After a long day of hard work, there’s nothing quite like unwinding with colleagues at an office happy hour. It not only offers a chance to relax and socialize, but there are also other benefits of an office happy hour that can generally improve the working environment.
In this article, we’ll explore the exciting advantages of an office happy hour and how it can enhance team spirit, foster connections, and improve productivity. So, grab a drink (of your choice) and let’s dive in!
1) Building Stronger Relationships
An office happy hour provides the perfect opportunity for team members to bond and build stronger relationships outside the formal work environment. Breaking away from daily tasks and deadlines, colleagues can engage in casual conversations, share stories, and get to know each other on a more personal level.
This camaraderie fosters a sense of belonging, trust, and teamwork, which can have a positive impact on collaboration and overall office dynamics.
2) Boosting Morale and Employee Engagement
After a challenging week or a successfully completed project, a well-deserved office happy hour can do wonders for morale. It serves as a reward for hard work and acknowledges employees’ contributions, boosting their motivation and job satisfaction.
By providing a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, happy hour events create a sense of appreciation and encourage employees to feel more engaged with their work and the company as a whole.
3) Enhancing Communication and Collaboration
During a typical workday, formal meetings and structured interactions can limit open communication. However, an office happy hour encourages a more relaxed and informal atmosphere where employees can freely exchange ideas and thoughts.
This open dialogue fosters better communication, leading to improved collaboration and creativity. Fresh perspectives and insights gained during happy hour conversations can have a direct positive impact on problem-solving and innovation within the workplace.
4) Stress Relief and Work-Life Balance
Work-related stress can take a toll on productivity and employee well-being. An office happy hour provides a much-needed break from work-related pressures, allowing employees to unwind, recharge, and de-stress.
Taking time to relax and socialize with colleagues fosters a healthier work-life balance, which ultimately leads to increased job satisfaction and better overall mental health.
5) Networking and Professional Development
An office happy hour offers an informal setting for networking and professional development opportunities. It allows employees to connect with colleagues from different departments, enabling cross-team collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
Additionally, happy hour events often provide a chance to interact with managers and higher-level executives in a more relaxed setting, potentially leading to mentorship opportunities and career growth prospects.
The Bottom Line
Office happy hours are more than just a chance to enjoy a refreshing drink and unwind. They offer a multitude of benefits for both individuals and the organization as a whole. By fostering stronger relationships, boosting morale and engagement, enhancing communication, providing stress relief, and facilitating networking opportunities, office happy hours contribute to a positive work environment and improved productivity.
So, why not raise a glass and embrace the power of an office happy hour? It may be just what you need to improve the employee experience and take your business to the next level!
Interested in hosting happy hour right in the office? We’d be happy to stock your bar! Click here to get in touch with Office Libations, and get started with us today.
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The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the flowers are blooming. It can only mean one thing: springtime is here! And with it comes the perfect excuse to have a social hour. Whether you have something to celebrate or just want to blow off some steam with your colleagues, these five springtime cocktails will hit the spot. So sit back, relax, and enjoy reading about some of our springtime favourites!
1) Mint Julep
Ingredients: 2 oz. bourbon, 8 fresh mint leaves, 1/4 cup simple syrup, crushed ice
A Mint Julep is a classic, simple cocktail that is perfect for sipping on a spring day. The refreshing mint flavour is perfectly paired with the smooth bourbon, and the crushed ice makes it refreshing and cooling.
To make a mint julep, start by muddling fresh mint leaves with simple syrup in the bottom of a glass. Now add some bourbon, and fill the glass with crushed ice. Stir well and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
2) Pimm’s Cup
Ingredients: 1 3/4 oz. Pimm’s No.01, 5 oz. lemonade, cucumber, mint leaves
A Pimm’s cup is a refreshing, fruit-forward cocktail that is perfect for springtime. The Pimm’s No.01 provides a complex flavour that is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the lemonade. Cucumber and mint add a refreshing twist, making this cocktail perfect for sipping on a warm day.
Get your Pimm’s Cup started by adding the Pimm’s No.01 to a glass filled with ice. Then, simply add your lemonade and stir well. Garnish with cucumber and mint leaves.
3) Tom Collins
Ingredients: 2 oz. gin, 3/4 oz. lemon juice, 1/2 oz. simple syrup, 2 oz. soda water, maraschino cherry
One of the most classic springtime cocktails is a fizzy and refreshing Tom Collins! The tart lemon flavour is balanced by the sweet sugar syrup, and the soda water gives it a nice effervescence.
To mix up a Tom Collins, start by adding the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice. After giving it a good shake, strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a maraschino cherry.
4) Bee’s Knees
Ingredients: 2 oz. gin, 1/2 oz. honey syrup, 3/4 oz. lemon juice
Enjoy watching those first few bees buzzing by with a Bee’s Knees. The gin provides a nice, juniper-forward flavour that is balanced by the sweetness of the honey and the tartness of the lemon juice.
The first step in preparing a Bee’s Knees involves shaking together the gin, honey syrup, and lemon juice with ice. Then, finish it off by straining it into a glass and garnishing with a lemon twist.
5) French 75
Ingredients: 1 oz. gin, 3 oz. Champagne, 1/2 oz. lemon juice, 1/2 oz. simple syrup
If you’re looking to add a little bubbly to your springtime celebration, then consider bringing out some French 75s. The bubbly Champagne and tart lemon juice are just a perfect match, and the sugar syrup adds just enough sweetness to round out the drink.
For a French 75, start by adding your gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a champagne flute. Top with Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.
Happy Social Hour!
We hope you enjoyed reading about some of our favourite springtime cocktails for your social hour! Whether you’re looking for something refreshing, fruit-forward, or just a little bit different, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect drink on this list. Cheers!
Looking to stock some beverages in the office? Contact Office Libations today to discuss your needs!
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With the holiday season just around the corner, you may already be planning your annual office Christmas party – and if you’re not you should be! You, your staff, and your coworkers have worked hard all year long, and there’s no better time to show your appreciation than the holidays.
If you really want to do something festive this year, then you may want to consider mixing up some Christmas-themed cocktails for the party. You may not want to go with single servings, as you don’t want to be mixing up cocktails the entire time, but something that you can make in batches that invokes familiar holiday flavours that are sure to please just about everyone.
So, get out your punchbowl and cups! Here are four of our favorite office-friendly Christmas cocktails.
Christmas Punch
If you’re looking for an easy, fruity cocktail recipe that will serve a crowd, then check out this Christmas Punch. Simply combine some orange juice, pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, lemon-lime soda, and white rum, add in some cranberries, pomegranate seeds, and orange slices, and there you have it! The nice thing about this recipe is that you can easily omit the rum for the non-drinkers and still be left with a delicious mocktail. This is also what makes it a great choice for those Christmas parties that involve families with children.
Amazingly Good Eggnog
What is a Christmas party without eggnog? If you don’t mind doing a little bit of extra work, then consider throwing together this Amazingly Good Eggnog recipe. The light cream, cloves, and egg yolks make for a smooth and creamy eggnog, and again you can easily omit the alcohol without sacrificing taste. Just be sure to make this once in advance, as it needs to sit in the fridge for at least 8 hours before serving.
