Latest news with #summerparties
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Batch cocktails: the summer party lifesavers
What batch cocktails are best for summer parties?Ella, by emailFirst things first: stand down that cocktail shaker. When you have more than a handful of people over, you need drinks that scale up easily. And a paloma never fails to hit the hot weather happy-hour spot, says Max Venning, director of Three Sheets bars in London and co-author of Batched and Bottled Cocktails. 'It's great for a garden party, because you just whack it all in a jug and into the fridge in the morning, then all you need are iced glasses and soda water.' Combine 350ml good-quality blanco tequila ('Ocho or Volcan are my go-tos'), 250ml fresh pink grapefruit juice, 10ml tomato vinegar ('or white balsamic') and two tablespoons of caster sugar, stir until the latter dissolves, then chill. 'While you're waiting for your guests, coat half the rim of your glasses with a mix of salt, a touch of ground black pepper and a sprinkle of ground cumin: wipe half the outside rim with grapefruit, put the salt mix on a small plate and gently press the wet part of the glass into the salt, so it sticks.' When you're good to go, fill each glass with ice, fill halfway with the paloma mix, top with soda and stir gently: 'Garnish with edible flowers or a grapefruit slice.' Another party starter, says Alex Lyonness, bar manager at Luca in London, is a naked and famous, which, happily, is 'quick to batch because it's equal parts mezcal, Aperol and yellow chartreuse, and quick to build because it's 60ml of that mixed with 20ml lime juice'. Sandia Chang, meanwhile, would lean more towards a 'lighter' negroni: 'We often pre-batch a cocktail that's a cross between an americano and a white negroni, which is equal parts Lillet Blanc and Suze,' says the co-founder of Bubbleshop and Kitchen Table, who serves that mix of classic French aperitifs over ice and topped up with soda. If you're looking to bung things together a little further in advance, try a cherry americano, Venning says: 'Mix 300ml Campari, 300ml sweet vermouth and 100ml cherry cordial, and store in a clean, sealed wine bottle in the fridge.' To serve, pour 50ml of the mix over ice, top with soda water and garnish with an orange slice. Or, if you're feeling fancy, pour 30ml into a flute, top with sparkling wine and garnish with an orange twist. If you're heading out, though, perhaps to the park or beach, Venning's batch drinking concept (to be consumed in moderation, naturally) would be a 'British coastal negroni': It's lighter than the classic, and a perfect sundowner. Mix 200ml Campari ('or, for a brilliant British take on it, Forgotten's ultrasonic bitter aperitivo'), 200ml red vermouth ('I use Vault Aperitivo's Forest', staying on the British theme), 200ml gin ('Hepple, for preference'), 20ml blackcurrant cordial, 100ml water and two drops of optional orange flower water, then tip that into a Thermos with a handful of ice cubes. Of course, cocktails don't necessarily mean booze: 'When I was pregnant, Chang recalls, 'I often made delicious, flavoured iced teas to take to the park, and a particular favourite was hojicha tea infused with slices of lime, mint and a little brown sugar.' She also recommends iced green tea with honey and apple marigold. Now that's sure to keep everyone sweet. Got a culinary dilemma? Email feast@
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Batch cocktails: the summer party lifesavers
What batch cocktails are best for summer parties?Ella, by emailFirst things first: stand down that cocktail shaker. When you have more than a handful of people over, you need drinks that scale up easily. And a paloma never fails to hit the hot weather happy-hour spot, says Max Venning, director of Three Sheets bars in London and co-author of Batched and Bottled Cocktails. 'It's great for a garden party, because you just whack it all in a jug and into the fridge in the morning, then all you need are iced glasses and soda water.' Combine 350ml good-quality blanco tequila ('Ocho or Volcan are my go-tos'), 250ml fresh pink grapefruit juice, 10ml tomato vinegar ('or white balsamic') and two tablespoons of caster sugar, stir until the latter dissolves, then chill. 'While you're waiting for your guests, coat half the rim of your glasses with a mix of salt, a touch of ground black pepper and a sprinkle of ground cumin: wipe half the outside rim with grapefruit, put the salt mix on a small plate and gently press the wet part of the glass into the salt, so it sticks.' When you're good to go, fill each glass with ice, fill halfway with the paloma mix, top with soda and stir gently: 'Garnish with edible flowers or a grapefruit slice.' Another party starter, says Alex Lyonness, bar manager at Luca in London, is a naked and famous, which, happily, is 'quick to batch because it's equal parts mezcal, Aperol and yellow chartreuse, and quick to build because it's 60ml of that mixed with 20ml lime juice'. Sandia Chang, meanwhile, would lean more towards a 'lighter' negroni: 'We often pre-batch a cocktail that's a cross between an americano and a white negroni, which is equal parts Lillet Blanc and Suze,' says the co-founder of Bubbleshop and Kitchen Table, who serves that mix of classic French aperitifs over ice and topped up with soda. If you're looking to bung things together a little further in advance, try a cherry americano, Venning says: 'Mix 300ml Campari, 300ml sweet vermouth and 100ml cherry cordial, and store in a clean, sealed wine bottle in the fridge.' To serve, pour 50ml of the mix over ice, top with soda water and garnish with an orange slice. Or, if you're feeling fancy, pour 30ml into a flute, top with sparkling wine and garnish with an orange twist. If you're heading out, though, perhaps to the park or beach, Venning's batch drinking concept (to be consumed in moderation, naturally) would be a 'British coastal negroni': It's lighter than the classic, and a perfect sundowner. Mix 200ml Campari ('or, for a brilliant British take on it, Forgotten's ultrasonic bitter aperitivo'), 200ml red vermouth ('I use Vault Aperitivo's Forest', staying on the British theme), 200ml gin ('Hepple, for preference'), 20ml blackcurrant cordial, 100ml water and two drops of optional orange flower water, then tip that into a Thermos with a handful of ice cubes. Of course, cocktails don't necessarily mean booze: 'When I was pregnant, Chang recalls, 'I often made delicious, flavoured iced teas to take to the park, and a particular favourite was hojicha tea infused with slices of lime, mint and a little brown sugar.' She also recommends iced green tea with honey and apple marigold. Now that's sure to keep everyone sweet. Got a culinary dilemma? Email feast@
