SPECIALTY COCKTAILS

SECRETS FROM SEAN SWEENEY OF BARKEEPER TO SAVE MONEY AND TIME

date posted: March 11, 2017

“How can we save money on our bar and satisfy our guests?” This is something I hear people worry about while planning their wedding or event.

Whether it’s “What wine should we buy?”, “How many glasses will we need?”, or “How many bottles of whiskey will be enough for all the cousins and uncles?”, the bar always stirs up a lot of questions.

It’s a centerpiece at many weddings that takes some figuring out. With the enormous number of choices we see at every bar or restaurant, it’s hard to narrow down and decide on a few bottles to please everyone.

Not to mention we all have a mixologist friend who will be disappointed in the vermouth selection or lack of Campari for his Negroni. When I sit down with clients to talk bar numbers, I always suggest a specialty cocktail to alleviate some of these problems.

By making cocktails before the party, we can control flavor, spending andconsumption a little more closely.

There’s nothing wrong with a full bar; in fact, I love making cocktails to order from scratch—it’s a great way to build a relationship with customers and put on a show for the party. But if you’re working with a budget, a specialty cocktail is a great solution. For a party of 75 people, buying a full bar can mean three bottles each of five different types of alcohol, plus mixers, liqueurs, and flavorings. This can be simplified greatly by sticking to one cocktail, simple wine and beer choices, and a couple extras to flesh out your bar.

By making cocktails in bulk before the party, we can control flavor, spending and consumption a little more closely. Keeping it simple with an alcohol base, a strong flavor, and something to dilute our cocktail is a great way to start every time.

If we add a couple of simple bar items—like sweet or dry vermouth, bitters, or an aperitif like Aperol—our cocktail selection doubles or triples instantly. Try one of these specialty cocktails to serve at your next big event or party, or sit down with an experienced bartender to create something special.

bourbon punch

for the cooler months

1 Liter Bourbon Whiskey
1 1/2 Cups Madeira Wine
1/2 Cup Ginger Liqueur
1/4 Cup Unsweetened Cranberry Juice
Juice of 3 Lemons
Sparkling Water
Freshly Grated Nutmeg
Cranberry & Mint Garnish

Combine whiskey (kick your whiskey up by leaving cinnamon sticks inside for up to a week prior to serving), Madeira, ginger liqueur, cranberry and lemon juices in a large vessel or punch bowl. Spoon 2 ounces into a highball glass filled with ice, garnish with cranberries and a mint sprig, and fill with sparkling water. For a special treat, freeze cranberries and mint in a bundt pan to keep your punch bowl chilled.

rosemary grapefruit spritz

for the warmer months

1 Liter Vodka
8 Ounces Rosemary Simple Syrup
2 Liters Fresh Grapefruit Juice
Rosemary Garnish

Combine vodka, simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar dissolved, then poured over rosemary sprigs to flavor for at least 3 days), and grapefruit juice. Pour over ice in a lowball glass and garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

Binnewater

Kingston, 845-331-0237, binnewater.com

It is very important to keep guests hydrated for any event, large or small. Binnewater can provide New York's finest spring water and Mountain Valley Spring Water in addition to ice for keeping those drinks nice and cool.

Miron Wine & Spirits

Kingston, 845-336-5155, mironwineandspirits.com

Located in the heart of Kingston's retail district, Miron's Wine and Spirits carries an extensive selection of fine domestic and imported wines as well as everyday favorites at a great price. Our wide selection of spirits ranges from unbeatable bargain vodkas to exceptional single malt scotches, and includes unique and hard to find liqueurs and cordials. The Hudson Valley’s premier source for wine and spirits, Miron has your wedding day beverage needs covered.

Ester Wine And Spirits

Kingston, 845-331-1921, esterwine.com

Ester is a small neighborhood shop run by folks who are passionate about wine and spirits. They have a small yet stunning showroom with hand-selected craft inventory made by boutique distilleries and wineries from all over the world. Ester focuses on biodynamic and natural production to provide you and your guests with healthy and flavorful wines to savor on your special day.

Stone Ridge Wine And Spirits

Stone Ridge, 845-687-7125, stoneridgewine.com

Located in historic Stone Ridge, this knowledgeable group is uniquely qualified to recommend wines for any event or menu. This year marks their 23rd year in business, and they are constantly looking for ways to improve service. Stone Ridge Wine and Spirits looks forward to assisting you with selections for your big day.