Your guide to putting on a summer book club night worth RSVPing “yes” to—complete with perfectly paired drinks, effortless ambiance and just enough structure to keep the conversation (and cocktails) flowing.
HOST WITH THE MOST
Theme Your Sip to the Book
It’s one of the more inventive ways to mix things up at book club: Don’t shy away from embracing a theme. Coming in costume is one way to approach it, but a pre-mixed cocktail that evokes the main character is right on point. Maybe the protagonist loves a margarita. Or the archrival prefers an old-fashioned. Make it easy and style your gathering with an option that’s ready-made.
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Moody, dramatic and just a little indulgent—this space is designed to offer cozy style and peak comfort.
Keep things intimate and serene by inviting just one book-loving friend.
What to pour? The Cocktail Collection Bulleit Whiskey Sour.
Spirited
Stories
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The Book Nook
Time
Your
There’s a rhythm to refreshments
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A successful book club—and the conversation that stems from it—has a lot to do with the cocktails you serve. But when is the right moment to refresh everyone’s glass? A welcome drink is a must, but after that, and as a general rule, aim to eyeball it and offer a refill the minute any guest’s drink dips to half full.
Follow the 50 Percent Rule
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No detail too small
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Whether guests are new acquaintances or old pals, it helps smooth conversation if you can surface commonalities all in one breath. Maybe there’s a shared interest or area of expertise. As you introduce by name, try to connect those dots to help fuel connection. It takes the pressure off you and them.
Nice to Meet
You
Maybe you read a memoir, or perhaps the book of the month was a page-turning thriller. The invite is your opportunity to set the stage and help guests plan ahead. Maybe there’s a dress code, a theme or something you’d like everyone to bring. Spell it out here—along with clear info about the schedule, directions and the location, too.
It’s About Managing Expectations
Because the micro details make a major difference.
Set the scene for a golden hour aperitivo with a pretty throw, breezy linens and all your favorite cocktails on ice.
Don’t overthink the snacks—a selection of cheese and citrus is all you need.
What to pour? The Cocktail Collection Ketel One Cosmopolitan Martini and Bulleit Old Fashioned.
The Beach Read
It’s the thoughtful (and bookish) flourishes that make the biggest splash.
SET THE SCENE
It’s the ultimate ice breaker
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From coat management to being in charge of the 50 percent drink rule, the best hosts know how to delegate and let go of control. Sure, it alleviates your own workload, but it also gives guests something to do and an easy conversation starter as they mix and mingle with others.
Give your guests something to do
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TL;DR, it doesn’t have to be you. Designate the pal most likely to jot down zillions of notes in the margins as the person who will discuss the plot points as you cover the best (and worst) parts of the book. Did the author stick the landing? Favorite character? Movie potential? It will help maintain focus—and reward everyone’s reading efforts.
Every book club needs a leader
Calm is better than clean, so don’t sweat the small stuff. If you’re hosting at home, plan to give yourself a pre-arrival cut-off when it comes to prep. Think of it as your chance to prioritize your own state of mind. After all, guests will mirror the energy of the host. If you’re stressed about a messy bedroom or an hors d’oeuvre gone wrong, they’ll feel it. Instead, take a beat.
Build in 15 Minutes for a Vibe Check
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If you’re discussing the book al fresco, light the night with string lights. If you’re indoors on the couch, plan to rely on dimmers, candles or even just turn off one more light than usual to help set the vibe. It’s about setting the mood and making everyone feel cozy—from there, conversations can flow.
It’s All About the Ambiance
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Documenting the discussion is a must, but you can encourage guests to stay off their phones by placing a camera or two around the party (one by the snacks, the other by the sips). It not only provides an interactive moment, but it also allows you to keep a running record of your gathering.
Celebrate an Analog Selfie Opp
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You’ve laid out a beautiful spread. Now, one of the easiest ways to elevate it is with stacks of books you already own. Opt for colorful spines, vintage-looking tomes, whatever you feel brightens the aesthetic or honors the theme. You can also punctuate the piles with a book-themed vase filled with blooms. The result? A gathering with plenty of visual interest.
Consider the Centerpiece
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Ample and comfortable seating is a must if you want to have a lengthy and nuanced conversation. You can borrow them from a neighbor or invest in the fold-up variety, and they don’t have to be uniform, either. Having varying colors or sizes adds texture and creativity. But most important is that you can all squeeze together in a circle and let the reactions flow.
Invest in (or Borrow) Extra Chairs
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The cocktails you’re serving up are on point, but presentation matters. One of the best investments you can make is in a new set of glassware. A coupe glass is the preferred vessel of the 1920s and also delivers style and panache. It’s also a sophisticated way to elevate anything shaken or stirred.
Don’t Skimp on the Glassware
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Fresh florals, picnic baskets, charcuterie—these are all easy ways to elevate a gathering with a view.
