Discover active Black-owned wine brands offering everything from sweet Moscato and smooth Merlot to Champagne, natural wine and bold reds—plus excellent bottles for dinner parties, birthdays and holiday gifts.
Planning a dinner party does not have to feel stressful. Discover 10 creative dinner party themes, plus practical tips for choosing a menu, preparing your home, and enjoying the evening with your guests.
Illustrated guide showing spirits, cocktail ingredients, refrigerated mixers, bar tools, and glassware for a home bar.
Discover unique dinner party themes, creative menu ideas, and simple planning tips for hosting a memorable night your guests will love.
Learning to make cocktails at home can feel overwhelming when you’re just starting out. You might worry about needing fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients. The good news is that you don’t need to be a professional bartender to serve great drinks at your next gathering. Mastering a handful of classic cocktails gives you the confidence to entertain guests and create drinks that everyone will enjoy. The best cocktails for beginners focus on simple ingredients and easy techniques that anyone can learn. Once you know how to make a few staple drinks, you’ll be ready to host any occasion with style. This guide walks you through eight classic cocktails that are perfect for new bartenders. You’ll also learn about the basic tools you need and get helpful tips for serving drinks at your next party. 1. Margarita The margarita is one of the best beginner cocktails you can master. You only need three simple ingredients: tequila, orange liqueur like Cointreau,…
I love a good dinner party. Like, love love. The kind of hosting where the music is set, the table feels thoughtful, and everyone gets to actually enjoy themselves. I’ve hosted everything from casual dinners to themed gatherings, and I’ve learned that the difference between stressful and seamless usually comes down to one thing: planning ahead. I’ve learned that the best dinner parties aren’t about being fancy or doing too much, they’re about having a plan that lets you stay present. Knowing what needs to happen and when keeps you out of survival mode and in host mode. This timeline is the exact system I use to make sure my dinner parties, house parties, and themed nights go off without major issues (or stress spirals). Whether you’re hosting your first dinner party at home or just want your nights to feel smoother and more elevated, this timeline helps you stay…
Planning a dinner party can feel overwhelming when you’re staring at endless options for food, decorations, and entertainment. Creative dinner party themes simplify your planning by giving you a clear direction for your menu, decor, and activities while creating an experience your guests will remember long after they leave. Instead of throwing together a random meal, a theme turns your gathering into something special. Whether you’re hosting friends for a casual weeknight or celebrating a milestone, themed dinner parties work for any occasion and budget. You don’t need to spend a fortune or have professional hosting skills to pull off an impressive event. With the right theme, you can transform your dining room into an Italian trattoria, a Moroccan marketplace, or a French bistro using simple touches that make a big impact. The best part about themed dinner parties is how they spark conversation and help guests connect. When everyone…
Discover four of the best food blogs to read right now — Asassyspoon, Zena’s Kitchen, Socials by Lovina, and Peaches to Peaches — featuring bold flavors, comfort food, and must-try recipes.
Sip & Slay: My Favorite Christmas Martinis This Season Martinis will always be in. Period. But Christmas martinis? Those are a different sport. And listen, I know, I KNOW, some of the cocktails on this list are not technically martinis. But the internet has decided that if you pour something into a martini glass, it becomes a martini. And honestly? I support that kind of delusion. We are in an era where everything is a martini: So yes, some of the drinks below are absolutely not martinis… but if you put them in a martini glass? They are now. That’s the law. This season, Pinterest is overflowing with Christmas cocktail chaos; creamy, sparkly, boozy, dessert-y, and a few concoctions that feel spiritually dangerous. But delicious? Absolutely. I’ve pulled my favorites, sorted them by liquor, and left space for you to add your favorite Pinterest pins, including my bonus Christmas board…
Learn how to make a smooth, rich cold brew espresso martini with this easy recipe. Perfect for coffee lovers, this iced coffee martini combines cold brew, vodka, and coffee liqueur for a bold, delicious cocktail you can shake up in minutes.