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Entertain Me

Building a Home Bar: Keeping Cool with the Newair Premiere Line Fridge

February 18, 2020 by elana 1 Comment

NewAir 90 Can Fridge Review // stirandstrain.comFor those of you who have been around here since the early days, you may recall that we were going to build a bar in what is now my studio area in the house. And if you’re new here, well, that bar never happened. Fast forward almost a decade later and we are now finally ready to start building out what will be our new outdoor entertaining area. And tucked away within will be the home bar we’ve been dreaming about for a long time. But before we even start, we have a lot to figure out, and one of those big decisions has to do with appliances.

NewAir 90 Can Fridge Review // stirandstrain.comThe area we are allotting for entertaining space, including the indoor/outdoor bar and alcove is not huge, so we’re looking for small, compact appliances to put in. We’d really like as much bang for our buck if you will… And that’s why I’m loving this 90 Can Outdoor Beer Fridge from NewAir. Last year we worked with NewAir for holiday entertaining and have been using their countertop ice maker ever since (In case you’re wondering, we have yet to run out of ice!!). So now we’re super excited to team up again with them this year to give their new Premier Line Fridges a spin in this blazing hot Southern California sun.

We’ve had this outdoor beer fridge running for over a month now and have some pros and cons for our space. Take a look, and maybe these will help you decide too if this compact, streamlined, weatherproof fridge would work for your bar or entertaining space! (And if you scroll to the end, we’ve got a SWEET discount for you all too!)

NewAir 90 Can Fridge Review // stirandstrain.comPROS:

  • Easy to assemble! Took no more than 10 minutes to unbox, attach the handle and plug in. (Optional casters were included but we decided not to add on at this time)
  • Adjustable shelves. These are SO convenient since many of the cans we buy don’t come in the standard size. You can see our current configuration above.
  • QUIET. So many of the fridges we looked at were loud. And even with outdoor noise were audible. So I love that I’m not hearing the motor kick on and off the whole time while I’m out there with the until.
  • Cools thoroughly. It took a few hours for our fridge to fully cool the cans but once it was on and working, it kept them cold. Not slightly cooled, or colder on top or bottom, but ALL of them were nicely cold and ready to drink.
  • Compact but holds a lot. Upon first seeing this streamlined fridge, you wonder how much it really can hold. However once you start filling it you’d be surprised at how much 90 cans is.

CONS:

  • Smudges. While a stainless steel front looks great, I found that I’m constantly wiping it down from smudges, and ones I don’t see reflect in the sunlight. I’ve also gotten water spots from sprinklers going and then drying on the exterior.
  • Price. I wasn’t sure if these would be a con or not, so it’s somewhere in-between. This is a durable, indoor/outdoor fridge and with that comes a higher price tag.
  • Not all stainless steel. Because this is made to be built in and is a 15″ counter height, it is not all stainless steel as the sides are black. So, if this will be free-standing in your space, it will be two-toned.

NewAir 90 Can Fridge Review // stirandstrain.comCurrently our 90 Can Beer Fridge is hanging out amongst the patio furniture but as we build out the deck and start turning our dirt floor, unfinished ground story space into a usable entertaining area, we are considering bringing the fridge either into the indoor/outdoor counter space, or maybe giving it a home near the grill. Stay tuned this year as we look to YOU with help picking out ideas for this space! And big thanks to NewAir for letting us try out their new premium line fridge.

OH HEY WE’VE GOT A PROMO CODE!!! If you’re interested in getting your own 90 Can Beer Fridge (model # NOF090SS00) AND want to get $183.99 OFF the retail price, use code STIR at checkout on NewAir’s site! YAY! Would love to see where you set yours up (and what you put IN it!).

NewAir 90 Can Fridge Review // stirandstrain.comFor more information on NewAir’s entire line of products, check them out here!

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Filed Under: Entertain Me, Reviews, Source It, Tips Tagged With: appliance, entertain me, entertaining, home bar, newair, reviews, source it, tips

Low ABV Options This Friendsgiving With Smirnoff Hard Seltzers

November 5, 2019 by elana 1 Comment

Smirnoff Seltzer Friendsgiving // StirandStrain.comThis post was made in partnership with Smirnoff. Recipe and ideas are my own.

I consider myself lucky to have a few close friends in my life. Friends who will willingly let me photograph them while we come together to celebrate our Friendsgiving dinner this year. Now, I honor my friendships with these ladies all the time, and we try to get together once a month now that our lives have gotten much busier with families, jobs, commitments, etc… So, in some sense, once a month we already are celebrating a version of Friendsgiving. But now that we’re in November, we can officially call it that I guess!

