Planning a movie night? Hosting your own film festival? Wanting to add a little Hollywood glam to your next get together? This guide will help you plan your event so that the only drama you see is on the big screen.
Remember, celebrate responsibly.
Hollywood and Vine
It turns out a lot of actors (and directors) really want to produce…wine, that is. Here are our top picks of A-list wines you should audition at your next party.
Francis Ford Coppola produces many wines including Director’s Cut, Archimedes, Eleanor, Storytellers, Diamond Series, and more.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie produce Miraval wines in collaboration with the renowned French winemaker Marc Perrin of Perrin of Famille Perrin and Chateau Beaucastel Wineries.
Cameron Diaz produces Avaline Red, White, Rose, and Sparkling
Fess Parker – Chardonnay, Red Blend, Pinot Noir
Popcorn Pairings
Ranch
Melt 4 tablespoons butter with a 1 oz. packet of ranch seasoning mix; toss with 16 cups hot popcorn and 2 tablespoons chopped chives. Season with salt.
Bacon-Chive
Cook 6 slices bacon until crisp; drain on paper towels, reserving the drippings; chop bacon. Drizzle 2 tablespoons each of reserved bacon drippings and melted butter over 16 cups hot popcorn. Toss with the bacon, ½ cup chopped chives and ½ teaspoon cayenne. Season with salt.
Margarita
Melt 6 tablespoons of butter with 2 tablespoons each lime juice and tequila, 2 teaspoons each sugar and kosher salt, and 1½ teaspoons grated lime zest in a skillet over medium heat; drizzle over 12 cups hot popcorn and toss with 4 cups lightly crushed lime-flavored tortilla chips.
Sriracha-Lime
Whisk 5 tablespoons melted butter with ¼ cup Sriracha, 1 ½ teaspoons grated lime zest and 1 tablespoon lime juice; drizzle over 16 cups hot popcorn and toss. Season with salt.
Was James Bond Right?
“Vodka Martini. Shaken, not stirred.”
It’s a famous line that may have solidified James Bond as a sophisticated spy…but confused the rest of us. When do you shake, when do you stir and does it matter? Here are 007 martini rules; shake your martini if:
It contains citrus.
It contains juice.
It contains egg.
It contains cream.
It contains cream liqueur.
It contains dairy.
CLASSIFIED…just kidding. Ask your bartender what they recommend.
ACTION:
The Vesper
Yields 8 four oz. servings
3 cups Citadelle gin
1 cup Tito’s vodka
½ cup Lillet Blanc
Lemon twists for garnish
When making these one a time they should be shaken Bond style. This larger batch may be stirred. Make in advance, cover, and place in the freezer two hours before serving. To serve, pour into a well-chilled coupe or martini glass and garnish with lemon twist.
COMEDY:
Bourbon Lemonade
Yields 8 four oz. servings
8 oz. Marker’s Mark Bourbon
2 cups lemonade
1 cup pomegranate juice
Lemon wedge or cherry for garnish
Combine the first three ingredients over ice and shake vigorously (if you have a suitable container), otherwise stir until all ingredients are mixed together thoroughly. Serve immediately, or strain off of ice and refrigerate. Strain into a rocks glass with ice and garnish with a lemon wedge or cherry.
CRIME/GANGSTER:
Dark and Stormy
Yields 8 four oz. servings
2 ½ cups Gosling’s Black Seal rum
5 ½ cups Fever Tree ginger beer
Combine the two ingredients in a large pitcher and stir lightly before each pour.
Fill a rocks glass with ice, and pour. Garnish with a lime wedge.
DRAMA:
Classic Negroni
Yields 8 four oz. servings
1 ½ cup Roxor gin
1 ½ cup Dolin sweet vermouth
1 ½ Campari
Orange peel for garnish
Stir with ice for 20-30 seconds. Strain into coupe glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
