Shake things up a bit with a Christmas Cocktail Extravaganza

SOMETHING new and different is what makes a Christmas party a memorable one which is why you should consider putting cocktails on top of your list this year. There is no time like Christmas to push the boat out and do the things you wouldn’t normally do. Cocktails are an excellent way of enjoying a tipple – alcoholic and non-alcoholic alike.

Attitudes to drinking have changed in recent years with more people preferring to sample locally distilled and brewed beverages. The emphasis these days is more on quality over quantity, which makes a cocktail party at Christmas just perfect.

Any hotel or bar will be happy to provide an exclusive area for your party where cocktails can be served. But it would need some organising. A few weeks before hand you should ask around for the best cocktail establishment and aim to devise a specific menu for the evening. You could arrange a menu of five to ten different cocktails (depending on your numbers). It’s not realistic to expect an establishment to prepare cocktails on a whim; it can be done, but it’s just better if it’s organised.

You can also create cocktails that have seasonal garnishes like cinnamon, pomegranate, nutmeg and ginger. A trendy take on Eggnog will work, while champagne based cocktails also go down a treat at Christmas. Rum, vermouth, gin and brandy are also popular base spirits for cocktails. But the unique thing about cocktails is that non-alcoholic ones have just as high a taste factor, so everyone is happy.

To finish, you can arrange a selection of canapés and finger food. You need to serve something light as a heavy serving of food is not necessarily conducive to cocktail drinking. So, if you want to go for something different this year, aim for your own exclusive cocktail party. It’s something different and it’ll go down a treat if planned properly.