Smirnoff Seltzer Friendsgiving // StirandStrain.comWhile we may have come together over a shared bond of going out and having fun, now everyone in the group is at various forms of no-abv, low-abv, and mod-abv (a new term I am coining here). Getting together with a bottle of whiskey is just not going to cut it anymore, and as countless statistics now tell us, more people are embracing entertaining with all these facets of alcohol consumption in mind. So, together with Smirnoff this holiday season, I’ve included their Smirnoff Seltzer Raspberry Rosé and Smirnoff Seltzer Berry Lemonade hard seltzers for low-abv and mod-abv options. These are some of the best tasting hard seltzers I’ve tried so of course I’m including them here for my friends (only the best!). The fruit flavors taste, well, real! With just enough bubbles that they also stand in for a great mixer to pair with something harder too.

Smirnoff Seltzer Friendsgiving // StirandStrain.comAt our Friendsgiving you won’t find a turkey, you won’t find a formal sit down dinner, but what you will find is laughter, dancing, pigs in a blanket, and since I’m bartending, delicious drinks. Oh and snacks. LOTS of snacks. I like to set out small stations around the house as no one ever stays in one place. One area I’ve got a DIY Your Seltzer bar with berries, herbs, ice, and citrus. And fun straws!! There’s the main table of food that’s pretty much center to everything, and it’s round, which I love, because it has a good flow of traffic around it. I never keep anything super high on there so guests can reach over from any angle and not have to worry about knocking something over. I have hard mixers set up in another nook with jiggers, mixing spoons, and glasses. And for fun, and because I love the element of take aways from parties, I have some polaroid cameras set up in a basket for my friends to take photos with while they’re enjoying themselves.

Smirnoff Seltzer Friendsgiving // StirandStrain.comAnother aspect of entertaining during the holiday season is sometimes people are looking for ways not to overindulge. When one of my friends arrived for the party she announced she was off sugar and carbs this month, usually I would have been scrambling to find something to serve, but lucky for her, the Smirnoff Seltzer Raspberry Rosé and Smirnoff Seltzer Berry Lemonade hard seltzers have zero sugar and just 1 carb per serving. And unlike some drinks you might get claiming no sugar, they aren’t adulterated with a bunch of artificial sweeteners. This announcement was totally unexpected from this friend but I felt super lucky to be able to offer her some tasty drink options (and eat all her dinner rolls! Ha. Sorry F!).

Smirnoff Seltzer Friendsgiving // StirandStrain.comSmirnoff Seltzer Friendsgiving // StirandStrain.comIf you’re looking to incorporate some low-abv (and mod-abv) options this year with these Smirnoff hard seltzers, here’s a few ideas…

  • To make it super casual, and easy on yourself and everyone, these pretty slim cans fit nicely in a punch bowl filled with ice for a self-serve option.
  • If you want to do a little DIY bar like I did, and invite your guests to gussy up their drinks, here’s some flavor options:
    • Smirnoff Seltzer Raspberry Rosé with fresh raspberries, mint sprigs, and rose petals.
    • Smirnoff Seltzer Berry Lemonade with fresh berries, thyme, and citrus slices.
  • Include a few harder options who are looking for a classic party drink:
    • Pair the Smirnoff Seltzer Raspberry Rosé, with the DIY options, with a London Dry style gin.
    • Pair the Smirnoff Seltzer Berry Lemonade, also with its DIY options, with Pisco.

Smirnoff Seltzer Friendsgiving // StirandStrain.com

And PRO TIP folks! Save yourself the trouble of having to deal with weekend holiday traffic. JUST. DON’T. Order in your Smirnoff hard seltzers and other party goods on Drizly. I did! And as usual, it got to the house under an hour.

People change, tastes change, and with that, the offerings at your parties will ultimately change. Stay ahead and honor your friends this holiday season with options that fit into their lifestyle. And make sure they’re delicious! Happy Entertaining!

**Smirnoff Seltzer. Per 12 fl. Oz.: 90 Cals, 1g Carbs, 0g protein, 0g fat

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Filed Under: Entertain Me, Everyday Parties, Recipes, Seasons, Tips Tagged With: entertain me, entertaining, Everyday Parties, Fall, Friendsgiving, hard seltzer, low ABV, Mod ABV, Smirnoff

Dí­a de los Muertos Celebrations with Tequila Cazadores

November 1, 2019 by elana 1 Comment

Cazadores Day of the Dead // stirandstrain.com

This post was made in partnership with Tequila Cazadores. Recipes and ideas are my own.

