Travel

Dallas Cocktail Guide!

03.02.16

Dallas City GuideThere are certain cities where you expect to find a great cocktail: New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago. But Dallas? I wasn’t convinced.

Dallas City Guide + Cocktail Crawl // The Shared SipDallas City Guide + Cocktail Crawl // The Shared SipDallas City Guide + Cocktail Crawl // The Shared SipBut at the end of February, I embarked on a trip to the lonestar state with my sisters and we were completely blown away by the cocktail scene.

Dallas City Guide + Cocktail Crawl // The Shared SipI had rounded up a list of places I wanted to hit, and the rest we picked up from local recommendations along the way. We sampled 31 different cocktails (!) at 10 bars throughout the city—and sipped some very memorable drinks. The showstopper had to be the Reconstructed Champagne Cocktail at Parliament, shown in the video at the end of this post. An absolute must!

Dallas City Guide + Cocktail Crawl // The Shared SipDallas City Guide + Cocktail Crawl // The Shared SipDallas City Guide + Cocktail Crawl // The Shared SipWe also spent some time window shopping in the Bishop Arts District, scarfing some delicious pizza in Deep Ellum, embarking on a day trip to Waxahachie, and schooling ourselves at the Grassy Knoll where JFK was shot (and touring the neighboring Sixth Floor Museum).

Dallas City Guide + Cocktail Crawl // The Shared SipDallas City Guide + Cocktail Crawl // The Shared SipDallas City Guide + Cocktail Crawl // The Shared SipDallas really charmed us, and we all left singing its praises and recommending a visit to all our friends. If you have the chance to make a stopover, I highly recommend it. Just be sure to make time for cocktails!

Dallas City Guide + Cocktail Crawl // The Shared SipDallas City Guide + Cocktail Crawl // The Shared SipHere are the cocktail spots we visited, ranked from most to least favorite. You can also download our super-handy cocktail guide—just click the link below!

Dallas Cocktail Guide

  • Parliament: Chic space, incredibly nice staff, and show-stopping cocktails. A+.
  • Black Swan: No cocktail menus here—they whip up a drink based on your preferences alone. We called our bartender, Dylan, a cocktail savant. Two thumbs way up.
  • Armoury DE: A little snobby, but the cocktails are fantastic.
  • High & Tight: Barbershop with a cocktail bar in the back. Spacious but cozy, and poured some of our favorite drinks.
  • Standard Pour: Great looking bar, interesting cocktails. They also serve a GIANT ($100) moscow mule, which we didn’t get and might be our biggest regret.
  • Parker & Barrows: Perfect space for nice afternoons, with its outdoor bar seating and well-designed interior.
  • Dish: More restaurant than bar, but tasty cocktails.
  • Twenty-Seven: Super-nice staff but the cocktails were underwhelming.
  • Remedy: Touts itself as a grown-up soda bar; they spike their hosuemade sodas in an effort to create original cocktails. Unfortunately they totally fell flat (pun intended) and were nearly undrinkable.

On our list for next time: Proof + Pantry, HG Supply Co., Filament, The Theodore, Ida Claire, Rapscallion, Atwater Alley, The Mitchell.

Brunch Cocktails / Fernet / mocktails

Rose Tea Latte

02.18.16

Rose Tea Latte // The Shared SipIt’s been raining endlessly, it seems. We moved up to Sonoma County in November and it feels like that’s when the rains came. My familiar life seemed to rush down the storm drains with the buckets and buckets of water—not in a sad way, but in an expected way. An inevitability of change. The dreariness of the outdoors sometimes mirrored my emotions—a sort of enduring gray that was neither dark nor light. I hoped for sun, but also reveled in the quiet that the rain had gifted me.

Rose Tea Latte // The Shared SipMonths passed. 2015 turned into 2016, January into February. The rain kept falling. I spent time curled up with library books, journals, my thoughts. I reflected on what had passed and what was ahead of me in my new home. I welcomed hibernation. I surrendered to the rain, to the melancholy, to the gray.

Rose Tea Latte // The Shared SipLast week the sun finally broke out of the clouds. The rain ceased. Birds sang. The hills turned green, bright green, a shade of green I thought only existed in a box of Crayolas. I spent time outside in the sunshine. I took drives with the windows rolled town and the radio turned up. I snapped pictures of the electric yellow flowers that had shot up between the vineyard vines seemingly overnight. I drank a cocktail with pineapple juice in it because it feels crazy not to when it’s 75 degrees in February.

