Holiday Party Planning Tips with The Cocktail Experts at Froth and Bubble

by Tammie Hughes

The holiday season is here, and we couldn’t be more excited to share some time-saving and headache-preventing tips from our friends at the Grand Strand’s favorite local mobile bartending company. Kelly Shirley, a Lowcountry local and owner of Froth and Bubble, has been in the hospitality industry her entire life. When she’s not crafting amazing custom cocktails, you’ll find her at her spa, Drift-A Body & Skin Studio, where she attends to her clients’ relaxation and rejuvenation. We recently connected with Kelly to learn what our readers can do to streamline their entertaining events during this busy time of year. 

Q: Nice to connect with you, Kelly! Let’s jump in for our readers. What’s your number one tip for a busy home entertainer when planning parties this holiday season?  

A: Make a list!! Guest list, menu list, prep list, grocery list, what can I make ahead of time list, what’s my beverage menu, cocktail ingredients list, decor list, etc. But the number one tip is to create a theme. A themed party is the best! A cohesive theme can simplify your planning and decoration process. Whether it’s a color scheme, a specific cuisine, or a festive concept, it helps streamline decisions. 

Q: I could not agree more; lists are a must! Do any other tips come to mind? 

A: Yes, clean out your refrigerator. That will ensure that you have enough space for all your party prep. 

Q: Excellent call out! And empty the dishwasher! Your service is mobile bartending, and you’re the expert! Any tips for setting up a bar? 

A: When in doubt, leave things to the professionals! Hiring a beverage catering service can definitely cut time, money, and headaches. 

Q: I absolutely agree! But let’s say I wanted to do everything myself; what would you suggest to help me stay out of the kitchen and mingle with the guests?  

A: Do a batched cocktail or mocktail! Most any beverage can be turned into a batched edition. There are so many wonderful punch recipes that can be executed easily by the home chef. Then, you can dress it up with fun garnishes and a self-serve station where your guests can enjoy being a part of the delicious experience!  

Q: What a fantastic idea, I love that! Can you share any great holiday cocktail recipes? 

A: Like I said, I love a good holiday punch. Here is one of my all-time favorites… 

---

Jingle Mingle Christmas Punch 

1 quart of fresh pressed blood orange juice (I love Trader Joe’s® or Fresh Market®) 2 cups of pomegranate juice 
1 cup of cranberry juice  
1 cup of a cup of Elderflower Liquor ( I use St Germain®) 
2 cups of vodka (Sometimes I infuse it with citrus or vanilla)  
One bottle of Prosecco  
And your favorite Grandmother‘s punch bowl! 

Mix all of the ingredients except for the Prosecco, so you can prepare this ahead of time, and refrigerate.  

Just before your guests arrive, pour the punch into your bowl, finish with some decorative ice cubes, and top with the bottle of Prosecco.  

I love to put in fresh slices of blood orange, pomegranate arils, fresh cranberries, cinnamon, and star anise. And for a fancy, bougie touch, you can also add some of the same garnishes to the decorative ice cubes and freeze the night before!  

Make sure you have fresh rosemary sprigs on hand, also for garnish!  

Stir, stir, stir and serve. 

Cheers! 

---

Q: I would love to taste this right now!! What catering companies have you worked with that you would recommend for our readers?  

A: For a beverage caterer, well, of course, Froth and Bubble! Mobile bar services cannot only elevate your next party but save you money! As for a food caterer, I love working with local “friend-ors” (friend vendors). Philomena’s Catering, out of Longs, is one of my favorites. Alexandra and her team always provide exceptional service and delicious food. If you’d like a Chef to prepare a meal in your home, you can’t go wrong with the Bougie Foodie. Lauren is a pleasure to work with, and her family recipes are delightful. Both of these ladies are exceptional, talented chefs. 

Q: Thank you so much for the recommendations! You handle both large corporate events and smaller private parties. How does your service elevate a private gathering or special occasion? 

A: Yes, we love doing corporate events and supporting local brands. We have mobile bars that can be customized with company logos, or we can order branded specialty cups and Koozies®. We handle large numbers efficiently at our bar; there’s no waiting and never a line when it comes to our beverage catering.  For private events, we have decorations of our own, and we can work closely with your florist and designers to customize a bar, especially for you! We elevate events with a specialty signature cocktail that is created specifically for your occasion! We can even name the cocktail after you or your dog! 

Wow, Kelly, thank you so much for joining me! Your suggestions and ideas are outstanding. I can’t wait to plan my next event! 

For all of you home entertainers this busy holiday season, be sure to check out our friends at Froth and Bubble!  

www.frothandbubblebarco.com
843-318-1693