Not all skulls are spooky. At this time of year, death in many forms takes center stage as many of us celebrate Halloween, and for those practicing Catholicism, there is also All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. In Mexico at this time of year Día de los Muertos is a national celebration where one can’t help but see skulls everywhere. But these skulls are not our spooky Halloween skulls, these are in celebration, as a time of remembering those who have died. And why are we talking about this here today?

Cazadores Day of the Dead // stirandstrain.comWell, for one, we’re right in the middle of Day of the Dead celebrations, which go from October 31st to November 2nd. And secondly, Tequila Cazadores has released a special bottle to commemorate the holiday designed by the Mexican artist Victoria Villasana. She “was inspired by the Cazadores Stag and its meaning in indigenous cultures in Mexico. The stag is a messenger, a powerful animal that represents sensitivity and intuition. Just like Dí­a de los Muertos, it represents a connection with our ancestors and the bridge between life and death.”

Day of the Dead celebrations are vibrant, colorful affairs and Villasana has translated that onto the bottle through her use of painting with yarn. She is an amazing artist whose aesthetic blends perfectly with the celebrations.

Cazadores Day of the Dead // stirandstrain.comThis year marks the first year that I am making an altar with ofrendas, or offerings, at home. I was introduced to the holiday through my Mesoamerican Art History studies in college years ago, but this year my oldest has started asking some big questions about life and death lately. I feel like this is the perfect way to not only honor our deceased relatives, but to give an honest answer about the cycle of life in a way that is not scary, but rather joyous and celebratory.

Cazadores Day of the Dead // stirandstrain.comIf you are thinking about celebrating Día de los Muertos in your home this year for the first time. Here’s a primer on a few of the symbols that would be found on the altar and in the home.

  • Alcohol: Any alcohol favored by the dead is used to toast the arrival of their spirit.
  • Pan de Muerto: This is a semisweet bread that is eaten on the second day of the holiday. It is baked in the shape of bones and dusted with sugar; it also represents the soil.
  • Marigold flowers: Marigolds held guide loved ones’ souls back to the world of the living.
  • Sugar skulls: Sugar skulls, or calaveras, are made from pure sugar and given to friends as gifts. They are elaborately decorated, and their colorful designs represent the vitality of life and individual personality.
  • Candles: Candles represent fire and serve as a light guiding the spirits back to visit the land of the living.
  • Monarch butterflies: These butterflies⸺which migrate to Mexico each fall⸺are believed to be the spirits of the dead coming to visit.
  • Candy: Altars built for deceased children include a candy offering.
  • Salt: In Latin culture, salt is considered the spice of life.

 

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Filed Under: Entertain Me, Everyday Parties Tagged With: Day of the Dead, Día de los Muertos, entertain me, entertaining, Everyday Parties, Fall, halloween, Tequila Cazadores

Boozy Words of Wisdom…

August 28, 2019 by elana Leave a Comment

If you’ve been following us over on Instagram, then you may have noticed we love making up letter board signs and sometimes like to pair them off with a drink. I thought today I’d round up a couple of my favorites to share with our readers to get you through your hump day. Cheers!

Boozy Words of Wisdom // stirandstrain.com


Monday Booze News: holiday wine-down time // stirandstrain.com
Monday Booze News: ring for champagne // stirandstrain.com

And if you’d like to make your own letter board signs, check out the model I use!

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Filed Under: Entertain Me Tagged With: entertain me, letter boards, quotes

Holiday Entertaining: Day After Thanksgiving Bites and Loire Valley Wine

November 9, 2018 by elana 1 Comment

Holiday Entertaining: Day After Thanksgiving Bites and Loire Valley Wine // stirandstrain.comThis post was made in partnership with Loire Valley Wines. Recipes and ideas are my own.

The day after Thanksgiving I’m usually at my all time laziest. My slippers might not come off all day, and forget about those holiday sales… I am not leaving the house. But what happens when there is a house full of people still…  at my house?! What will they eat?! The answer: leftovers. Lots and lots of leftovers. I’m a good host though. I may have slippers on, but I am going to provide a few meal options that are fresh, light, or just the right size for people who just ate their weight the previous day in turkey and pies.

