Bottoms Up on Beverage Creativity

By Bonnie Fedchock, CAE, National Association for Catering and Events, Columbia, Md.Sharon Charny Woschitz, hotel headquarter director, and Jessica Bernosky, drink development specialist, both from Charmer Sunbelt Group, presented an overview of the exciting trends within the beverage industry at Experience! 2015 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Current trends include: You’ll Want These Spirits to Hang AroundFresh ingredients—From fresh herbs, fruits, and citrus to juices—these items add to the guests’ sensory experience and enhance the culinary experience.Farm-to-table—More emphasis is being placed on fresh, wholesome ingredients, and this is extended to beverages, including garnishes. Always buy local if available.Creative mixology—Truly innovative recipes for drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are emerging. Try unusual combinations of hot and spicy mixed with sweet or savory (think jalapeño margarita instead of the usual peach or strawberry).House-made or artisanal bitters/vinegars—Chefs and other culinary experts are creating their own bitters and vinegars for use in signature beverages.Shared cocktails/batching—Batching of cocktails allows for more creativity and flair as it is done in advance and allows the bartender to include more ingredients.Healthy cocktails and wine—Attendees have a higher focus on healthy options, including cocktails and wine. Sometimes, this means a lower calorie count or different mixers.Cocktails and wine-on-tap—This is a great new trend as technology has allowed for both wine and cocktails to be delivered on tap. Artisan items—If you travel throughout the country, you will see more locally produced, artisan spirits. Including these items in your event, makes the experience more memorable.Bottled cocktails—Offering individually packaged, bottled cocktails, lets guests sample their own choices as desired.Barrel-aged cocktails—The use of barrel-aged cocktails adds a nuanced flavor.Sustainable/organic—Some clients are requesting beverages produced in an organic or sustainable manner. These are now more available.Brown spirits—Whiskey and scotch are becoming more popular and are a fun way to add an unexpected experience to your event. The industry is also seeing more creativity in the offerings with spirits. Mixologists are preparing various regional signature cocktails, food and spirits pairings, edible cocktails, culinary cocktails, and, of course, Bloody Marys.Regional signature cocktails—This is a great way to bring the personality of your clients to the event. Include their personal favorites as you create a signature drink for the party. Food-spirits cocktail pairings—Food and drink pairings enhance the experience for attendees. By adding smaller portions of the cocktail with a small food portion, you allow guests to have a much more memorable evening. Perhaps a small margarita sample with a bite-sized artisanal taco. Edible cocktails—These can include gelatin-based vessels for the cocktails.Culinary cocktails—Chefs can add their own flair to these cocktails (i.e. spice, savory, and fresh ingredients). Work with a mixologist to create something memorable.Build-your-own Bloody Mary—Who doesn’t love a Bloody Mary station, especially in the morning after a late-night event? Explore creative presentations.Wine still adds sparkle to any eventWine is still exciting for all types of events. You can add sparkling wine to the party, including prosecco and Asti. Rosé is very popular this year and adds to an outdoor summer event. Try wine-based sangria or punches. Premium wine on tap is also available. Explore this with your supplier. Guests love wine tastings. Consider adding various tasting stations for the guests to experience. If you are looking for specific items to fit your budget, consider wines from lesser known regions or different varietals. Stations aren’t just for foodTo enhance your event, consider adding a few creative beverage stations. Ideas include: • Flavored mojitos• "Build-your-own" Bloody Marys • Sangria • Flavored margaritas• Wine and cheese pairings• Fresh-fruit Bellinis• Liquid desserts • Classic cocktails—think martinis, manhattans, and more• The ‘crush’ • Bourbon/whiskey Be sure to freshen up your events with these ideas to add fun, festivity, and a taste of the unexpected. ••