A night filled with as much glitz and glam as the Emmy Awards is one deserving of a few equally dashing libations. This is why every year after the awards ceremony is over, Hollywood's elite flock to the annual after-party know as the Governors Ball where they feast on delicious delicacies while washing their palates with some of the finest wines and cocktails.
For the second year in a row, Ketel One Family-Made Vodka will serve as the Emmys' Official Spirits Partner, whipping up handcrafted cocktails for all the celebs in attendance following the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday.
What's on the drink menu at this year's ball? Lauded mixologist Charles Joy, who worked with Ketel One at the Emmy's last year, has curated a variety of innovative beverages full of nuanced flavors. Interesting combinations include the colorful Dapper Dragon, featuring exotic fruits and spices; the pineapple juice, cold brew and banana chai foam infused Moonlighter; Joy's spicy honey take on the classic Mule and a delightfully refreshing non-alcoholic number made with citrus, papaya and coconut dubbed The Helmsman.
Joy told Newsweek the inspiration behind this year's Emmys cocktail recipes came from many sources, starting with the Governor's Ball theme, "Brilliance in Motion."
"We start in the early stages of planning for this incredible event. I want to know what the big picture will look like for the parties, so the cocktails make sense with the theme, decor, food and music. The Emmys is a celebration of countless hours of hard work by the people behind our favorite shows—the cocktails need to carry that same energy and be festive. It's the perfect opportunity to 'Drink Marvelously,' which is exactly what Ketel One is communicating through their new creative campaign," Joy explained.
As exciting as it may be to serve up the Emmy nominated casts of shows like Game of Thrones and Veep, building up the bar doesn't come without a ton of work beforehand. Joy and his team spend countless hours months in advance planning and prepping for the main event just to dish out more than 7,000 cocktails throughout the night.
That's nothing compared to the 10,000 glasses of wine—roughly 300 gallons—that will be poured during the Governor's Ball.
Napa Valley producers Sterling Vineyards will uncork more than 1,500 bottles of their 2015 Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon, 2017 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay along with the 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Potential Emmy winners of the night like nominees Ava DuVernay, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and several others will be gifted special engraved bottles of Sterling Vineyard's prestigious 2015 Napa Valley Iridium Cabernet Sauvignon.
After all the nerves from flashing photographer lights, red carpet walks and acceptance speeches, it's easy to imagine even big name celebrities wanting to kick back with a relaxing glass of wine.
"The Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet served at the bars within the Governor's Ball is sourced from the best cabernet for our style of wine—a fruit-forward, easy-drinking red wine that is perfect after walking the red carpet," Lauren Kopit, Sterling Vineyards' winemaker, told Newsweek, adding that the Iridium, named after the rarest metal on Earth, came from the winery's most renowned vineyards and showcases the wine's finest and most intense expression.
Meanwhile, Italian Prosecco vintner Ferrari Trento will be in charge of bubbly during the celebration.
Although viewers won't get to watch their favorite actors and directors toss back Joy's "Marvelous Mules" at the Governor's Ball, as the event is private, they can at least drink wine like the stars while watching the Emmy Awards.
Sterling Vineyards' wines are available at retailers across the country. Prices range from $20 to $50 depending on the vintage. For an extra taste of Emmys glitz, bottles of the brand's Iridium sell for $250.
