DIY Holly Leaf Swizzle Sticks

December 4, 2016

I promised I’d give you the low down on how I made these cute Holly Leaf Swizzle Sticks so today I’m sharing the tutorial so you can whip out a few of these for yourself.

First let’s talk supplies.

You’ll need wood cocktail stir sticks with a holiday sentiment on them. I found my cocktail sticks at HomeGoods but found similar ones at TJMaxx and on Etsy. If you’re shopping HomeGoods/TJMaxx look for the sticks in near the checkout line or back with the gift tags and holiday ribbon. I spotted them in both spots in my local stores.

tip: you could also use monogram stir sticks which you can find here.

Merry Christmas Stir Sticks via Tulle and Twig on Etsy

Next you’ll need holly leaf embellishments to add to your swizzle sticks. I purchased mine at Hobby Lobby but these exact ones don’t seem to be available online. These 3-D holly leaf stickers are similar. Or you could use these cute gift package stickers for another look.

The last thing you’ll need is temporary glue dots. If you’re not familiar with glue dots, they are like adhesive tape but come in individual dots instead of one long strip like regular tape.

tip: the best part about using dots is the fact that they aren’t permanent. After your holiday party you can remove the holly leaf embellishment and use them again.

Now the hard work begins.

Step 1: Hold a swizzle stick in one hand and attach a glue dot to the front of the stick under the circular topper.

Step 2: Attach a holly leaf embellishment on top of the glue dot to hold it in place. **the holly leaf embellishment I used had a small stem so after I attached it to the glue dot I wrapped the stem around the stick.

Voila! You’ve got yourself really Christmas Swizzle Sticks in no time flat.

tip: Swizzle sticks also make a great hostess gifts add-on with a bottle of wine.

Making these swizzle sticks is hard work so I recommend you sit back and enjoy a holiday cocktail after you make a couple of set. Enjoy!

Reindeer Recipes Blog Hop–Holiday Cocktail Bar Cart

November 29, 2016

The holiday cheer is in full swing today at ConfettiStyle. I’ve joined 8 of my blogger friends for a fun & festive Reindeer Recipes blog tour hosted by Heather from Totally Tailgates. If you’re coming over from Positively Southern, welcome? I’m glad you’re here with me today.

While most of the bloggers on today’s blog hop are sharing one of their favorite holiday recipes, I put a little spin on things and I’m sharing my holiday bar cart. Plus I’ve got a few tips to help you style your bar cart for the season.

Every season I change the decor on my mini bar. During the holiday season I love to dress it up with a few festive touches.

Creating a holiday cocktail bar is all about pretty glassware, fun cocktail accessories and cheery Christmas decor.

One of the decorative pieces I love using on my bar cart is a small decorative tray. An acrylic tray is ideal because it’s clear and keeps the look light and airy.

tip: It’s also fun to add a decorative paper liner to your tray for an easy holiday update. I’ll share more about my tray next week.

If you have a small bar cart like mine, use petite glasses instead of regular size wine or martini glasses. I love these and these.

tip: use glittered washi tape to dress up plain glassware for a holiday party

Stemless goblets and cordial glasses which are perfect for serving up a signature cocktail like a Cranberry Blueberry Cosmo. In my book cocktails can be served in any style of glass so don’t let you glassware limit your cocktail offering.

Every holiday bar cart needs fun cocktail swizzle sticks. I’ll be sharing how easy it is to DIY these cocktail stirs next week on the blog.

Cocktail napkins are another bar cart essential and since my Christmas decor is all about color this year, a stack of colorful napkins adds a pop of color to my cart.

Thanks for stopping by today friends. I hope you enjoyed my holiday bar cart!

♦♦♦

The Reindeer Recipes blog hop fun doesn’t end here! The next stop on the tour is M. Jones Style so hop on over to Marsha’s blog for more holiday merriment.

And be sure to head over to the other Reindeer Recipe participants on the tour their yummy holiday recipes and tablescape inspiration!

Positively Southern|| M. Jones Style || Swirls of Flavor || Clutter Cafe

Life At Lydia’s House || Brittany’s Pantry || Totally Tailgates

FIVE Champagne Cocktails to ring in the New Year!

