Hosting 101: Here's What You Should Know
serve up some big machine vodka!
Chances are, if you love vodka, you probably love to entertain. While “entertaining” looks different these days due to COVID-19, it’s the perfect time to read up on party planning for the future or have fun at home with your family or a few close friends (and practice social distancing of course). We chatted with one of our Big Machine Vodka brand managers, Sharon, to get the scoop on everything related to hosting and party planning. Read on for some of her best tips!
#1 Use Big Machine Vodka
Sharon tells us her favorite way to serve Big Machine Vodka in the warmer months is Poolside Lemonade. You can follow the recipe below and feel free to use pink lemonade instead for a fun twist. We included the party version of the recipe below for your future events, but for now you can make individual drinks with 1.5 oz Big Machine Vodka and equal parts lemonade, pineapple juice, and Sprite. Click here to see where Big Machine Vodka is available near you. Enjoy!
Poolside Lemonade
1L Big Machine Vodka
2 Cups Lemonade
1 (46OZ) Can Pineapple Juice
2 (12OZ) Cans of Sprite
Ice
#2 Don’t forget about drink presentation!
“It’s all about the flair. Everyone loves flair in their drink,” Sharon said. Sharon suggested garnishing the poolside lemonade with pineapple slices or little paper umbrellas. You could also do swirly straws or glow in the dark straws or cups to keep things fun!
#3 Consider your table décor too!
Sharon explained that she likes to use unique decorations that surprise people and, of course, keep things seasonal. “I always pick a theme and try to think outside the box,” she said. Decorations don’t have to be expensive – we loved this idea she shared for making a decorative vodka bottle ice block!
#3 Get creative when shopping
We were happy to learn that there’s a large variety of places where you can find inexpensive party décor! Sharon said she’ll look at TJ Maxx and Ross to find the items she needs and often finds awesome supplies at affordable prices such as wood accents to use for a Bloody Mary bar. You can also shop for these items online during these crazy times!
#4 Plan ahead
While hosting might be simpler now that everyone is staying home, definitely keep this advice in mind for the future. Sharon said it’s important to plan as far in advance as you can and to stay organized – she often plans up to two months in advance for her events. It’s important to consider the details – plan for every item down to the ice.
#5 Take Precautions
If you are planning on seeing a few close friends, make sure you’re prepared with masks, hand sanitizer, and a plan for social distancing. Sharon said she loves our sanitizer because it’s not sticky and evaporates quickly. You can visit our website to purchase some for yourself!
If you want an even safer option than seeing a few friends, Sharon recommended putting together gift boxes for your friends and planning a Zoom call so that everyone can have the same experience from the comfort and safety of their own houses. For example, you could put together boxes with Big Machine Vodka, mixers, cups, and napkins. If you want to make things even simpler, order your gift boxes from our website!
When it comes to Big Machine Distillery, Sharon puts it best, “Big Machine Vodka is an amazing family. We take great pride in our product – we only serve the best,” she said. We hope to be part of your celebrations now and in the future. If you give any of these tips a try, tag us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. We can’t wait to hear from you!