Gingerbread Bourbon Punch
If your office likes their liquor, then a large batch of Gingerbread Bourbon Punch may be just what you need at your next Christmas party. This recipe is full of ginger: ginger beer, ginger bitters, and ginger brandy all contribute to the spicy flavor of this drink, along with some delicious and aromatic cinnamon sticks. You can even prepare this punch ahead of time – just leave the ginger beer out until you’re ready to serve (but make sure it’s cold before you add it in!).
Christmas Sangria
Trying to keep everyone away from hard alcohol and the poor decisions that sometimes go along with it? Then a wine-based Christmas Sangria may be a more appropriate option. This uses a couple of bottles of Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay along with some apple cider, apple, cranberries, and even rosemary for a delicious holiday recipe that is sure to please just about anyone at the office. Sangria also tends to pair well with holiday meals, so if you’re going to all sit down together to enjoy a feast, then this is a great alternative to just having bottles of wine on the table.
There are so many ways to make merry around the holidays — sharing a batch of holiday cocktails with new and old acquaintances is one that’s pretty high on our list. For a lot of us, it’s hard to fathom the thought of an office party without a little liquid courage.
However, it can be an overwhelming experience for those who don’t drink booze. While alcohol can be a very popular party component, it can also leave some guests feeling disappointed or even left out. Reasons may be pregnancy, health, religion, addiction recovery, or maybe they just don’t drink — just to name a few.
So, whether you’re hosting a holiday get-together or an office party, it’s always nice to have a few non-alcoholic holiday drink options on hand during the season. Just because you don’t drink, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a night out!
We think the non-drinkers among us also deserve holiday drinks as festive and delicious as any alcoholic cocktails that most of us enjoy. With these special booze-free drinks, teetotalers can sip on a delicious adult beverage without feeling like they’re missing out!
This is a great recipe for a crowd of people for an office party. Non-drinkers will surely enjoy this festive punch.
To make this: Combine the Cranberry juice, Ginger Ale in a large punch bowl. Add the frozen cranberries, orange slices, and ice. Garnish with a small orange slice on the rim of the glass and fresh rosemary. If you feel you want more fruit flavor, just add a few pieces of fruit to the punch, just don’t take away from the hero of this recipe, the cranberry!
This fizzy drink might be just the thing to serve to your favorite team members this holiday. It has rich colors—thanks to blueberries and raspberries—and comes together with ginger beer, honey, and fresh mint or basil.
To make this: Just simmer some honey and blueberries together until the berries were bursting. Then smash them with some fresh raspberries as well as kombucha to mix everything up. Pour it over crushed ice and topped it with vanilla seltzer and throw in some fresh basil and mint
The flavor is incredible because there is a richness from the simmered berries and the soda makes it seem super bubbly to the point where people will actually think it is a cocktail.
This lemon blackberry mocktail is a refreshing and tangy drink for when you want a non-alcoholic option that tastes just as good! This mocktail is made by making a blackberry and lemon puree with seltzer and mint.
Just combine blackberries, lemon juice, and honey with a splash of ginger ale in shaker and muddle, then fill with ice. You can also garnish with additional blackberries or lemon wedges if you like.
This non-alcoholic spirit alternative from Seedlip is made like a gin with botanicals but is definitely not a gin. The predominant flavor is clove rather than juniper, and most importantly, it has NO alcohol! Perfect for our non-alcoholic employees, especially those designated drivers.
Combine six botanicals to make Seedlip: allspice, grapefruit, lemon peel, cardamom, American oak, and cascarilla bark. Together, they make a fresh, warming drink that is full of flavor but is alcohol-free.
While apples are great in pies and cobblers, they are also great in drinks! This mocktail is a showstopping nonalcoholic drink recipe for kids and adults to enjoy.
It’s a sweet treat made with homemade caramel sauce, cold apple cider, and sparkling ginger beer. The decorated rim of caramel and sugar with the cinnamon stick garnish makes this autumn party drink perfect for your office holidays.
With just a few ingredients, a little bit of heat, and a snazzy glass, the Cocoa Mock-Tini Mocktail is one of the most attractive drinks your teetotaler employees will enjoy! Especially the chocolate lovers!
To make this: Combine almond milk or cream, cocoa, vanilla, ground cinnamon and salt and heat on medium until well combined. In a shaker or tall glass, add cocoa or flavored syrups for mocktail version over ice and shake until cold.
This Christmas white Russian mocktail is a family favorite that is easy to make and so delicious! This can also be a great option for an alcohol-free party drink in your office. The white drink itself is reminiscent of freshly fallen snow.
The instruction is quite simple: Just skewer two cranberries on the end of a rosemary sprig and place in glasses. Then combine cream, whole milk, cranberry Dry Sparkling soda, and coffee-flavored syrup together in a cocktail shaker with ice. The addition of the cranberry Dry Sparkling soda just ups the festive flavors that make this a true holiday mocktail.
Rich, creamy, buttery, and loaded with spices, Hot Buttered Rum is an unforgettable drink that’s perfect for any cold-weather occasions. This non-alcoholic hot buttered spice drink is Hot Buttered Rum‘s tamer sister.
To make this: Cream together butter, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and rum flavoring. Blend in softened ice cream, seal, and freeze. Then garnish with a cinnamon stick. Perfect to pair it with cookies or some holiday treats!
If you’re a fan of ginger beer, you’re sure to love this drink! Crisp, cool, and refreshing – this mocktail is a non-alcoholic version of a classic Moscow Mule! This mocktail version has club soda instead of vodka, and it’s totally spicy, tasty and delicious.
Mix ginger beer, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and club soda. Then garnish with a slice of lime and a small slice of ginger and sprinkle with a dusting of powdered sugar. Because this Moscow mule is alcohol-free it’s perfect for pregnant mommies, kids, designated drivers, or anyone who just doesn’t want to drink alcohol.
This non-alcoholic eggnog is the perfect holiday drink to enjoy with your employees and their families. Eggnog is like a winter-specific milkshake. Just without the ice cream.
It’s typically concocted of eggs, cream, milk, and sugar to give it a sweet sip similar to a custard that’s the base of ice cream. It can be served cold or warm and your guests probably guzzle it down a minute after it’s set on the table.
To make this: Mix egg whites, egg yolks, sugar, salt, cups of milk, vanilla extract, and whipped heavy cream for this holiday standard! Serve eggnog in chilled cups or glasses and garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg.
This lovely little drink is the perfect blend of sweet and tart flavors. It can be made with three ingredients: tonic water, pomegranate juice and sugar. All of these should be mixed according to taste and volume.
Because of its bright shade of red, it would be a great addition to your buffet line. You can also add lime, mint, and club soda, and then served in highball glasses.
This holiday drink looks and tastes perfect which will be an absolute delight for your employees. And to top it off, you do not need any fancy ingredients to prepare this beverage. Vanilla syrup, passion fruit, grapefruit, club soda, and ice will do the magic.
To make this: Combine vanilla syrup, passion-fruit puree, grapefruit juice, and cream in a cocktail shaker over ice. Pour club soda into a highball glass, then slowly strain the contents of the cocktail shaker over the club soda, allowing the head of foam to rise above the rim of the glass.
13. Shirley Temple
Image source: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock
If you’re organizing an office party that includes family members, you cannot ignore the kids at your party. Before they get curious about the adults’ drinks and become adamant about trying them serve Shirley Temple. This luscious beverage with bright colors will definitely captivate the young crowd. it’s a surefire way to get a big, pink grin out of the little kid you adore.
