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The Best Cocktail Napkin

Last updated on February 8, 2023
Best Cocktail Napkin

Our Review Process

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If you’re planning a party that involves serving drinks or hors d’oeuvres, you’ll want to invest in a set of quality cocktail napkins. These smaller napkins can be held in the palm of a person’s hand for snacking on appetizers or placed on a bar with a drink on top to keep any moisture that escapes the glass from discoloring the countertop’s surface. As you begin shopping for the best cocktail napkins, consider the following features:

Determine the occasion for which you need the cocktail napkins. The Comfy Package White 1-Ply Cocktail Napkin is basic, white and affordable, making it a great choice for just about any party or event. If, however, you have a special color scheme or party theme in mind, you’ll want to go with a cocktail napkin set that has a bit more style.

Check the absorbency of the cocktail napkin set next. Some options are 2-ply, meaning they are more durable and absorbent. They won’t rip through when your martini sweats or you spill a little bit of wine. These napkins are also often available in as many as 10 rich colors that don’t bleed when they get wet.

Consider a cocktail napkin set that comes from a company that has other coordinating pieces. For example, you may find a set that features a festive gold dot pattern that adds a touch of elegance to your party. The set may then be purchased with coordinating gold foil dot dinner and dessert plates.

Look for a company that goes above and beyond to make its products the best on the market. Some napkin sets not only come with four different designs per set, but they are also constructed with three layers of thickness. Additionally, many napkin makers follow sustainable and eco-friendly practices, with some sets being derived from 100% raw wood pulp.

Our Picks For The Top Cocktail Napkins

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Product Overview
Our Take
  Top Pick

AH AMERICAN HOMESTEAD Extra Soft Cocktail Napkins, 100-Count

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

AH AMERICAN HOMESTEAD

Extra Soft Cocktail Napkins, 100-Count

You'll receive 100 extra-soft cocktail napkins when you opt for this versatile set. The napkins are thicker than competing brands, as well as much larger. In fact, if you're looking to save money, you can cut the napkins in half. You can even get the napkins in one of 15 different colors, including navy, sand and burgundy.

Overall Take

Responsible ChoiceYou can feel good about these cocktail napkins, as they are both recyclable and compostable.

  Runner Up

The Essential Concierge Premium Cocktail Napkins, 100-Count

The Essential Concierge

Premium Cocktail Napkins, 100-Count

Elegant is the best word to describe this cocktail napkins set. Each of the napkins is decorated with gold dots, making the set perfect for a wedding or anniversary party. In addition to being stylish, the napkins are also thick and highly absorbent.

Overall Take

Affordable SetSticking to a budget is easy when you opt for this economical cocktail napkins set.

  We Also Like

Crisky Wedding Tear-Resistant Cocktail Napkins, 100-Count

Crisky

Wedding Tear-Resistant Cocktail Napkins, 100-Count

Each of the cocktail napkins in this set say "Mr. & Mrs." on the top and "Thanks for Coming" on the bottom. The letters are made using an elegant gold foil and are designed to let guests of an engagement party or wedding know their presence was appreciated.

Overall Take

For the Bride and GroomThese soft and strong cocktail napkins are designed for use during a cocktail hour or when serving dessert at the end of the evening.

  Strong Contender

Comfy Package Absorbent 1-Ply Cocktail Napkins, 500-Count

Comfy Package

Absorbent 1-Ply Cocktail Napkins, 500-Count

Although these cocktail napkins have an attractive inlaid design, they remain solid white in color. That means you'll be able to use the napkins for just about any event, including a birthday party, a retirement party and even a wedding. The napkins are also absorbent, which means accidental spills are no problem.

Overall Take

Most VersatileYou'll find these cocktail napkins are quite affordable, which makes them an excellent choice for large gatherings.

  Also Great

Perfect Stix Party Paper Cocktail Napkins, 100-Count

Perfect Stix

Party Paper Cocktail Napkins, 100-Count

Available in 10 rich colors, these cocktail napkins won't bleed when wet from the sweat of a glass. The napkins are 2-ply, which means they are stronger and more absorbent. You can use them for a home party, wedding or a business event.

Overall Take

Multiple Color OptionsIf you're searching for an absorbent disposable napkin in a vibrant color, look no further than this cocktail napkin set.

What to Look For

  • Each guest may use as many as two or three napkins, so you’ll need to multiply the number of people you invite to your party by this number to get an estimate of how many cocktail napkins you’ll need.
  • Leftover cocktail napkins can be used to construct a variety of craft items. For example, you could make a paper poinsettia during the holidays or a greeting card for birthdays and other special events. If the cocktail napkin has a decorative pattern on the front, you can also decoupage it to a tile to create a permanent drink coaster to use at home.
  • Consider fanning the cocktail napkins for presentation instead of simply setting them in a stack by your drinks and hors d’oeuvres. To do this all you need to do is set the side of a glass on the top of a stack of cocktail napkins. Place a finger at the bottom of the stack while you twist the glass around on the top of the stack with your other hand. This will fan the napkins out. The key is to use a stack of napkins that isn’t too thick. You can always lay the fanned out napkins next to, or on top of, each other.
  • Before comparing cocktail napkin prices, you must first look at how many napkins you’re getting in the set. Naturally, a 100-count set costs less than a 500-count set, which contains 400 additional napkins. When comparing the price of sets that contain the same number of cocktail napkins, you’ll need to look at their features. You can expect a set with four different patterns to run a bit higher than then a set with just one color.

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