Food for thought – by Kerry Westhelle
As much as I like to think I am actually a grown-up and can pull off a dinner party with ease, I am in reality the type of person who obsesses over menu and drink choices and usually ends up cooking way too much food and driving my family nuts in the process.
Once I take a deep breath and relax, I realize that deep down in my heart I know that a few good dishes paired with a signature drink is the best route, and then I ask people to bring fillers. I always used to feel guilty when people would ask what they could bring and never really took them up on it, but now I am prepared with a list.
One of my favorite go-to entertaining apps is Mixologist. You can browse by drinks, category, or ingredient. Have some apple cider in your fridge (and who in VT in the fall doesn’t) and are hosting a football and bonfire party? Simply choose cider under the ingredients and you will be provided with an abundance of drink choices from an Apple Pie Shot to a Winter Highball. Ingredients, directions, and glassware suggestions are provided. You can even search by garnish, not surprisingly there is only one drink listed under “clam”.
Want to challenge yourself to try something new on a dreary night? Choose the Random section and hit Mix It Up and be ready for some new and exciting suggestions. Three random suggestions I received were the Breezy Point, the Duck Fart, and a Creamy Rum Liquor.
A handy bartending guide is also provided giving tips on a well-stocked bar, terminology, glassware, and tips and tricks of the trade. I myself have a pretty slim selection of glassware but if I find an amazing drink that I want to feature at a fancier party I’ll make the effort to go out and purchase a few (cheap) glasses just for the event.
Someday I’ll be the consummate entertainer, complete with a hostess gown and bar cart from Society Social , but until then Mixologist will help me impress guests with ease.
To see this app in iTunes, click here .
