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(ARA) – Paris, a place known for “the good life,” is filled with the very finest in culture, entertainment, dining and shopping. When you can’t enjoy the experiences in person, why not bring the city’s grandeur into your home by hosting a Paris-themed cocktail party. Take your inspiration from one of the most socially noteworthy times in French history - the Art Deco period. Turn to the lobby of the luxury four-star Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris for great ideas. With its hand-painted ceilings, grand chandeliers and purple motif, the hotel’s lobby, restaurant, rooms and bar resemble a trans-Atlantic ocean liner that ferried travelers between Europe and New York in the 1920s and 30s.
You can easily recreate the hotel’s distinctive look in your home with a few items from your local arts and crafts, poster or party stores. Drape velvet or purple fabric over the tables and chairs, fill glass vases with purple lilacs or lilies, and hang posters that feature geometric designs and bold colors representative of the era. Fashion, transportation and destinations were popular motifs of the time.
For the menu, you can find many delicious options in most French cookbooks. Serve simple hors d’oeuvres with a French flair. Warm breads with sliced meats and cheeses including Brie, and quiches and tarts are good options.
Make the party memorable with special drinks. Hilton, the hotel company credited with inventing the Pina Colada (at the Caribe Hilton in Puerto Rico in 1954), now introduces the “Long Purple,” a cocktail as chic as the hotel where it was created.
“The Long Purple is a mix of very different and unusual flavors to obtain an exceptional taste,” says Thierry Atger, resident mixologist at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris. “Our guests enjoy the cocktail at the hotel’s Purple Bar and often request the recipe so they can serve Long Purple once back at home.”
Here’s the recipe:
Vanilla vodka (1.5 ounces)
Black currant liqueur (0.75 ounces)
Pineapple juice (2 ounces)
Cranberry juice (2 ounces)
Served with red fruits in a highball glass, the drink is usually enjoyed for its fruity taste and fun color. “It goes with everything,” says Atger. “You can drink it fresh at any time of the day.”
And, when you make it to Paris, be sure to stop by the Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris to pay homage to the birthplace of what will soon become your favorite drink. The hotel is in a great location - just a short walk to the popular sights and shops of the famous Champs Elysees.
For more information about the Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris log on to www.arcdetriompheparis.hilton.com
Courtesy of ARA Content
