Three Years of #SummerOfCarlos
Three years ago, Summer of Carlos began with one sangria recipe and a dream to share adventure, boldness, and belonging. Today, it’s a Nashville Guest Favorite Airbnb inviting you to experience that same spirit, one stay (and one sip) at a time.
From Sangria to Something Bigger
In November 2022, I sent my first-ever Summer of Carlos email; a sangria recipe and a note about chasing joy. I didn’t know it then, but that simple email marked the beginning of something much bigger: an invitation to live boldly, explore deeply, and savor the season you’re in.
At the time, our East Nashville home was still waiting on Airbnb approval. We were in our “sangria era” and it turned into a reminder that anyone can have their own Summer of Carlos, wherever they are…even in winter!
Three years later, SOC turned into a brand, a stay, and an experience rooted in one promise:
Be Bold. Be Adventurous. Be You.
The Recipe That Started It All: SOC Sangria
Because no anniversary (or holiday) is complete without it, here’s the original sangria that started this whole adventure.
SOC Sangria (Serves a Crowd, Inspires a Vibe)
Ingredients (for a 1-gallon pitcher):
¼ cup frozen cranberries
6 oz fresh blackberries
6 cinnamon sticks
2 ½ cups apple cider
1 cup Triple Sec
¼ cup fresh orange juice
3 dashes of ground cinnamon
5 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Black Box Red Wine (Pinot Noir)
Directions:
Add all solid ingredients (cranberries, blackberries, cinnamon sticks) to your pitcher.
Pour in the maple syrup and Triple Sec. Stir slightly and let sit for 30 minutes.
Add the orange juice and apple cider, then fill the remaining space with red wine.
Finish with a few dashes of cinnamon, then refrigerate overnight.
Notes:
Chill at least 2 hours if you’re short on time.
Serve over ice rather than in the pitcher.
Freeze rosemary and cranberries into ice cubes for a photo-worthy garnish.
It’s festive, easy, and — just like Summer of Carlos — filled with bold flavor
The Airbnb That Brought It to Life
When our short-term-rental permit finally came through, it felt like the moment we’d been building toward since that first email.
We opened our doors in East Nashville to travelers who wanted to see the city the way we do; through design, connection, and a bit of boldness. We didn’t just want to host guests; we wanted to share the Nashville we fell in love with: the rooftops, the neighborhood brunches, the regular stomping grounds of SOC.
Since then, our Airbnb stay has become a Guest Favorite on Airbnb, holding a 4.98 rating and welcoming visitors from more than 30 states.
“It’s rare to find a place that feels both curated and comfortable. Every detail here tells a story”.— Guest from Florida
“This isn’t just a stay, it’s an experience. You can feel the love that went into it.” — Guest from Illinois
Three Years, Countless Memories
Rating: 5 star (Guest Favorite)
Nights Hosted: 1,000 +
Guest Origins: 30 + states
Top 1% based on ratings, reviews, and reliability
We’ve had guests celebrate anniversaries, road trips, girls’ trips, and milestone birthdays. We’ve shared recommendations for hidden patios, local music sets, and the perfect breakfast brunch. Every stay is different, but always giving that SOC feeling
Here’s to the Next Glass
Three years ago, we had a pitcher of sangria and a dream. Today, we have a thriving Airbnb, a growing community, and guests who keep us busy.
So, wherever you are this holiday season — Nashville, Boston, El Paso, or somewhere in between, pour a glass of SOC Sangria, toast to what you’ve built, and remember: you’re already living your own Summer of Carlos.
Cheers to you.
Carlos & Steven