Cocktails Anyone?
There is no better way to put a stamp of refined personalization on your next gathering than to create a signature cocktail for your guests. The team here at IPH is often asked to help personalize event elements to best suit the needs of the attendees while working in a specific budget and under the umbrella of the entertaining style of the host and corporate culture of the sponsoring company. A welcome drink is a sophisticated approach to letting your guests know that you are delighted they are in attendance and that you have prepared a unique experience with their enjoyment in mind. A signature cocktail should :
- have mass appeal
- celebrate the destination
- be refreshing
- be garnished well
- be offered in a non-alcoholic version for the teetotalers in the crowd
In our design style, we try to scratch the surface a little deeper avoiding the literal and the obvious so that expectations are not only met, yet exceeded in an unexpected, memorable and impactful fashion. For example, the ubiquitous Mai Tai on arrival is so last decade while master mixologists across the Hawaiian Islands are begging to move clients beyond the gimmick-y smash and grab low quality beverage offerings of yesteryear.
Inspired by the lush slopes of Maui’s Haleakalā volcano and the fertile pineapple fields of the Valley Isle, we have created The Lavender Kiss, a pineapple and lavender infused lemonade with a splash of sparkling water for fizz and dash of Grey Goose Vodka for a kick!
The Lavender Kiss
Fill a tall glass (or Mason jar!!!) with ice and add the following:
- 1 oz. Grey Goose Vodka (optional)
- 11/2 oz. Pineapple Juice (fresh is best!)
- 4 oz. Lemonade
- 1 Teaspoon Lavender Syrup (recipe follows)
- 2 oz. Sparkling Water (we like San Pellegrino)
- Garnish with a fresh stalk Lavender
Lavender Syrup
- 2 Cups Sugar
- 2 Cups Water
- 1/2 Cup Dried Lavender
Place all ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil and then simmer until sugar dissolves, chill in refrigerator overnight and strain.