Typsy Gypsy Traveling Bar’s Guide to a Next-Level Gathering

written by Andrea Ciardelli of Typsy Gypsy Traveling Bar

feature photo by Jessica Love Photography 
styled shoot design by Caroline Whitaker

FINDING OUR NEW NORMAL

Oh, how we have all missed each other! As we gradually return to our new normal, we are ready to gather. Large gatherings, small gatherings, neighbors, friends and family stopping by BECAUSE THEY CAN!!! And we are here for it! Now more than ever let’s be intentional with our time together. It’s no secret that we all missed gathering together. As we welcome people back into our homes, let's be ready to show them some generous hospitality. Nothing says “I missed you” more than more than a cool, refreshing cocktail and the clink of glassware on a deck in the summer breeze. I promise making impressive and delicious cocktails is doable no matter your mixology resume.

You can keep it as simple as a few friends on your patio, or level up with our beverage catering and traveling bar. No matter what your gatherings look like this summer, check out these fool-proof ways to wow your guests with ease this summer.

Photo by Henry Photography

WHAT IS A TRAVELING BAR? 

It’s the cutest party on wheels you have ever seen! We are a bartending service that quite literally brings the party to you. We offer concierge-level services so you don’t have to worry about any details when it comes to your beverage experience.

The BEST part? We roll in with the most adorable vintage horse trailer you’ve ever seen to serve those beautiful cocktails! Add your own decor details to match your vibe perfectly, or let us do our own thing. Talk about an unforgettable birthday, wedding, anniversary, dinner party or graduation party!

We do all the planning, shopping, organizing, preparation and delivery of all the things — with one exception — the alcohol. We are based in Ohio, and the state is a little particular when it comes to alcohol sales. But we are here to help you make decisions like what spirits should you choose, how much you need, how much ice, and how many mixers to purchase. Our goal is to make this as easy for you as possible. Every host should be able to show up to their own gathering and be able to be in the moment rather than freshening the ice, mixing cocktails, and clearing glassware. Let us do that, and you go enjoy your people!

Photo by Jessica Love Photography

WHAT KIND OF EVENTS DO YOU DO? 

Everything. If there is a reason to imbibe, we are THERE! We do everything from small backyard birthday parties, graduations, anniversaries, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and weddings. 

SUMMER COCKTAILS, REAL TALK

When it comes to summer bevs, we know not all of us are the bottle-slinging, fancy cocktail shaking type of bartender who is serving smoking cocktails with 17 ingredients to wow our guests. Maybe some of you are — congratulations, you are one of a select few — rock on with your bad selves. Meanwhile the rest of us just got home from work and want to enjoy a cocktail on the deck with some good music and good company. We don’t have time to curate elaborate garnishes, mix a drink for 20 minutes and then complete with two types of ice. We aren’t milk washing or smoking these things (super cool trends by the way), we just want a quick, easy, and delicious cocktail to offer our guests while they’re with us!

Things to consider when making great cocktails (I promise not to get too bougie here). Good cocktails are what we call “balanced.” In bar speak, that means they aren’t too sweet, fruity, herbal, or sour, but a perfect combination of those qualities.

Let’s talk simple cocktails. If you are the “I’ve never made a cocktail for someone in my life” type of person, this one is for you! 

Photos by Henry Photography

Fruit: think of some fruit you typically have on hand in the summer like strawberries and raspberries.

Tart: consider your sour element. In the summer, keep lemons on hand. You can use them to dress up your 64 oz of water you drink everyday, use them on that salmon you’re grilling tonight or slice them and add them to an ice cube tray for some adorable ice cubes if you just can’t use the entire bag before they go bad. They won’t go to waste if you get creative. If you notice they are getting ripe before you can use them, throw them in the refrigerator to slow the ripening process. 

Sweet: Simple syrup is a great sweetener because you can dress it up and make it fancy if you’re comfortable with preparing it, or you can buy it at the store near the mixers and bitters. It is one of the easier sweetening agents because it doesn’t impart much flavor, but helps balance the drink. Remember we talked about balance right? It is just sugar water. 

