Inflation has hit us all hard, and holiday parties can be a real challenge to your wallet. So, we've put together a shopping list to create a holiday party bourbon cocktail bar that won't break the bank, but will impress your guests. This list will serve 100 cocktails. How many people that equals is really up to you, but a safe bet is 50 people plus or minus.
Some of this stuff you may even already have, like the sugar, honey, or maple syrup so your costs may vary. For transparency, this list was put together by looking at prices from Total Wine and Walmart as of 11/1/23. Your mileage and tax may vary because pricing is highly variable across the US for stuff like this.
What about the recipes? Well, that's not what this article is about. But...
- To make simple syrups from sugar, basically boil 1 cup of water and add one cup of sugar. Stir until dissolved completely, then cool it down.
- To make an old fashioned, take 1.5 ounces of bourbon, add 2 tablespoons of simple syrup and 2 dashes of bitters. Squeeze the zest of an orange into the glass and leave the peel as a garnish.
- To make a manhattan, substitute sweet vermouth for the simple syrup in the old fashioned recipe.
- To make a hot toddy, heat up 3/4 ounce water. Add 1.5 ounces of bourbon, 1 tablespoon honey and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Stir it with a cinnamon stick.
The $148.49 list:
- Henry McKenna Handle ($19.99)
- Evan Williams 1783 ($27.99)
- Old Granddad 114 x2 ($43.98)
- Sweet Vermouth ($9.99)
- White Sugar ($3.24)
- Dark Brown Sugar ($2.42)
- Honey ($6.42)
- Great Value Pure Maple Syrup ($7.98)
- Lemon Juice ($2.88)
- Regular Bitters ($8.98)
- Orange Bitters ($8.98)
- Oranges (for rind) ($2.64)
- Cinnamon sticks ($3)
