The author contrasts their upbringing, where parents rarely hosted gatherings or made cocktails, with their current life as a cocktail aficionado and party host. They share how their hosting skills evolved, especially through making a large batch of Negronis for friends. A chance impromptu party prompted them to serve the cocktail, showcasing how time can enhance flavors. This experience led to feelings of achieving a high standard of effortless entertaining, contrasting sharply with childhood memories of lackluster gatherings.
With the exceptions of obligatory, harshly-lit holiday dinners, my parents weren't big on hosting. I can't remember a single time either one of them ever had a cocktail party, let alone mixed up an actual cocktail.
I regularly throw parties, put a lot of thought into lighting when I do, and I've earned a bit of a reputation for my cocktail-making skills.
Last spring I was planning to visit a friend who loved my take on the drink, so I made a big batch in an old whiskey bottle as a host gift.
I felt like I'd finally pulled off the kind of Martha Stewart-esque effortless entertaining that had always seemed so unattainable to me.
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