CHEERS TO YOU
Raise the bar on stylish holiday sipping and snacking
Although holiday entertaining will be limited to my immediate bubble, nothing can stop good friends and family from celebrating this holiday season, albeit in small household groups or virtually.
As with most holiday seasons, I'll be setting up one end of my kitchen island as a self-serve snack and beverage bar. This allows visitors to help themselves to cocktails, espressos and nibbles, making entertaining much easier for me.
To raise the bar on style and taste, I've sourced some new accessories, snacks and cocktails. These hostess-helpers will surely impress visitors during socially distanced get-togethers and possibly inspire virtual guests to create their own countertops of goodies. So I say, cheers to delicious and stylish entertaining, wherever you may be this season!
SHAKEN OR STIRRED?
Planning a virtual cocktail party? Suggest to your guests in advance that you all prepare a new seasonal cocktail together. Send out the ingredient and tool list beforehand, so they'll be prepared to follow along virtually and try something new at their bar. Check Homesense for a huge selection of affordable bar tools to help budding bartenders hone their skills. Don't forget the tunes: Include a holiday music playlist with your invitation, so you can all groove to Jingle Bell Rock together. A virtual cocktail party is a great way to share the same experience with the added bonus of knowing everyone is safe in their own homes and there's no need for designated drivers.
A CLASSIC REIMAGINED
A holiday self-serve coffee and tea station should be on call 24/7 for an early morning wake-up for sleepy parents or a late perk-me-up for Santa. Created 20 years ago, the iconic X1 espresso maker has been reintroduced as a special-edition multi-beverage machine that's compatible with Illy's iperespresso capsule system. The easy-to-use capsules ensure anyone can make a delicious espresso, coffee or latte with the press of a button. The machine even has a hot-water wand to make tea.
CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK
I've decided to forgo spiced nuts and introduce more sophisticated flavours to my cocktail snacks and charcuterie boards this holiday season. Miss Vickie's Signatures has produced a limited-edition collection of kettle-cooked chips with gourmet flavours that include Apple Cider Vinaigrette and Shallots, Hickory Smoked Salt, and Black Truffle and Parmesan. The company enlisted a chip sommelier (yes, you read that correctly) to create pairings. Want to add something extra to your charcuterie board? Try using small bundles of rosemary and sage, which also add a fragrant element so it appeals to all the senses.
HOLIDAYS ON THE ROCKS
If cream liquors were on Santa's list, this would be at the top. The familiar flavours of classic Disaronno — almonds, cherry, chocolate and vanilla married with velvety cream — over ice make for a luxe sip before bed. Or try adding it to coffee or your latte on Christmas morning for a bit of festive flavour.
Limited amounts were brought into Canada, so search your local libations retailer to find this new holiday favourite before it disappears like 2020.
Do you have a decor dilemma or want to give feedback? You can contact Karl Lohnes on Instagram @Karl Lohnes. Lohnes has worked as a home decor expert and product designer for 25 years.