F&B

In July at Travel & Leisure’s annual World’s Best Awards in New York, sponsor Patrón displayed a sleek wall that housed five tanks of Patrón-based cocktails from which guests could pour their own drinks.

Beauty brand Fresh’s 21st anniversary party in New York included an interactive mixology bar by Shiraz Events with a wall of drink tanks filled with purées and infused juices. Guests filled their cups from the dispensers, then brought them to bartenders who added Belvedere vodka.

Chicago-based Redmoon Theater’s annual benefit in March had a performer topping off guests’ glasses with the company’s “Wine Bike,” which features a spinning chandelier of wine glasses and a series of gears that pour bottles of wine.

The Los Angeles launch party for Zing vodka in July had a unique take on a shot bar: Gloved hands emerged from a rose-covered wall to offer guests glasses of the new spirit.

At Hendrick’s Gin’s “Voyages Into the Unusual” event in Chicago, a bar dubbed the Monster Box was manned by a server wearing a fuzzy “monster paw” who stood behind a curtain. When guests approached, the beastly hand poked through holding a drink—the particular concoction that each guest received was a surprise.

Playful menu items included cherry bocconcini with grape tomatoes with individual tubes of balsamic vinaigrette. Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex handled the catering.

For an upscale camp-themed affair, try KG Fare Catering & Events' mess-free take on s'mores, displayed on clothespins.

Maria Zoitas of Maria’s Homemade recommends adding fruit-infused ice cubes to drinks at summer parties. Just add berries, grapes, or pomegranate seeds to the water in ice cube trays, then toss the final product into champagne mixed with hibiscus syrup.

Health-conscious guests will be happy to pop a few of New York-based Elegant Affairs’ gluten-free lemon-scented hummus and zucchini roulades into their mouths while lounging poolside.