Bottled cocktails, or ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages, are all the rage right now. Around 55% of average consumers consider them as a convenient way to have a cocktail.

While convenience is an attractive factor, there are plenty of other reasons why bottled cocktails are on the rise. Check out the benefits and options you have when it comes to this new trend.

What Is a Bottled Cocktail?

Bottled cocktails are pre-mixed alcoholic beverages. Some bottles are interesting artisanal blends; others are simple and straightforward drinks. These drinks require no effort on your part—just open, sip, and enjoy.

Beyond hard alcoholic beverages, you also have access to canned wine and hard seltzers. Additionally, some bottled cocktails come in the form of do-it-yourself kits. While these require a little bit of effort, they’re still much easier to handle than purchasing every cocktail ingredient yourself.

The Benefits of Bottled Cocktails

From bars to liquor stores, you have a lot of options when it comes to making cocktails. However, bottled cocktails provide significant perks and should be on your radar. If you’re skeptical about bottled cocktails, take a look at these fantastic benefits that cater to all sorts of situations and tastes.

They’re Portable

Whether you’re going to the beach or a picnic, no one wants to lug around bottles of wine and liquor. That’s why bottled cocktails are an excellent choice for on-the-go activities.

By bringing ready-to-drink cocktails, you save yourself the hassle of mixing drinks yourself. After all, no one wants to go on bartender duty when they’d rather have fun.

They’re Simple

Depending on if you choose a cocktail-making kit or a ready-to-drink cocktail, the main perk is simplicity. You no longer have to purchase several different bottles of liquor, mixers, and garnishes to create your ideal cocktail. Depending on the type of cocktail, you get all of the ingredients together without any effort on your part.

You Get Variety

Bottled cocktails are perfect for people who want variety in their alcoholic drinks. Kits and bottled cocktails allow you to explore interesting recipes with ease, such as hard seltzers. If you prefer the classics, like an old fashioned or a martini, you have access to those too.

Plus, whether you’re looking for a light afternoon sip or a stiff party, there are plenty of options for whatever you’re in the mood for. You can check out these bottled cocktails that are boxed and ready-to-ship, check out your local grocery store or even make your own.

They’re Cost-Effective

Bottled cocktails prevent you from having to purchase entire liquor bottles. Plus, some cocktails require niche garnishes and odd additions that end up getting wasted if you only make one cocktail. The cost-savings are all part of what makes bottled cocktails worth your attention.

Opt for Bottled Brews

Bottled cocktails aren’t just a new trend. These types of cocktails provide great benefits and make happy hours a lot easier for everyone involved. With the wide variety of cocktails available, you’re guaranteed to find a blend you’ll love without the hassle of making it yourself.

If you loved this guide, check out the rest of our posts. We write helpful blogs about traveling, recipes, and more.

Are you having a hard time planning a destination wedding?

Did you know that the wedding industry has a value of 55.1 billion USD despite the pandemic? This means that you’re still going to spend a lot when you opt for a traditional wedding. This is often the number one hurdle for most couples as it means that they need to have a high budget to get married.

If you go for a destination wedding, though, you forgo most of the costs of a traditional wedding. How to plan a destination wedding, though? Check what we have below to learn how you can plan a destination wedding and get married in the most scenic way possible.

Choose a Meaningful Destination

The first thing that you should plan when going for a destination wedding is the destination itself. Deciding on this will help you plan out the rest of the event with ease. What’s great is that there are tons of locations for you to choose from.

The best destination weddings are amazing because the bride and groom choose a location that’s meaningful to them. So, to make your as enjoyable and successful, make sure your venue has a meaning behind it. Select a special location from your childhood memories if you want it to add more memories to the venue.

You can also pick among the best destination wedding locations if you’re strapped for ideas. These are sure to give you and your guests a good time before, during, and after the wedding.

Set a Budget

Now that you have a destination in mind, use that as a reference to what your budget will be. Make sure that you include the cost of the accommodation and the fees for travel in your budget to know how much you have left.

Use that budget to plan out the rest of the event. A great way to cut on costs and extend your budget is by forgoing traditional wedding decor. Replace them with local flora, instead, as they’re likely cheaper than cloth and fabrics.

You can also choose local delicacies to make all the investments going towards food friendlier to your budget. Doing all these things should help you with your budget for the wedding.

Create an Invite List

With your budget in mind, you should now choose who you’ll invite to your wedding. A good rule of thumb is to invite the people who matter the most to you first. Once you complete that list, consider how much you’ll need to pay for each of them and if it fits in your budget.

If you still have room for more, consider who can and will go abroad to celebrate your special day with you. Including these people is sure to help you fill the seat count for your big day.

Ensure You Have All Necessary Documents

Once you have the destination nailed down, prepare all the documents you need. This goes beyond a marriage certificate and license. Traveling abroad for a wedding means you must also have a Visa and passport at the ready.

