Dan Levy Is the Low-Key King of Entertaining—and He Let Us In On His Boozy Secret Weapon

You could know Dan Levy greatest because the inimitable David Rose on Schitt’s Creek (ew, David), however the Canadian TV host turned actor turned writer-producer-creator-director has been hella busy because the hit present ended. Working example: he is within the U.Ok. proper now engaged on his directorial debut for Netflix, and his newest venture, The Large Brunch, a cooking competitors present by which he is each the host and a decide, hits HBO Max on November 10. Evidently, he is received rather a lot to have fun…and he may positively use a drink.

Whether or not Dan’s toasting to his successes or simply capping off an extended day, there’s one chilled bev Levy has lengthy turned to: the Cosmopolitan. And, in fact, we right here at Cosmo approve wholeheartedly. That is why we determined to speak to the multi-hyphenate, who just lately partnered with Cointreau (“It has been my favourite drink for therefore lengthy I assumed it was a joke,” he says of the decision he received from the model asking him to collab). Beneath, we chat about all issues entertaining, how he likes to serve his Cosmopolitans to family and friends, the best way to crush the holiday hosting game, and what he is most enthusiastic about for this upcoming season of life.

You are fairly the professional on all issues entertaining. Are you the go-to host for vacation meals, or do you’re keen on having folks over for dinner events?

I can not prepare dinner to save lots of my life. However I can combine a pleasant drink. So, if I’ve folks over, which I do typically, it’s with out query going to be takeout for the meal. Or, if I am fortunate, I will invite my chef mates over and type of pressure them into cooking. I wish to repay them in different methods, like with laughter and encouragement. I are likely to depend on nice takeout from a spot that I like in my neighborhood, after which I personalize my cocktails. Drink-making includes rather a lot lower than cooking does, and but oftentimes impresses visitors greater than the meals would. Making a Cosmopolitan for folks tends to work nice—most likely as a result of my mates are simply shocked that I am a succesful individual.

What’s it in regards to the Cosmopolitan that you simply like, and why is it your go-to drink through the holidays?

Cosmos are my drink of alternative—I organize them all over the place I am going and have for a few years. I do not drink rather a lot, however once I do, I like a drink that is each tart and candy. One thing not too heavy, however an ideal, refreshing beverage. Some folks make it higher than others, clearly, however when you’re at my home, I completely crush the Cosmo. I exploit Cointreau, vodka, contemporary cranberry, and contemporary lime, shaken to perfection or stirred, and it is a dream. I do not like very heavy issues, so that is just like the nice steadiness that covers all my bases.

We clearly love a very good Cosmopolitan cocktail. In your opinion, why is it the proper vacation drink?

I believe it is a mixture of the truth that a) it is a drink that makes folks really feel good, b) it’s extremely festive, and c) the colour is beautiful. The Cosmopolitan has all the time been celebratory. It is a simple make, you may batch them if you would like, and it is good to have one available to supply visitors as they arrive.

Because you affiliate the drink with celebration, do you may have any nice reminiscences that you simply affiliate with Cosmopolitans?

I realized to like Cosmopolitans from my dad [Schitt’s Creek co-star and actor Eugene Levy]. We have had many household and solid meals for our present that it turned our go-to drink. I simply kind of co-opted it as my very own. And now I am right here speaking in regards to the Cosmo, and he isn’t. [Laughs.]

Talking of booze: Batched cocktails—love ’em or hate ’em?

In case you can swing it, truly getting ready a cocktail for somebody is an actual act of generosity. As a bunch, that gesture goes a good distance. I am all the time impressed when folks make me drink, so I like to do this for individuals who come to my place. When you have lots of people arriving on the identical time, that is once I would batch it. However I do assume if it is a smaller banquet, there’s one thing fairly spectacular about simply being on the bar, prepping drinks for folks as they arrive.

Do you may have any suggestions for readers on the best way to crush the vacation internet hosting recreation?

Know your restrict. In case you’re like me and you may’t prepare dinner, then do not prepare dinner! Simply order a pizza. If you wish to be fancy, get takeout from a restaurant that you simply love. Lots of people are likely to panic and take to the web to seek out wild recipes and cocktails which can be approach outdoors of their consolation zones. As somebody who has been there, accomplished that, it isn’t price it. Keep on with what you recognize, maintain the phantasm alive, and simply have a very good time.

In the case of meals, what are you serving to pair together with your favourite Cosmo?

I’ve a toddler’s palette, and I am completely nice with that. I like a contemporary, completely made grilled cheese triangle. And I will let you know why: the Cosmopolitan has that stunning mix of candy and tart that cuts via the savory bread-and-cheese combo in probably the most lovely approach. I’m certain folks will roll their eyes at that, however you recognize what? I do not care. It’s my get together, and I will serve what I need to.

Your new present, The Large Brunch, comes out in November—why do you assume it’s a very good present to look at with family members over the vacations?

It’s *such* a feel-good present. I can not communicate extra extremely of it, and I am the primary individual to be very under-the-radar about my very own tasks. This present has nothing to do with me, and it is all in regards to the cooks. We discovered a group of a number of the kindest, sweetest, most supportive, most gifted individuals who have the gorgeous tales to inform. The cooks are superb, and I hope they’re in a position to make actual adjustments for the higher due to the chance. That is the dream. You’ll be able to’t assist however watch the present and smile.

This interview has been flippantly edited for size and readability.