Put a chic twist on your annual summer fete this year with a few tips and tricks from party planner to the stars, Mary Micucci. The brainchild behind Los Angeles-based Along Came Mary Productions (alongcamemary.com), Micucci made her mark by creating events that communicate through all of the senses: sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. “Whether a party is being thrown for 18,000 at Universal Studios or someone wants to create a magical backyard dinner party at home, the same principles hold true,” she says. Known as Hollywood’s original cateress and the woman credited with single-handedly creating the party planning industry 30 years ago, Micucci is gearing up for summer by sharing some of her must-have summer entertaining tips.
Micucci’s recommendations include:
- Give your party a theme like “Summer Lovin'” or “Beach BBQ.”
- Use flowers in the season’s trendiest colours (think yellow and hot pink) and carry them out through the invitations and décor.
- Keep the weather in mind: June gloom is unpredictable, so don’t forget to build in a plan B for outdoor parties with tents, heaters and outdoor fire pits. Avoid too many candles if you can, as they’re risky with rain and wind.
- Say “Cheers” to summer with trendy cocktails: Mojitos are the hottest thing on the cocktail scene today. Try variations of this classic Cuban cooler with special rum brands, homegrown mint, antique glasses or fun flavours. You can even make do-it-yourself cocktails as part of the festivities (see Micucci’s cocktail picks below).
- Plan a seasonal menu with products that can only be found during summertime: asparagus, strawberries, watermelon, soft shell crabs, oysters, shrimp and fresh salads are foods traditionally making appearances at this time of year.
- Keep the décor practical: Use potted azaleas, mums or green plants and put them in vases or interesting containers instead of buying expensive cut flowers or arrangements. Bonus: you can plant them in your yard afterward.
The following are some of Micucci’s summer cocktail recipes that she has used for various Hollywood summer parties.
Watermelon Mojito
- 2 oz. light rum
- 1 oz. simple syrup
- 5 mint leaves
- 1 oz. watermelon juice
- Chilled lemon-lime flavored club soda
- Crushed Ice
- 1 lime wedge
Directions: Muddle mint and simple syrup. Add watermelon juice and rum. Shake, serve over ice and top with a splash of club soda. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lime wedge.
Cucumber Martini
- 1 ½ oz. vodka
- 1 oz. cointreau
- 1 oz. cucumber juice
- 1 oz. simple syrup
- 1 oz. lime juice
- 5 mint leaves
Directions: Using a Champion Juicer, juice one cucumber, leaving a small portion to dice. Add cointreau, syrup, lime juice and vodka. Shake, serve chilled. Garnish with mint and diced cucumbers.
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