http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/food/9260154.htm?1c
'Queer Eye' guy makes over the summer drink
BY MADELEINE MARR
mmarr@herald.com
Ted Allen, the hunky, bespectacled food and wine connoisseur on Bravo TV's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, the show whose weekly mission is to glam up a style- and culture-deficient hetero, has a new gig.
His mission: helping the masses entertain better -- and more healthfully.
Allen will be in Miami Saturday to introduce Perrier's plastic liter bottle and share his liver-friendly (read: nonalcoholic) summer party drink recipes and tips.
Here's a sneak peek:
The Herald: Many people think cocktails are meant to have alcohol in them.
Ted Allen: Probably the most important way to beat the heat is to stay hydrated. [Mineral water] . . . is a stylish and delicious way to achieve that goal. Zero carbs, zero cals.
H: How can you stay looking fabulous at a steamy outdoor party in SoFla?
TA: Spend as much time as possible in as little clothing as possible. Then, make it linen, cotton, or best of all, swimwear. If you get that wicker chaise lounge directly under the ceiling fan, stay there, and have other people bring your drinks to you. That way, nobody can steal your spot.
H: How do you make a drink look fabulous?
TA: Garnishes. They're so simple. I like natural ones that have flavor and aroma -- mint, rosemary, cinnamon sticks -- as opposed to umbrellas or flowers.
H: Any more fab flourishes?
TA: I love frozen juice cubes in cocktails. They add a nice dash of color, citrus aroma, and flavor the drink more as they melt. [Just freeze your favorite juice in ice cube trays; cranberry and orange work best.]
H: Any good party secrets?
TA: I think the most important job of a host is to make sure that everybody is taken care of, made to feel welcome, special. This is partly why coming up with these nonalcoholic recipes was so interesting and satisfying.
In recent years, guests who weren't looking for alcohol usually found themselves drinking a boring old cola or something. They deserve something special, fresh and luxurious, too.
H: Anything juicier than that?
TA: Always buy way too much ice (and food, and drink). You'll use it eventually. Never allow dead air; that is, never let the music stop. MP3 players are fantastic for avoiding this -- you can make a custom party playlist that's three days long. There are great mixes being sold these days if you're not up for making your own playlists.
H: If a host has to do one thing right, what should it be?
TA: Get a drink into each guest's hand within five minutes of arrival, make sure you have dimmers on your lights and break out the candles. Voil. Atmosphere.
H: Tunes?
TA: Summer-party music should be medium-mellow, and a nice mix: gentle dance music, then some be-bop from Miles Davis or such, a little Sarah Vaughan; occasionally something goofy like Abba or George Jones, maybe.
H: Are themed parties out?
TA: Color-themed parties are fine. But don't specify exactly what you want your guests to wear [e.g., all white, head to toe] every single time -- that can get on people's nerves. Mine, anyway!
The fact that you're inviting people to come over, eat and drink, and enjoy each other's company; that's a pretty good theme, right there.