Celebrating In Style

WORDS : CHYKA KEEBAUGH

PHOTO : LISA ATKINSON

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Christmas is my most favourite time of year! 


Spending precious time with family and friends is the highlight of my Christmas season, and I love nothing more than welcoming them all into my home. One thing I always make sure I have on hand is a delicious drink, and when I discovered this fantastic range of Signature Collection Wine Accessories at Howards Storage World, I knew it was perfect for this upcoming festive season.

When I have guests, I don’t want to be fussing about the kitchen or serving drinks, and I need to be amongst all the action! A little DIY Bar set up is a simple way to help your guests drinks while socialising at the same time. Think about your home and where your guests tend to congregate - this is the perfect spot to set up your DIY bar. Consisting of a cocktail shaker, champagne bucket, ice container, wine cooler and accessories, this little collection can be set up fully stocked to invite your guests to help themselves. Keep a collection of glasses and extra bottles near the area for refills, then all you need to do is keep an eye on the ice levels. Too easy!


3 Bar Styling ideas for Christmas

  • Create a colourful background of gift boxes behind your bar space by wrapping empty boxes in coloured papers. Pick 2-3 colours for visual consistency and use contrasting coloured ribbons on the boxes. Keep your bench simple with a white tablecloth or sheet; this will make your coloured boxes pop! Serve your guests a fruity, colourful cocktail that works within your theme.

  • Keep it sleek for a nighttime gathering by draping a sizeable dark tablecloth (or a few metres of fabric) over your bar area. Style it with elegant silver candle holders and classic cut-glass tumblers, the use of candlelight will flicker off the silver of the bar set like fairy lights. Simple, slick and minimal. Offer your guests a glass of deliciously crisp french champagne.

  • Love flowers? Laden a counter with your favourite flowers then strategically place your bar set amongst it. Keep your spare glasses and bottles on a nearby bench as to not clutter the space, keeping the focus on the florals. This is perfect for a ladies lunch where your guests can help themselves to a delicious glass on arrival.

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Inviting your guests to help themselves is always a great icebreaker, and with Howard’s Storage World collection of bar tools and accessories, I’d be surprised if they left the bar area at all! And why would they when I have such a delicious cocktail on offer…

Pear Mojito

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz. Rum
• .75 oz. lime juice
• .75 oz. simple syrup
• 1 oz. Ambient pear puree
• fresh mint leaves
• club soda

Method


In a highball glass, lightly press on mint leaves with a muddler. Add rest of the ingredients except club soda. Add ice and transfer into a shaker and shake. Add club soda and pour back in a highball glass. Garnish with mint leaves.