Be the host with the most with grilled pineapple, jukebox playlists and cocktails on tap.
Good food, good drink, good friends – at its essence, a party is a timeless combination of elements brought to life by the individual touch that hosts and guests contribute to the occasion. To help you pull off your best and most fun-filled gathering yet, our Dan’s Daily Blueprints tell you everything you need to host whatever event is next on your hit list.
The holiday season is chaotic, but every so often, an unexpected window in everyone’s calendar appears. A Whatsapp group text comes through: “What are you guys doing today?”, followed by a chorus of “nothing” and you realise, all at once, that you can hang out, like, now. So, with no notice and no prep time, you’re hosting 12 people for lunch. Stressed? Don’t be. With our blueprint to throwing the easiest holiday party ever, you’ll realise most events can be achieved with a direct-to-boot order and time for a shower. After this success, “last minute” might just become your thing.
1. Hack the Spritz
There’s no time for prepping fancy drinks before guests arrive, and it’s been a while since you all caught up, so forget about faffing around in the kitchen once they turn up – you want to actually hang out. This is therefore a perfect time for shortcuts – like the Aperol Spritz that’s good to go. These cute 200mL bottles are excellent served ice-cold with a straw in the bottle, or pour them out into wine glasses filled with ice and finish a slice of orange. Easy!
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2. A white that goes with everything
With friends bringing over whatever food they have in easy reach, you’re going to need a wine that works with all sorts of flavours. For that, we suggest the Tim Adams Pinot Gris – a prime white for warm days that will keep all comers happy. Dry and light, expect pear, lychee and peach notes, which help to make this a great drop for everything from chips and dip to a full summer feast.
3. The cult gin
As it turns out, Margot Robbie isn’t just one of our proudest exports, she’s also part of the savvy team behind Papa Salt Coastal Gin. Made with native botanicals such as wattleseed and pink peppercorn, this Aussie gin is bright and fresh with a hint of oyster shell, too. Made for sipping in the sunshine, there’s no need to get all bartendery here – unless one of your mates loves to take on that role. Just top it with soda or tonic water, plonk a big wedge of lime in the glass, and you’re done. Or do what Margot told us and serve it with soda, garnished with an orange rind and crack of black pepper.
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4. Bogan in name, but nothing else
It’s ironic that this wine is called The Bogan because it’s anything but. Kaesler The Bogan Shiraz is a wine for big Australian shiraz fans. Honestly, the list grows with every new person that tries it. It’s a great wine to have at a party because it’s so good that guests always want to know more about it. And when they see the bottle and name, there’s even more to talk about. We love a bottle that can break ice.
5. If summer strawberries were a wine
Mommessin Saint Amour Beaujolais is a French wine from the grapes of two important regions – Burgundy and Beaujolais. It’s fresh and just complex enough to feel a little special, but for the average person who takes a sip, all they’ll be thinking about is spiced strawberries and summers in Provence (that they saw in a movie). It’s gorg chilled, and also happens to work a treat with pizza, which is one of the most crowd-pleasing last-minute meals we know.
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6. A perfectly balanced cocktail mixer
A last-minute party is not the time to be road-testing new cocktail-making skills, particularly not ones that involve muddling a mountain of limes. That’s where Mr Consistent’s Charlie Chaplin comes in. The clever people at Mr Consistent have nailed the sweet-and-sour balance of this classic cocktail – including the complex flavours normally lent by sloe gin and apricot brandy – so all you have to do is grab that gin (yep, the Papa Salt will work wonders) and pour it out over ice. Fruity, sour and refreshing – surely the best combo for casual sipping with friends.
7. The gift, kind of
Besserat de Bellefon Bleu Brut is very nice Champagne from a very fancy Champagne house. It’s bright and fragrant and has beautiful fine bubbles. It’s a winner on its own, but in this Brut Gift Set, it’s an easy gift that anyone will love, so grab a few if you need any gifts for your guests. The bonus? It’s convenience-plus for an event – “No worries, we’ve got our own glasses.”
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