December 31, 2015

via Hunted Interior

Are you ready?

Is your champagne chilled?

Are the toasting glasses ready for a midnight toast?

As we bid farewell to the old, embrace the new and welcome all the good that will come our way, it’s the perfect time to indulge in a glass or two of bubbly as we celebrate the new year.

Here’s are round-up of 5 of my favorite Champagne Cocktails to help you welcome 2016!

♦♦♦

Blackberry Thyme Cocktail

via StyleMePretty

Ingredients:
FOR THE BLACKBERRY SYRUP
1/3 cup blackberries, plus 8 more for garnish
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
FOR THE COCKTAIL
1 bottle of Prosecco or champagne
FOR THE GARNISH
4 sprigs of thyme
Instructions
In a small saucepan, bring the blackberried, water and sugar to a boil. Turn to low and let simmer for 10 minutes. Strain blackberries and let syrup cool.
Add 2 tbsp. of syrup to the bottom of each glass. Top with champagne and add in a sprig of thyme and 2 blackberries!

Champagne Margaritas

via The Kitchen Is My Playground

Ingredients:
For 2 Margaritas:
4 T. Rose’s Sweetened Lime Juice
2 oz. white tequila
2 oz. Triple Sec
1 T. fresh squeezed lime juice
6 oz. brut champagne/sparkling wine
For Sugared Rims & Garnish:
About 1 T. turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw)
About 1 T. granulated sugar
Lime wedges
Directions

FOR SUGARED RIMS: Combine turbinado and granulated sugar in a shallow dish. Wet the rim of each glass, all the way around, with a lime wedge. Dip each rim into the sugar to coat. Set aside.
FOR MARGARITAS: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the Rose’s Sweetened Lime Juice, tequila, Triple Sec, fresh lime juice, and champagne. Gently shake two or three times.
Strain into the prepared glasses and garnish each with a lime wedge.

Raspberry Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail

via Heather Christo

Ingredients:
-8 tablespoons pomegranate juice
-1 pint raspberry sorbet
-4 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
-chilled champagne
Instructions
1. Freeze your glasses until frosty.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of pomegranate juice to the bottom of each glass.
3. Add a few small scoops of the raspberry sorbet and 1 tablespoon of pomegranate seeds to each glass.
4. Top with chilled champagne. (I continued to top off the glass with more champagne as I drank, because there is more than enough sorbet to flavor several glasses full if you wish.)

Honey-Almond Champagne Cocktail

via Freut Cake

Almond Champagne, chilled
Honey
1-cup Blue Diamond Oven Roasted Honey Almonds

Directions:
1. On a cutting board, chop almonds finely.
2. Rim champagne glasses dipping them in a plate of honey then in the chopped almonds.
3. Fill glasses with almond champagne and serve.

French 75

via Super Golden Bakes

Ingredients:

1 lemon
3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) gin
1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) simple syrup or sugar
1 cup ice cubes
1/4 cup (2 ounces) dry Champagne, chilled

In cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Add ice and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain into chilled Champagne flute and top with sparkling wine.

via

Cheers to 2016!

p.s. I’ll be back to a regular posting schedule next week. See you then.

DIY Monogram Drink Stirrers

December 17, 2014

I love to personalize our small little cocktail cart with monogrammed cocktail napkins and barware. The newest additon to the cart are my DIY Monogrammed Cocktail Stir Sticks which you got a glimpse of when you saw my mug wraps.

After seeing and wanting these monogrammed cocktail stick on Horchow but not wanting to pay $65.00 for them, I knew I this could be an easy DIY project.

After gathering all my supplies, it took me about 15 minutes to make 25 personalized stir sticks and all for less than $9.00 !

To make your own monogrammed stir sticks, here’s what you’ll need:

Plain Wood Drink Stir Sticks {this Etsy shop is currently on vaca but you can ask to be notified when they open back up}

Assorted Adhesive Letter Stickers {available from craft stores and always remember to check the sale section for these}

Mod Podge {to seal you stickers to the stick)

I love how easy these were to make and plan on making more to give as gifts!

Happy Crafting!