9 minute read
Savor the Moment: Curating A Cocktail Hour
Let me introduce you to one of the warmest, funniest people I know: Brian Balthazar.
Brian isn’t just an incredible host he’s a true artist when it comes to creating moments that matter, whether it’s curating a beautiful space or setting the perfect tone for an evening. As the creative force behind many HGTV and Food Network shows, including co-hosting Human Vs Hamster and HGTV House Party, Brian brings his passion for home and storytelling to everything he does I’ve stayed at his home countless times, and every visit is unforgettable filled with laughter, creativity, and some truly zany videos (see below) that we can’t stop making together!
Brian and Dennis St Germain recently launched home design site Pop Goes the Home and here he shares his expertise crafting a reflective cocktail (or mocktail) hour to wind down your day, complete with his recipe for the wintry drink Serenity Splash Trust me, you’ll want to try it! - Carla
How do you see the tradition of a cocktail or mocktail hour as an opportunity for self-discovery?
Brian: When I was a kid I loved making ‘potions.’ Truth be told, it was me dumping a lot of things from the medicine cabinet into the sink and seeing what happened.
Not only was this incredibly wasteful, it’s proof I’m from the generation of kids that were set loose to make themselves busy for hours without much supervision Me and my friends either had parents that either really trusted us, or just needed a little peace and quiet, so they blindly hoped that we wouldn’t burn the house down or ride our bikes into traffic!
Today my ‘potions’ are of the beverage variety. What I love about experimenting with drinks is that it feels low-risk Trying a new recipe in the kitchen can be intimidating because it takes a while, and we’re not sure we’re going to like it because of a few ingredients we’ve never tried But drinks? They’re quick, inexpensive, and it’s fun to share the results with friends Some of my best conversations have happened with a glass in front of me!
What are some simple ways people can integrate this into their routine?
I enjoy trying cocktails at bars or restaurants and then recreating them with friends We’ll gather the ingredients, make our own versions, and do a little taste test. There’s something so fun about the ‘taste test’ (Didn’t you do that as a kid? I did taste tests all the time!) I’ve found myself pleasantly surprised by interesting drink combinations and I think I’ve really developed my palate along the way
What tips would you offer for curating a home environment that encourages slowing down and creating these moments of connection?
Even though I work in TV, I’ll say it: No TV in the room! One of my favorite spaces at home is a room with four chairs arranged in a circle, surrounded by books. We recently added a bar, but it’s simple nothing over the top And it’s not just about cocktails; a cozy chair by the window with a coffee (another drink I love experimenting with!) works just as well
As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized how important it is to connect what we eat and drink with the environment we’re in. Have a spot where you can just sloooowwwww down and experience the flavor!
How can someone design their space to be conducive to a cocktail/mocktail hour?
One thing I love doing is printing a small drink menu ahead of time I’ll choose two or three signature drinks usually with one or two unique flavors and give them clever names that connect to my guests This introduces people to new flavors without overwhelming them and keeps things streamlined. Without a plan, you can end up playing bartender all night, mixing endless drinks to suit everyone ’ s preferences, and missing out on socializing.
Another thing I love using at my parties is a product I created: NapChat Napkins These cocktail napkins feature thought-provoking questions on both sides some fun, some deeper. They’re an easy way to spark conversation without forcing anyone to lead an icebreaker
When I hand someone a drink, they get a napkin with it, and suddenly the conversations just flow naturally.
I give these as gifts, sell them on my site, and use them at every gathering Creating them was a fun process, and regardless of their success, I’ve loved the learning experience, and I’m all about taking the chance!
When crafting a signature cocktail or mocktail for this reflective moment, what should someone consider in terms of ingredients, presentation, and personal style?
I like keeping things simple with a unique twist on classic cocktails For example, with a bourbon and ginger ale, I might swap in maple syrup for simple syrup. Or, I’ll add pear nectar to a standard gin and tonic The key is not to overcomplicate things this way, if guests want the traditional version, it’s easy to pivot without starting from scratch.