To make this: Fill a Hurricane or Collins glass with ice and add grenadine. Fill with ginger ale, 7UP or Sprite. Then stir, and garnish with a maraschino cherry and lemon wedge. You can also top the glass off with the lemon-lime soda or ginger ale.
Like Shirley Temple, a Roy Rogers is another non-alcoholic soda drink that kids and adults love. A Roy Rogers uses cola—which usually has caffeine—in place of the ginger ale or lemon-lime soda, but it keeps the grenadine and the cherries.
Though it’s sometimes called a cherry cola, the Roy Rogers is not cherry flavored. With a few exceptions, grenadine is made from pomegranate—not cherries. This fruity syrup does add a nice sweetness to the average cola and there are a few things you can do to make the drink just a little bit better.
To make this: Combine Coca Cola, ice cubes, grenadine, and maraschino cherries with a stem. Then pour in grenadine syrup and add a maraschino cherry with a stem as your garnish.
This drink is a crowd favorite not just for its spot-on flavors, but also because it’s a coffee drink that anyone can sip in the afternoon! Given that you can adjust the amount of coffee way down and the amount of seltzer and coconut milk way up, this is the perfect way to liven up your party.
To make this: Combine the chocolate syrup and coconut milk in the bottom of a tall glass and stir until evenly combined. Add ice to the top of the glass, top with the coffee, and stir. Garnish with a slice of orange and top with club soda or seltzer water to your liking.
This drink will surely make a bold statement when it’s served because no one will be expecting that bright orange shade on your platter. It comes together with peeled and chopped carrots, ginger, lemon, and maple syrup, and it’s best served with large cubes of ice.
Combine the chopped lemon, carrots, ginger, and water. Blend on high for a full minute or until the mixture is completely liquified. Then run the mixture through a fine strainer, pressing the pulp into the strainer to extract as much liquid as possible. Transfer the strained liquid back to the blender. Then add your liquid sweetener of choice to the liquid and blend on high for 20 seconds. Check the lemonade for sweetness, and adjust if necessary.
This one is also a perfect non-alcoholic holiday drink! It makes a fresh batch with honeycrisp and granny smith apples, pomegranate, orange, and cinnamon sticks. Serve it all in copper glasses to really make it feel special.
This is a very simple recipe. Just stir the apple cider, bourbon, and maple syrup together in a cocktail pitcher. Pour over ice in a highball glass and add a splash of ginger beer to each glass. Then garnish with cinnamon sticks and apple slices if desired.
There You Have It
Sometimes we lose sight of a holiday celebration and see it as a chance or opportunity to drink socially. While it is such an opportunity, the main purpose of an office holiday party is to have fun with your employees and colleagues.
Drinking is always an option and optional, and it is as much as a choice as it is a responsibility. So if you’re planning on hosting a party this season, remember to give your teetotaler guests some festive booze-free alternatives to cure their “Am I the only one who doesn’t drink?” feeling. It’s a good way to make sure that everybody can enjoy it and no one will be left out.
For those who aren’t imbibing, having something to sip besides water can make any and all holiday parties a whole lot more fun. Plus, these non-alcoholic holiday drink recipes will add a delicious touch to your most awaited holiday party!
https://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Image-from-iOS-73.jpg13741832Office Libationshttps://www.officelibations.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo.pngOffice Libations2019-12-17 05:50:142022-07-21 18:29:47The Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks For The Holiday Office Parties
We love holiday parties! Not only because they are filled with joy, but also because they welcome our touch of magic. From food to décor, there’s something magical about hosting a hit holiday office party, especially when it brings your employees closer together.
Still, there’s a lot that goes into throwing a festive fête, especially if you plan on hosting a large crowd. We know how much of a challenge you might face in coming up with an exciting company party idea. It’s gotta be the one that everyone at your office will enjoy! It is important to throw a successful company holiday party to boost morale at the end of a long year and to show appreciation for your employees.
So, if you’re looking for a few fun office holiday party ideas, we’ll make it easy for you! In this article, we’ll give you 15 of our favorites that will take your party from meh to amazing!
But before you move forward with your party planning activities, remember to utilize the tips from our previous article to streamline the process from beginning to end: How To Throw An Office Party Your Employees Will Love
Holiday party ideas that include entertainment give your team a chance to share a delightful experience that’s likely to last longer than the event itself. Some can be pricey, like bringing professional entertainers such as a local band or an acrobat troupe to your event.
Entertainers often lift the spirit of an audience, so if you have the budget this year, this might be a fun option! A short performance by a comedian or musician is enough to play to the crowd without annoying those who aren’t interested.
It may sound cheesy, but it’s a surprisingly fun change of pace. Too silly for your team? A storyteller or an inspiring speaker is also great option. Nonetheless, team members will take photos, sharing the opportunity to see a performance they might not have planned on their own.
Pro tip: If you’re planning to book any entertainment, do it well ahead of time, so you don’t have to scramble to find someone a week before the event.
If budget is a factor, this is a holiday party theme near and dear to the crafter’s heart. Get into the holiday spirit with a no-fuss crafting party. Set up a few tables with crafts store goodies and supplies, and let your team make whatever they desire. Create a playlist with your favorite holiday tunes to play in the background to get everyone in the seasonal mood.
Even if your office isn’t typically “creative,” working on simple crafts is a great way for your staff to unwind and have some relaxed, low-stakes fun. There are so many holiday-themed crafts you can create such as:
Non-traditional Christmas tree
Ugly sweater competition
Ornament Crafting
Salt Dough Crafting
Cookie and cupcake decoration
Gingerbread house building
Decorating Wreaths
Gift-wrapping extravaganza
Obviously it’s not hard to get into a jolly mood when there are fun activities happening and Holiday songs blasting through the speakers. All the same, it doesn’t hurt to have a few holiday experimentation.
More and more businesses are realizing how important it is to include employees’ families when celebrating a year’s good work. You should too! Doing this speaks volumes about you as an office manager. It shows that you see your staff as more than just employees. It sends a clear message to them – that you’re willing to invest time and effort to ensure that they remain contented and happy in your organization.
So make your holiday office party be suitable for all the family, young and old. Give your team members the chance to bring their family along for the day, and while there, they can enjoy food, special activities, socializing and some relaxation from work. Use corporate entertainment that lifts their spirits. The best events will touch their hearts and captive their minds!
As coworkers get together to decorate and plan, this small company holiday party turns into several days of fun.
As an event planner, however, you need to account for everything. Make sure you don’t have any nasty surprises in your budget by having a thorough budget from day one. Remember to ask for packages or bundles of services from your suppliers/ catering services to deliver more bang for your buck!
Ultimately, deciding what sort of fun holiday you want to host depends on the needs of your staff, and your business. It might be a good idea to do a bit of homework. Find out how old your employees’ children are. Think about what events would appeal to that age range. What could you include for the wives and husbands? What about your staff – what do they like doing?
Cocktails are inherently social drinks. So, put a twist on an old staple happy hour! Why not throw a holiday cocktail competition? This is one of the more adults-only holiday party ideas is for employees to come up with a unique holiday-themed hot or cold drink beverage recipe.
