August Vendor Spotlight: Hot To Trot Bartending

Andy Anthony
4 days ago
3 min read

Nicole Cozetto, owner of Hot To Trot, posing with a cocktail — Nicole Cozetto, owner of Hot To Trot, Photo by Beautiful Feeling Photography

Now that things are all heated up in August, let's get refreshed with a garden-to-glass philosophy behind another one of my favorite vendors, Hot To Trot Bartending Co. Run by Nicole Cozetto, it's the perfect addition to a summer wedding. That's why Hot to Trot is my August vendor spotlight!

I love the concept behind Nicole's business, which, when viewed from a high level, is a mobile bartending service perfect for weddings and other events. Going a little deeper, the concept elevates past just "give people drinks" and more into "connect people to nature." This is bespoke mixology made with the finest organic and homemade ingredients, meaning you're getting to enjoy a beverage made specially for your party from ingredients sources from the Portland Metro Area.

Bride and groom get drinks at the Hot to Trot Buggy — Photo by KMT Photos

Nicole is going to make sure you're taken care of from the first tasting to the last drop, offering a seamless event experience including ice, mixers, dry goods, organic scratch-made syrups, fresh-squeezed juices, and locally sourced garnishes. Packages include 3-to-5 hours of serving time, though she's open to discussing your specific needs. You can also add onto your event with extras such as mocktails, a satellite bar, keg tap systems, seating areas, and hydration stations (very nice when it gets really hot).

Do be aware, Hot To Trot does not furnish the alcohol for the event, but they will work with you on a grocery list to help facilitate the types of drinks you're looking for. And that's not just alcoholic drinks either, as they offer non-alcoholic mocktails, cocoa, cider, all sorts of options. Spirited drinks with our without spirits!

Two brides pose in front of an outdoor bar from Hot to Trot as Nicole Cozetto mixes a drink — Photo by Beautiful Feeling Photography

I kind of super love her fleet of bar options, including the Buggy (a full trailer starting at $1,299), the Geppetto (a repurposed Disneyland concessions cart starting at $1,099), and the Bardenia (a retro-inspired mobile bar starting at $999). You can mix and match the fleet as your celebration dictates, and if you already have a bar and just need the talent, they offer their services starting at $175 an hour.

Ooh, and another fun part of Hot To Trot, they offer a mixology class, which is an awesome thing to do with the wedding party leading up to the big day. This gives you a chance to unwind from the stress and make some drinks, as either just a bonding experience with the group or as part of a bachelor or bachelorette party.

But enough from me, let's give Nicole the floor to speak:

"My background in hospitality and a Dad who is a chef with a love and passion for flavor, presentation, and food experience led me to these doors. For as far back as my childhood memory would take me, I recall my Dad's commentary surrounding food he or someone else made being 'too salty, overdone, too bland, not enough depth, temp is off.' That all somehow rubbed off on me and translated to the beverage world of cocktails and mocktails. I find joy in hospitality and connection but I also find joy in the craft of adventurous flavors and combinations that might sometimes be unconventional but dance together beautifully. The importance of real, authentic, clean ingredients with no preservatives or anything artificial mirrors the character you meet behind it all! ;) I believe that people have layers and a uniqueness, and I think that food and drink should too. <3"