But today, the rains fell again. I don’t think the gray is quite done with me yet. It feels like a faint signal to keep sinking into this adjustment period, to find my place amongst unfamiliar faces and foreign surroundings. To make this home. So I’m going to curl up next to the rain-washed window and let the quiet in again. For now, there is only me, and the gray, and the rain. There is time for sun yet.

Rose Tea Latte // The Shared Sip____________________

In light of the forthcoming storms, I created this Rose Tea Latte made with the most delicious tea and cashew milk. I got the idea from one of my favorite podcasters, Jess Lively, who mentioned it on her January favorite things episode. She had a rose tea latte when she was in Salt Lake City at The Rose Establishment, and I set out to recreate it.

It turned out so good. I have always long been a fan of tea lattes from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, so I love that I now know how to recreate them easily at home. I also added a splash of fernet (an herbal liqueur) which was delicious but totally not necessary. This drink is a winner on its own.

I hope you take some time to cozy up with this drink and the quiet, and enjoy the gray until the sun comes again.

____________________

Rose Tea Latte
makes 1 latte

  • 8 oz cashew milk (you could also use almond, soy or regular)
  • 2 oz water
  • 1 tbsp rose tea (I used Earl’s Valentine by DAVIDsTEA—it has little bits of chocolate and is SO. GOOD.)
  • .5 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp agave
  • .75 oz fernet (optional; I used Fernet Francisco)

Assembly

Combine milk and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, then add tea—if you’re using tea in a bag, cut it open and add the leaves directly so that the liquid can really absorb the flavor.

Add vanilla and agave. Allow to simmer over low heat for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 5-7 minutes. Add fernet if desired. Strain into a mug and enjoy!

Barware notes: The mugs are from Heath Ceramics (scored at an estate sale!); towel (I think) is from Target; spoon is thrifted; milk bottle is from Beverly’s Crafts.

Bourbon / Party Cocktails / Vodka

Signature Wedding Cocktails: Vol. 2!

02.14.16

Signature Fall Wedding Cocktails // The Shared SipBeing Valentine’s Day, I thought this was the perfect time to chat about the cocktails I created for one of my very best friend’s weddings (hi Kels!). Kelsey was a super breezy bride (we came to refer to her as chillzilla), and her requests were few. Her fiancé, Joe, liked bourbon, and Kelsey wanted something with gin or vodka; other than that, it was up to me.

Signature Fall Wedding Cocktails // The Shared SipDreaming up these wedding cocktails actually inspired the process I went through for my own wedding—and I even ended up stealing one of them! It was just too good. Seasonal ingredients played a big role, along with a couple special details (a maraschino cherry and a splash of champagne) that made them wedding-worthy.

Signature Fall Wedding Cocktails // The Shared SipThey photographed beautifully and it was so fun to hear feedback directly from the guests about how much they loved them!

Signature Fall Wedding Cocktails // The Shared SipSignature Fall Wedding Cocktails // The Shared SipHere’s a great shot (below) from Kelsey and Joe’s wedding day, photographed by the fantastic Tanveer Badal, that just really makes me glow with pride that these turned out so great. Cheers to the happiest of days ahead in your life together, you two!

Signature Fall Wedding Cocktails // The Shared SipThe Sortlandia
makes 1 cocktail

  • 1.5 oz bourbon
  • 2 oz pomegranate juice
  • .75 oz lime juice
  • .75 maraschino liqueur
  • Luxardo maraschino cherries

Combine the first four ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake until very cold. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Top with a cherry!

The RAHNdezvous
makes 1 cocktail

Combine the first three ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake until very cold. Strain into a coupe glass. Top with a splash of champagne.

Brunch Cocktails / Campari / Gin

Satsuma Sunrise

02.04.16

Satsuma Gin Cocktail with CampariHave you ever had a tequila sunrise? I can’t remember the first time I had one exactly. What I do remember, however, was that it was my dad who made it for me and how completely (and unexpectedly) delicious it was. It’s such a simple drink—tequila, OJ and grenadine—and though not exactly sophisticated, is always welcome at my breakfast table.

Satsuma Gin Cocktail with CampariThis cocktail isn’t much of an adaptation of that, except for its appearance. Orange drinks can come off looking dull on their own, so I added the Campari for the bitterness as well as the pizzazz. Topped off with some sparkling water and a boring cocktail turns into something with curb appeal.