Holiday Entertaining: Day After Thanksgiving Bites and Loire Valley Wine // stirandstrain.comSo pop open a bottle of wine with me, a bottle of Rosé d’Anjou to be exact, and let’s whip up a few dishes to pair with this Loire Valley wine that use up some of our leftover T-Day food. While you might be thinking it’s hard enough to plan for the holiday meal without also having to plan for the day after (or a whole weekend full of family!!), these bites can be modified to what’s on hand for super flavorful dishes.

Holiday Entertaining: Day After Thanksgiving Bites and Loire Valley Wine // stirandstrain.com

First, and very importantly, here’s my wine tip for you holiday celebration. Buy your wine by the case! Lots of stores and wineries give you a case discount which means you don’t have to worry about running out during a meal, or even by Saturday. We’ve teamed up with Loire Valley Wines for our Thanksgiving meal as wines from this region are the most diverse, producing wines in every style to make sure you have the perfect one for your meal. If that makes you feel overwhelmed, don’t worry! Loire Valley Wines are ideal food wines with moderate alcohol levels, refreshing acidity and minerality so chances are most will work with your dinner. They’re also a great price point, so buying a case, mixing and matching styles, gives you even greater success at pairing for your holiday!

Holiday Entertaining: Day After Thanksgiving Bites and Loire Valley Wine // stirandstrain.comSince Loire Valley Wines are fresh and fun, we’re also going to be going that direction with our after Thanksgiving bites with these three options: Tart Turkey Lettuce Cups, Brie Stuffed Pommes Noisettes, and Bite Size Croque Monsieur Tartines. I’m going on the assumption that you’ll have some of the staple dishes at your meal like turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, a cheese plate, bread, green beans, pecans or walnuts, and various refrigerator condiments. If you’re feeling fancy, I’ve even got a few optional ingredients so you can win the day after Thanksgiving meal as well. But no pressure! Friday should be all about relaxing with family, not stressing over food preparation.

Holiday Entertaining: Day After Thanksgiving Bites and Loire Valley Wine // stirandstrain.comOk, let’s pour ourselves a glass of wine and get cooking!

Holiday Entertaining: Day After Thanksgiving Bites and Loire Valley Wine // stirandstrain.comTurkey Lettuce Cups

Dressing:
1/3 cup champagne vinegar
1-1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
2/3 cup neutral oil, like avocado oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Salad:
2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or cubed
2/3 cup chopped green beans
1/2 small red onion, chopped fine
1 red bell pepper, small dice
1/2 cup cranberry sauce
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, toasted and chopped small

For serving:
one head of butter lettuce, washed, leaves separated
chopped herbs such as parsley, chives

First, make the dressing by combining the vinegar, dijon mustard, garlic oil and salt and pepper in a small bowl, whisking to combine. Or all combined in a jar and shaken 15 seconds (my preferred method!).

Next, combine the turkey, green beans, onion, bell pepper, cranberry sauce and nuts in a medium sized mixing bowl. Pour desired amount of dressing over and let sit 15 minutes. Stir again and serve in lettuce leaves with a sprinkling of herbs on top.

Holiday Entertaining: Day After Thanksgiving Bites and Loire Valley Wine // stirandstrain.comBrie Stuffed Pommes Noisettes

3 cups mashed potatoes
4 ounces brie
1-1/2 cups fine breadcrumbs
high heat neutral oil for frying

First, cover a sheet pan with a piece of parchment paper. Next, scoop potatoes into 1-1/2″ balls. Place a dime sized amount of brie in the center of the ball and seal potato around it. Roll the ball in breadcrumbs and place on baking sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. After chilling, pour about two inches of oil in a dutch oven. Heat to 350°F. Fry potato balls in the oil, gently turning every few minutes, until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes per batch. Allow space between the balls when frying, do not crowd the oil. Allow the oil to come back up to temperature before frying the next batch. Drain on paper towels.

Holiday Entertaining: Day After Thanksgiving Bites and Loire Valley Wine // stirandstrain.com

Bite Size Croque Monsieur Tartines

2 cups leftover gravy (or make your own bechamel sauce, see note below)
2 cups cooked turkey, shredded
10 slices bread, toasted
dijon mustard
Gruyere or Parmesan cheese, grated
cranberry sauce for dipping
quail eggs, optional

Turn on broiler. Place toasted bread on a foil covered baking sheet. Spread desired amount of dijon mustard on bread slices (I used about a teaspoon per slice of bread). Sprinkle a handful of turkey next on the bread, followed by a dollop of gravy. Spread the gravy over the turkey and sprinkle cheese on top. Place under the broiler until cheese is melted and slightly browned. Serve with leftover cranberry sauce! If you’re feeling fancy, add a fried quail egg on top. They make these little bites even more adorable.

