Guides
Holiday Hosting Made Easy: DIY Holiday 75 Bar!
Make cocktail hour the highlight of the night!
Is it time for festive drinks yet? We’re just about to get started! We recently shared some tips on creating cocktails for a crowd and we’re back to teach you how to create your own holiday 75 bar— just in time for your upcoming festive soirées. If you’re ready to get crafty and bring forth yuletide cheer at home, keep reading on. From the delicious featured cocktail recipe to our step-by-step guide to building your bar, holiday hosting has never been easier!
Meet Roses & Poinsettias!
An ode to a festive decor staple, we expand on this bouquet with the addition of our new Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin to bring you the holiday cheer. This simple, yet stunning, recipe features classic wintery notes of cranberry juice, a burst of citrus from orange liqueur, and sparkling wine. Paired with the lightly spiced and floral botanicals of our gin, this Roses & Poinsettias will surely wow your guests! Pick up a bottle, find the recipe below, and simply multiply the measurements by the number of servings you’ll need.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- 1½ oz Cranberry Juice
- ¾ oz Orange Liqueur
- Sparkling Wine, to top
- Rosemary Sprig, for garnish
Method
Add all ingredients except wine to a mixing glass over ice and stir briefly. Strain into a champagne flute and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with rosemary sprig.
JUMP to the Category:
1. Decorate the Bar! 🎄
Start with some fun and elegant details to set the holiday mood. You don’t need to be an interior designer to create a lovely atmosphere! Think about classic festive colours: red, green, white, silver, and gold and find set pieces to add vibrant pops to your serving setup. Consider options like seasonal greenery, candles, garlands, antique ornaments, and anything else that contributes thematic visual interest.
Oftentimes, a nonchalant approach to placement is best for that touch of sprezzatura, or effortless beauty. When in doubt, less is more to let your bar speak for itself and shine with refined sophistication!
2. Set Out Your Serveware! 🍸
Add to the ambiance with your serveware! You probably know by now how much we love a beautiful glass to elevate our cocktails. Be sure to have enough on hand so that no one’s missing a drink. You’ll also want a nice vessel for the batched cocktail – we recommend this dispenser with a beautiful hatch pattern by Crate & Barrel! For some glassware inspo, check out our article from last year for our favourite options.
3. Prep a Garnish Station! ✨
Here’s where the personalities of your guests’ serves come in! On the day of the party, make some garnishes so that all you have to do when everyone’s ready to start sipping is top the glass. Our favourite with Roses & Poinsettias is an aromatic sprig of rosemary to complement the cranberry and floral gin botanicals, but you can get creative:
- Whole spices add robust, fragrant notes for a touch of warmth
- Citrus slices and twists are bright and zesty, especially if you pick orange for classic holiday flavours and pairing with our Empress Elderflower Rose Gin
- Grated dark chocolate is always delightful with tart red fruits and makes the cocktail even more of a treat
4. Time to Serve! 🥂
When your guests are ready to start sipping, crack open your bottle of prosecco, add it to your batched cocktail, and pour your beautiful Roses & Poinsettias for everyone. Feel free, of course, to take a load off and instead distribute glasses for everyone to pour their own serving and direct them to the garnish station to add their final touch!
After everyone has a glass in hand, propose a toast and cheers to a great night ahead, to the best of 2023, and to an even better 2024!
For more cocktail inspiration, you know where to look: check out our Instagram, Cocktail Page, or Blog!
Sip responsibly!