Take your employees’ competitive side to the next, boozy level. The allure of this friendly competition is obvious: A win can mean prize money or gift! As the host, your task is to provide multiple drinking glasses in all styles, blenders, ice stirrers, and cocktail napkins. Then, when the beverages are assembled, take photos, and drink.
To make this party idea more awesome and hassle-free, get your office holiday party catered by a beverage caterer! Hiring them will help you plan out your holiday party. They could also be the ones who can choose the winner of your mini-competition and take care of the rest of the cocktail party so you don’t have to lift a finger!
Most employees have been to parties that include an onsite gift exchange or Secret Santa. Another alternative to these holiday party ideas is to play games!
Party games aren’t just for kids! Plan some activities to help your employees to loosen up and get to know each other. Activities that require working together are especially great for building a sense of team spirit. Here are some ideas you can try:
Holiday charades
Guess the holiday song
Christmas Carol Pictionary
Holiday memory game
Family feud
Solving the Mystery
Classic board games
Office photo hunt game
Secret Santa
Gift Relay
People bingo
Escape room
Gift wrapping contest
Team building games are perfect for the spirit of the holidays; It will liven up the office atmosphere. As the host, your job is to organize these games and provide prizes to the winners and small gifts to all who participated so that no one leaves the party disappointed.
Remember that holiday office party games should be appropriate and simple, as well as brief since most office parties only last a few hours. You should play a game that isn’t too competitive and doesn’t require extensive holiday party props. You should also consider the personality of your office and be mindful of different religious and cultural practices.
6. Host a Multicultural Trivia Night
In order to honor the diverse range of ways people celebrate the holidays, host a multicultural holiday trivia night. In this way, the entire room will be enjoying a fun shared experience, however, the teams themselves – usually groups of 5-10 people – will have a particularly unique opportunity to bond.
Whether they win or lose, they will be collaborating, laughing, and competing together for the duration of the event, getting to know one another in a way that they never could in the workplace.
As such, you as the organizer have a wonderful opportunity to give some thought in advance to who is on which team, and why. This is a great idea to strengthen the bonds among your staff and to get them talking with folks whom they wouldn’t normally cross paths with on any given workday.
You can write your own random trivia questions. However, this is very time-consuming, and a lot harder than it looks. So we suggest finding downloadable trivia questions for an office party, which have been fact-checked and are ready to go.
You shouldn’t have to spend a lot of time, effort, or expense securing prizes for an office event. People are naturally competitive, and just want to win rather than take home something expensive. Your best bet is to get something tangible that your team can proudly display in their workspace to serve as a fun reminder of an epic party!
7. Volunteer Together & Spread the Gift of Goodwill
To truly get into the holiday spirit, use your office holiday party as an opportunity to give back to your community. Rather than a traditional party, invite your team members to spend an afternoon or evening volunteering at a local charity.
Or instead of swapping gifts with each other, ask everyone to make a small donation to the charity of their choice, bring in toys for a local toy drive, or ask everyone to make doubles of their potluck dishes and deliver the extra portions to your local soup kitchen.
This activity is a wonderful way to work together as a team while giving back to your community. This is a holiday get-together that won’t soon be forgotten!
You already know the drill during the holiday party circuit: ugly Christmas sweater shindigs and Secret Santa gift exchanges. But have you ever thought to channel your holiday cheer into more creative outlets?
To really go in on the holiday vibes, theme your entire party around a specific era or set a dress code, soundtrack, and snacks to match. Because other than comfort, the holidays are all about doing something different and unusual.
As a fun addition to your standard holiday party, you can consider these themed party ideas:
Classic ugly sweater
Masquerade party
Pajama party
Go glam party
Winter wonderland party
Holiday costume party
Merry movie-themed party
Old era costume party
This office holiday party idea is sure to get everyone’s creativity flowing. You can pick about anything as your theme. Just make sure it won’t raise any eyebrows in your staff or in HR. The best way to plan this is to ask your employees ahead of time and give them a chance to prepare and dress up the way they want!
Keeping your party casual this year? Consider having a potluck so your crew can show off their cooking or baking skills. Potlucks are budget-friendly, and there is always a wide variety of delicious foods for everyone to sample.
Further, it is a chance for people to show off their culinary or baking chops. As a host, it is your task to organize a simple holiday party by allowing employees to taste your coworkers’ wares and chat about anything other than work. Easy, relaxing, and delicious! Keep things organized by creating a sign-up sheet for the whole office, so you know who’s bringing what.
Another fun spin on the potluck idea is to hold a dessert potluck. Have your main snacks and drinks catered, and ask your employees to bring in their favorite sweet treats. Or if your team like a little healthy competition, you can even turn it into a friendly competition–Have employees volunteer to bake their favorite treat, and host an epic bake-off. And of course, all of this is for their chance to win exciting holiday gifts!
In the United States, the holiday season is often the time when healthy habits suffer. As we make our way through the holidays, why not encourage your employees to participate in fitness activities such as walking, running, cycling, swimming, and others?
You can also organize a holiday health fest where you can all take a break from the cakes, cookies, and goodies you encounter at every other seasonal gathering. Instead, turn your holiday office party into a celebration of fitness and fun!
Have everyone prepare their favorite healthy-based treat or dish and pick a fitness class, or get a yoga instructor to entertain employees and/or family members for a mindful and meaningful hour of fun!
For a fun, different, and low-cost office holiday party idea, organize a gag gift exchange! These Christmas gifts for men and women are given for comedic effect to make the recipient laugh. Although, take note that gag gifts come in wide varieties, as nobody has the same taste in humor.
The good part about these gifts is that they make for the best inexpensive presents—and they’ll have everyone on the list cracking up. Unwrap these hilarious gifts one by one with the presence of liquors and you’ve got your team a winning combination!
However, it is safe to advise your employees to keep it clean, classy, and fun, so you won’t have to worry about overstepping any boundaries. Remember that the goal here is to have a fun party experience and a smile on your employees’ faces.
Another fun idea is to give your employees a chance to shine by holding an office talent show at your holiday party. You’ll be surprised at the secret talent your employees keep hidden. You can hold this one at your office, or up the ante by renting out a local bar with a stage.
As a host, the biggest challenge is to boost your employees’ participation as your employees might be too shy or think volunteering would make them seem arrogant. You can overcome this by making the prize more enticing or making this a group effort instead of a solo effort! Or if you have the budget, bring in some filler acts to heighten the sense of ceremony at your talent show.
This kind of holiday party will give your employees an opportunity to share their talents, enjoy laughs and build their team spirit. Every office has gifted individuals whose talents will create a buzz of anticipation until next year’s talent show.
In every group, you’ll find someone who loves to sing karaoke. From your shyest staff to your diva-est employee, no one will resist the sweet siren song of the karaoke mic! Trust us, there won’t be any time for feuds over office politics while everyone is happily singing their hearts out!
So rent a karaoke machine for your office or head to a local karaoke bar for a low-key evening of non-stop laughs.
If you want to switch things up from your standard holiday party, consider using the time on a holiday 5K race. Instead of buying decorations and treats, you can fund everyone’s registration fees and maybe even supply some holiday accessories to make any 5K you can find into one that’s suitable for your holiday celebration…
The whole workforce can take part and make it a real joint effort, getting some quality team-time in as well as some exercise too. They can dress up in festive costumes for the holiday, or choose a run that has a charitable cause.
