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Raising The Bar: Make Sure You're Well-Stocked For The Holidays

Hosting a holiday party this year?

You’ll want to make sure your bar is well-stocked with seasonal beers, easy-drinking wines, spirits, and a few good-quality non-alcoholic options for the designated drivers.

But where to start and what to choose? CityLine.ca asked spirits expert Kevin Brauch, host of The Thirsty Traveller, for advice on how to ensure the party goes off without a hitch -- or a last-minute trip to the liquor store.

“I think the more work you can put in [ahead of] the party itself the more fun you’re going to have at the event,” Brauch advises. “You want to keep it really simple. Good product will carry off the party successfully. Honest beer, honest wines, honest spirits, but simple concoctions.”

As far as beer goes, leave those light, summery pilsners on the shelf and reach for a darker ale.

“I don’t want to serve people the same stuff I served them at Canada Day or at Thanksgiving, I want to find a few new things that get my interest going, or something specific to a few of the people you know are coming to the event. There are some seasonal ales that have a bit more cinnamon and nutmeg in them. O.C.B. (Ontario Craft Brewery), or [something] from any one of our great local beer-drinking regions and beer-making regions from around the country, is going to work really well as an interesting one-off,” Brauch says. “Remember the idea is not to get people plastered, it’s about making them feel good and checking in with them at this time of year.”

For wine, make sure to buy a couple bottles of red and white. No need to spend a lot of money on vintages – go for fresh, easy-drinking wines, and make sure they’re food-friendly.

If you’re willing to spend a bit more money, do it in the spirits department, Brauch suggests.

“New scotches: The Black Grouse. Everybody knows The Famous Grouse, this is a brand new one right across the country. It’s going to be something that no one has tried before. So when [your guests] are thinking about your party and they’re doing that recap in the morning they can say, ‘Man, that was a great party, and for the first time in my life I tried The Black Grouse,’” he says. “New vodkas -- I’m not a big fan of ultra premium vodkas, those big expensive ones that cost $400 in a club. Are you kidding me? [Russian Standard] is an honest drinking vodka, it’s Russia’s most popular, the bottle says it’s stylish, the taste is good. It’s good on its own in a martini, it’s good in a mixed drink. From the Okanagan, Taboo Absinthe, it’s a beautiful, delicious drink. It’s got that milky white, natural green colour. And then we go to Victoria Gin, this is what athletes in Vancouver are going to be celebrating with come February, I guarantee you. Our own gin, and our own absinthe, made right in our country, and I’d be proud to put them on my table at the holidays.”

Lastly, don’t forget about the guests at your party who aren’t drinking, the teetotallers and the designated drivers deserve something special to sip on as well. Brauch says do them one better than a 2L bottle of pop.

“I’d go out and find some specialty things. Ginger beer instead of gingerale, fresh juices --- that stuff goes a long way and it makes the non-drinkers feel better,” he notes. “Everybody hates to be in that position, so make them feel good by doing something more and giving them premium drinks.”

 

KEVIN’S BEST OF…HOLIDAY WINES & SPIRITS – THE PERFECT 3n3!

KEVIN’S BEST OF…HOLIDAY WINES

CRASTO VINHO TINTO (Portugal)
Available at Vintages at LCBO and across Canada (81588)

SIBLING RIVALRY WHITE VQA (Canada)
Available at Vintages at LCBO and across Canada (126144)

DOMAINE DE LA BASTIDE VISAN COTES DU RHONE-VILLAGES 2007 (FRANCE)
Available at Vintages at LCBO and across Canada (129072)


KEVIN’S BEST OF…HOLIDAY SPIRITS

RUSSIAN STANDARD VODKA (Russia)
Available at LCBO and across Canada (137117)
The number one selling premium vodka in Russia.

Drink prepared: The Moscow Mule
Vodka, Ginger Beer (or Ginger Ale) squeeze of fresh lime, ice – voila!

THE BLACK GROUSE WHISKY (United Kingdom)
Available at LCBO and across Canada (140882)

Drink prepared: Black Grouse on ‘the rock’
A generous pour of spirit over one large piece of ice – if desired, garnish with an orange wheel garnish.

VICTORIA GIN (Canada)
Selected markets across Canada (Winchester Cellars – LCBO 118737)

Drink prepared: Gin & Ginger Ale (with floating, frozen cranberry garnish)

TABOO ABSINTHE (Canada)
Selected markets across Canada or through website (Oakanagan Spirits)

Drink prepared: Classic Absinthe cocktail – 1oz TABOO, 4oz Ice Water (sugarcube optional)

Originally published on CityLine