By Dee Brun from CocktailDeeva and www.twitter.com/cocktaildeeva

Unless your holiday party guest list includes Kid Rock , Lindsay Lohan, P Diddy and Amy Winehouse, stocking your bar for these festive events is really quite simple. The key thing to remember, is that just as in life…you canʼt make everyone happy. If Uncle Ted enjoys a nip of a good 100 year old scotch every now and then…Uncle Ted is just gonna have to B.H.O.S. (bring his own scotch) . Your goal is to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for friends and family to come together and enjoy an evening of good cheer. If that bombs, you definitely donʼt want to be stuck with a liquor cabinet full of crap you will never drink…

Here are the top 5 must haves for your swanky holiday home bar:

1. Lotʼs of Booze

Good rule of thumb is two drinks per person for the first hour and one for each hour after that. Calculate that 40% drink beer, 30% use hard liquor, and 30% sip wine (sip…hahahahaha).There are some great Drink Calculators on-line to help you out. Make sure you have all the basics, Vodka, Rum, Gin, Tequila, Whiskey, Beer, Wine and Brandy/Cognac. Throw in a couple of fruit flavoured liqueurs for some fun shooters. Also a total aesthetic, shallow tip…Pick the “pretty” liquor bottles. Remember your going to be displaying them and you want to make it pleasing to the eye and create a some wow factor.

2. Mixes

A key component to any great cocktail. Keep lotʼs of cola, lemon/lime, ginger ale and diet cola on hand. A good variety of juices will allow you to get creative with your flavours. Donʼt neglect the simple things, Soda and tonic waters are a must have. Coffee and hot chocolate are handy to have around if your planning on whipping up some hot totties.

3. Cocktail Tools

Keep it simple, my philosophy is- if you donʼt know what itʼs used for, donʼt buy it. A basic cocktail shaker, large ice bucket, jigger (fancy word for measuring shot glass), a good blender, bottle opener, corkscrew and cutting board. Also donʼt forget great recipes and youʼll be mixing up wonderful libations in no time.

4. A Wide Variety of Glassware

Everything tastes better in a fabulous glass, just be sure to have more than enough to go around. Fabulous does not have to be pricy. The key is not to worry about being all “matchy matchy”. An eclectic collection of fantastic glassware is perfect for any bar.

5. Ice

And Lotʼs of it! The only thing worse than an warm drink is no drink. Good rule of thumb, if you think you have enough ice…double it! Now everyone’s drink can stay full, fabulous and chilled.

Here’s a recipe to get the holidays started right:

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