Aside from the clear physical benefits, it is a great opportunity for your team to get to know one another. It’s quality time spent with your team, so there are benefits to be had all-round!
15. Hire Snacks and Beverage Caterer
What’s an office holiday party without food and drink? Whatever your activities will be, foods and drinks will bring some memorable spiciness to your holiday office party.
Holiday food is synonymous with “feast.” So skip the hassle and stress of planning the perfect holiday party by calling over some of your favorite local food trucks or snack/beverage caterers to bring the feast to you.
We get it — events are fun but planning exciting parties that keep your team happy is hard. So we suggest working with food and beverage caterers who understand the modern office and what it takes to deliver for your team.
The best part about this is that your caterer can help you plan, bring all the ingredients, and set up for you!
Are You Inspired to Throw a Great Holiday Party This Year?
The holidays are largely a time of giving: giving back to the community as well as giving to your employees.
Whatever your budget, company culture, and employees are like, there’s a holiday party idea out there that’s perfect for your team. Use this article as a starting point to spark your creativity. Although your previous company holiday parties might not have been something to boast about, you can change that this year!
Still not sure what kind of party you should throw? Poll your employees! They’ll appreciate that you care about their opinions, and they’ll enjoy the party more if they get to have some say in what happens.
Don’t forget, the best gift of the season is spending quality time with others. Foster a sense of goodwill and friendship at your office party, and it will be sure to be a memorable one.
This is just a quick list we came up with. Hopefully, that helps you in your search for the perfect activity for your office. If you have any other ideas, comment below!
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
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Looking for a lighter, healthier alcoholic drink? Well, say hello to the newest trend in the alcohol world: hard seltzer!
With few calories, barely any sugar and free of gluten, hard seltzer is the perfect drink of choice for fitness conscious people or anyone else looking for that alternative “healthy” happy hour drink of choice.
Health-conscious consumers appear to be really loving Hard Seltzers. Part of this may be due to the health halo that surrounds a seltzer drink that’s marketed as refreshing, low-calorie, low-carb, and gluten-free.
What makes hard seltzer different from other clear carbonated beverages is the unique type of alcohol in it. Unlike a vodka soda or gin and tonic, the alcohol in most hard seltzer brands comes from fermented sugars. So, when you crack open a bottle of seltzer, you’re just drinking fermented sweetened seltzer– and that could be a good thing for your health and waistline!
The Rise Of Hard Seltzers
More than a quarter of Americans are looking to “consume alcohol beverages made with wellness in mind,” according to a Nielsen data report, which has inspired the creation of a new segment in the alcohol industry called “better-than” drinks.
Hard seltzers, which started to appear on store shelves in 2013, quickly appealed to the health-conscious. The drinks are frequently sugar- and gluten-free, with around 100 calories or less that offer consumers a way to drink with clearer consciences.
In 2018, alcohol-infused seltzer sales grew about 169 percent, to nearly $487.8 million, while volumes increased 181 percent, according to a January Nielsen report. The category now makes up 1.3 percent of the total beer category dollar share. Meanwhile, beer sales have flattened out, with category-wide dollar sales growing only 0.7 percent.
Clearly, this bubbly drink has taken over parties in the past years and is definitely seen as a lighter, healthier alcoholic drink. The portability of the canned or bottled libations also makes them an easy option for the summer. Plus, they can add some sparkle and extra potency to cocktails.
Now that more brands are getting in the game, are these drinks any good? To find out, we decided to find out which are the best hard seltzer brands on store shelves. Here, we’ve rounded up 6 of our favorites, all of which are gluten-free, low-sugar, and big on taste.
1. White Claw
ABV: 5%
Calories: 100 per 12 oz.
White Claw isn’t just one of the best hard seltzer brands out there; it’s also the first. This seltzer is the one that started it all—and yes, it’s good enough to start a wave of copycats as a result. For that reason alone, it’s hard to imagine a list that doesn’t involve White Claw on it.
The brand uses a proprietary brewing process that uses fermented sugar, and a yeast strain that took more than a year to develop. No malt is used, but there is a bit of fruit juice and cane sugar added to the final product. It comes in black cherry, ruby grapefruit, raspberry, and natural lime flavors.
Also, their newest addition is their Pure Hard Seltzer (5% ABV), the first plain hard seltzer on the market, has a refreshing clean taste and clocks in at zero grams of sugar and carbs. It’s also perfect for adding your own flavor twist.
2. Truly Spiked & Sparkling Water
ABV: 5%
Calories: 100 per 12 oz. can
This is the most seltzer-like of all the hard seltzers—it would be easy to miss the alcohol in it, though it has a very slight after taste. The flavors are a bit more posh—including Colima Lime, Pomegranate, Sicilian Blood orange, and Grapefruit & Pomelo.
This drink is a standout with a scent that’s so fresh it almost smells like real fruit. The fact that they can do this and come in at 100 calories and still pack a five percent alcohol-by-volume makes it pretty impressive.
If you love seltzers that tiptoe close to being cocktails with a lighter, carbonated kick, you’re going to see why Truly Spiked is so popular almost instantly. It doesn’t need to be hard on your waistline making it a guiltless indulgence for dieters who just want a little buzz.
3. Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer
ABV: 4.5%
Calories: 90 per 12 oz. can
BON & VIV Spiked Seltzer is naturally flavored and again– gluten-free. It contains 0 grams of sugar and is 4.5% alcohol. Each drink is made from purified water and the cold-pressed citrus essence taken from a variety of natural fruits. Flavors include Black Cherry Rosemary, Hibiscus Clementine, and Pear Elderflower.
It smells a little cough syrupy, but the flavors (like the Cherry Rosemary) help mitigate that. For its taste, the flavor is very seltzer-ish, with no perceptible alcohol. Very big carbonation washes the taste away almost as soon as you can grab at it; sort of tastes like sweet spa water.
Further, If you’re watching calories, Spiked Seltzer’s flavors might be one of your best options. With only 90 calories per 12 oz can, these carbonated cans are truly worth sipping. The result is clean and clear without the sugary sweetness of wine or the heaviness of beer.
4. Henry’s Hard
ABV: 4.2%
Calories: 88 per 12 oz. serving; 106 per 16 oz. can
Henry’s Hard also ranks as one of the best hard seltzer companies to delve into both classic and exotic seltzer flavors alike. However, the real perk here is the fact that they are ultra-low calorie. In fact, coming in at just 88 calories, Henry’s Sparkling Water is the lowest cal drink on this list.
Another stand-out stat for Henry’s? It’s 4.2 percent ABV, which is on the lower end of most alcoholic drinks, making it a good go-to for when you’re not in the mood to get too tipsy.
How about the taste? This refreshing seltzer has a nicely-balanced, sweet and tangy taste. Several tasters likened this to a shandy—and one taster labeled it “a less sweet version of Sprite.” This seltzer’s strongest quality was its subtle hint of lemon, which kept it from being overly sweet.
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5. Nauti
ABV: 4.5%
Calories: 100 per 12 oz. can
This malt beverage from Wachusett Brewing Company had more of an “artificial” taste than the others, with a stronger alcoholic kick if that’s what you’re going for. Nauti was the mildest in terms of carbonation, scoring low on the bubble-strength scale.
Additionally, it left mouths with what felt like a sugary film. In four fun and fresh flavors—black cherry, blueberry lemonade, mixed berry, and watermelon—you can’t go wrong.
