Drinking with a lightweight

Stocking your summer bar

Snapped during dinner at Via Carota. Set up with intention but not precious.

Adam here…

Unequivocally, I would be an unpleasant drunk. There is at least a 90% chance you would have to check me into the ER. I am hypersensitive and do not like the sensation of feeling out of control of my body. I have never been embarrassed by this. I don’t mind when others drink, but I know myself well enough to know it’s not my ministry.

With that said, I do like to have a good time — and to host. There is a reason the phrase “social drinking” exists — the fanfare surrounding it makes the whole thing feel like an event. Non-alcoholic offerings should not lack fanfare.

Bar recs from a lightweight

Wines. I don’t drink enough to claim any real connoisseurship. It’s a judge-it-by-the-cover situation. It’s my only option. The five bottles I recommend for summer based on the label alone:

1. Gulp Hablo Orange. This is what Comic Sans wishes it could be. Fun and a great excuse to kick off a lively discussion about weight-lifting. We love an orange wine. This bottle is actually in our fridge as I type.

   

2. De Fermo Montepulciano Rosato. Subtle, low fuss. Like a spunky grandmother.

   

3. Ruth Lewandowski Tatto 2024. An atypically shaped label with a storm, fighting demons, and a marching band warrants a second look.

   

4. Feints 2024. Another Lewandowski, it feels a bit saccharine but mystical in a way that feels perfect to celebrate Midsummer.

   

5. Las Jaras Superbloom 2024. Groovy.

Frozen cocktails. These frozen palomas are a crowd favorite. Nothing beats them. The frozen format also means no one has to commit to finishing in one evening.

Mocktail. A go-to is Lurisia mixed with San Pellegrino — essentially a zero-proof Aperol Spritz. You can drink it as-is, but the added bubbles make it last longer, which is my preference.

I had a pineapple shrub last time we ate at Stissing House. On the hunt for a great recipe. While the website leaves room to be desired, this recipe looks promising.

Zero Proof. Agua fresca is a good way to add variety to the drinks menu, and guests can always spike their own with a splash of tequila. This summer we’re doing watermelon:

• 1 whole watermelon, cubed

• 1 cup lime juice

• 1 cup simple syrup

• Mint to garnish

Kombucha is another go-to. Walker Brothers makes some great options — we like the citrus and cucumber melon. If you are in Knoxville, we recommend Frog Juice’s Mint Raspberry or Peach Lavender.

Non-perishable essentials

Glasses. For a grown-ups only option, we like these thin Japanese glasses introduced to us by Brooks Reitz. For kids and clumsy adults, we suggest these Picardie tumblers. Our kids drink out of them all the time (even our one-year-old) and we have only ever broken one — a testament to their durability.

For a colorful option, these Reed Smythe tumblers house a mean mint mojito.

Ice buckets. Pure silver is beautiful but requires careful storage and constant polishing. Be realistic with yourself. You are either the kind of person who does the maintenance or you aren’t. When it comes to ice buckets, I am not. Glass is my go-to. It reads classic in a way that a lot of other options feel — to me — transitional. Unsurprisingly, my favorite glassware store in Paris has just the ticket. Special, good-looking, and won’t break the bank. I’d buy two. When hosting, we always like to have at least two wine options open.

Wine stoppers. When you don't drink much, finishing a bottle in one sitting isn't really in question. For corking open bottles, I came across resin toppers made by Gelber & Sons — a California artist who will do whatever colors you like.

Milton Avery Colors

For Amber's birthday last year, I sent him a photo of our favorite Milton Avery and had him match four of the colors. They feel fun and summery, and I think they make a terrific gift. I came across the ones he made for Rory’s Place, a restaurant in Ojai and reached out directly.

Bottle topper by Okay Good Ceramics

If you have a ceramicist friend, this is also a good commission.

Ice. Even mocktails deserve fancy ice. I am aware that experts advise the use of spherical cubes. Not at risk of expertise, I don’t like the shape. Cubes for me please.

Water. A glass bottle filled with water on the table is one of the easiest upgrades in hosting. Just save an empty wine bottle or two. It costs nothing extra and reads as considered.

Mixers. A proper mixing glass elevates any party. Likely placebo. Doesn't matter.

Bottle opener. Creel and Gow makes great animal bottle openers — a go-to hosting gift for us. We like the rhino and the otter.

Cheers! More screenshots soon.