Presentation also makes a big difference. I love using simple, beautiful garnishes like rosemary sprigs, orange peels, cucumber spirals, or apple fans These touches are easy to make but look impressive. I even have a video on my site showing how to create some of these garnishes.
How does your approach to entertaining tie into self-expression and self-discovery?
I always say, “I’m not the life of the party I’m the life of the dinner party.” What I mean is that while I can host a big party with 40 people and make sure everyone has a great time, I’d much rather have four to six guests over for drinks or dinner. Smaller gatherings allow for deeper conversations, and I leave feeling like I’ve truly connected with everyone. Big parties can be fun, but you’re lucky if you get five minutes with each guest For me, meaningful moments happen in smaller groups, where I walk away knowing my friends in a more profound way
Serenity Splash
It’s a new year, and whether or not you decide to lean into the “dry January” trend, still like a good cocktail, or prefer the spirit free route year-round, it’s a good time to focus on ingredients that restore, replenish and refresh
That’s why I like to create mixes that people can enjoy just as much with or without the liquor. And don’t forget the garnish! A little bit of extra pop on the top of a glass makes you and your guests feel like they’re enjoying something special.
For this new “ spa ” take on a Cherry Limeade, I turned to the growing number of Cucumber juice blends you can find in the grocery store. All of them tend to combine cucumber, apple and lemon, and from there, they vary The only rule for this is to make your own rules when you choose the cucumber juice! Follow your gut and your gut will thank you!
This restorative blend has a wealth of benefits! Tart cherry juice is high in Vitamin C and Potassium, and anthocyanins which are great for inflammation If you ’ ve ever had gout, your doctor may have advised you to boost your intake of Cherry juice! Cucumbers are high in Vitamins K, A, C, as well as magnesium and fiber Ginger ale, particularly if you find a brand that uses real ginger, is great for digestion
So where does the “serenity” come in? From knowing you’re treating yourself and your body to a drink that is rich in vitamins AND you’re taking a few minutes to sit down, and recharge! Hey, we can’t always be meditating! Sometimes, you can find your serenity in the little moments when you treat yourself to something delicious!
INGREDIENTS
3 oz tart cherry juice - Sweet cherries will do, but Tart cherry juice tends to have slightly better health benefits, and most don’t add the extra sugar
2 oz cucumber juice blend - I found mine at Whole Foods, but check your grocery store’s produce coolers for their offerings
3 oz ginger ale - Preferably one that uses real ginger. (Keep extra ginger ale on hand if you wish to cut down on the tartness of the cherries!)
Juice of 1 lime. (About 1 oz)
COCKTAIL ALTERNATIVE
to spike this drink, use 1.5 ounces of ginger ale instead of 3 and add 1.5 ounces of vodka or gin
FOR THE GARNISH
1 sprig of rosemary (5 or 6 inches long if possible!)
1 English cucumber
DIRECTIONS
Fill a 12 oz glass with ice. Add all the liquid ingredients directly into the glass (I prefer not to use a shaker, to avoid depleting the carbonation of the ginger ale!) If you have extra room in your glass, top it off with the ginger ale!
Stir gently to blend.
FOR THE GARNISH
Take a spring of rosemary and gently remove the bottom needles, leaving a couple of inches of needles left at the top, and a bare sprig on the bottom portion. Using a vegetable peeler, take your English cucumber and slowly peel across it lengthways. The first peel will be mostly skin, so discard that and peel one or two times until you have a long, thin slice of cucumber. Gently overlap the cucumber into a repeated “S” curly shape and pierce with the rosemary sprig’s bare end, pulling until it through reaches the needles, as seen in the photo. This make take a practice run, but it’s ultimately very simple and packs a beautiful visual punch! If you don’t have a sprig of rosemary, use a thin cocktail skewer.
For group parties, this recipe translates well into a punch or pitcher!
