Tips for great sippin’
by Yvonne Lorkin, Drinks Editor for dish, wine writer for the NZ Herald and Co-Founder & Chief Tasting Officer for WineFriend.co.nz
What’s your celebration drink?
Always bubbles – I'm geeking out over all the great Italian prosecco and Spanish cava coming into the country, however I'll always go for a great New Zealand methode traditionnelle if it's in front of me. Champagne is lovely, but the price often isn't.
What’s the easiest way to work out how much wine you need for an event?
Trying to work out how much wine you'll need for that hen party your hosting? Here's a simple formula: one bottle of wine contains five decent-sized glasses and one bottle of bubbles contains four decent-sized flutes of fizz (allowing for a bit of froth when you pop the cork). Let's say there’s 20 people and you want everyone to have at least one glass of bubbles and two glasses of wine, then here's the maths: 20 (people) divided by four (glasses of bubbles in each bottle) = five bottles of bubbly. 20 (people) divided by five (glasses of wine in each bottle) = four bottles of wine. That'll give your guests one glass each, so to give everyone two glasses then simply double your order. Up the quantities as required.
Remember though, at hen parties people develop a very special type of thirst. So I'd err on ordering the following: At least six bottles of beer for every man (yes, this works for stag dos too). At least half a bottle of wine for each woman. Buy a few extra bottles of bubbles than you think you'll need - because people drink more fizz than normal at these type of events.
How do you work out how many spirits/cocktails options you need for an event?
For large groups, cocktails are a total hassle unless you hire someone to do them for you. They should include all the basics, mixers, sugar syrups, citrus, swizzles, straws, garnishes etc... in their fee. Hire some solid tumbler glasses. If people prefer to drink spirits, I’d suggest buying a large vodka, gin and rum (white and black), along with big bottles of juice, fizz, tonic and soda. Then, fix up a large tub of ice cubes and tell everyone to go for it themselves. Alternatively, if you have a smaller group, decide on one or two simple cocktails. To make it cost effective, pick cocktails that are made with the same base spirits.
What are your top three rules for hosting an event?
Use good glassware and wash them with hot water to get rid of any 'cardboardy' smells – they've been cooped up in boxes for how long? Glass absorbs musty odours from boxes, cabinets and stuffy rooms and you don’t want that in your drink, right?
Always have water on hand.
Worried that your bottle of bubbles will erupt when you pull the cork? Simply insert your thumb into the punt (the dent in the bottom of the bottle) as you open it – it’ll stop the fizz explosion.
What’s an easy cocktail that everyone will love?
You can't beat an enormous bowl of spicy, citrussy sangria that everyone can dip into.
If I’m only buying a few types of wine, what should I choose to keep everyone happy?
One bubbles, one sauvignon blanc and a ripe, easy shiraz or pinot noir.
What are your tips for being the perfect host?
Don't talk about how much the drinks cost you because that makes people feel like they have to say nice things and thank you all the time – that's exhausting for your guests. Again, make sure your guests also have water and tasty, non-alcoholic options.
What’s an easy and impressive snack that goes with all drinks?
Prawns, prawns and more prawns! Or buy a huge wedge of crumbly, aged cheddar and tell people to hack away to their heart’s content.
Do you have any Last nuggets of knowledge for us?
Don't overfill your guests glasses, don't make things fussy or precious and let people serve themselves. If your glass overflows with foam when you're trying to fill it with bubbles, stick your finger in it and the bubbles will disappear immediately (just make sure no one sees you do it!). Pinot noir is a red wine that also happens to be gorgeous with smoked chicken, turkey and tuna. DON'T over-chill your white wines (45 mins in the fridge before serving is enough. DO chill your red wine if it's a really hot day – it'll help preserve the florals, fruit and spice notes.