Making Holiday Cocktails Easy!

Sometimes creating a fabulous new cocktail isn't as easy as it seems. You want to surprise your guests, so you go to a trendy new bar downtown and try a few different martinis. You realize that the ingredients are quite pricey and that it may not be the most cost-effective idea you ever had.  Here are a few ideas to spice up your holiday party without going overboard: 

Consider going traditional! What's better than a hot chocolate on a cold winter night?! Instead of your average hot chocolate, use a splash of Bailey's Irish Cream or add a peppermint stick for the kids to spice up the cocoa and still stay true to a much-loved winter beverage.  

Add some flavor. Adding a flavored liquor to your drink can really up the ante. Think whipped cream, mint, gingerbread, or chocolate to add a spin to basically ANY traditional cocktail. 

It's all in the garnish. Just like we mentioned above, adding a little something to a drink can really spruce it up. Why not garnish your pepermint martini with - you guessed it! - a peppermint stick. If you're thinking of serving eggnog, why not provide a little gingerbread cookie on the side? Adding a sprinkle of spice or mini marshmellows can completely change a drink for boring and predictable to something completely original! 

Change up the way you serve it! Instead of using a self-serve method or bartender that makes drinks individually, you can really use a theme to blow your guests' minds. If this is a Thanksgiving party, perhaps you could have a bourbon bar. Buy 5 different types of bourbon and various mixers where people can pick and choose what they would like. (We would definitely recommend using a bartender or server to assist with mixing!) You could do a martini luge for a Winter Wonderland themed event... maybe make it flow through a snowflake or Santa's sleigh.