Gizmodo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
This JBL Party Speaker Just Hit a Record Low, Amazon Clears Out Stock Before Back to School
For real summer parties, small portable Bluetooth speakers simply don't cut it to get an entire crowd dancing. There are, however, larger portable ones that have gained much popularity for breathing life into parties. The JBL PartyBox 710 has established itself as a top choice (and our favorite choice) for anyone looking to create instant atmosphere among friends. Right now, the JBL PartyBox 710 is on sale at Amazon for only $599, close to $250 off its usual price of $850. That's the cheapest this party speaker has ever been on Amazon, and it's available as a limited time offer that's sure to sell out quickly. See at Amazon The big speaker blasts 800 watts of JBL Original Pro Sound from its twin 2.75-inch tweeters and pair of 8-inch woofers. The result is sound that's not just loud but also packed with detail and bass that you can feel. It's engineered to deliver authentic high-fidelity sound over large spaces, and it can transform a backyard or even outdoor area into an actual event. The PartyBox 710 doesn't hold back when it comes to light either: The built-in party lighting system can transform any environment into a concert or club with programmable and dynamic strobe effects and multicolor LED patterns. You can sync the lights to your music and create a starry night effect or switch to fast club-style flashes, all manageable either on the simple top panel or right from the PartyBox mobile app. With its sturdy handle and smooth-spinning wheels, it's built to roll with you – out to the patio, the park or wherever the party goes. The durable construction features IPX4 splash resistance so if a drink gets spilled or there's some unexpected rain, the music won't stop. It connects simply via Bluetooth to phones, tablets, and laptops for wireless control over playlists and volume. A dedicated PartyBox app enables real-time customization of lights, EQ settings, and music, while physical jacks make it simple to connect mics or instruments for karaoke and live performances. If you're looking to take your summer parties to the next level, this all-time low price on the JBL PartyBox 710 is one of the year's best audio opportunities. See at Amazon
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Homes for sale for summer entertaining in England
Barton Grange is seven-bedroom property dressed for summer parties. The main farmhouse – behind a dusty pink facade that dates to 1558 – is attached to a collection of buildings with a corridor connecting to one of three barns. This one houses a vast entertaining area with plenty of room to party under the exposed ceiling beams. And there's an outdoor dining room, with room for an eight-person table, next to the barbecue. For post-shindig recovery, there is a yoga room. Wildflower gardens fan out behind the property. £1.850m. Inigo, 020 3687 3071 Photograph: Inigo Moored at Shepperton Marina, on the edge of Greater London, is this 39-metre Belgian barge that has been converted into a home. As big as a typical Victorian terrace house in London, it covers 186 sq metres (2,000 sq ft) with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a reception room and a utility room underneath. The kitchen is on the upper deck. The layout was conceived with partying in mind. The long top deck is used to host guests, and boasts a hot tub. The marina is just off Walton Bridge Road, and within easy distance of Walton-on-Thames. £425,000. Dexters, 020 8398 8550 Photograph: darran.m/Dexters In a triangle of residential roads, with the green spaces of Clapham Common and Brockwell Park close by, is a mid-century apartment block with a party penthouse on the seventh floor. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom property is dominated by the open-plan reception room with sleek kitchen units, shiny white floor tiles and dual-aspect floor-to-ceiling glass panels. Doors open on to a wraparound roof terrace with space for seating and hosting, with shade from the cantilevered roof. There's a hot tub and a sauna, and views of the City skyline. £1.4m. Foxtons, 020 7704 5757 Photograph: Foxtons Wilford Lane runs between two bends in the River Trent and leads to the town centre. The bustling high street and amenities are on hand and yet it is just off the main thoroughfares that get busy on match days (either Nottingham Forest's home games at the nearby City Ground or cricket at Trent Bridge). On the fourth floor of an apartment block is a two-bedroom home with an open-plan living space and doors opening on to the west-facing balcony. This, and the communal gardens overlooking the river, are ideal spots for gatherings. £400,000. HomeMove, 0115 8321 321 Photograph: Home Move Within walking distance of the characterful Margate Old Town and its sandy beach is a semi-detached Victorian house that has been modernised inside. The kitchen is at the back, light-filled from dual-aspect windows and a roof lantern, and has space at the back for dining. The garden has a patio for alfresco meals and a lawn, bordered by a timber slatted fence on one side and a brick wall on the other, supporting fig and olive trees. Tucked away down the end is decking and seating, and a studio – currently used as a quiet place of retreat. £750,000. The Modern House, 020 3795 5920 Photograph: The Modern House
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
The nine summer party shoe rules over 50 - and the heel mistake Kate would NEVER make: SHANE WATSON
Here's something we have all learned the hard way: only a few shoes will carry you through an all-day event, and only a fraction of those will work for summer parties and weddings when you might be required to walk on gravel or grass. Some shoes are worse than useless against these twin perils. Try navigating soft grass in stilettos and you might as well be a Dalek faced with a flight of stairs.
