Natalie Migliarini of Beautiful Booze shares her hacks for making holiday entertaining a breeze.
Natalie Migliarini consider herself a diddley - of - all - swap in the cocktail world . " Some of the ways I might line myself these days are author , social media maven , Maker , cocktailian , photographer , and influencer , ” she says . But between the days on set and nights spent formula developing , Migliarini still makes time for what she loves : bear her friends and family over .
After all , it ’s the reason why she began posting toBeautiful Booze , her website where she shares cocktail recipes for anyone , regardless of their expertise degree . “ It all embark on while I was hosting dinner and parties at my nursing home in Seattle , ” Migliarini says . “ I was developing creative liquid intermixture for my friends and kinsfolk , and each evening , my guests were inquiring about the recipes . ”
In the ten geezerhood since its launching , Migliarini ’s life history has flourished , and her day - to - day schedule is as busy as one might ask with a curriculum vitae like hers . Migliarini is able to asseverate a positivist attitude toward hosting because to her , it ’s not a chore . “ entertain at domicile does not have to be heavy or clip consuming , ” she says . Instead , she relies on a few hack writer she has picked up over the past ten years to make entertaining on her nights off an absolute zephyr .
Design by Rebecca Hoskins
Pick a signature cocktail
Instead of having a full bar set up and making deglutition to rules of order , Migliarini suggests picking one cocktail to swear out and beat with it . She makes this easy by picking up a few mob ofCutwatercanned cocktail , that agency , Migliarini does n’t have to step away from her guests throughout the night to make drinks . “ Cutwater is amazing for entertaining because you’re able to have gamy - tone cocktail on hand without having to bet bartender all night , ” she tell . It offers the best of both worlds : She gets a interruption from oeuvre , and her friends can still savor delicious cocktail .
For the holidays , Migliarini typically reaches for aCutwater White Russian . “ White Russians are one of my favorite winter - time cocktails , ” she say . Made with distilled vodka and coffee cream liqueur , Migliarini says the Cutwater edition is unadulterated for the holidays because it ’s decadent without being too sweet . Plus , the quality of taste and flavor is assure with every can . “ [ Cutwater ] is great to have on helping hand because you will always be able-bodied to serve your guests a consistent drink without worrying about the cocktail not turning out properly , ” she says .
Set up a DIY garnish station
To elevate the displace cocktails , Migliarini wish to set up a DIY garnish place . This permit Edgar Guest to customise the swallow to their liking , without the legion have to put in the work . Plus , it ’s interactive . “ It ’s the perfect way to get guests involved and can also act as as an ice breaker , ” she says .
To take off , Migliarini says to rank arse of Cutwater on chicken feed , arrange out glassware , and some garnish like dry citrus tree , cinnamon marijuana cigarette , cherries , and saucy nutmeg . you’re able to even pick out garnish that complement the take Cutwater cocktail . For example , Migliarini like to set out a stadium filled with nutmeg tree next to a grater so Edgar Albert Guest can top their White Russians with freshly - shaved nutmeg .
Don’t forget about the ice
There ’s nothing spoilt than fuddle halfhearted cocktail , especially one that are best serve frappe - cold . To stave off a political party fiasco , Migliarini likes to make certain that she ’s stocked up on deoxyephedrine . “ Running out of Methedrine is the worst , ” she says . “ I always make certain I have an excess bag of ice when I ’m hosting . ” She recommends having at least a five - pound bag of ice for ten guests .
It may seem simple-minded , but getting out front of little chore like picking up an extra old bag of ice , or gear up out glassware , can set your night up for winner . “ Entertaining is all about spend character time with guests , ” Migliarini say . “ take light cuts that do n’t give quality or convenience will carry through you a lot of time when preparing for the dark . ”
