Kyle Cooke & Amanda Batula Share Their Holiday Hosting Tips: "Nothing Is Off Limits"

After years of themed Summer House bashes and parties at home with their Winter House castmates, Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula have become experts at hosting epic gatherings. While they've proved that fun decor, competitive games, and, yes, mullet wigs can enhance any fete, it's no surprise that the Loverboy co-founders also put a great deal of thought into their alcohol selection when they have guests.  

With the holiday season in full swing, the newlyweds are sharing their hosting must-haves with BravoTV.com. As you're stocking up on their go-to drinks, barware, and food for your next get-together, don't forget to also check out some cozy Loverboy merch from the Bravo Bazaar.   

Below, Kyle and Amanda detail everything you need for hosting a holiday gathering with ease:   

Bravo: What alcohol and mixers do you always have on hand when hosting for the holidays? 
Kyle & Amanda: Aside from having Loverboy (Sparkling Hard Teas, Spritz, and Martinis) on hand at all times, no holiday party is complete without some vino. We like to start the night with a glass of Prosecco and are always stocked up with Josh Cab sav. Fireball is always available in our home. How can you not think of or be reminded of the holiday season when taking a shot of that cinnamon deliciousness? Beyond that, we of course have the classics such as gin, vodka, mezcal, and whisky for anyone who comes over and is looking to add some extra holiday “spirit” into their Loverboy cocktail of choice. Nothing is off-limits in our household!

How do you make holiday hosting feel easy? 
Our best suggestion and something we live by to make holiday hosting a little easier is to purchase pre-made cocktails. That’s part of the reason why we created our Loverboy Spritz and Espresso Martini. Our Sparkling Hard Teas are also a great lower alcohol option and can even double as a zero-sugar mixer to spice up your traditional cocktail further. When your cocktails are ready to go and they just need to be chilled before serving to guests, it makes everyone’s lives easier, since we know sometimes hosting can be stressful! Not to mention, it helps minimize the cleanup of all those dirty glasses. When the packaging is as classy and elegant as ours, it only adds to the stunning event you’ve spent so much time prepping for.

Any tips for organizing your bar or bar cart so it looks presentable?
Less is more, and you can always restock. Don’t feel the need to put everything you have out all at once — it can also be overwhelming to guests if there are too many options. Most importantly, keep it organized. We always like to set things up in order of use. Start off with the glassware and an ice bucket. Then have all of your canned cocktails, spirits, and seltzer ready for mixing. Finish it off with drink accessories like holiday-inspired straws, cocktail napkins, and coasters. If you have space and want to spice things up even further, feel free to add in some fun decorations that embody the theme of your holiday party or gathering.

What snacks do you serve that go well with your drink selection?
Cheese and crackers always, all night long. The bigger the charcuterie board, the better. In our minds, cheese pairs well with everything (especially alcohol). Since we know not everyone feels as passionately about cheese as we do, finger foods are the next best thing. This helps promote socializing when you can just pop something into your mouth and don’t need a plate or utensils to eat it. Some of our household staples include mini quiche and mini hot dogs. 

What are a few key pieces of dinnerware you always have on hand for serving?
At our house, we have an abundance of wine glasses. This includes red, white, champagne, and plenty of fun stemless styles. We love to mix and match depending on the event and occasion. We also have a cheese board to fit any occasion: Some on the smaller side for a date night and some that are large enough for a big holiday party. A charcuterie board in all shapes and styles also helps to elevate any holiday celebration that your guests are guaranteed to love.

Want more Summer House? Season 6 premieres January 17 at 9/8c or catch up on the latest season through the Bravo app.