by Jordan Catapano
Make entertaining this holiday season easy, and stress-free, by preparing your home bar ahead of time. Stock up on a few basics to ensure you’re never short on supply, and have a little fun by including some special spirits and liqueurs that you’ve been meaning to try.
The “Must Haves”
Keep at least one bottle of sparkling wine, Brut, Prosecco, or Champagne in the fridge to kick off your party or to serve as an aperitif before a multiple course (and cocktail) dinner. Putting a glass in your guest’s hand is also a way to make someone feel comfortable and at home from the moment of arrival.
Although I’d advocate for your home bar to replicate the spirits in a bartender’s speed bar (vodka, gin, rum, tequila, scotch, bourbon, and triple sec), the beverage that will satisfy the majority of people is vodka. Bring home several bottles of your favorite or try a few new ones based on different grains or potatoes. Mixed with tonic or juice and garnished with a lime or lemon, vodka provides several quick ready-to-serve cocktails that don’t require complicated steps.
Vibrant liqueurs like Chambord, Pama, Midori, and Caravella mix beautifully with vodka, gin, and rum, and add a festive (and tasty) element to your cocktail menu. Experiment with combining different flavors, top with soda water if desired, and select a garnish with contrasting color for a beautiful presentation.
Sweet n’ sour is found in literally hundreds of drink recipes and mixes well with almost every spirit. By a keeping one bottle chilled and a couple more as back ups, you’ll have easy, delicious cocktails at your fingertips. Make winter-themed Margaritas by using tequila, triple sec, sweet n’ sour, and a fruit liqueur like pomegranate, blackberry, or pear.
The “You’ll Be Happy You Haves”
What could be cheerier than serving bright green drinks garnished with red accents of raspberries, cranberries or cherries? Choose from a huge selection of delicious minty cocktails like the Grasshopper, After Dinner Mint, or Green Fizz, and add instant merriment to your holiday party.
Whether combined with ice-cold vodka or steaming hot coffee, chocolate and white chocolate liqueurs make smashing, hassle-free after dinner drinks. Add a sprinkling of shaved chocolate or even whipped cream to the cocktail and call it dessert.
Once dinner has ended and the conversation is moving closer to the fireplace, it’s time to introduce the cognacs. I recommend keeping a V.S., V.S.O.P, and XO on hand, as you’ll find that they last a long time and add a sophisticated décor to your home bar. Ask your BevMo! expert to assist you in building a collection of cognacs to serve throughout the holidays.
The Grasshopper Cocktail
1.5 ounces green creme de menthe
1.5 ounces creme de cacoa
1 ounce creme or lowfat milk
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Serve in a cocktail glass, garnish with fresh raspberries.