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Film Fest: Your Guide to Movie Night

Thu, Feb 19, 2026  |  entertaining

by Robert Giles

 

Hosting your own film festival? Planning an awards show watch party? Wanting to add a little Hollywood glam to your next get together? This guide will help you plan your event so that the only drama you see is on the big screen. So roll out that red carpet and let’s plan a party!

HOLLYWOOD & VINE

It turns out a lot of actors (and directors) really want to produce…wine, that is. Here is our list of A-listers you should audition at your next party.


Francis Ford Coppola produces many wines including Director’s Cut, Archimedes, Eleanor, Storytellers, Diamond Series, Sofia Rosé and more.


You might also try Miraval, started by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, as well as a few brands started by musicians like Maison No. 9 by Post Malone, Avaline Wine by Cameron Diaz and Luc Belaire from Rick Ross.

Interested in Celebrity Spirits such as Nick Offerman's Lagavulin Scotch? Check out this blog post.

POPCORN PAIRINGS

If you want to take your popcorn game to the next level, check out our recipes below.

 

Keep the drinks light and fun so as to not overpower the popcorn flavors. Think pilsners or lagers for beer and rosé or white wines.

 

If you're unsure about a pairing or want a specific flavor combination, feel free to ask our specialists to get you set up with the right one.

RANCH

Melt 4 tbsp. butter with a 1 oz. packet of ranch seasoning mix; toss with 16 cups hot popcorn and 2 tbsp. chopped chives. Season with salt.


BACON-CHIVE

Cook 6 slices bacon until crisp; drain on paper towels, reserving the drippings; chop bacon. Drizzle 2 tbsp. each of reserved bacon drippings and melted butter over 16 cups hot popcorn. Toss with the bacon, ½ cup chopped chives and ½ teaspoon cayenne. Season with salt.


MARGARITA

Melt 6 tbsp. of butter with 2 tbsp. each lime juice and tequila, 2 tsp each sugar and kosher salt, and 1½ tsp. grated lime zest in a skillet over medium heat; drizzle over 12 cups hot popcorn and toss with 4 cups lightly crushed lime-flavored tortilla chips.


SRIRACHA-LIME

Whisk 5 tbsp. melted butter with ¼ cup Sriracha, 1 ½ tsp. grated lime zest and 1 tbsp. lime juice; drizzle over 16 cups hot popcorn and toss. Season with salt.


Was James Bond Right?

“Vodka Martini. Shaken, not stirred.”


It’s a famous line that solidified James Bond as a sophisticated spy. But it might have you wondering when do you shake, when do you stir and does it matter?


Shaking a drink with ice will subtly dilute the overall drink while frothing creamy ingredients. Drinks that are comprised of all alcohol or easily blended ingredients are better presented when stirred.

Here are 007 ingredients that call for giving your cocktail a good shake.

  1. Citrus
  2. Fruit juice
  3. Eggs
  4. Cream
  5. Cream liqueur
  6. Dairy
  7. CLASSIFIED…just kidding. Ask your Colonial Celebration Specialist what they recommend if you are unsure about a particular ingredient.

CINEMATIC SIPS

Looking for some scene-stealing cocktails? Check out these cocktail recipes!

ACTION: The Vesper

Yields 8 four oz. servings


Ingredients

  • 3 cups Citadelle Gin
  • 1 cup Tito’s Vodka
  • ½ cup Lillet Blanc
  • lemon twists for garnish

Directions

When making these one at a time they should be shaken Bond style. This larger batch may be stirred. Make in advance, cover, and place in the freezer two hours before serving. To serve, pour into a well-chilled coupe or martini glass and garnish with lemon twist.

COMEDY: Bourbon Lemonade

Yields 8 four oz. servings


Ingredients

  • 8 oz. Marker’s Mark Bourbon
  • 2 cups lemonade
  • 1 cup pomegranate juice
  • Lemon wedge or ​cherry for garnish

Directions

Combine the first three ingredients over ice and shake vigorously (if you have a suitable container), otherwise stir until all ingredients are mixed together thoroughly. Serve immediately, or strain off of ice and refrigerate. Strain into a rocks glass with ice and garnish with a lemon wedge or cherry.


CRIME / GANGSTER: Dark & Stormy

Yields 8 four oz. servings


Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups Gosling’s Black Seal Rum
  • 5 ½ cups Fever Tree Ginger Beer

Directions

Combine the two ingredients in a large pitcher and stir lightly before each pour.


Fill a rocks glass with ice, and pour. Garnish with a lime wedge.


DRAMA: Classic Negroni

Yields 8 four oz. servings


Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cup Roxor Gin
  • 1 ½ cup Dolin Sweet Vermouth
  • 1 ½ Campari
  • orange peel for garnish

Directions

Stir with ice for 20-30 seconds. Strain into coupe glass. Garnish with an orange peel.


By robert@colonialwineshop.com