Recently, Quench had an opportunity to pick the brains of Grey Goose’s finest minds. Not only were we given advice on how to construct a series of Elevated Vodka & Sodas, we were schooled in the art of hosting the ultimate summer soiree. We are happy to share both, here, with our readers. Wishing you a wonderful weekend and a Happy #FridayCocktail.

Tips for Hosting a Summer Soiree

Set the Scene

• Set the right mood with a series of strategically placed votive candles.
• Double-duty your cocktail napkins and use them as a decorative element.
• Have lots of ice on hand. Decorate with several beautiful, filled to the brim, ice buckets.
• Play music to set the tone of your soiree. Create playlists in advance to avoid the back-and-forth from your device.

Wow with the Menu

• Take some pressure off and ask your guests to each bring an appetizer.
• Budget 2 or 3 of six to eight different hors d’oeuvres per person.
• Serve room temperature and cold selections to cut back on prep time.
• Try scaling down favourite foods to a bite-size version.

Craft an Exceptional Cocktail

Exceptional doesn’t mean complicated. Sometimes, simplicity is the ultimate in sophistication.

Cherry Noir & Soda

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 parts Grey Goose Cherry Noir Vodka
• 3 parts soda
• 2 lemon wedges
• 1 oregano branch

Preparation

• In a glass filled with ice, squeeze one lemon wedge and discard it.
• Add vodka.
• Top with chilled soda.
• Garnish with lemon wedge and oregano.

 

Stay tuned for our upcoming interview with Grey Goose’s ambassador, Julien LaFond. He’ll lead us through a lesson in drinking vodka and dispel the myth that it is a tasteless and odourless libation.