10 Best Tips for a Sexy (Sober) Cocktail Party
Photo courtesy of Lianna Tarantin for Sakara
Can a party crackle with possibility even if there’s no alcohol? Austin-based Jen Batchelor, who cofounded Kin Euphorics nonalcoholic cocktails with Bella Hadid, says yes, absolutely. Batchelor, a mom of two, recently threw an especially sexy New York City dinner bash with Hadid and Sakara, where guests like chef and activist Sophia Roe and model Paloma Elsesser sipped Kin’s mood-shifting cocktails made with adaptogenic herbs, nootropics (or cognitive enhancers), and aromatic flower and plant extracts.
“The ritual of sipping a cocktail is beautiful, but there’s a reason why so many of us are drawn to do dry January or take a little break at another time of year,” says Batchelor. “Whether you continue with sobriety or not, it’s an incredible launchpad for finding out what actually brings you joy. There’s this discovery of, ‘Oh sh*t, alcohol isn’t the only way to relax.’ What a great reset to skip it, even for a night.” Here, Batchelor’s best tips for making said night the best night.
1
Have a Uniform
“I like a slight gloss on my eyes, an oiled-up protective sheen from Furtuna face balm, a little dusting of something pearlescent that still looks natural, and a matte lip.”
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Sheer Tinted
Eye Balm
Jillian Dempsey
Lid Tint
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Glowy Moisturizer
Furtuna Skin
Rinascita Delle Olive Replenishing Balm
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Just-Right Dash of Shimmer
Westman Atelier
Super Loaded Tinted Highlighter
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Creamy Matte Lip
Saie
Lip Blur Lipstick
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Perfect Bold Pattern
“For my outfit, I layer an old vintage shearling or Moncler coat over a bold-patterned La DoubleJ dress—it can be 30 degrees in the morning and 70 degrees by early evening here in Austin.”
La DoubleJ
Brunch Dress
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2
Serve a Ton of Drinks
Go for variety, Batchelor says. Try Kin Spritz, a sparkling ginger-hibiscus cocktail that’s hard not to guzzle (it’s gently caffeinated and infused with mood-elevating adaptogens like rhodiola), or Actual Sunshine, a refreshing blend of pineapple, saffron, and cardamom that’s a riff on a mimosa. Both come in cans that couldn’t be chicer or more party-portable; you could also mix up her next-level piña colada.
The Creamy, Dreamy, Healthyish Piña Colada
Add all the ingredients, including the ice, to a shaker and vigorously shake it up. Strain over a (sleek) ice-filled glass and sprinkle cinnamon on top. You can find more incredible Kin cocktail recipes here and on Kin’s site.
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2 ounces Kin High Rhode
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1 ounce coconut milk
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1 ounce pineapple juice
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1 pinch spirulina
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1 bar spoon ginger syrup
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1 pinch cinnamon
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cubed ice
3
Different Drink? Use Different Glasses
“I have a big collection of vintage glassware, and I love putting out little glasses, like ones for sake, in case people want to just give Kin a try.”
“Toward the end of the night, I either bring out a warm Dream Light affogato or do a hot-toddy-style nightcap in glass mugs.”
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Handblown by Venetian Artisans
Emporio Sirenuse
Aria Stem Glass,
Set of 2
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Festive Hand-Cut Crystal-Stem Glasses
Reflections Copenhagen
Mayfair Short Crystal Glass, Set of 2
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Pear-Shaped Chalices
R+D.LAB
Luisa Calice, Set of 2
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Fine-China Pinstripe Mug
Richard Brendon
Pinstripe Mug
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4
Make Space for Every Sort of Crowd
“Inside, I set up a bar in the kitchen. You want to give your guests something to do with their hands, so I sometimes make a ‘sangria’ station. I like serving sangria-type drinks from a carafe and putting out tumblers for people to grab when they want a drink.”
“Basically, there’s a kitchen crew—some people will stay there and hang forever—an outside gang, and then the most mellow zone is the living room. For the outside people, I set up food, games, and a big tub of drinks on the terrace.”
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World’s Chicest Checkers
Edie Parker
Checkers in Rose Quartz
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Made from (Dishwasher-Safe) Borosilicate Glass
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Velasca Carafe, 1L
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Artful Tarot Deck
The Garden Journey
The Garden Journey Deck
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Beautiful Fine-Ribbed Finish
R+D.LAB
Luisa Vino, Set of 2
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5
Make the Lighting Sexy and Dim
“I put candles out everywhere. There’s just nothing better for setting the mood.”
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Green and Woodsy
goop Beauty
Scented Candle:
Edition 02 – Shiso
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Smoky and Mysterious
The Maker
Spiritus Candle
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Unscented
Zeus + Dione
Hestia Two-Toned Beeswax Candles – Set of 20
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6
Let the Music Dictate the Menu
“Music impacts the party vibe and the menu. I sort of plan what the food is going to be in relation to the music and vice versa; it all has to flow. I love some good Spanish guitar.”
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Indoor
Transparent
Small Transparent Speaker
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Outdoor
BALMUDA
Balmuda The Speaker
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7
Go Easy on the Hors D’Oeuvres
“A charcuterie board as an appetizer can be so heavy. Instead, I put out salty pistachios so people have something to nibble on when they arrive that won’t ruin their appetite.”
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Minimalist Bowl for Nuts and Dried Fruit
FS Objects
Long Standing Bowl
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8
Serve A Dinner that’s Simple and Delicious
“I always come back to Tuscan pasta salad with sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, and avocado—so nourishing, so easy to put together. My husband invariably throws a steak on the grill.”
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Reclaimed-Acacia-Wood Bowl
Alexis Steelwood
Family-Style Serving Bowl
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Glazed Terra-Cotta Serving Platters
Il Buco Vita
Assisi Nested Oval Platters,
Set of 3
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Best Grill Ever
Everdure
The Cube Portable Grill
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9
Make a Potluck Feel Intentional
“Another strategy: the main-course charcuterie board. Our kitchen has a 12-foot table, and I cover it with butcher paper and turn it into a 12-foot charcuterie board. I add nuts, cheese, and fruit and enlist friends for finger food, like bacon-wrapped figs and toasted walnuts. I set out all the different cookies and pies people bring, too.”
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Ultimate Party Serving Board
Alexis Steelwood
Charcuterie Board
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Reclaimed-Wood Cake Plate
Alexis Steelwood
Acacia Cake Plate
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10
Add Color
“In spring, it’s so beautiful to put flowers on the table—or a bunch of eucalyptus. And use colorful plates.”
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goop-Exclusive Dinner Plate
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Secret Garden Dinner Plate
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(Paper) Flower Centerpiece
The Green Vase
Floribunda Rose Plant
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Italian Ceramic Plate
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Flower Charger Plate
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Festive Dessert Plates
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Dessert Plate, Set of 6
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