Make sure to prepare the change of name documents, birth certificates, and death certificates for divorcees. You never know when you’ll need them, and it’s a pain to get those documents if you’re in another country.

Make sure to include written authorization letters for your guests, too. Anyone under 18 will need this to travel abroad if they don’t have their parents with them.

Choose Someone to Officiate Your Wedding

Next, you need to choose someone who will officiate the wedding for you. If the country you’re traveling to shares the same religious beliefs as you, it should be easy to find one. If not, though, it can be a pain to find someone who will.

Check the local laws to see who they allow to wed people in destination weddings. If you see that they allow anyone who’s gotten ordained before, you can have your friends officiate for you. Doing this makes your wedding one of a kind and is a great way to save on money.

Pick a Theme

Now that you have most worries out of the way, it’s time to pick the theme of your wedding. You’ll want to pick a theme that suits your destination for the wedding. If you’re doing the wedding at a beach, going for a tropical theme is a good idea.

If you don’t want to pick a theme, pick a color scheme, instead. Pick colors that will benefit you and the guests at the destination. Dark colors for cold environments, and lighter ones for hotter environments.

Notify Your Guestlist In Advance

With most of the items on your checklist done, it’s about time for you to notify your guests. Doing this will help them know how much they have to set aside for their fare. Most guests have no idea until a short time before the wedding, making them miss the event.

Doing this also helps your guests pack for the location. They will know what to wear for their leisure time and what they should wear for the wedding itself.

Handpick Your Vendors

Before it’s too late, visit the location and handpick your vendors. It’s better to do this early on so that you can consider your budget and scout the local talent. One way to do this is to ask the locals for referrals.

They’re more familiar with the people in the location and can point you towards the best of the best. This will give you time to negotiate the prices and secure their services for the day.

Learn How to Plan a Destination Wedding Today

Planning a destination wedding shouldn’t be a stressful thing to do. It should be as relaxing as the venue you’ll set for the event. Check our guide and learn how to plan a destination wedding today!

Do you want to learn more about weddings and event planning? Check out more of our posts and guides to learn all you can about event planning today!

In a recent survey, Italian food was crowned the world’s favorite cuisine.

But how do you find the best Italian restaurant when you get that craving? It’s not just about pizza and pasta anymore. Italian food has so much more to give.

So if you’re feeling hungry, let’s take a look at a few things you can do to ensure you’re getting the best of the best.

If you’re serious about Italian food, it’s important to do some research before visiting a new restaurant. A few key questions you will want to answer are:

1. Who are the owners?
2. Is the food authentic?
3. Is the restaurant self-service or table service?
4. Do they serve other cuisines?
5. How are the reviews?

Ideally, you will be able to find the answers on the restaurant’s website. However, in some cases, you may need to look further, such as on social media. 

Who Are the Owners?

Great food comes from passionate Chefs. When trying to decide how to choose a restaurant, the owner should play a part in your decision.

Finding an Italian restaurant run by an Italian is a great start. Chances are the food is more authentic, having been passed down through the family. 

However, it is possible to find authentic and delicious food made by a non-native. The key is to avoid franchise restaurants with generic menus that are the same at all locations. 

Is the Food Authentic?

A few keys things to take into account when checking out an Italian menu are:

• Italian food is usually seasonal
• The dishes shouldn’t be covered in cheese and sauce
• It’s so much more than just pasta

Great Italian food changes with the weather and highlights quality ingredients. They use lots of fresh vegetables, and rarely will you see a bowl full of pasta drowning in sauce. 

Is the Restaurant Self-Service or Table Service?

Typically, a self-service restaurant is thought of as a lower class of dining experience than table service, and in some cases that is accurate. 

On the other hand, when you learn more about it, you can see why many restaurants are changing their business models – especially in the current climate. By removing the servers, the restaurant has the opportunity to focus more on the kitchen and the quality of food. 

Do They Serve Other Cuisines?

Although you should be looking for a variety of dishes, a kitchen that serves up a variety of cuisines might not be the best option when it comes to quality. 

A restaurant that is trying to cater to everyone is less likely to be the best option if you want real Italian food. Their focus is more on getting tables booked than what they are serving. 

How Are the Reviews?

Checking reviews is a must. Any great meal can be spoiled by a rude server or an unappealing atmosphere. 

Search for local Italian restaurants and see what people have to say. In many larger cities and towns, you should be able to find reviews left by tourists. Look for those by visitors from Italy to get the most trustworthy information. 

It’s Ok to Order Pizza

Italy is the home of pizza, after all, so don’t be ashamed to order one when you find the right Italian restaurant for you.

By doing a little research beforehand, you should be able to find a place that will offer you some authentic local cuisine, along with the familiar favorites. The difference will be the quality of the ingredients which you will no doubt be able to taste. 

Check out our food section for more help with finding your next great meal.