People who want to get a little naughty on their diet would probably find Nauti to be one of the best hard seltzer brands on this list. However, only those who dislike the taste of hard alcohol will be the ones who enjoy this brand’s flavor the most.
6. Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Seltzer
ABV: 4.5%
Calories: 90 per 12 oz.
Yes, the classic vodka company also boasts one of the best hard seltzer brands to hit the mainstream too.
Smirnoff Spiked Sparkling Water is described as “balanced” with a “slight alcoholic aftertaste.” The purified malt beverage has been “crafted to remove gluten.” While there isn’t any sugar or artificial sweeteners, the final product is the sweetest of all the options—it tastes more like a low-key soda than a seltzer. But that’s not a bad thing if you think about its 90-calorie count.
Its flavor proved lightly fruity and not too sweet, making it a crowd-pleaser for the majority of drinkers. They’re available in cranberry lime, orange mango, raspberry rosé, berry lemonade, and watermelon.
The real big perk here, aside from the classic Smirnoff flavor style, is the fact that it’s done by a company that makes it easy to find them in almost any liquor store.
Summary
One of the best ways to quench your thirst without derailing your diet is hard seltzer, or alcoholic sparkling water, or boozy seltzer—and it’s fizzy, fruity, and much lower in calories and carbs than beer.
Hard seltzer is the newest, trendiest thing on the market. Its popularity comes from the fact that it’s an alcoholic beverage that gets you buzzed, has low carb counts, and still manages to taste crisp and refreshing. It’s no wonder hard seltzer is so dang popular!
As many people claim, you can never go wrong with hard seltzer. Whether you’re hosting a BBQ on your rooftop or simply kickin’ it with your cat, it’s a really refreshing way to cool off when the summer heat is in full force. So, get started on trying some of these — the flavor options are endless.
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When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
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Not so long ago, I asked a former co-worker what makes him so calm during our extremely busy hours at work. He replied “a daily sip of wine”. It took me a second to process the potential benefits of alcoholic drinks in the office.
Alcohol can play a large role in the culture of many workplaces. From social functions and events to regular lunches and celebrations, office drinking serves as a means of managing work-related issues including employee stress and tension.
As we know, alcohol is one of the most ubiquitous and unifying products in the world. It is, in one form or another, consumed in great volume in every corner of the Earth.
And in this modern era, there’s good news for all you lovers of office libation – boozing in the office is definitely in fashion! A long-since-exiled workplace habit is now making a big comeback.
A Brief History of Office Drinking Culture
The presence of alcohol in offices has ebbed and flowed over time and largely depended on the type of business.
The big changes to US work culture haven’t just been all about modern appearances and policies. Office culture also has undergone a number of major changes since the 1950s.
Office drinking had its culmination in the work cultures of the ’50s and ’60s. But attitudes began to change starting in the 80s and 90s. Drinking at work mysteriously became forbidden.
But in the last decade or so, there’s been a resurgence of drinks in the office. For many companies—often startups and agency-like firms—drinking on the job is now considered a perk.
Bloomberg’s Businessweek reports that Yelp’s headquarters in San Francisco is equipped with “a keg refrigerator” that “supplies its employees with an endless supply of beer.”
It’s a great time to live in— where our perceptions of office drinking culture have already shifted and we’re gearing towards more innovations.
Benefits Of Drinks at Work
Alcoholic drinks hold great power over modern society and, especially, over modern workers.
Whether workplace enjoyment, productivity, or employee health and well-being form part of your workplace’s rationale, an office culture around alcohol provides a number of benefits for workplaces. Here are 7 compelling reasons to embrace drinks in the office.
1. Incentivizes employee performance
Holding a happy hour in the office brings after-hours activity into the professional space. It’s both a way to keep employees around longer while fostering internal connections.
Light drinking in the workplace may help some employees to feel appreciated and keep them committed to the company. Furthermore, modern workers especially expect an office culture that allows them to be their true selves at work. They see alcoholic beverage in the office as a major perk to their job.
Many managers now are providing fridges full of drinks because they understand workplace stress – they want employees to feel free to forget the stress, alleviate the pressures, and forgo the office politics for the time being. Remember to do this enthusiastically but with restraint.
2. Helps employees bond and connect
For most of us, courage from an alcoholic beverage can be the reason we have the gall to approach that group across the room or start a conversation with people we don’t really know.
Business deals, new friendship, and strong bonds are often formulated over drinks, and networking events tend to occur after hours.
Grabbing a beer or a glass of wine with a couple of coworkers (even from other departments) is definitely a form of networking. When enjoyed in moderation, it has a tendency to lower our inhibitions, which can lead your team to form new relationships and forge new bonds. These bonds, in turn, result in a more engaged team.
In Japan, drinks in the office are also very common. In fact, it can be an unspoken requirement in many companies. They feel that it is an important way to enhance relationships. Like them, it can be useful for you to understand who your coworkers are and their typical mindset when they are relaxed and outside of the office.
3. Improves recruitment and retention
Office drinking culture can have a number of positive impacts on workplaces. One of them is that it may help attract new talent. In fact, some businesses highlight their free alcohol policies as a way of getting new hiring prospects.
Not only is it something employees want (no surprise there), it’s also something employers feel can attract and retain today’s more progressive-minded modern workers.
Companies, including Yelp, Google, and almost every Ad agency in New York, offer alcoholic perks to their employees — and for good reason.
Research shows employees with alcohol in their systems work faster and are better problem solvers than their sober counterparts. But before you make a case about working drunk, know these benefits don’t apply to the flat-out intoxicated. The key is to meet somewhere in the middle.
As a result of this research, more companies are attempting to attract modern employees with office bars and casual environments.
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4. Saves employees from tension meltdown
Drinking can reduce fears and take your mind off of your troubles. It can help you feel less shy, give you a boost in mood, and make you feel generally relaxed. In fact, alcohol’s effects can be similar to those of anti-anxiety medications.
With that said, a glass of wine or a beer can be a helpful option to calm employees’ nerves when dealing with stressful work days or nervous situations.
A study, which analyzed more than 2,600 men and 2,800 women over a seven-year period, found that people who drank two to seven glasses of wine a week were less likely to suffer from depression. Also, it can be helpful in reducing stress.
With that said, the availability of alcohol in the workplace can create a positive impact on employees’ well-being. There is a certain lucidity that alcohol can offer, putting us in a state to work fast and have fun.
Not only does office drinking culture make your working environment enjoyable, but it also helps employees decompress during stressful hours and serves as a coping mechanism after a particularly bad day.
5. Improves employees’ creative problem-solving
Nowadays, many modern corporate offices already condone drinking on the job. As it turns out, a little bit of alcohol really can support creative thinking.
Research has even shown that workers who drink are more productive and can better explore unorthodox solutions. A certain level of inebriation can help get the creative juices flowing.
In fact, a US experiment reported in Harvard Business Review showed that when 20 young men drank enough vodka cranberry cocktails to push their blood alcohol levels close to the legal limit of 0.08, they solved a bunch of word puzzles better and faster than 20 other blokes who stayed sober.
Apart from that, an earlier study also found that light to moderate drinking can actually help relax your brain and get you thinking more clearly. It was even found to help people not overthink and come to better, more thought-out solutions.
