Game On and Glam On

Whatcha Watchin’?

Whether it’s the glitz and glamor of the Academy Awards or the roaring adventure of March Madness, every host aims to create an unforgettable watch party experience. To elevate your get-together, the right beverages make all the difference.

Here’s a guide to the best tips and tricks for special and hassle-free entertaining, so you won’t miss a minute of the action!

Pre-Game Like a Pro

First tip: One of the biggest secrets to success for athletes, actors and professional caterers is advance preparation — so why not adopt their winning strategy? Embrace make-ahead recipes for delicious dishes and batch cocktails that you can set up in advance, allowing your guests to help themselves at their leisure and during commercial breaks.

That leaves you free to enjoy your party and the action, too.

California Knows How to Party

When the Academy Awards are broadcast on Sunday, March 2, capture the California-casual vibe in your entertaining for a blend of award-worthy elegance and relaxed enjoyment. The regional light, fresh elements will pair effortlessly with refreshing beverages. An easy menu theme could include gourmet snack boards featuring plenty of bright fruits, veggies and artisanal cheeses.

Complement your food with some juicy California wine, like the highly rated Bernardus Chardonnay Monterey County 2020 ($14.99) with juicy citrus notes of lemon curd, pear nectar and a touch of sweet butter from the oak aging. Consider serving a signature floral-infused margarita, such as the delightful combination of 1800 Tequila Blanco ($31.99) with a kiss of St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur ($36.99) paired with mini tacos and pasta salad cups.

For a tropical twist to stave off the dregs of the mid-Atlantic winter, offer a pineapple-coconut cooler made by mixing Malibu Coconut Rum ($19.99) with your favorite coconut water, pineapple juice, fresh lime juice and seltzer. Pair it with a sliders bar and you’ll tempt a starlet to break her diet.

Keep your guests feeling like A-listers with delicious zero-sugar Ketel One Botanical Vodkas ($25.99–$26.99) available in Cucumber & Mint, Grapefruit & Rose, Peach & Orange Blossom and Citroen.

And no Oscar party would be complete without sparkling wine to toast the winners. La Marca Prosecco ($17.99) has a crisp, clean palate that brings fruity flavors of green apple, juicy peach and ripe lemon framed by hints of minerality that pair with the entire menu. For a West-Coast flair, serve it in individual-sized bottles served with colorful sipping straws and paired with a gourmet popcorn bar and mini-dessert table.

Get Your Game On

You’ll need a different game plan for the sports fans you entertain. And as every opposing team has learned, Philly-area sports fans bring high enthusiasm and avid devotion to their beloved teams. We take fandom to new levels (both high and low!). Our gatherings to cheer on teams, even those outside the Delaware Valley, reflect that passion, with great food and great times.

When your party roster is a grazing menu of nachos, Buffalo wings, soft pretzels, six-foot hoagies, little hot dogs and a Crock-Pot of meatballs, fill your cooler with a mix of beverages that balance the hot and savory flavors. This is where ready-to-drink party packs, like High Noon Vodka Hard Seltzer Variety Pack ($20.99) and Stateside Surfside Cocktail Variety Pack ($19.99), promise to keep the energy high and the good times flowing.

And don’t leave wine lovers out of your winning strategy: Black Box Tart & Tangy Sauvignon Blanc and Black Box Cabernet Sauvignon ($23.99 each) have won over 70 gold medals and 34 “Best Buy” awards from Wine Enthusiast critics.

All-Star Celebrations

While the main event that’s the cause for the gathering is undoubtedly thrilling, it’s often the little moments that create lasting memories. Prepare some fun games to keep guests entertained throughout the evening, such as a red-carpet interview station where guests can share “who they’re wearing,” or provide Oscar ballots for them to make their predictions.

For basketball-themed parties — which can run from Selection Sunday on March 16 to the NCAA Championship on April 7 — ask guests to submit their brackets. Offer gift bags as a token of appreciation for their participation or as prizes to those who made the best predictions. Add some ready-to-drink pizzazz with On the Rocks Cocktails such as Basil Hayden Dark Rye Manhattan, Cruzan Mai Tai, Hornitos Margarita, Knob Creek Old Fashioned and Effen Cosmopolitan ($12.99 each), a family of award-winning premium cocktails crafted with top-shelf spirits.

Cheers to Unforgettable Moments

As you gather with family and friends to revel in the excitement of March Madness and the glamor of Oscars night, remember that the essence of these celebrations is in the connections we forge and the memories we create together. Whether you’re raising a toast to your favorite film or cheering your team to victory, enjoy the delicious flavors and festive atmosphere that these occasions bring.

With carefully crafted cocktails, delectable snacks and engaging games, your watch party will undoubtedly be a hit! So gather your guests, let the fun unfold and most importantly, please drink and serve responsibly. Here’s to unforgettable nights and joyful celebrations that shine as brightly as the stars on the screen!

Liz Tarditi is an entrepreneur and classically trained chef with 35 years’ experience in the culinary world. She holds a degree from Villanova University and graduated with honors from the Culinary Arts program at the Art Institute of Seattle. Liz has worked for Fine Wine & Good Spirits for five years, becoming a Wine Specialist in 2020. She enjoys pairing wine and food for special events and celebrations. See Liz at the Phoenixville Fine Wine & Good Spirits location.