Bronson van Wyck's New Canned Cocktails Turn Any Gathering Into A Fancy Affair

Event planner to the stars Bronson van Wyck certainly knows a thing or two about throwing a great party. 

The social set's go-to for glittering fetes, Bronson has worked with A-listers (Beyoncé, Madonna, and Gwyneth Paltrow to name a few), as well as foundations like amfAR and Save Venice (whose save-the-dates are consistently the most anticipated of the year). And as a seasoned host with the most, you can be sure he has plenty of entertaining tricks up his sleeve.

Not least of all is his latest venture: DIO canned cocktails!

Named for the party god himself, Dionysus, the new line of revelry-ready sips can turn even the most casual gathering into a fancy affair. Available in mixology-inspired flavors including Spicy Pineapple Margarita, Hibiscus Rose French 75, and Turmeric Ginger Lemon Drop, the premade cocktails effortlessly elevate your drink menu for any occasion. 

Scroll on for Bronson's tips on serving DIO - and get ready to say goodbye to those Solo cups of cheap vodka-cranberry for good.

DIO sounds like the perfect hack for busy hosts. And you would know quite a bit about that. What inspired you to launch canned cocktails?
I’ve spent the last two decades helping some of the best hosts and hostesses in the world welcome their guests with graciousness, generosity, whimsy, and love. To me, love begins with a stiff drink. Creating special and unique cocktails has always been part of that equation. DIO is my opportunity to share some of those recipes with others who have the same devotion to celebration . . . but pre-batched and as easy to serve as 1-2-3.

How did you land on the fun flavor offerings?
DIO’s flavors are inspired by some of the great parties we’ve done and by some of the great places I’ve traveled. The Hibiscus Rose French 75 is in homage to my time in Paris working for the legendary hostess Pamela Harriman when she was our ambassador there. The Turmeric Ginger Lemon Drop captures the tastes and smells and colors of an Indian spice market. A good spicy margarita is my 5 o’clock staple, and the Spicy Pineapple Margarita uses pineapple and vanilla bean to make it finish as deliciously as it begins.

How would you recommend enjoying a DIO?
I drink mine two ways: either at home over ice in my nicest Moser “Iceberg” tumblers, or as a roadie in a Solo cup when I’m walking out the door to hit the next party. The great thing is, they’re ready to go when you need them. If you want to serve a mixologist-level cocktail to your friends and family, with the freshest, finest quality, all-natural ingredients, but you don’t want to go to the trouble of making your own hibiscus simple syrup or shaving lemon zest or grinding up turmeric, you just grab one and pop the can.

What is your core philosophy when it comes to entertaining?
If your guests are hungry, feed them; if they’re cold, warm them up; if they’re hot, cool them off; and if they’re thirsty, give them a drink. Never complain, never explain, and whatever happens, never, ever, run out of ice.

For a more casual get-together, what are some easy ways to make the event feel elevated, even if the host is short on time and/or budget?
My grandmother served fried chicken on Royal Crown Derby china with linen napkins. High and low to the ultimate degree, but it feels effortless and elevated at the same time. For drinks, nice glassware is great, but fresh ingredients or a surprising flavor combination are what truly set cocktails apart. I started DIO so that all you need to do is pour them over ice to tell everyone that you went the extra mile.

When in doubt:
Candles and shots. Not necessarily in that order.

[Photos courtesy DIO/Bronson van Wyck]