For a pretty bar setup, you don't have to have a complete set of glassware. Start a collection of interesting glasses by hitting up your local thrift shops and garage sales. Unify the look by keeping to a color theme: gold-accented glasses, blue-accented glasses or all clear. Plus, a variety of glasses helps your guests identify which glass is theirs!
Festive Ice
Freeze cranberries or lemon zest in ice cubes to add color to your ice bucket and turn ordinary cocktails or plain water into a colorful drink.
Homemade Stirrers
Use holiday tinsel to make stir sticks for your cocktail station. Cut a small swatch of tinsel from an inexpensive garland available at any party store. Dab a drop of glue or wrap double-stick tape around the sharp end of a bamboo shish kebab skewer and simply wrap the piece of tinsel around the stick.
Good for Groups: Punch
Cider, mulled wine and punch are great options for groups. Add star anise and cinnamon sticks to the bowl for extra flavor and a fun look.
Rosemary Garnish
Make use of seasonal herbs like rosemary or sage not just in your cooking but in your cocktails, as well. Be sure to have a few options for garnish, a knife, a muddler and a stirrer on hand for mixing great drinks.