So if you need to get your creative juices flowing, one to two glasses of alcohol can actually help you and your team become creative problem-solvers.
6. Promotes trust and respect
Since the corporate life has changed a lot in the last decade or so, work has become more flexible. It accommodates the needs of individuals according to their lifestyle and stage of life.
The majority of the younger generation or modern workers prefer an environment with more freedom and a more relaxed work atmosphere. Bringing adult beverages into your office will send your workers a message that you trust your employees to act like responsible adults.
No one wants to feel trapped in a strict and toxic working environment. Trusting them to know their own limits and partake in the occasional in-office drink helps do just that. They will feel more respected and trusted.
Moreover, they will also find it easier to talk to their colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere inside work. Relationships with coworkers may develop closer casual talks and employees may be more open to sharing concerns about their work or about other coworkers.
7. Improves employees’ health and well-being
We probably all know that getting wasted every day might not be the best thing for your physical or mental well-being, but moderate alcohol consumption may have somesubstantial health benefits.
From reducing your stress to lengthening your life, there are a number of health benefits from moderate drinking.
Research even suggests that one drink a day helps reduce a person’s risk of heart disease by up to 40%. Moderate drinking has also been found to reduce a person’s risk for diabetes and decrease their chances of developing dementia.
In view of this, a responsible office drinking culture can improve the health and well-being of employees. It is also as clear as day that drinks in the office unlock so many other productivity benefits from more motivation to extra energy.
Conclusion
For decades we’ve been hearing about the health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption.
Getting intoxicated every day is obviously not good for you. But as a society, we already seem to have latched onto this idea that small amounts of alcohol are actually beneficial for your health and well-being.
Some research shows that the actual act of socializing in a drinking setting makes people feel more engaged and trusting of their friends and community.
The upshot is that, for people working on something creative or problem-solving, drinks in the office could actually help job performance. Check out this list of drink ideas if you’re struggling to come up with something beyond a chardonnay and an IPA.
Whatever it is, we can agree that as long as you keep your imbibing under control and your sipping in moderation, office drinking culture has a number of benefits for the employees and for the organization as a whole.
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
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There’s an element of fun to be had when it comes to curating the perfect list of cocktails.
You don’t have to be a bartending expert, nor do you need to stress over party planning or what the best cocktails for your party would be.
This is where Office Libations comes in with a few ideas.
Inspired by Chad Parkhill’s Around The World In 80 Cocktails, we took the time to condense this list to areas a little closer to home.
Here is how you can travel around the United States with 5 American inspired cocktails.
Brandy Old Fashioned – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Since the 1850s, brandy has solidified its place in American history. And no other state will have a greater brandy presence than Wisconsin.
Order an Old Fashioned in Wisconsin and you’ll be served with a sweet brandy concoction with slight variances.
According to Parkhill, German America fell in love with Korbel brandy come 1893 at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. Furthermore, Wisconsin at the time found itself heavily populated with German immigrants.
If you’re looking to create your cocktails in batches, Fish House Punch is the perfect route to take.
The State in Schuylkill, otherwise known as the Schuylkill Fishing Company, is one of the oldest social clubs in the world.
Can you guess what their official drink was?
Suffice to say, Fish House Punch was a popular menu option back in the day. By 1885, the punch recipe became so popular that it lasted all the way through prohibition.
Throw together some freshly squeezed lemon juice, dark rum, cognac, and peach brandy among other ingredients, and you’ll have the perfect Fish House Punch fit for any party.
Flame of Love Martini – Los Angeles, California
The Flame of Love Martini starts its Journey around 1940s America when Vodka started gaining momentum in the realm of liquor.
Once the 1960s rolled around, the Vodka Martini became a big part of pop culture. After 1975, Vodka was dominating America.
By this time, bartenders were serving Martinis that were 80% Vodka.
The Flame of Love Martini originated from the desire to create a new kind of Martini. One with a little more flavor above all.
Thanks to the flaming orange peel, this cocktail will make a simple yet show-stopping addition to any cocktail menu.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpYfaKAMB5E
Manhattan – New York City, New York
It’s unclear where the Manhattan truly originated from.
It’s thought that the drink was invented, George Black who ran a saloon called the Manhattan Inn.
By adding Vermouth to a classic whiskey cocktail, this created a new sophisticated kind of cocktail.
The ratio may vary, but an easy way to remember the recipe is to follow the Manhattan 212 area code. 2 ounces of bourbon whiskey, 1 ounce of sweet vermouth, and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters.
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Martinez – San Francisco, California
We’ll end this list with a cocktail inspired right here in the bay area.
Once upon a time, a gold miner was passing through the Occidental Hotel from San Francisco on his way to the mining town of Martinez. It was here that a man named Jerry Thomas served the miner with a drink named after his destination.
However, as Parkhill goes on to say, this story may not be true but it makes for an interesting tale nonetheless.
The Martinez consists of sweet red vermouth, old tom gin, maraschino liqueur, a dash of bitters and topped with a lemon peel to garnish.
Conclusion
Some of the most popular cocktails consist of a mix of traditional recipes and clever twists on old classics.
Though we didn’t get a chance to traverse the world through 80 cocktails, we managed to look into what the US came up with throughout the years.
So when you’re looking at the best cocktails for your party, remember these American classics to round out any cocktail menu.
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
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The best part about throwing a party is the sleepless nights stressing over how to bartend your party!
Said no one ever.
Hosting your own party is no easy task, let alone planning someone else’s. They take plenty of work and like we already mentioned, they take a lot of planning.
If there’s one element of a party to pay extra attention to, it’s the bar. The bar is the one area that your guests will be returning to from the time they arrive up until the time they leave.
If you’re commandeering the bar for the day, then it’s crucial to know the basics on how to bartend like a pro.
From the proper tools to basic recipes, we’ve got everything you need to know to learn how to be a bartender at your own party.
Essential Tools Every Bartender Should Know
There are essential tools that every bartender should know besides a bottle opener and a corkscrew.
Depending on what kind of drinks you are going to serve at your party though, you may not need all of these tools.
If you’re creating a variety of cocktails, however, these tools will become your best friend.
Jigger
For just about any cocktail, chances are you’re going to need to measure out your liquor.
That’s what a jigger is for. A jigger is a double-sided tool used to measure out anything from 1 ounce to 3/4 of an ounce on either side.
They even come in different sizes so you can dole out the right size portions for any cocktail you make.
Strainer
Depending on what kind of shaker you use, you’re most likely going to need some sort of strainer.
There are a few types to choose from.
First, we have what we call a Hawthorne strainer. It’s not only perforated to drain out liquids but it has a spring around the edge to catch ice, fruit, and other large objects.
Second, we have a Julep strainer.
The Julep strainer looks like a large perforated spoon. Staying true to its original purpose, this strainer is ideal for simple straining.
Lastly, we have a standard fine mesh strainer. It’s ideal for filtering out the smaller bits that might pass through another strainer.
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Shaker
For those drinks that need to be shaken with ice, you’re going to need a shaker. We’ve got three to choose from:
Cobble shaker
Boston shaker
French shaker
The cobble and French shaker are very similar to each other.
The only difference is that the cobble shaker comes in a three-piece set with a mixing tin, strainer, and cap. The French shaker on the other hand only comes in a two piece set without the strainer.
