Tis The Season for Stocking The Bar
For most Canadians, the arrival of the festive season signifies a time for friends and family to come together and celebrate. It is also a time when cocktail parties are a-plentiful. And like most holidays, friends and family often stop in unannounced to spread holiday merriment.
“The key to having a well-stocked bar is to always be prepared for whatever your guests may wish to drink,” says Sebastien “Cocktail parties provide a great opportunity for experimentation with beverages. Having a variety of wines and spirits on hand will offer your guests an assortment to choose from, and will ensure no one is without their favorite festive drink.”
Whether an experienced cocktail party host, or stepping into the role of one for the first time, Sebastien offers these tips that will make any cocktail party a successful event.
- Stock up on plenty of ice! Used to keep white wine and champagne chilled throughout the night, ice will also be needed for basic cocktails.
- One of the most familiar and favoured drinks this time of the year is Carolans Irish Cream. It is the perfect end to the fabulous evening as an addition to coffee, just over ice or even hot chocolate. In addition, its rich honeyed taste makes it an ideal recipe ingredient to add a special twist to holiday recipes.
- With a growing trend in flavoured spirits, offer guests a twist in their cocktail by creating a gin and tonic with Beefeater Lime or Orange. Entice their taste buds with the fresh new taste Uphoria Asian Pear, Pomegranate and Pink Guava liquors, providing an adventurous option for their drinks.
- Champagne cocktails are hot this season and offer a wide range of flavourful combinations. Pair Perrier-Joet with a splash of raspberry liqueur and a floating raspberry for a Metropolitan. Or, add peach schnapps and a slice of peach to Mumm Cuvée Napa sparkling wine to create a Peach Pesca.
- Vodka is always the most popular spirit and is great with a variety of mixes. Stock up on vodkas like Polar Ice, Wyrobowa or Belvedere Premium Vodka.
- Don't forget to have plenty of mixers including orange juice, soda, tonic, ginger ale, cola, tomato juice, Tabasco, lemons, limes, horseradish & Worcestershire sauce.
Sebastien also suggests being prepared by stocking the bar with other necessities like cocktail shakers, strainers and ice buckets with tongs and toothpicks. With the right tools at hand, the party is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
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