There’s nothing like festive holiday gatherings, full of fun, eating, drinking and celebrating with family and friends.
If you’re getting ready to entertain guests for the holidays, don’t overlook the importance of offering the best beverages for your event or get-together.
Offering a diverse selection of drinks helps to ensure all your guests can quench their thirst. Unsure what to serve? Here are some excellent ideas to spark your culinary genius!
Coffee – If hosting a brunch, coffee is sure to hit the spot. Offering seasonal or specialty creamers, natural sweeteners, and low-calorie sweeteners provide guests with options. Robust black coffee or decaffeinated coffee serves as a tasty base and appeals to all.
Popular holiday creamer flavors include cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and peppermint. To make this hot drink even sweeter, consider mixing in some white chocolate or vanilla syrup for extra flavor.
Teas – Tea is the perfect addition to any get-together. Offer a wide range of teas, including herbal and decaffeinated teas for comforting, warm beverages. Iced tea is another option for entertaining guests.
Sparkling Water – Sparkling water is an excellent alternative for those who want to steer clear of caffeine. Or, use it as a mixer or a refreshing ingredient in the holiday punch bowl.
Cider – Cider is a drink suitable for all ages and is incredibly delicious when served with fresh donuts. This all-natural beverage is a show-stopper whether served hot or cold. But be mindful not to let it go “hard.” Cider goes hard when naturally occurring yeast settles in the bottom of the bottle, especially if left unrefrigerated. Once this happens, it becomes an adults-only drink!
How To Select The Perfect Beverage Assortment
When selecting the perfect assortment of beverages, it’s best to have options. Variety is key to making guests feel welcome and appreciated.
For instance, if you know that young children are likely to attend, make sure you have plenty of kid-friendly drinks such as water, milk, or juices. If teens or older kids are likely to come, consider creating a custom drink that tastes good and makes them feel more grown-up and sophisticated.
Setting Up The Perfect Beverage Bar
Luckily, setting up the perfect beverage bar is easier than you think.
First, decide how much space you have. If you have a larger kitchen or dining room to use for the bar, take advantage of the space by placing down a pretty or holiday-themed tablecloth and putting all the drinks and drinkware on top.
Other items that should be readily available to guests include straws, loose tea bags, coffee stirrers, napkins, sweeteners, and cups for hot beverages.
However, be sure to keep your drink options relatively focused. Guests can get overwhelmed by making choices, so finding the perfect balance of tasty choices makes it simpler for guests to decide what to drink.
And, once everyone has their first beverage, the celebrations can begin. So, whether you’re entertaining friends, family, or a combination of both, we hope that your beverage bar is an insta-success with all your guests!