Nashville Nights

• Drinks:

• Ole Smokey Moonshine,
• Tennessee Mule

• Travel Focus:

• Nashville

• Talking Points:

• Different trips/different vibes

• Mumford and Sons group trip

• Sue, Jess, Carli and D trip

• Taylor Swift trip

• Grand Ole Opry

• Bachelorette Scene

• Frugal McDougal!!!

By: Abigail Heckel

Cocktail parties are a fantastic way to bring friends together for an evening of laughter, delicious drinks, and memorable conversations. If you're looking to host the perfect soirée, look no further! In the latest episode of Cocktails and Carry-Ons hosts Diana and Carli share invaluable tips and tricks to take your cocktail party to the next level. From crafting the ideal guest list to selecting the right playlist, here’s your guide to hosting an unforgettable event.

Crafting the Perfect Guest List

The first step to hosting a successful cocktail party is deciding who to invite. Aim to create a balanced mix of personalities. A successful cocktail party thrives on interaction, so be sure to include guests who will not only enjoy each other's company but also complement the overall ambiance. Diana and Carli emphasize that everyone should bring a friend to ensure there’s plenty of conversation and connection stirring in the air.

Choosing a Theme

Next, consider the vibe you want to convey. Will your party be fancy or casual? A well defined theme can set the tone for your decorations, invitations, and even your cocktails. Whether you opt for a sophisticated evening with upscale cocktails or a relaxed gathering with laid back drinks, having a theme will help guide your decisions as you prepare.

Setting the Mood with Invitations

Your invitation is your first impression; it sets the scene even before guests arrive. Make sure it reflects your chosen theme and conveys essential information such as time, location, dress code, and RSVP details. Whether you send out digital invites or handwritten cards, ensure they capture the spirit of your party.

Curating the Perfect Playlist

Music is a fundamental part of any cocktail party. The right playlist can energize your gathering or set a relaxed atmosphere. Light jazz, bossa nova, or a curated mix of contemporary tracks can create an inviting soundscape. Consider creating a playlist that lasts a few hours to avoid frequent interruptions.

Lighting the Ambiance

Lighting plays a critical role in establishing an atmosphere. Diana and Carli recommend using candles and dim lighting to create an intimate and cozy environment. Be sure to not overwhelm your guests with too many fragrances though! Sticking to non-scented candles is sometimes the better choice.

Signature Cocktail and Water Station

A signature cocktail adds a personal touch and simplifies drink choices. Prepare a big batch ahead of time, allowing guests to help themselves throughout the night. Remember to provide sparkling water, mixers, and garnishes to cater to different tastes. Guests will appreciate having a non-alcoholic option available.

Providing Alcohols and Mixers

It’s essential to stock up on a variety of alcohol and mixers to satisfy different preferences. Ensure you have the basics like vodka, gin, rum, and tequila, along with popular mixers such as tonic water, soda, and juice. This ensures that guests can mix and match according to their flavor profiles.

Encouraging Guests to Bring Appetizers

To keep things simple (and delicious), consider asking guests to bring appetizers to share. This not only relieves some of the pressure off you but also introduces a fun tasting element as everyone brings their favorite treats. You might even want to suggest a theme for the appetizers to keep the culinary experience cohesive.

With these tips from Diana and Carli, you’re well on your way to hosting a delightful cocktail party that your friends will rave about for weeks to come. Cheers to an unforgettable evening!

Battle of the Italian Spritzes, Part 3 - Limoncello

• Drink: Aperol Spritz vs. Hugo Spritz and Limoncello
• Travel Focus: Italy
• Talking Points:
• Your first impression of Italy.
• Food culture: eating slow, savoring moments.
• Cooking Class
• Carli planning (Type B) vs. Diana planning (Type A)
• Links:
• Viator: Book fun things to do during your trip
• Sky Rooftop Bar in Taormina
• Seaview Cooking Class
• Restaurant Al Saraceno in Taormina

What is Apertivo? Source: Walks of Italy

• aperitivo, a drink/light meal that takes place at the end of the workday as a kind of warm up to dinner.
• Encompass those glorious couple of hours all over Italy – generally between 7pm and 9 pm – when Italians meet to relax over a glass of wine or a light cocktail and finger foods. Since most people eat lunch around 1 or 2pm, and dinner around 8 or 9 pm, it’s also a good way to kick start metabolisms and work up an appetite for dinner.

What is a Spritz?

• The name “spritz” — now a catchall for Italian wine-based cocktails incorporating Prosecco, digestive bitters (or aperitif), and soda water — purportedly traces back to the 1800s when portions of northern Italy’s Veneto region were controlled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Soldiers and visitors from other parts of the empire who found Italian wines too strong were said to have lightened them with a splash (or “spritz” in German) of water.
• The idea is that you drink an apéritif before a meal, and you’ll enjoy it so much more.