The Boston shaker is a two piece set that normally comes with a large and small mixing glass. It can be a little more difficult to maneuver since it requires the user to make a tight seal with both glasses when shaking.
Bar Spoon
Imagine trying to mix a cocktail in a tall, narrow glass with a broad tablespoon.
Not possible is it?
That’s why we have bar spoons to make everything accessible and easy to stir. Some will be more elongated than others or have added tools on the end of the spoon to serve a variety of functions.
Y Peeler & Channel Zester
Adding fruit peel garnishes will be extremely difficult without the help of a channel zester or Y peeler.
These tools do a fine job of skinning fruit and creating the perfect spiral peels every time.
Citrus Juicer
Without a citrus juicer, it will be pretty hard to add a fresh squeeze of juice to your cocktails.
Using a juicer allows you to get the most of your fruit without wasting a drop in addition to lessening the mess you’re bound to make without it.
Basic Ingredients for Your Cocktails
Fresh Fruit
Fruit is not an option. It’s a must.
Have you ever gone to a bar and seen a bowl of peeled citrus fruits like lemons or oranges on the counter?
It’s more than aesthetic decor for the environment that’s for sure. That’s because bartenders will often use fruit and/or fruit peelings for their cocktails.
Adding a touch of freshly squeezed fruit juice will make your drinks taste ten times better. Likewise, it will take the brunt of the alcohol so you can enjoy the buzz with a fruity finish.
Ice
OK, ice is ice. It should not be so complicated to require its own section…right?
See, here’s the thing.
Of course, we have crushed versus cubed ice, but then we also have jumbo ice cubes which look exactly like you’re picturing now.
The main benefit to using jumbo ice cubes is that it won’t dilute your drink as fast since the ice takes longer to melt.
Simple Syrup
There’s always going to be a need for a little extra sugar.
Some recipes might call for a sugar cube but most will call for something called simple syrup which is a sugar and water mixture.
Simple syrup is so simple that it can be made by boiling water with sugar.
Since sugar doesn’t dissolve well in cold beverages, simple syrup is used in place of granular sugar to add a little sweetener to any drink.
Garnishes
Whether they’re edible or used for aesthetic appeal, garnishes are another must for any bar. People love to look at all the extras that their bartender put together.
Most bartenders will use popular garnishes such as:
mint leaves
fresh herbs
maraschino cherries
fruit wedges
fruit peels & spirals
salt rims
The fun part about garnishes it that there are no strict guidelines to follow. This is a great time to have fun and experiment with garnishes that pair well with a drink.
And if worse come to worse, fruit wedges are always a nice go-to garnish. You can spruce up most cocktails with a fruit wedge or peel spiral.
Or if you’re feeling especially adventurous, you can try adding flowers to complete the look of your drinks.
In learning how to bartend, picking the right glassware is more important than you might think. Beer and wine are easy, but cocktails don’t like to follow the rules of glassware so it can be tricky to match the drink to the glass.
To start off, you want to keep in mind that wide rimmed glasses are best for aromatic drinks. Narrow rimmed glasses are best for containing drinks with a lot of fizz.
Wine glasses are easy to remember. Red wine glasses have a wider rim to allow for aromas to reach the nose whereas white wine glasses are narrow to prevent delicate aromas from escaping.
The two most basic glasses for cocktails you should know are a lowball and highball glass.
An old fashioned or lowball glass has a wide rim best used for serving spirits on the rocks or simple cocktails.
Then there’s a highball glass which is much more narrow and taller than a lowball glass. These glasses you can use for most cocktails including those with a lot of crushed ice or ingredients that like to bubble upwards.
We also can’t forget about a coupe glass which looks like a flat bowl on a stem. These are best used for drinks that have been shaken with ice but served without it.
And of course, when you want to get hammered with 1 to 2 ounces of hard liquor, there’s the old reliable shot glass.
Having the right snacks for cocktail hour is another critical factor to address.
Because let’s be honest, you have to remember to please those who are only there for the free food.
So, you want to serve the best hors d’oeuvres that pack a flavorful punch to any palate. Flavorful being the operative word here.
Savory foods with cheese, bread and meats will get people moving towards the food platters in no time.
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Prep in advance
It pays off to think ahead and save yourself some time.
When you’ve got a line of drink orders and little time to even blink, you want to have everything at the ready. Otherwise, pandemonium may well ensue.
Here are some tips to stay on your toes on the day of the event:
Slice your fruit wedges a few hours before the event and refrigerate them so when you’re making drink after drink all you have to do is pull out your fruit and go.
If you’ve got garnishes, make sure they are as prepared as they can be. Separate herb stems, skewer your olives, de-stem fruit, etc.
Make sure you have enough ice whether it’s crushed or in cubes.
Even something as simple as unwrapping your toothpick umbrellas can save you time in the long run.
Whatever you can get done a few hours prior to the event the better, so always be aware of anything that can save you time.
Make Punch Bowls Popular
Punch bowls are awesome because they serve one of two purposes.
First of all, it looks good. People are attracted to colorful objects that catch their eye.
Second, it serves a valuable function. If it’s a one-person show behind the bar then having a self-serve option can be a big help throughout the day and into the night.
Basic Cocktails Every Bartender Should Know
Rum & Coke
The name says it all. A rum and coke consist of just that: rum and coke.
Add 1.5 ounces of rum in a highball glass with ice, fill it up with coke and there you have a simple cocktail ready to please any one of your party guests.
Screwdriver
For those who enjoy more juice than alcohol, a screwdriver is a perfect alternative.
Like a rum and coke, a screwdriver takes little to no effort to make. All you have to do is pour 1.5 ounces of vodka in a highball glass with ice and fill it up with orange juice.
Old Fashioned
What better way to fill an old fashioned glass than to fill it with an old fashioned?
An old fashioned consists of the following ingredients:
1.25 ounces of Bourbon whiskey
2 bar spoons of simple syrup
3 dashes of bitters
1 orange peel and/or maraschino cherry
Pour them over ice (a jumbo ice cube if you have one) in an old fashioned glass, add a garnish if you’d like and there you have the perfect old fashioned.
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Gin & Tonic
Light and crisp, a gin and tonic makes a great drink for those times when you need something more refreshing.
You’re going to need 2 ounces of gin, 4 ounces of tonic water, a squeeze of citrus juice, and mix it all together with ice in an old fashioned glass.
Unlike vodka, gin has an intentional flavor so feel free to experiment with different types of gin to give your drink a unique aroma.
Margarita
Everyone loves a classic margarita. It’s fruity, tangy, refreshing, and fun all wrapped up in one drink.
But before you start playing with margarita recipes, here are some of the basic ingredients that you’re going to need for most margaritas:
2 ounces of tequila
1 ounce of lime juice
.5 ounces of orange liqueur
.5 ounces of agave syrup
Spice it up with different garnishes, a salt rim, or other ingredients to make your drink stand out.
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Conclusion
Learning how to bartend a party, whether it’s a wedding or backyard kickback, doesn’t require too much skill.
But before you set out to become a pro-level bartender, get to know the tricks and tools of the trade. As long as you know the basics then you can most certainly get away with not knowing how to twirl bottles for show.
Being a bartender is only stressful if you make it stressful, so pop out those bar spoons and brush up on basic cocktail recipes.
Now you’ve got the makings of a great beginning bartender!
Make sure to share this article with anyone you think could use it!
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
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