✨ 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 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.

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🥃 1. Spiced Citrus Old Fashioned

Warm, smoky, and timeless — the Old Fashioned is a winter classic. This version adds 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.

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🍊 2. Winter Citrus Spritz

Light, bubbly, and beautifully photogenic — perfect 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.

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🍓 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.

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🍍 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.

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🌿 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