✨ The Secret to a Holiday Bar That Shines

The holidays aren’t just about the food — they’re about moments that sparkle. Whether you’re hosting a cozy cocktail night or throwing a full-blown Christmas bash, what sets a great drink apart from a forgettable one is all in the details.

At Bar Necessities, we believe that the garnish is more than decoration — it’s the soul of the cocktail. Dried citrus wheels, aromatic herbs, and tropical touches turn simple pours into sensory experiences. Here’s your go-to guide for four holiday cocktails that pair perfectly with our signature dried fruits and herbs.

🥃 1. Spiced Citrus Old Fashioned

Warm, smoky, and timeless — the Old Fashioned is a winter classic. This version infuses citrus brightness with holiday spice.

🍸 Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon

• 1 tsp brown sugar or maple syrup

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

• 1 dried orange wheel (Bar Necessities)

• 1 rosemary sprig

🪄 Directions

1. In a rocks glass, muddle sugar and bitters.

2. Add bourbon and a large ice cube.

3. Stir gently until chilled.

4. Garnish with a dried orange wheel and a lightly torched rosemary sprig for aroma.

✨ Pro Tip: The gentle smoke from rosemary creates that unmistakable “holiday by the fire” feel.

Perfect For: After-dinner sipping, Christmas Eve gatherings.

🍊 2. Winter Citrus Spritz

Light, bubbly, and beautifully photogenic — this is the cocktail for brunches, daytime parties, and Instagram-worthy toasts.

🍸 Ingredients

• 2 oz Aperol or Campari

• 3 oz prosecco

• 1 oz soda water

• 1 dried grapefruit half slice (Bar Necessities)

• 1 mint sprig

🪄 Directions

1. Fill a wine glass with ice.

2. Add Aperol, prosecco, and a splash of soda.

3. Stir gently to combine.

4. Clip a dried grapefruit slice to the rim and tuck in a mint sprig.

✨ Pro Tip: Swap Aperol for blood orange liqueur for a deeper hue and sweeter finish.

Perfect For: Holiday brunches, New Year’s Day breakfast spreads.

🍓 3. Cranberry Gin Smash

A bright, tangy showstopper that’s as festive as it looks. Cranberries meet citrus and herbs for a cocktail that tastes like winter in a glass.

🍸 Ingredients

• 2 oz gin

• ½ oz lemon juice

• ½ oz cranberry syrup (or muddle 4–5 cranberries with sugar)

• Splash of soda

• 1 dried lemon slice (Bar Necessities)

• 1 thyme sprig

🪄 Directions

1. Muddle cranberries and sugar in a shaker.

2. Add gin, lemon juice, and ice. Shake well.

3. Strain into a tumbler with crushed ice.

4. Top with soda.

5. Garnish with a dried lemon wheel and a fresh thyme sprig.

✨ Pro Tip: Add a sugared rim for an extra frosted look.

Perfect For: Holiday dinners, cocktail hour, or an evening with friends by the tree.

🍍 4. Tropical Holiday Margarita

Because not all holidays are snow and sweaters. Bring a touch of island warmth to your party with this tropical twist on a classic.

🍸 Ingredients

• 2 oz tequila

• 1 oz triple sec

• 1 oz lime juice

• ½ oz pineapple juice

• 1 dried lime wheel (Bar Necessities)

• Small dried pineapple piece or basil leaf

🪄 Directions

1. Combine tequila, triple sec, lime, and pineapple juice in a shaker with ice.

2. Shake and strain into a salt-rimmed glass.

3. Garnish with a dried lime wheel and a dried pineapple piece or basil leaf.

✨ Pro Tip: For a holiday vibe, use red or gold salt on the rim.

Perfect For: Beach-themed Christmas parties, tropical getaways, or warm-climate celebrations.

🌿 Final Touches: Set the Scene

The best part of these cocktails? They’re as stunning as they are delicious.
Arrange your bar or table with:

• Loose dried citrus slices scattered across a wooden board.

• Bundles of rosemary and thyme for natural scent and texture.

• Glass jars filled with Bar Necessities’ dried fruits for guests to DIY their drinks.

Add twinkle lights, candles, and — if you want to go all out — a few fresh orchids from Orchid Love to tie the look together.

The Garnish Makes the Moment

From smoky Old Fashioneds to tropical Margaritas, every cocktail becomes a conversation piece when it’s garnished with care.
Bar Necessities makes it simple to bring flavor, beauty, and creativity to every pour — no fresh produce required.

This season, let your bar setup be the centerpiece of your holiday gatherings. Stock up on dried citrus, herbs, and tropical garnishes — and turn your next drink into a story worth sharing.

Shop now: BarNecessities.co