Note: to make a bechamel sauce, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a saucepan. Add in 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour and mix for a few minutes until combine. Slowly pour 2 cups hot milk into the butter/flour mixture and whisk continually until well combined. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, pinch of nutmeg, and 1/2 a cup of shredded Gruyere cheese. Use immediately.

For more information on all the Loire Valley Wines, please visit them at loirevalleywine.com


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Filed Under: Entertain Me, Everyday Parties, Recipes, Wine Wine Wine Tagged With: cheese, cranberry, entertain me, Everyday Parties, holiday, Loire Valley Wines, make it, rosé wine, thanksgiving, turkey, wine

Jet Set Prints for the Midcentury Home Bar

May 9, 2018 by elana 1 Comment

Art and Hue Cocktail Prints for the Jet Set Cocktail Life // stirandstrain.comForever on the lookout for ways to decorate my home bar and bar cart, I came across these new cocktail prints from Art & Hue recently and had to share.

Art and Hue Cocktail Prints for the Jet Set Cocktail Life // stirandstrain.com

Art and Hue Cocktail Prints for the Jet Set Cocktail Life // stirandstrain.comI, like many of us (as the Mad Men phenomenon has us believe), am enamored with that mid-60’s Golden Age of flying. The luxury, the glamor, the booze! These colorful prints from Art & Hue highlight bits of architecture from modernist airports (like LAX’s iconic shapes), as well as pop art styled air hostesses and in-flight services.

Art and Hue Cocktail Prints for the Jet Set Cocktail Life // stirandstrain.comThese prints got the spirit of that era down. And the best part? You can order custom color combos to match your home bar’s decor. Me? I think I’m a big fan of the cobalt and blush.

Online at artandhue.com/jetset

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Filed Under: Clever Ideas, Entertain Me Tagged With: bar art, bar cart, clever ideas, entertain me

Wine Scavenger Hunt with Sheep Thrills Wine

November 22, 2017 by elana Leave a Comment

Sheep Thrills Wine Scavenger Hunt // stirandstrain.comSheep Thrills Wine Scavenger Hunt // stirandstrain.com

This post was made in partnership with Sheep Thrills Wine.

This year I’m trying to bring simple, spontaneous pleasures into a year that’s been… draining, to say the least. While I am thankful to spend this week with family, I wanted to switch things up a bit after the meal. So, what can you do to entertain a house full of guests this thanksgiving? Send them on a wine scavenger hunt!

If you’re looking to have some adventures with out-of-town guests while being told to stay out of the kitchen, or if you need an activity to do the day after the big meal instead of sitting around arguing politics with your curmudgeonly uncle, or you’re having a few (or 20) pals over for Friendsgiving and it’s going to be in the high 80’s and you don’t have air conditioning (hello, Los Angeles!), this is a fun one!

Sheep Thrills Wine Scavenger Hunt // stirandstrain.com

We’ve teamed up with Sheep Thrills Wine this week to get you out of the house and on this wine adventure! I was always a huge fan of scavenger hunts as a kid and the other day, thinking of what to do with a house full of guests, I thought—adults like this game too! I mean, it’s going to be even better with wine involved.

Sheep Thrills Wine Scavenger Hunt // stirandstrain.com

Sheep Thrills Wine Scavenger Hunt // stirandstrain.com
Sheep Thrills wine, made in the Abruzzo region of Italy, is available in both a red blend and a Pinot Grigio so you’ve got your guests covered. And, with a price point that won’t break the bank (under $15 a bottle!!), you can afford to stock up and even give out a few bottles as prizes for winning the scavenger hunt. (Free wine is a big motivator to win a game. Trust me on this.)

Sheep Thrills Wine Scavenger Hunt // stirandstrain.com

Check out the printable below to play your own Sheep Thrills scavenger hunt. Or use it as a starting point to make your own game—just get outdoors and have fun!