“Salute” - To your health

Aperol Spritz

The generally accepted ratio is three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol, and one part soda water, and it’s believed to have originated in Venice.

Ingredients

• 3 parts of Prosecco D.O.C. (9cl)
• 2 parts of Aperol (6cl)
• 1 splash of soda (3cl)
• Orange slice

Preparation

• Place ice cubes in a stemmed balloon glass.
• Pour 3 parts of Prosecco D.O.C. (9 cl).
• Follow by pouring 2 parts of Aperol (6 cl), and 1 ounce of soda (3cl).
• Slice an orange and use it as a garnish.

Aperol Spritz Talking Points - From the Aperol.com Website

• Its unmistakably orange color and fresh bittersweet taste brighten up every toast amongst friends. Everything else is brought to the table by the inner lighthearted mood of Aperol Spritz cocktail during spontaneous get togethers that spark nothing but good vibes.

Hugo Spritz — Bar Card Single Serve

• Light, Floral & Bubbly Spec Glass: Large wine / spritz

• Ice: Full to the top • Build: In the glass Ingredients

• 3 oz (90 ml) Prosecco

• 1–1.5 oz (30–45 ml) elderflower liqueur (St Germain)

• 2 oz (60 ml) soda water • 6–8 fresh mint leaves (lightly bruised)

• 1–2 lime wheels (or a small squeeze of lime)

Step by Step

1. Chill Prosecco, soda water, and your glass.

2. Pack the glass with ice.

3. Clap mint once to release aroma; tuck leaves among the ice.

4. Add elderflower liqueur (1–1.5 oz).

5. Tilt glass and add Prosecco (3 oz).

6. Top with soda water (2 oz).

7. Give 1–2 gentle turns with a bar spoon (don’t mash the mint).

8. Garnish with 1–2 lime wheels and a small mint sprig.

Bar Notes Bruise mint—don’t muddle.

Adjust sweetness with liqueur amount; use Brut Prosecco for drier, Extra Dry for slightly sweeter. Approx. ABV: ~8–9% with 1 oz liqueur

Limoncello

Infuse vodka with lemon peels and then mix with a sugar syrup.

Battle of the Italian Spritzes, Part 2 - The Hugo Spritz - Cocktails and Carry-ons, Episode 2

• Drink: Aperol Spritz vs. Hugo Spritz and Limoncello
• Travel Focus: Italy
• Talking Points:
• Your first impression of Italy.
• Food culture: eating slow, savoring moments.
• Cooking Class
• Carli planning (Type B) vs. Diana planning (Type A)
• Links:
• Viator: Book fun things to do during your trip
• Sky Rooftop Bar in Taormina
• Seaview Cooking Class
• Restaurant Al Saraceno in Taormina

What is Apertivo? Source: Walks of Italy

• aperitivo, a drink/light meal that takes place at the end of the workday as a kind of warm up to dinner.
• Encompass those glorious couple of hours all over Italy – generally between 7pm and 9 pm – when Italians meet to relax over a glass of wine or a light cocktail and finger foods. Since most people eat lunch around 1 or 2pm, and dinner around 8 or 9 pm, it’s also a good way to kick start metabolisms and work up an appetite for dinner.

What is a Spritz?

• The name “spritz” — now a catchall for Italian wine-based cocktails incorporating Prosecco, digestive bitters (or aperitif), and soda water — purportedly traces back to the 1800s when portions of northern Italy’s Veneto region were controlled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Soldiers and visitors from other parts of the empire who found Italian wines too strong were said to have lightened them with a splash (or “spritz” in German) of water.
• The idea is that you drink an apéritif before a meal, and you’ll enjoy it so much more.

“Salute” - To your health

Aperol Spritz

The generally accepted ratio is three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol, and one part soda water, and it’s believed to have originated in Venice.

Ingredients

• 3 parts of Prosecco D.O.C. (9cl)
• 2 parts of Aperol (6cl)
• 1 splash of soda (3cl)
• Orange slice

Preparation

• Place ice cubes in a stemmed balloon glass.
• Pour 3 parts of Prosecco D.O.C. (9 cl).
• Follow by pouring 2 parts of Aperol (6 cl), and 1 ounce of soda (3cl).
• Slice an orange and use it as a garnish.

Aperol Spritz Talking Points - From the Aperol.com Website

• Its unmistakably orange color and fresh bittersweet taste brighten up every toast amongst friends. Everything else is brought to the table by the inner lighthearted mood of Aperol Spritz cocktail during spontaneous get togethers that spark nothing but good vibes.

