Greetings, Blog Friends.
A chilly 4 degree morning paired with a steaming cup of coffee starts my day here in Western Maine. Brrrrr!
In preparing for your holiday gatherings I began in the last post writing about a basic bar set-up for entertaining....
Starting with the specific needs of your guests that you have inquired about, the basic liquors one should stock are the ones that have the most popularity. White liquors (clear in appearance) that are versatile with most mixers (juices, carbonated mixers) are vodka, gin, and rum. Here a Dark Rum (eg. Myer's Dark Rum) might be more seasonal (and a good match for eggnog). Tequila, another white liquor, is super for tasty Margaritas in the Summer but not in the colder seasons.
Dark liquors (blended whiskey, bourbon, scotch, brandy, etc.) are "warmer" this time of year. Have a couple of these on hand. Simple highballs (liquor + mixer) are made in a moment with these.
Cordials/liqueurs are taste specific (coffee, orange, almond, etc.) are popular and offer a virtual department store of flavors. These are wonderful for a Coffee/Cocoa Bar. Keep a few of the most popular on hand, too. Some of these can be useful and versatile in cocktails, or for sipping "on the rocks."
So...here is a basic bar list for your swinging party; the liquor brands are up to you, of course:
*Vodka (Stolichnaya, Grey Goose, Belvedere, Smirnoff--your choice)
*Gin (Tangueray)
*Rum (Bacardi light, Myer's Dark Rum)
*Whiskey (Canadian Club, Seagram's 7)
*Cordials/Liqueurs (Kahlua, Amaretto di Saronno, Vandermint, etc.)
*Wine & Beer
Don't forget little touches like enough glassware, swizzle sticks, cocktail napkins, and fruit (lime & lemon wedges, maraschino cherries, olives, orange slices) & ice and ice buckets (for white/sparkling wines).
Your bar area (if outside your kitchen/food area) should be in a location where people can congregate and where you can tidy it up easily and oversee. Check in on all your guests for any strange behavior from over-consumption of alcohol. Remember: Responsible serving & drinking always. We need you and your friends around for 2010!
From Chilly, Beautiful Maine,
Keith
Inn at Long Lake
Naples, Maine
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