Having a pizza delivered is a fun way to score major points with the crowd.
What to pour? The Cocktail Collection Ketel One Lemon Drop Martini
Rooftop Vibe
A warm, golden-hour vibe sets the tone for a lively book club amongst friends.
Make the prep work the fun part, pairing delicious sips with bite-sized snacks.
What to pour? The Cocktail Collection Ketel One Espresso Martini
Brownstone Book Club
A Whiskey Sour pairs nicely with a celeb memoir because both are about contrast: In other words, the raw revelations are sharp, but they’re also sweet. There’s also glamour and vulnerable moments, which your group can’t wait to unpack. As for what to eat? Chocolate-covered strawberries are fun, but so is a tray of savory and flavorful crostinis.
Historical fiction is meant to be savored, which is why an Espresso Martini is the perfect cocktail to pair. It’s rich and classic and full of depth, but also the kind of sip you’ll want to linger over while reading about worlds shaped by the past. Aim to serve it with foods that feel nostalgic—everything from a selection of mini quiches and blue-cheese stuffed olives to spicy pimento cheese straws.
In the same way a thriller builds and builds, so does an Old-Fashioned, thanks to its layered complexity, but also its finish. It’s the ultimate cocktail to serve as you dissect the secrets (and suspenseful storytelling) of your latest read. Think of it as a beverage with tension and one that pairs well with truffle popcorn, bacon-wrapped dates and dark chocolate.
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Histori-
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A little bit flirty, a lot fun: A Lemon Drop Martini is the bright and breezy cocktail that’s the perfect complement to that juicy summer beach read. But like a good vacation story, it also keeps things surprising, delivering a juicy punch of citrus that’s equal parts smooth and light. What to pair with it? Deviled eggs, Parmesan French fries and even Bruschetta balance it out.
This veers into romantasy territory, but there’s something simpler and more low-key about a rom-com read. Still, the witty banter, charm and romantic tension keeps everyone guessing. The same is true of the Crown Royal Black Cherry Whisky Sour, a balanced blend of lemon, fruity whiskey and bitters, plus notes of rich black cherry. Serve it with savory pastries.
It’s decadent without being heavy; glamorous without being overly indulgent. A Cosmo is the perfect sip to serve alongside that romantasy you all just devoured. But you’ll want to offer up something savory to counter the sweet. Think a charcuterie board with crackers, mild cheeses, mixed nuts and olives.
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Ketel One Cosmopolitan
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Serve up light bites and cocktail pairings, designed to match the mood of your current read.
SIPS & SNACKS
Crown Royal Black Cherry Whisky Sour
Lemon Drop Martini
Bulleit Old Fashioned
Ketel One Espresso Martini
Fiction
Bulleit Whiskey Sour
For when the last drink has been drunk, here are six calming (and efficient) ways to restore your space.
RESET THE NIGHT
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All those flowers you had sprinkled in miscellaneous vases as part of your book-themed centerpiece next to the hors d’oeuvres? Reset the night by corralling them all into a single spot. A showstopper of a vase is decorative and purposeful, too. Mainly, it provides the perfect catch-all for every stem to land.
Repurpose Blooms in a Tabletop Vase
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There’s something heavenly about a cozy throw draped effortlessly over the couch. Does it give you something to wrap yourself in as you finally put your feet up after a very social night? Yes. But does it also give the look of space that’s been reset and revitalized? Also, yes.
A Pretty Throw Gives You a Place to Land
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That Nancy Meyers playlist on Spotify? That’s just the ticket as you wind down the night. But you’ll ideally pipe it through a portable speaker (and one that uses Bluetooth) that you can carry with you from the kitchen to the bathroom and back again as you work to deep clean your space.
Rely on Music to Bring Back Calm
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Spritz it on throw pillows, cloth napkins or around the room. This aromatic mist is infused with notes of English lavender and white cedar to bring a sense of calm, but also clarity as you return your space to its pre-party vibe.
A Delicate Scent Can Air Things Out
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Leftovers abound. But there’s no reason all those hors d’oeuvres and canapés should go to waste. Glass storage that enables a fast cleanup, but allows you to quickly see what remains at a glance, is an investment worth making. You’ll relish the organization, not to mention the time saved not having to search for mismatched lids.
Embrace Easy (and Elevated) Storage
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Cleanup has never been carried out this fast. The PencilVac Fluffycones from Dyson is one of the most maneuverable vacuums we own. Use it to glide over couch crumbs, but also to provide a clean sweep of any area hit hard by mess.
Don’t Underestimate a Pencil Vac
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Host with the Most
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set the scene
set the scene
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sips & snacks
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reset the night
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Follow these steps:
Please do not forward or share with anyone under 21. Please Drink Responsibly.