Casey Moran’s Shows You How to “Barscape” For the Holidays By Erica Morisco

The holidays are fast approaching and hosts everywhere are scrambling for the perfect décor to display as well as the most visually-pleasing cocktails to pass around. Decorating an at-home bar, or ‘bar-scaping’ has become increasingly popular during this season. Casey Moran’s offers three different DIY tabletop decorations and accompanying cocktails to help create a unique and fun holiday event!

DIY Holiday Table-Top Decorations

Anyone who has ever planned a party, get-together, girls/guys night knows that the décor in a room makes or breaks the mood. Below, Casey Moran’s offers three easy-as-pie ways to create ambiance in your party room.

Snowy Night Centerpiece: An easy, affordable way to decorate the table. Best part? This holiday centerpiece isn’t religion specific and can be used throughout the winter.

1. Materials: Old vase, salt, small branches from outside and one candle (battery-operated candle is best).
2. Pour salt in the vase around a centered candle, stick in various twigs and turn on candle to get that shadow-y look.

Wrapping Paper Table Cover: We’re all guilty of it – saving that last yard or two of wrapping paper with intentions of using it for next year. This goal is soon crushed as many are hypnotized by the array of new paper patterns displayed in the too-early-to-be-out holiday aisles of stores. Here is a great way to get that old paper in use.

1. Materials: Left over wrapping paper, thick ribbon, two red bows and tape
2. Begin wrapping your table like a present. Make two layers of wrapping paper over top of the table to avoid ripping; tape at bottom.
3. Take a red (or whichever color you choose) ribbon and lay across both ways on top of the table, mimiking a present tie.
4. Put a ribbon at the ends of the table.

Cocktail Tree: This efficient holiday centerpiece not only alleviates the stress of being stuck behind the bar at your own party, but also allows guests to play bartender (which can be both useful and entertaining. Check, check).

1. Materials: Small table top tree (no larger than 24 inches), left over present tags, marker.
2. Gather a collection of your favorite cocktail recipes and jot down the ingredients on each of the present tags with the marker.
3. Hang the recipes from the tree, allowing a beautiful (and functional) table decoration.

Easy, Breezy, Beautiful Holiday Cocktails

Any holiday cocktail you decide to offer should be easy-to-make, easy-to-drink and appealing to the eye. You may not have gone to bartending school, but these cocktails below will give have your guests singing a different tune…

Egg Nog Martini: This cocktail is a great spin on an old classic. It’s easy to make, easy to drink!

1. In a shaker, add 2 parts egg nog with 1 part spiced rum to ice; shake.
2. Pour into martini glass, top with a pinch of nutmeg; serve.

Candy Cane Martini: This cocktail not only taste delicious, but also serves as the perfect breathe freshner should you find yourself stuck under the mistletoe. Tastes (and looks) just like a candy cane!

1. In a shaker filled with ice, pour 1 part vanilla vodka, 1 part peppermint schnapps, 1 party white chocolate liquor, splash of grenadine
2. Crush candy canes and dip a wet martini glass for a festive rim.
3. Add a candy cane as a garnish.
4. Special Tip: For those looking for something to warm up with, pour coffee or hot chocolate and add spike it with the above ingredients (peppermint shnapps and vanilla vodka).

Gingerbread Martini: This cocktail screams traditional with a twist. The taste alone revives memories of freshly baked holiday cookies.

1. 1 part ginger ale, 1 part caramel vodka, 1 part butterscotch schnapps, ½ part Bailey’s; shake.
2. Dip a wet martini glass into a mixture of sugar and cinnamon for a festive gingerbread rim. You can also take it another step with a cinnamon stick.
3. Pour cocktail into martini glass and serve.

Erica Morisco is the event coordinator of Casey Moran’s. Wrigleyville’s premier sports bar located near the corner of Waveland Avenue and Clark Street. This local hot spot boasts six fully stocked bars, dance floor, beer garden with retractable roof, upper level VIP lounge and rooftop deck!
 
Click here to visit Casey Moran’s listing on Hereschicago.com