The Host: Lauren Alexander

In anticipation of New Year's Eve, how the Sistine Spritz founder throws a house party

L.A. is a town of hosts. Of intimate dinner parties, celebrity-packed afterparties, supper clubs, pop-ups, barbecues, and the nightly spectacles that unfold at our buzzy and time-honored restaurants. The Host spotlights how our most courteous, clever, and consummate hosts make 10-person dinners, gallery openings, launch parties, and Saturday nights with a guestbook full of VIPs happen.

As this series develops, my inbox is open to tips! Send me names of inviting home cooks, shrewd maître d's, big-time party planners, pop-up curators, and the like. :)

Lauren Alexander is the founder of Sistine Spritz, an elegantly effervescent scarlet red drink made of organic California Chardonnay melded with a botanical brew of cardamom, lemon balm, and orange peel. She and her co-founder Kate McLamb launched the spritz this past fall with restaurant takeovers across town, from Marvin to Mona. For Lauren, throwing parties to introduce Sistine to L.A.’s most discerning drinkers was a no-brainer; she’s well-known as a natural host and skilled party planner. 17 years ago, she co-founded LNA Clothing and has served as the brand’s designer ever since. Along the way, she became enamored with wine, which led to a side hustle: The Wine Society, a series of parties meant to democratize wine and celebrate it as a sexy and not overly serious pastime. With Sistine, her talent for hosting and her expertise as a spritz connoisseur are on full display—reflected in a glass bottle bubbling with vibrant potential, not unlike the beginning of a great party.

When we met for an aperitivo at Seco last month, Lauren was gearing up to host 40 people at her home in Beverly Hills for Thanksgiving. She was also planning to throw a New Year’s Eve party, since last year’s was so successful. To inspire others to do the same, I sent her the prompts for The Host. Here’s how she answered.

How Lauren Alexander Hosts a House Party

The Host, Lauren Alexander, and the view from her home. All photos courtesy of Lauren Alexander.