DIY Guide for your Holiday Bar

Hattiesburg, MS

One of the most perfect additions to any holiday party are libations. Setting up a holiday bar inside your home doesn’t require a lot of space or specialty items. Whether you have a designated room in your home for your party guests to mingle and sip their favorite alcoholic beverage around a home bar or plan on using a small space in your kitchen to set up a self-serve drink station, our DIY guide for your holiday bar is just what you need for entertaining this December.

The three key components of a holiday bar at home are: spirits, garnishes or mixes, and service. All of which don’t have to be expensive but will light up your gathering with cheer.

Spirits

Selecting the best spirits for your holiday party doesn’t have to be stressful. Nor do you have to have a large selection of spirits. One of our favorite tips for spirit selection around the holidays is to create two signature cocktails so that you won’t need to have an extensive selection of garnishes, mixers, and glasses. However, if you prefer to offer more than just two types of cocktails, add a third, fourth, or fifth!

Eggnog ranks at the top of the list for holiday drinks. Although for many people that like eggnog, it’s usually a one and done kind of drink. Meaning your guests probably won’t drink much after their first glass and you may end up with a lot of leftovers that you have to throw out. If you’re looking for something less creamy that will entice guests to get refills, consider serving mulled wine with spices or a bourbon holiday cocktail with orange juice, pomegranate juice, and orange soda water sweetened with honey. There are many holiday cocktail recipes available online. Just find one that you think best suits you and your guests and do your best to narrow your selection down to two options.

Garnishes and Mixers

Selecting applicable garnishes or mixers can be the foundation of a tasty holiday cocktail. Think citrus, juices, soda, cranberries, and even herbs like rosemary to top off and finish cocktails of your choice. For instance, if you’re offering mulled wine, then citrus, cinnamon sticks, and cranberries make excellent garnishes. Or garnish Vodka and cranberry cocktails with a sprig of rosemary and a few cranberries for a festive cocktail to suit most any crowd. Your garnish and mixers selection may vary, depending on the cocktails that you decide to offer. Just remember that garnishes and mixers should complement the beverage.

Service

As the host, you’ll already be flashing your smile and mingling with guests. But one thing you don’t want to happen is to run out of ice or serve room-temperature beverages. If you’re serving cold cocktails, then cocktail glasses are appropriate. But mulled wine or other hot beverages should be served in a mug with a handle. Be sure that you have enough glasses and ice for your guests. Perhaps keep a cooler with some bags of ice on hand so that you don’t run out. And if you want to kick it up a notch, consider hiring your own bartender to handle the bar service for you.

Liquor Store in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

While planning the needs of your home bar for the holidays, remember to stop by Lincoln Road Package Store for your alcoholic beverage needs. We offer a wide variety of spirits and wine that are perfect for your next gathering with friends or to enjoy at home this season. To learn more, please contact Lincoln Road Package Store by calling (601) 268-3677.