Using Technology for an Easy Open Bar

New Years Eve is right around the corner and I’m still a little on the fence about what I’m doing.  I know I’ll be wearing this DIY from my post this morning, but as far as the rest, I’m bordering on just having another party at our house, but was a little stumped after my Christmas Eve soiree about what else to pull out of my hat.

I’m not a huge mixed drink person.  I love a good champagne cocktail, but stick mostly with red wine.  When we have guests and someone wants to know what is in a ‘Bay Breeze’, I wouldn’t be able to help them out.  I had my Samsung Tab sitting near the bar last week during Christmas, however, and got a brilliant idea to just use it for an ‘open bar’ concept.  For tips on creating a fun, interactive bar with your tablet, I have just a few thoughts. 

First, provide a wide range of liquors and mixers.  Standards are:

Liquors:

• Vodka
• Rum
• Bourbon
• Gin
• Tequila

Liqueurs:

• Amaretto (like Disaronno)
• Coffee (like Kahlua)
• Irish Cream (like Baileys)
• Orange (like Grand Marnier)
• Maraschino
• Dry and Sweet Vermouth

Mixers:

• Orange Juice
• Cranberry Juice
• Lemon Juice
• Soda
• Tonic

Garnishes:

• Lemon Wedges
• Lime Wedges
• Maraschino Cherries
• Olives

These are just basics, but you can mix it up with so many different and fun things.  If someone wants to try something new, they can just type in the ingredient of their choice into the tablet and get some great ideas!

Just set your tablet on a plate stand near the mixing area and cue the page to a helpful site which specializes in cocktails.  I like The Bar which is simple to use and pretty.  Make sure your tablet is plugged in and that your screen ‘on’ time is set pretty high and you’re ready to go.

Open Bars can be a lot of work, but if you have a wide range of drinkers, they’re the best way to go so you’re not dragging new things out all night! And good thing that technology makes our lives so simple, right?

Have you ever tried doing a truly open bar?

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