Satsuma Gin CocktailHey, Dad: Let’s have brunch soon. I’ll bring this guy, and you make me one of your tequila sunrises. And we’ll sip and sip and sip until we can’t tell what we’re sipping anymore.

Satsuma Gin Cocktail with CampariSatsuma Sunrise
makes 1 cocktail; build individually

  • 1.5 oz gin
  • 2 oz fresh satsuma juice (tangerines or similar will work, too)
  • .5 oz St. Germain
  • .5 oz Campari
  • Seltzer

Assembly

Fill highball glass with ice; pour first three ingredients over ice and stir. Carefully pour the Campari down the side of the inside of the glass so it settles at the bottom. Fill with seltzer and enjoy!

Barware notes: The highball glasses are from Crate & Barrel, which seem to now be discontinued. The large gray bowl is from Heath Ceramics.

Brunch Cocktails / Tequila

Cinna-Citrus Cocktail + On Choosing Love

01.18.16

Tequila Grapefruit Cocktail with Cinnamon Syrup // The Shared Sip This weekend marked six years of my relationship with Kyle. We had our first date on January 16th, 2010, at a dim sum restaurant in lower Manhattan, alongside the couple who had set us up. We awkwardly ate chicken feet (Kyle’s idea) and made small talk. We searched each other’s eyes for a sign (are you my person?) and attempted to read one another’s thoughts (does he like me?). Afterwards, we played pool (badly) and drank too many beers. I remember leaving that night not knowing where it would go, but wanting to spend time in his company again.

Tequila Grapefruit Cocktail with Cinnamon Syrup // The Shared SipThat date lead to many more, and our first year together felt a little like a dream. Falling in love New York City is both incredibly romantic and also heavy with expectation. We tried new restaurants, adventured to each other’s apartments, went to shows and concerts and museums. We met each other’s families and found the space in each other’s lives that had been empty until now.

And the years went on. We traded late nights out for cozy Sundays on the couch, ate more takeout and visited fewer fancy restaurants. We pondered the future together and started sentences with “when” instead of “if”. We fought about important things and things that weren’t important at all. We saw each other at our worst and stayed in spite of it. We trudged through the dark together until we saw the light again.

Tequila Grapefruit Cocktail with Cinnamon Syrup // The Shared SipIn September, we promised each other forever. I had no idea what marriage would hold; how could I? I knew it wouldn’t be easy, even though so many make it look that way. You want you to believe it will be effortless. But the truth is, marriage is hard. Relationships are hard. Here we are, two unique people, building one shared life. Everyday is full of compromise, full of selflessness, full of meeting in the middle. But mostly, I’ve found, it’s full of choice. Everyday I get up and I choose Kyle. Though disagreements and hurt feelings and crazy joy and laughter and the mundane, everyday happenings: I choose him.

It’s not always easy. I wish we could all talk more openly about how not easy it is. We want to appear happy all the time, to have the perfect partner, the flawless love story. Somehow struggle became synonymous with weakness. But the truth is, a long-term relationship is not easy. It’s one of the hardest things I think I’ll ever do. But hard doesn’t mean bad. It doesn’t mean wrong, or not meant to be, or flawed. It just means it takes work, mindfulness. Choice. It requires us to choose love, everyday.

Tequila Grapefruit Cocktail with Cinnamon Syrup // The Shared SipFor Christmas, Kyle surprised me by getting our vows printed, so we can hang them on the wall and remember everyday why we chose to walk this path together. A reminder to wake up each day and choose us.

Happy six years, KTM. I choose you today and tomorrow and everyday until we are old and gray. I promise to never stop choosing you.

____________________

Onto the cocktail! Guys: Citrus season is here! Admittedly, I like to cocktail with citrus year round, but the fruit is at its best in winter. This drink has a paloma/margarita vibe but winter-ized with the richness of the cinnamon bark syrup. This syrup is SO tasty, and it works with many spirits. Yum. Bottoms up!

