How to Build a Festive Cocktail Station for Your Next Party
This holiday season let your party guests practice some merry mixology. Inside-the-Beltway cocktail guru Sebastian Zutant, of The Red Hen, supplies inspiration for all the mixers, syrups and garnishes you need for a do-it-yourself sparkling-wine cocktail station.
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The Set-Up
Wine:
Chilled sparkling wine such as prosecco, Champagne or cava (1 bottle makes about 6 cocktails)
Mixers:
Simple Syrup
Cinnamon-Honey-Green Tea Syrup
Aperol
Vodka
Fresh-squeezed lemon juice
Garnishes:
Lemon & orange twists
Clementine slices
Fresh cranberries
Syrups:
Simple Syrup
Mix 1 cup each sugar and water in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar. Let cool. Cover and refrigerate for up to 6 months.
Makes: about 1 1/2 cups
Cinnamon-Honey-Green Tea Syrup
Steep 6 green tea bags in 3/4 cup boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags. Stir in 3/4 cup honey. Let cool. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Stir in 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon just before using.
Makes: about 1 1/2 cups
Other Essentials:
Ice bucket
Assorted barware (Champagne flutes, wineglasses, Collins glasses)
Jigger
Swizzle sticks
Cocktail napkins
The Cocktails
Combine:
1 oz. Cinnamon-Honey-Green Tea Syrup
1 1/2 oz. Aperol
Top with: 4 oz. chilled sparkling wine
Garnish with: Clementine slices (Add ice if desired.)
Calories: 178
Combine:
1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
1/2 oz. Aperol
1/2 oz. lemon juice
Top with: 4 oz. chilled sparkling wine
Garnish with: Orange twist
Calories: 149
Combine:
1 oz. Cinnamon-Honey-Green Tea Syrup
1 1/2 oz. vodka
1 oz. lemon juice
Top with: 3 oz. chilled sparkling wine
Garnish with: Cranberries (Add ice if desired.)
Calories: 236
Combine:
1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
1/2 oz. lemon juice
Top with: 4 oz. chilled sparkling wine
Garnish with: Lemon twist
Calories: 126