Sheep Thrills Wine Scavenger Hunt // stirandstrain.com

Sheep Thrills Wine Scavenger Hunt // stirandstrain.com

For more information on Sheep Thrills Wine, please visit their website at www.sheepthrills.com

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Filed Under: Entertain Me, Wine Wine Wine Tagged With: entertain me, Fall, holiday, thanksgiving, wine

5 Quick Tips for Entertaining this Labor Day

September 3, 2017 by elana 1 Comment

Frozen Negroni Cocktail Slushies // stirandstrain.com

Uh-oh! You’re reading this a few hours before you decide to throw an impromptu party and need help?! First, take a shot of something, anything. Your significant other’s fancy whiskey they’re saving? Sure! Some cheap vodka you found in the freezer? Yeah, that will work. Fireball shots? Um, Ok I guess. Your kid’s cough syrup. NO. Don’t touch that. They’re all going back to school this month and breed germs, you’ll need that. Put it back.

You know what I hate? Entertaining tips that are totally useless. As we celebrate a day of rest, I hope these tips will take some of the work out of your Labor Day party.

  1. BATCH BATCH BATCH!
    What’s easier than measuring out cocktails with your measuring cups? Nothing. Bring out a punch bowl–it’s festive. Or bottle some cocktails up if you have the time. The point is that you want to make being at the party easy on yourself, and your guests, and self service is the way to go.
    Sparkling Pomegranate and Cocchi Rosa Cocktails // Smoky Sage Punch // Salted Peanut Bottled Old Fashioneds
  2. Pre-freeze your frozen cocktails
    Making frosé this year? If you want to cut down on the amount of ice in your frozen cocktails, you’ll want to stick them in the freezer the night before. This goes along with batching your cocktails, but this step means less watered down drinks. And that makes you a good host.
    Frozen Watermelon White Negroni // Frozen Blood and Sand // Peach and Tequila Frozen Cockails
  3. Label what your guests are drinking
    If you’re making a few drink options (or even if it’s just one), save yourself from having to repeat ALL the ingredients in something a hundred times by writing out the name and ingredients and sticking it on/next to/on top of the drink. You can get fancy and make something on the computer, or a scribbled on index card will also work just fine.
  4. Have your booze delivered
    Yes, it may seem a bit indulgent, but I’m trying to create less work for you guys. There’s a slew of great delivery apps/services out there who will bring you booze. And some even bring you food too. You decide how much $$$ you want to shell out.
    Saucey ($10 credit for you guys too) // Drizly // Instacart (also with $10 credit)
  5. Invest in a large cooler or mini fridge
    Not all your guests are going to want cocktails so you’ll need beer and water and whatever else people drink besides cocktails. You know what’s great? Your guests have access to all the drinks they want at arm’s length. You know what’s not great? Having people rifle through your fridge. Get a cooler.

If you’ve got a hot tip, let us know! Leave us a comment or reach out to us online. We’re listening.

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Filed Under: Clever Ideas, Entertain Me, Tips Tagged With: entertain me, frozen drinks, holiday, tips

Jakobsen Design Cocktail Glasses

June 10, 2016 by elana Leave a Comment

Jakobsen Design Cool Cocktail Glasses and Carafes // stirandstrain.comMaybe it’s my background in the fine arts, or my love of good design that drew me to these hand blown glasses from Martin Jakobsen. Whatever it was, when I first laid eyes on them I HAD TO HAVE THEM. The possibility of making creative drinks had me running to their site to get some, and the price point wasn’t too hard on the wallet either.

Jakobsen Design Cool Cocktail Glasses and Carafes // stirandstrain.comThey’re super delicate and very elegant, but that doesn’t have to stop you from making a cocktail with a creature from the black lagoon inside. If you’re looking to get more creative with your cocktail glassware these just might inspire your inner artist.

Want to see how I styled my Halm glass? Check out my Cucumber Seas Cocktail.

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Filed Under: Clever Ideas, Entertain Me Tagged With: clever ideas, cocktail glasses, entertain me

Cocktail Hour Playing Cards

May 19, 2016 by elana Leave a Comment

Cocktail Hour Playing Cards // stirandstrain.com

Cocktail Hour Playing Cards // stirandstrain.comOur house is a house that loves games. Whether it’s a board game with just my husband and me, or a few rounds of poker with friends, or even puzzle time with the wee one, we always make time for fun (and usually with a cocktail in hand).

Cocktail Hour Playing Cards // stirandstrain.com

Cocktail Hour Playing Cards // stirandstrain.comI came across these Cocktail Hour Playing Cards that just launched on Kickstarter this week and had to share. Their playful blend of cocktails and characters will hopefully be finding a home in our living room soon!

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Filed Under: Clever Ideas, Entertain Me Tagged With: clever ideas, entertain me, games, kickstarter

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