To make simple syrup you will stir equal parts sugar and boiling water together. Once you add the sugar, turn off the heat and stir the syrup until all the sugar has dissolved.I recommend adding 1 cup water to 1 cup boiling water to give you a little under 2 cups of syrup. This will last up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

Herbal: This is where you can really surprise yourself. Adding fresh herbs to your cocktails adds another dimension of deliciousness. Easy herbs to incorporate in the summer are mint, basil, and rosemary. They work well with most fruits and light-colored spirits. 

If you are just venturing into at-home bartending, welcome! You’ll be disappointed you didn’t try this when the world stopped last year. 

Summer Fruit + Herb Cocktail Recipe

1. Decide which spirit you are using. I recommend our novice friends stick with vodka because the flavor profile is fairly neutral and will work well with any combination of fruit, sweetener, sour and herb. Once you get more comfortable, try gin, tequila, and bourbon in different combinations with your fruit and herb choices.
2. Mash  ¼ cup of your summer fruit in a bowl. You can do this using a fork or a potato masher. Side note: strawberries, raspberries and peaches are great this time of year because they are at their peak of freshness and flavor.
3. Mash in a small handful of herbs. Basil and or mint are delicious with strawberry, rosemary, mint and basil are all great with raspberries and peaches. This will help release the oils of the herb and quickly infuse it into your fruit.
4. Add mashed fruit to a glass, then add 1 ounce (or 2 tablespoons) of simple syrup to your glass. 
5. Squeeze half of a lemon over a separate glass. Remove any seeds from the juice and add the lemon juice to your fruit/syrup/herb mixture.
6. Next add 1.5 ounces of your spirit. 
7. Stir with a straw, THEN add ice. This will also help mix your ingredients. 
8. Garnish with a leaf of mint or basil, and a lemon wheel to look fancy! If it is too strong for your liking, cut it with a little soda water.

Pineapple Spice Infusion Cocktail Recipe

Here’s another summer go-to of ours. We are taking it to the next level: infusions!

1. Add 4 cups of fresh or frozen pineapple chunks to a large sealable container (pitchers or drink dispensers are great). Cover pineapple with 750 ml of vodka. You don’t need to use the top-shelf stuff. Your middle tier vodkas will work perfectly (Smirnoff or Finlandia). Seal and refrigerate for 3-4 days before serving.
2. Let’s make cocktails! Add 2 tablespoons of chopped cucumber, two slices of fresh jalapeño finely chopped, a small pinch of cilantro, and the juice of one lime to a bowl. Mash all ingredients together with a fork or potato masher. After mashed, add all contents to a glass.
3. Measure 1 oz (2 tablespoons) of agave nectar and add to the glass. 
4. Add 1.5 oz (3 tablespoons) of your pineapple infused vodka and stir with a straw then add ice.
5. Garnish with a sprig of cilantro, a cucumber slice and a pineapple chunk. 

Either of these are perfect for summer and will make you the hostess with the mostest this summer with minimal effort on your part. Either of these cocktails can be made by the pitcher. Prepare all your garnishes that way you can just pour and top the cocktails with ease and be that host who can really live in the moment and enjoy your people! 

CHEERS friends, let’s get a little Typsy,

Andrea Ciardelli
Owner, Typsy Gypsy Traveling Bar

About Andrea

Andrea is the owner and operator of the newest mobile bar to hit Columbus, Ohio. Andrea was an equestrian growing up and rode on Ohio State’s Equestrian Team. The newly renovated vintage horse trailer was purchased from a family friend and the company is named after her mother’s horse Smoothie, a Gypsy Vanner (a beautiful breed of horse).  

A former Cameron Mitchell employee, she is no stranger to the bar scene or the hospitality industry. Andrea believes her traveling bar delivers an experience, not just a drinks and a bartender. Her mission is to be more than just someone who makes and serves pretty cocktails; her team goes above and beyond to serve up genial hospitality. To learn more about hosting an event with Typsy Gypsy Traveling Bar, find them on social media @typsygypsycolumbus or their website typsygypsycolumbus.com.