Tequila Grapefruit Cocktail with Cinnamon Syrup

  • 1.5 oz tequila
  • 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
  • .5 oz fresh lime juice
  • .5 oz cinnamon bark syrup (recipe follows)

Assembly

Rim a coupe glass with lime juice and then cinnamon sugar. Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake until very cold, about 20 seconds. Strain into the coupe, and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

Cinnamon Bark Syrup

  • 1/2 c. water
  • 1/2 c. sugar
  • 5 small cassia cinnamon sticks (about 2-3 inches long each), crushed into bark

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool in the pan, then transfer to a jar or tupperware for the bark to steep overnight. In the morning, strain through a fine mesh strainer and discard the bark so only the syrup remains.

Barware notes: I found the mint juicer at Nathan + Co., but it’s also online here. I also found the Good Vibes jar at Nathan + Co., but can’t seem to find it anywhere online. The glass was a thrift find but this is similar. The striped napkin is from Crate & Barrel but looks to be discontinued.

barware / DIY / Holiday Cocktails / Party Cocktails

Last Minute Holiday Gift: DIY Cocktail Kit

12.23.15

 

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably still out hunting for Christmas gifts right now (and tomorrow morning isn’t out of the question, either). Which is why I love easy-to-put-together gifts that look way more fancy than they actually are.

DIY Cocktail Kit // The Shared SipThis present is going to be your new favorite thing, and it’s going to save you this Christmas and for years to come (not to mention birthdays, housewarmings and beyond). This, my friends, is a cocktail kit.

The best part? You can get all the supplies in one place: cb2. cb2 is one of my very favorite places to score inexpensive but chic cocktail wares. Everything is modern, a little eclectic, and just plain rad. Bonus: this whole kit costs less than $30—including the booze! Nailed it.

DIY Cocktail Kit // The Shared SipOf course, you can adapt the kit for your favorite cocktail—switch up the liquor, or the type of glass—the possibilities are endless.

Hope your holidays are a smash success!

Cocktail kit components:

Bitters / Boozy Eats

Bitters Butter Mints

12.22.15

Bitters Butter Mints // The Shared SipOne of my favorite holiday treats is butter mints. I remember them in those big drugstore bags when I was little—in pastel colors of green, pink and yellow. They were somehow never chalky but broke apart in your teeth with just the slightest bite. They were perfectly minty, not overly so, just a hint. I ate them by the handfuls until I had a stomachache, which I still think is the benchmark for something being truly delicious.

Bitters Butter Mints // The Shared SipA year or two ago I stumbled upon a recipe for butter mints, and the 8-year-old inside me let out a wail. Those butter mints? I had to try to recreate them. And I am so glad I did. Of course, they aren’t the same—even when I let them dry out for quite some time they never embody the faint crunch I remember. But that’s okay, because these are creamy and smooth and understated, even in color. Maybe these are the grown-up version of my childhood butter mints.

Bitters Butter Mints // The Shared SipThough I’ve made them in past years with traditional peppermint extract,  I wanted to try them out this year The Shared Sip-style, using Fee Brothers mint bitters. The bitters aren’t really that bitter at all, only pungent like the extract is, and less concentrated. So I used more bitters and less milk than usual to nail the consistency and I think both the minty-ness and color turned out just right.

Bitters Butter Mints // The Shared SipWhile you’re making Santa cookies this year, and that giant canister of powdered sugar is hanging out on the counter, whip up a batch of these as well. They’re perfect for nibbling your way into the new year.

Bitters Butter Mints
makes about 2 heaping cups of mints

  • ½ c. butter, room temperature or slightly colder
  • 4 c. powdered sugar
  • 2 generous teaspoons mint bitters (I used Fee Brothers)
  • 1 tablespoon whole milk

Assembly

Combine all ingredients in a mixer and mix until well-blended. The consistency should be that of dough—not super firm but able to be balled. Add more sugar or milk as needed. If you like your mints strong, you can also add a few drops of peppermint extract.

Form dough into a log and score into about 8 sections. Take one section and roll it between your hands, or on a powdered sugared surface, until it is about ½-inch in diameter. Cut pieces at an angle. Place mints on a parchment-lined tray to dry, uncovered, overnight.

Bourbon / Campari / Holiday Cocktails / Shrub / vermouth

Holiday Cranberry Boulevardier + The Sunday Skim

12.20.15

Holiday Cranberry Boulevardier // The Shared SipChristmas is less than one week away! Usually at this time, I’m running around the greater Northern California area hunting down presents for literally everyone in my family. Of course I still have a few small things to pick up, but somehow I mostly had my act together this year. Oh, and, I sent Christmas cards for the first time ever! We had so many great photos from our wedding, that card practically made itself. Add this delicious cocktail to my list of accomplishments, and BOOM! Mic drop.

