Throw a Dinner Party like Royalty
Your home (especially a vacation house) is more often than not going to be a place of excitement and luxury. For those times you are not using the appliances for weekday sustenance, let us suggest a few ways to set up your home that will give life to your gatherings and special occasions. These ideas will also do wonders to spice up a stay-at-home date night, so take note homebodies!
Make Sure There’s Good Food
Everybody eats. But not everybody cooks with fervor. Delicious food, cooked in a well-equipped kitchen will give your loved ones something to look forward to throughout the night. Bring out a family recipe or try something (relatively) new that you think you’ve got down to a bit of a science. When a friend asks what you’re whipping up would you rather say, “these amazing stuffed peppers I just bought from Costco” or “a lime and herb roasted chicken with oven-roasted butternut squash!” Taking the extra time to prepare a meal from scratch proves that those who visit are cared for deeply. Branch out into the world of cookbooks, internet recipes, or even the food network for inspiration. Plus, don’t forget that you get to eat and keep the leftovers!
Be a Stellar Bartender
You do not need drinks for a good time - but it sure does help. Now the key here is to know your audience. If your guests or significant other likes ornate cocktails, then do some research and make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. If any of them are scotch or beer connoisseurs then ensure that you have at least something new to show them. We are not suggesting a complete overhaul of your bar, but when someone is shown that their tastes and preferences are valued, they are much more likely to have a great time. In addition to the following cocktail suggestions, make sure you also have a nice bottle of wine that adheres to your guest's preferences.
When it comes to drinks, people will always appreciate attention to detail. Here are three fun bartending trends that will help you shake things up (pun intended).
1. Use large ice cubes in whiskey cocktails.
Seemingly basic, this new bartending trend adds both quality and aesthetic to a whiskey drink. The ice melts much slower, preventing the drink from being quickly watered down, while the visual conjures up images of prohibition and secret speakeasies.
2. Experiment with exotic liqueurs
Ever tried a yuzu sour or amaro and whiskey hooch? There are thousands of combinations and mixology experiments that you can try, but why not perfect one to show to your friends? You can bring the tropical flavors of Hawaii to your home with Koloa coffee liqueur, call upon the delicious and delicate cuisine of Japan with yuzu citrus liqueur, or bring things back to the U.S. south with a smooth balance of Italian amaro and local whiskey (don't forget the big ice cube!).
3. Patronize local distillers and brewers
A final touch of elegance encourages you to research the plethora of fine distilleries in the Arizona area and try them for yourself. Three in particular have always caught our eye here at ICON, as bartending was a past profession, and cocktails a current passion.
Sonoran Spirits makes a brilliant bourbon named Cave Creek, which combines the smoky notes of a classic whiskey with a gentle finish. Arizona Distilling Company, the ones who essentially started the AZ craft movement, make bourbon, vodka and gin. Each of these carefully constructed alcohols are winners, but there's truly nothing like a Commerce Gin and tonic on those hot days. Finally, we come to CaskWerks, a distillery you may have heard of or at least seen on the shelves of any number of bars. A more popular producers of gin and wheat whiskey, this distillery made its name from its apple pie liqueur. There are dozens more in the market right now, but if the wealth of them is overwhelming, start with any of the aforementioned three and you will not be disappointed.
For the Puppies and Tykes
If your prospective or current house has a backyard, this is a perfect opportunity to accommodate your guest’s children or pets. By providing a space for these smaller guests run around and be carefree, you are also lifting the worry of leaving loved ones at home from the shoulders of your primary guests. You may have a few extra mouths (or snouts) to feed, but opening your home to these extra guests shows that you are hospitable and genuinely want everyone to have a great time.