Hugo Spritz — Bar Card Single Serve

• Light, Floral & Bubbly Spec Glass: Large wine / spritz

• Ice: Full to the top • Build: In the glass Ingredients

• 3 oz (90 ml) Prosecco

• 1–1.5 oz (30–45 ml) elderflower liqueur (St Germain)

• 2 oz (60 ml) soda water • 6–8 fresh mint leaves (lightly bruised)

• 1–2 lime wheels (or a small squeeze of lime)

Step by Step

1. Chill Prosecco, soda water, and your glass.

2. Pack the glass with ice.

3. Clap mint once to release aroma; tuck leaves among the ice.

4. Add elderflower liqueur (1–1.5 oz).

5. Tilt glass and add Prosecco (3 oz).

6. Top with soda water (2 oz).

7. Give 1–2 gentle turns with a bar spoon (don’t mash the mint).

8. Garnish with 1–2 lime wheels and a small mint sprig.

Bar Notes Bruise mint—don’t muddle.

Adjust sweetness with liqueur amount; use Brut Prosecco for drier, Extra Dry for slightly sweeter. Approx. ABV: ~8–9% with 1 oz liqueur

Limoncello

Infuse vodka with lemon peels and then mix with a sugar syrup.

Battle of the Italian Spritzes, Part 1 - The Aperol Spritz - Cocktails and Carry-ons, Episode 1

• Drink: Aperol Spritz vs. Hugo Spritz and Limoncello
• Travel Focus: Italy
• Talking Points:
• Your first impression of Italy.
• Food culture: eating slow, savoring moments.
• Cooking Class
• Carli planning (Type B) vs. Diana planning (Type A)
• Links:
• Viator: Book fun things to do during your trip
• Sky Rooftop Bar in Taormina
• Seaview Cooking Class
• Restaurant Al Saraceno in Taormina

What is Apertivo? Source: Walks of Italy

• aperitivo, a drink/light meal that takes place at the end of the workday as a kind of warm up to dinner.
• Encompass those glorious couple of hours all over Italy – generally between 7pm and 9 pm – when Italians meet to relax over a glass of wine or a light cocktail and finger foods. Since most people eat lunch around 1 or 2pm, and dinner around 8 or 9 pm, it’s also a good way to kick start metabolisms and work up an appetite for dinner.

What is a Spritz?

• The name “spritz” — now a catchall for Italian wine-based cocktails incorporating Prosecco, digestive bitters (or aperitif), and soda water — purportedly traces back to the 1800s when portions of northern Italy’s Veneto region were controlled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Soldiers and visitors from other parts of the empire who found Italian wines too strong were said to have lightened them with a splash (or “spritz” in German) of water.
• The idea is that you drink an apéritif before a meal, and you’ll enjoy it so much more.

“Salute” - To your health

Aperol Spritz

The generally accepted ratio is three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol, and one part soda water, and it’s believed to have originated in Venice.

Ingredients

• 3 parts of Prosecco D.O.C. (9cl)
• 2 parts of Aperol (6cl)
• 1 splash of soda (3cl)
• Orange slice

Preparation

• Place ice cubes in a stemmed balloon glass.
• Pour 3 parts of Prosecco D.O.C. (9 cl).
• Follow by pouring 2 parts of Aperol (6 cl), and 1 ounce of soda (3cl).
• Slice an orange and use it as a garnish.

Aperol Spritz Talking Points - From the Aperol.com Website

• Its unmistakably orange color and fresh bittersweet taste brighten up every toast amongst friends. Everything else is brought to the table by the inner lighthearted mood of Aperol Spritz cocktail during spontaneous get togethers that spark nothing but good vibes.

Hugo Spritz — Bar Card Single Serve

• Light, Floral & Bubbly Spec Glass: Large wine / spritz

• Ice: Full to the top • Build: In the glass Ingredients

• 3 oz (90 ml) Prosecco

• 1–1.5 oz (30–45 ml) elderflower liqueur (St Germain)

• 2 oz (60 ml) soda water • 6–8 fresh mint leaves (lightly bruised)

• 1–2 lime wheels (or a small squeeze of lime)

Step by Step

1. Chill Prosecco, soda water, and your glass.

2. Pack the glass with ice.

3. Clap mint once to release aroma; tuck leaves among the ice.

4. Add elderflower liqueur (1–1.5 oz).

5. Tilt glass and add Prosecco (3 oz).

6. Top with soda water (2 oz).

7. Give 1–2 gentle turns with a bar spoon (don’t mash the mint).

8. Garnish with 1–2 lime wheels and a small mint sprig.

Bar Notes Bruise mint—don’t muddle.

Adjust sweetness with liqueur amount; use Brut Prosecco for drier, Extra Dry for slightly sweeter. Approx. ABV: ~8–9% with 1 oz liqueur

Limoncello

Infuse vodka with lemon peels and then mix with a sugar syrup.