It’s the most wonderful time of the year …
The holiday season is upon us!
Whether you’re hosting a large group, just your family or something in between …
there’s no better way to welcome guests than with a glass of bubbly.
Today I’m joining five blogger friends to share our fun holiday drink station ideas.
On offer at Snowberry … a Raspberry Kir Royale Bar.
This fun, bubbly cocktail is sure to create a festive mood
and get your guests into the holiday spirit.
Best of all, with only three ingredients, it’s quick and easy.
Did I mention it’s delicious?!
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I’m not an effortless entertainer.
So creating a drinks station where guests can serve themselves is a great way to go.
You’ll be free to focus on other things.
Like not burning the rolls.
More importantly, engaging with your guests.
And your guests won’t be standing around with empty glasses wondering where you’ve gone.
Last year I shared the recipe for my Raspberry Kir Royale.
All you need is three ingredients ~
- Chambord ~ a raspberry liqueur
- Bubbles ~ a dry Champagne, sparkling wine or Prosecco
- Fresh raspberries for garnish
Notes:
- A standard 750ml bottle will make about 6-7 servings
- A 375ml bottle will make 12-one ounce servings
In addition to the drink ingredients,
gather these accoutrements to make your drinks station functional and festive ~
- Champagne Flutes
- Trays
- Ice bucket
- Ice
- Wine bottle coasters
- Bar Towels
- Shot glass or cocktail jigger
- Cocktail picks
- Small serving bowl & fork
- Cocktail napkins
- Sparkling wine bottle stopper, to keep your sparkling wine fresh and bubbly
- Candles
- Festive holiday decor
- Table linens
- Flowers
Location, location, location.
Jim’s beverage bar in our Great Room is the perfect location for my Raspberry Kir Royale Bar.
It’s easy for guests access and serve themselves.
A console table, bar cart, buffet, kitchen counter or dining table are great options too.
Use trays to corral glasses and bottles.
Trays are charming and will save your countertop or linens from drips.
I lined mine with bar towels … better safe than sorry.
I like to wrap a bar towel or napkin around the neck of the bottle to keep drips to a minimum.
Be sure your bubbles are well chilled (COLD) and kept in an ice bucket.
If you’ve ever opened a bottle of not-cold-enough sparkling wine, you know what I mean.
Keep a sparkling wine topper handy and your bottle will stay fresh and bubbly.
Holiday decorations, twinkle lights and candles create a warm and inviting vibe.
To make things easier on you and your guests,
add 1/2 to one ounce of Chambord to each glass ahead of time.
Champagne coupes are having a resurgence and I’m here for it.
But for this cocktail I prefer a champagne flute.
Leave a few glasses empty for guests who prefer their bubbles straight up.
Make raspberry skewers to go along side a bowl of raspberry garnish.
When guests arrive, top the glasses with sparking wine.
Or better yet, let your guests serve themselves.
Garnish with a few raspberries or raspberry skewer.
Et Viola!
Cue the holiday playlist.
Let’s get this party started!
And there you have it, my Raspberry Kir Royale Bar.
I hope this inspires you to create your own drinks station this holiday season.
A great way to kick off your holiday gatherings!
Be sure to visit each of my blogger friends for more fun, festive holiday drinks station ideas and inspiration!
PIN THIS POST TO YOUR HOLIDAY IDEA BOARDS ~
Are you still shopping for holiday gifts?
Last week I shared my second annual gift guide … it’s not too late!
As always, I appreciate your visit and welcome your thoughts in the comments below.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year from Snowberry!
Shop My Raspberry Kir Royale Bar ~
All images by Monica Vargas Photography.
hi juliet!
pinned this! hope you have a merry christmas! my 3 kids are home for holiday. we head to brecke after christmas. mountsins need snow!!!
laura in colorado
Hi Laura … sounds like you have a fun Christmas planned! I hope your plans include a spritzer or two. Happy Holiday’s! xo
I knew you would be all over this one! I am not much for sparkling drinks but the kir royale is one of my favorites for brunch. I need to order those champagne flutes from Crate and Barrrel. Mine are packed away and they are terrible looking mass produced ones that we have used for the many weddings at our former home. You made this look so effortless and beautiful. Of course because you are the spritzer guru! Thanks for joining us you never disappoint.
Thank you so much, Cindy … you’re way too kind. I love joining your group and work myself into a state hoping to keep up. These glasses are favorites … they’re not delicate so I don’t worry about breaking them. And, they have those bubbles in the bottom and twinkle when the light shines through. And the price is right. Cheers and Happy Holiday’s! xo
YOU TOOK ME DOWN MEMORY LANE………I use to FOLLOW a BLOGGER IN FRANCE who would make these!
I must check in with her!her blogging stopped and then podcasts……..I just have not gotten there yet!
I cannot keep up especially this HOLIDAY SEASON!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I love podcasts, Contessa … you must pass along your friends Pod info. Merry Christmas to you … and cheers! xo
Juliet, Loved this, You are my go to for all things drink related! You are the gold standard and I wish to entertain as well as you do. It always looks effortless, though you say not. I like that you choose simply the best and cut the crap. Your standards are high and I am here for it. I am now going to order all below.. LOL. Really though so much I love here. It was fun doing this with you girls! You all ALWAYS come up with something DIFFERENT and fun! Cheers! xo
Kim, you are way too kind and I appreciate your faith in me! So fun to join you gals today … if you lived closer I’dd have been on your doorstep for a last of that Winter Spritz. Yum! xo
Juliet, I can’t decide what I love more, your drink or your bar. Both are so beautiful! So festive and pretty! As Kim said, you are the gold standard of all things drink-related!
Ha ha, Annie … you and Kim are much too kind. And I appreciate the boost to my fragile ego!!! Thanks for stopping by, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and the very happiest of New Years! xo
Juliet this is pure perfection! A Kir royale is my absolute favorite drink, I think I will set Up a drink statIon for our family CHRISTMAS dinner., i can only hope It will be as loVely as the one you put together. I have the flutes, the champagne and the chambord. Well, what am i waiting for, i might as well fix myself a drink right Now!,, you are such a Thoughtful hostess, and make everything look effortless.
Cheers and Happy holidays!
Xo Heidi
What are you waiting for, indeed! Put down your phone (or laptop) and go straight to your bar! And, cheers! xo
I have o idea why my typing came out so wonky, sorry!
Heidi
It’s not wonky at all on this end, but other people have mentioned this and I’m going to look into it. So, thank you!
These look and sound delicious! I love the glasses they are served in. Cheers!