Elevate Your Celebration with a Dazzling DIY Champagne Bar

Whether you're hosting a birthday bash, a holiday extravaganza, or simply adding a touch of glamour to a dessert party, setting up a champagne bar is the perfect way to infuse heightened festivity into any occasion.

Follow the steps below to set up the perfect champagne bar:

1. Choosing the Right Bubbly:

   • Pick out a few bottles (think one bottle for every 4 people) of champagne, sparkling wine, Prosecco, Cava.

   • Include sparkling apple cider or non-alcoholic sparkling wine as well, to ensure that everyone can join in the cocktail fun.

2. Mixers + Spirits:

   • Let your guests get creative with an array of mixers.

   • Put out juices like cranberry, orange, grapefruit, pear, apple, and pomegranate to complement the champagne

   • Add extra fizz with sparkling water, seltzer, club soda, or tonic water.

   • Enhance flavors using simple syrup, Grenadine, sugar cubes, or citrus zest-scented sugars.

   • Elevate cocktails with a dash of Angostura aromatic bitters or orange bitters.

   • Encourage experimentation by offering an array of spirits including: Rum, Vodka, Gin, Tequila, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, or Creme de Cassis.

3. Garnishes:

   • Add decorative flair and flavor with a selection of berries, citrus slices, cherries, and fresh herbs.

   • Pre-make fruit skewers with a combination of berries, melon balls, and citrus segments. Guests can easily add them to their glasses for a decorative and chilled touch

   • Edible gold flakes, edible glitter or rock candy sticks can also be added for extra fun

4. Glassware:

   • Provide a mix of flutes, coupes, and wine glasses to cater to diverse preferences.

   • Ensure there are enough glasses for all guests, with extras on hand for any unforeseen mishaps.

5. Decorations and Setup:

   • Clearly label and decorate the bar area with signs, notecards, or chalkboards.

   • Infuse festivity with flowers, candles, confetti, or party favors.

   • Include instructions for guests on how to create their own sparkling concoctions.

   • Serve juices in clear carafes, and use pretty bowls to serve the garnishes

   • Provide essential tools like jiggers, bar spoons, and ice for crafting the perfect cocktail.

   • Arrange glasses, mixers, and bubbly alongside framed recipe ideas.

6. How Much Champagne to Buy:

   • Plan for one bottle of bubbly per eight cocktails.

   • Have extra bottles for unexpected moments and include non-alcoholic options.

   • Decorate champagne bottles for a personalized touch.

7. Menu: Recipe Inspiration:

   • Display suggested cocktail recipes on cards or paper in photo frames on the bar for extra decoration and inspiration.

   • While guests are encouraged to create their unique blends, a little recipe inspiration always adds a touch of sophistication.

Cocktail Ideas:

Mimosa:

1. 1 part orange juice

2. 2 parts champagne

3. Garnish with an orange slice.

Bellini:

1. 2 oz peach puree

2. Champagne

3. Stir gently and enjoy the peachy goodness.

Poinsettia:

1. 1 oz cranberry juice

2. 0.5 oz orange liqueur (like triple sec)

3. Garnish with a twist of orange peel.

French 75:

1. 1 oz gin

2. 0.5 oz simple syrup

3. 0.5 oz lemon juice

4. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Elderflower Sparkler:

1. 0.5 oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur

2. Stir gently to combine.

Blackberry Fizz:

1. 3-4 fresh blackberries

2. 0.5 oz simple syrup

3. Garnish with a blackberry on the rim.

Elevate your celebration with these delightful champagne-based cocktails and create an unforgettable experience for your guests. Cheers to a sparkling good time!

Photo by Katie Rosario on Unsplash