Holiday Cranberry Boulevardier // The Shared SipI got this cocktail recipe from our wonderful neighbors in Oakland, Austin and Lauren (if you’re reading this: hi guys! we miss you!!). They were making it for their Thanksgiving celebrations, and knew I had to try it out on my own.

Have you ever had a boulevardier? Truth be told, I sipped my first only very recently, and fell in love immediately. It’s very spirit-forward, but mellowed out by the sweet vermouth. What I love about this cranberry variation is that it appeals to, I think, a wider audience—the shrub cuts the intensity down a bit and it makes for a great sip. Perfect for Christmas dinner, New Year’s Eve, or when you’re up slapping presents together at midnight on the 24th. You know.

Holiday Cranberry Boulevardier // The Shared SipNow, disclosure: this cocktail requires a little more investment than many of the recipes on The Shared Sip. For the most part, I try to create drinks that are simple, seasonal, and don’t force you to take out a second mortgage on your home. But to really get this one right, you need to hunt down two crucial ingredients: Shrub & Co.’s Cranberry Shrub and Bitterman’s Orange Cream Citrate. You could try your hand at making your own shrub (loose guidelines here—just sub the apples for cranberries), but I had been wanting to try Shrub & Co.’s creations for some time, so I purchased theirs. The citrate is also on the pricey side (around $17), but it will last forever. The result takes like Christmas in a glass. The best.

I hope you try this one out this holiday, or this winter, or next Christmas, or in 2017. You do you.

____________________

Cranberry Boulevardier
makes 2 cocktails

Assembly
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake until very cold, about 20 seconds. Strain into two rocks glasses filled with fresh ice. Garnish with fresh cranberries.

Barware/decor notes: The glasses are from Zara (now discontinued). Copper shaker and cocktail pick are from Crate & Barrel. The candle holders and table runner are from cb2. The gray linen tablecloth is from Bed, Bath & Beyond. The adorable lights on the table are battery operated dew lights from Target (and are my new obsession).

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Sunday Sip + Skim

my favorite finds this week, boozy and otherwise

  • PSA: Frends are on sale at Nordstrom Rack and I am so. tempted. My Urban Ears headphones have about bit the dust and I think these could be just the replacement.
  • Now that I live up north, I think I really need to start embracing the hippie lifestyle. Incense is going to be my first stop. Related/unrelated: I’m currently reading this book.
  • I need this in a very real way.
  • If you’ll be doing any of your Christmas shopping in San Francisco this year, I suggest snagging one of these delicious holiday cocktails while you’re there. Hoping to try the Winter Wonderment at Parada in Walnut Creek today with my sisters.
  • One of my major life goals: learning how to saber Champagne (and not lose and eye in the process). Instant street cred.
Travel / Where to Drink

The Best Cocktail Bars in Oakland

12.11.15

Best Cocktail Bars in OaklandBefore we moved from Oakland to the north bay, I wanted to visit some of my favorite bars in Oakland to sip a perfectly-made cocktail. Of course there are plenty of bars in Sonoma County to try, but I know I’ll be constantly comparing them to the outstanding talents of Oakland. In an ode to one of my favorite cities, here is a roundup of my favorite cocktail haunts:

  1. Plum Bar – One of my favorite local spots! They create seasonal cocktails as well as they serve up classics. I had my first Boulevardier here! The staff is great and they have the drinks to match.
  2. Boot & Shoe Service – Though I prefer the pizza at Boot & Shoe’s Grand Ave competitor, The Star, I admit that the cocktails are better here. Be sure to try their homemade tonic in their signature G&T.
  3. Penrose – The bar here is gorgeous and the bartenders are kind, always willing to answer my questions (or divulge a cocktail recipe). Though not on the menu anymore, I highly recommend the White Stag if you’re a gin lover.
  4. Mua – I love Mua for so many reasons: the creative ambiance, quirky decor, incredibly delicious food, and of course, their delightful cocktails. You just can’t go wrong at this fun spot.
  5. Hopscotch – I hesitate to include this as the space is so tiny it would be quite difficult to drop in for just a cocktail. But if you’re dining there, be sure to order one of their thoughtful and interesting creations.

