Let Me Entertain You
Five gracious hosts share their cocktail hour ideas— from fun concoctions to delectable bites
TINA OCAMPO Designer for Celestina Maynila New York
Describe your entertaining style?
How do you entertain at home?
My style of entertaining is always creative, comfortable and experiential. I always have the intention to awake the senses of my guests whenever they are at home.
What is the theme of your set-up?
I went out to my garden and saw this native clay cooking device I just bought from our recent visit in La Union. I thought of repurposing it to become an interesting container to fill with ice and keep the bottles of wine and champagne at a refreshing temperature. I chose a spot in my garden with prolific summer flowers cascading down to dress my bar so I don’t have to go out and buy cut flowers in the market.
What are your favourite tabletop accessories? Single vintage silver candle holders that are slim and elegantly designed.
What music do you play?
I love playing French music but what I truly enjoy listening to are the happy sounds people make when they laugh ... or the sound of a sigh that brings curiosity ... or a single excited voice ready to share a story to earn wisdom. I believe these are all music to everyone’s ears.
What type of cocktails do you usually serve? What’s your favourite?
To be honest, my husband and I are not big fans of cocktails; but we do follow rules of serving good bottles of wine paired with the food we are serving. My favourite? I stick to French Merlot or sparkling water—lunch, dinner and cocktails. Boring but classic.
CELINE LOPEZ Founder of Gypsy Rosé
Describe your entertaining style?
How do you entertain at home?
My home is super casual. My friends come over just to chill because there is something healing about this place. We usually have champagne with pizza or small-batch beer and takeout sushi. I used to like to host complicated dinners but it’s just not who I am anymore. It’s almost impossible to do when you have a baby.
What is the theme of your set-up? What’s the ambience you want to achieve? I’m a gypsy at heart and I like to move around. However I’ve been in my flat for seven years now and that’s the longest. My objects travel with me wherever I go. So I change things up a bit with no specific theme in mind. I love looking at them and remembering the beautiful memories that come with them.
What are your favourite tabletop accessories? Candles for life.
What music do you play?
Lots of music from my teenage years and my 20s.
What type of cocktails do you usually serve? What’s your favourite?
Gypsy Rosé all the way baby! I also like doing simple cocktails with quality spirits and Fever Tree mixers.