When planning a party or get-together at your home, it’s important to have plenty of beverages on hand for your guests. Moreover, you need to supply several choices that can accommodate a wide range of ages and tastes. As the host, this can feel overwhelming since you also have to go grocery shopping, clean, decorate, cook, etc. The list goes on and on. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a simple formula for setting up all your drinks?
Look no more. The beverage station is the perfect solution for any party since it’s easy to put together and most of it can even be done in advance.
Setting Up a Beverage Station
The Basics
First, decide on an area in your home (or outside if it is a warm weather party) where you want the drinks to be. I suggest that it be away from the food (but not too far away) to allow your guests to walk around and mingle on their way to the station. If you have a long table that would be perfect. If not, a cluster of smaller tables or a bar cart works just as well.
Next, you will want to set up 3 main areas:
- a non-alcohol drink area
- a punch bowl or pitcher area
- a DIY area
Non-Alcohol Drink Area
This area contains a selection of water, soda, and juice in buckets, a cooler, or just simply lined up on the table. An extra cooler, if available, can be placed nearby to hold extras.
Punchbowl or Pitcher Area
I always create a signature drink that can be made ahead of time. While this drink can be made with or without alcohol, it should be reflective of the party theme. Some examples are lemonade for a July 4th party, sangria for a tapas party, or mulled cider for a winter celebration. If you are using a punch bowl, remember to create an ice block or ring and put it in the freezer the night before the event. On the day of the party, it will really help to keep the punch cold.
DIY Area
This is probably the most festive area of the beverage station and the least work for the host! If you want your adult guests to craft their own cocktails, you can line up any liquor you choose (vodka, gin, rum, scotch) along with mixers (tonic water, cola, ginger ale) and bitters. Also, it’s nice to include some recipes so that everyone can try something new.
My favorite type is a prosecco bar. Buckets of ice containing bottles of prosecco (sparkling wine, cava, champagne) are placed next to a selection of flavored syrups. Guests put a small amount of their chosen syrup in a flute glass and top it off with the bubbly!
For younger guests, you can easily replace the prosecco with bottles of sparkling mineral water for the same effect!
Final Touches
Set out the appropriate drinkware in each of the three sections. Maybe party cups for the first area, punch bowl glasses for the second, and a basic wine glass or champagne flute for the third. Finish it off with vessels filled with straws and stirrers, cocktail napkins, decorations, and garnishes. Just don’t forget the ice!
From formal to informal parties, large gatherings or small, for adult guests or kids, a beverage station is always the solution for easy and fun entertaining.
