized on the occasion of an event of public social life (inauguration, opening, etc.) or private (engagement, small reception), where the guests usually remain standing to drink champagne, spirits or fruit juice while nibbling on appetizers (canapés, toast and petits fours. The cocktail party usually takes place at the end of the afternoon in a covered place, while the garden party, similar reception, takes place in a garden during the summer.
See Reception.