Honorable must-mention:

  • Though not in Oakland, one of the most outstanding bars I’ve been to resides in Oakland’s northern neighbor, Berkeley: East Bay Spice Company. This place is insane. Their cocktail menu is both extensive and gorgeously put together, and the drinks are complex, unique and so well curated. I also love that they publish their recipe book—exact measurements included—on their site, making it easy to recreate your favorites at home.

Still on my list:

  • The Libertine – This one just opened, and I’m itching to stop in next time I’m in the nabe. The interior looks cozy and not overdone, it has a gorgeous bar and has gotten great reviews thus far.
  • Cafe van Kleef – I can’t believe I never made it here! It’s a classic old-school bar—you probably won’t find trendy cocktails here, but you will certainly find a perfect Manhattan.
  • Mad Oak – It seems to have a beer garden vibe (think games, outdoor space), but they serve a variety of cocktails as well. Seems like it would be easy to kill a summer afternoon at this spot.

Pictured above: Plum Bar, Boot & Shoe Service, Penrose.

Bourbon / DIY / Party Cocktails / Prosecco / Vodka

How To Create A Signature Cocktail

12.04.15

Of all the details of our wedding, coming up with our signature cocktails was one of the hardest to settle on—I wanted them to be perfect. I knew I wanted three in total—his, hers and ours—and to cater to many different palates. Instead of having an open bar, we offered only these three cocktails (plus wine and beer), so they needed to be damn good!

How to Create a Signature Wedding Cocktail // The Shared Sip
all photos by Elizabeth Arin Photography

Two had a vodka base (a traditional crowd pleaser) and one was bourbon based, because, well, bourbon is my favorite spirit. I wanted to include some seasonal ingredients, and make them interesting without being complex. Here’s what I finally landed on:

His: Grapefruit, tonic, lemon twist (simple, classic, easy to build)

Hers: Vodka, lime juice, rosemary simple, splash of Prosecco (a little girly, refreshing, party-worthy)

Ours: Bourbon, Tang (yes, that Tang!), lemon juice, honey syrup (childhood treat all grown up)

How to Create a Signature Wedding Cocktail // The Shared SipWe had the best feedback from our guests—they loved them! I think the bourbon was the biggest hit, as we went through the most of it, but I saw people sipping on all three. Success!

There were some major considerations that went into these, and some lessons learned as well. If you’re planning on dreaming up your own signature cocktails, here are my tips.

How to Create a Signature Wedding Cocktail // The Shared Sip1. Keep it simple + limit the number of ingredients. Because your bartender will appreciate not spending five minutes making each cocktail, and your guests will appreciate not having to wait five minutes to start sipping. Juices and garnishes and liqueurs can also kill your budget in no time (and even with only a few ingredients, you’ll be surprised how quickly it adds up). The wedding bar just isn’t really the place for absinthe-rinsed glasses and 3 kinds of bitters.

2. Buy booze you can return. If you’re able to stock your own bar (a major money saver), buy more booze than you think you’ll drink but with the ability to return unopened bottles. Kyle and I were borderline petrified of running out of liquor (the horror!). So we planned for 12 drinks per person. Yes, TWELVE. (I think I was in some sort of wedding planning haze…I have no other explanation.) So it will come as no surprise that we had a ton of liquor leftover. We returned a whole 2 cases of white wine to BevMo, and 10 bottles of liquor to Costco. We kept the red wine (made from the vineyards at our venue), and the beer since it was in bottles. I think 5 drinks per person is a reasonable, cushioned estimate for most weddings.

3. Don’t take on too much yourself—and delegate! I thought it would be a good idea to make the honey syrup and rosemary simple the night before the rehearsal. Genius! I can think of approximately 20 things I should have been doing instead (sleeping?!) but I was up at 1am making simple syrup. The moral of the story: only take on what you really can, and if possible, call on someone to help with tasks like this.

4. Consider glassware and presentation. This may be a little, um, what’s the word? Crazy? Type A? But I wanted the cocktails to have unique looks. I wanted at least one to be served up, and for them to stand apart from one another. I loved the bold colors of the Tang and grapefruit juice, and the fizziness of the Prosecco.

5. Let it go and enjoy. The truth of the matter is, most people aren’t going to care what they’re sipping, as long as they have a drink in hand. So if you run out of an ingredient mid-celebration, or you don’t have the right glassware day-of, no one will ever really notice. So grab a cocktail and sip the night away with the people you love.