Be inspired…host your holiday party like a rock star this season…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. From holiday pop-up parties to jingle bell balls, entertaining for the festive party goer rings at an all time high. For the individuals who ditch conformity for the unconventional, or who lean favorably towards effortless gatherings, Cointreau and lifestyle extraordinaire Camille Styles headed to Dallas to cook up the latest trends in holiday entertaining through what they have coined as “The Art of La Soirée“.
We tapped the shoulder of Styles as she prepped for entertaining the Dallas elite at a private Cointreau event held at Oak earlier this fall. Read on for the ultimate dish as we dive heels first into what’s trending this holiday season, how to host like a Cointreau star, and how you can make a colorful splash this holiday season with one of our favorite signature Cointreau cocktails.
Ready, set, go…Cointreau!
“Cointreau is all about creative entertaining…which reflects my own approach to entertaining,” Camille Styles told Inspire N Style. “Throwing gatherings that feel really effortless, that are full of all of those special personalized touches is such a great fit for me.”
Just fresh off of touching up a few garland decorations here and there at the plush locale of Oak, Styles whisked us away, Cointreau cocktail in hand to scoop on the latest trends she’s forecasting for luxe lifestyle entertaining.
HOT TRENDS: Be One with Nature and Go For Gold (OR Metallics)
Nature’s Calling: For the holidays, Styles suggest incorporating natural elements into your holiday decor. From seasonal flowers treated with a festive touch to winter citrus fruit, the-more-natural-the-better is the name of this lifestyle guru’s game.
“Go in your back yard and snip some branches yourself and make your own decor really easily,” Styles suggested. In addition to now being one with nature, holiday garlands draping down the length of a dining room table should replace the traditional runner for an elevated more luxurious feel.
More, More, and even More Metallics: Cozy up your winter soirée by ditching the traditional reds and greens of the holidays, and opting for more gold, bronze, and silver metallics — what Styles is calling a new twist on traditional holiday colors.
“I love to do this at home,” Styles gushed. “All of my Christmas decorations are all metallic colors. It makes it kind of glam.” And her pro tip for the New Year… “Incorporating winter whites mixed with gold will make your decor feel really glamorous and fresh. It’s a really elevated take on New Years.”
HOST LIKE A ROCK STAR: Guests Get Interactive with the DIY Cointreau Rickey
Get Interactive: Nothing says effortless hosting than when party guests get to create and garnish their own cocktails! Quickly becoming the hype and latest trend in the entertaining sphere, more DIY-focused gatherings are the talk of the industry.
We took a few tips from Styles’ expertise as guest interaction is all the rage and even moreso, best for the ease of the hostess.
“Bringing an interactive element is actually easier because I can make a big batch of cocktails and set it out; and guests can kind of be their own mixologist,” Styles shared. “It’s kind of fun for them to jump in and actually get in on the action, and get creative by customizing their own drink to their tastes.”
And by customizing she means personalizing cocktails with cranberry chutney, cinnamon sticks, or fresh fruit. Yum! Try all of this and more by adding your own flair, garnish and twist to the Cointreau signature cocktail, The Rickey (recipe below).
Cointreau Rickey, The Recipe
· 2 oz Cointreau
· 1 oz fresh lime juice
· 3-4 oz club soda
How to Create
1. Pour Cointreau and fresh lime juice into a glass and add ice
2. Top with club soda and stir
3. Garnish with a lime and orange zest
Photos used courtesy from LaForce for Cointreau’s “The Art of La Soirée.
