HAVE A ROCKIN' LITTLE CHRISTMAS

Celebrating at home can be fun says Shatbhi Basu and suggests seven great do-it-yourself cocktails to bring a special cheer this festive season

1. Ascot day

2. cosmopolitan (cosmo by the pitcher)

3. uttrlysimple

It's Christmas once more. Time to be full of beans, planning merry soirees and thinking happy thoughts. Christmas has always made me feel good. The spirits usually soar and the feeling of well-being is at an all time high. Yup, it's Christmas. The weather, for once, is near perfect. First things first, let's get the party ideas flowing. I propose a peaceful, no frills, lots of fun `kinda’ do. With the kind of friends that matter. A Christmas tree is important. Even if it's a small one. Wisps of cotton, a few baubles and some glitter. A little angel/silver star perched on top. A hand made Christmas collage from old magazines and X'mas greetings sprayed on the door are a nice touch. And presents under the tree. It doesn't matter what. Just some chocolates. And let all your guests know that they too may bring stuff to put under the tree. I have known of some very ingenious surprises. Christmas music is an absolute must. There's loads of the stuff, but whatever you choose, make sure it includes Christmas Once More by Bashir. It's not new, but is by far the cheeriest. And Bashir's voice is quite gorgeous. Flowers. Chrysanthemums, carnations, gerberas, asters, anthurium, orchids, roses - do something wonderful to a room.

Now that the idea has sort of flowed, let get the bar together. If you know what your friends like to drink, it's easy to keep the bottles lined up and let everyone help themselves. Rather boring though. The `funda’ is to have two or three punch bowls and let guys pitch in while you make them. There are a couple of really cool champagne drinks that will work brilliantly.

The kind of food I usually have is pretty basic yet interesting. I avoid the main course kind of meal. Instead, there's lots of finger food. If it's possible, set up a barbecue and then use simple marinades to your meat or fish. There's plenty of ready mixes on the shelves.

And have plenty of ice, disposable glasses, plates and cutlery handy!

Merry Christmas all, and a great New Year.

ARCHER'S BELLE
Glass: champagne flute
Ingredients: 15ml Archer's Peach Schnapps chilled sparkling wine to top
Garnish: apricot/almond
To make: Pour peach schnapps into glass and top with champagne or sparkling wine.

ASCOT DAY
Glass: champagne flute
Ingredients: 30ml fresh strawberry puree/15ml Monin strawberry syrup chilled sparkling wine to top
Garnish: sprig of mint leaves, slice of lime
To make: Put strawberry puree or syrup into glass. Top with chilled champagne or sparkling wine. Drop the mint leaves in.

HONKY TONK
Glass: champagne flute
Ingredients: sparkling wine
5-6 cubes frozen pineapple juice
1 teaspoon blue curacao
Garnish: small slice of pineapple sprig of mint leaves
To make:Put the blue curacao in the glass and swirl it around.

Add in the crushed cubes of frozen juice. Gently top with sparkling Wine. Place the pineapple slice over the rim and mint sprig in the centre of the drink.

Cosmo by the Pitcher:

" ½ btl Smirnoff Citrus Twist
" ¼ btl Cointreau/triple sec
" juice of 4/6 lime
" 2 tetrapacks Real/Oceanspray cranberry juice

Method: Put the above ingredients in a pitcher and blend for a minute using a hand blender. Divide and pour into 2 pitchers filled ¾ with ice.

Frozen Margarita by the Pitcher

" ½ btl Tequila
" ¼ btl Monin Triple Sec syrup/Cointreau/triple sec OR
"** ½ btl Manama strawberry dessert topping or fresh strawberries
" juice of 6/8 limes
" splash of sugar syrup (optional with fresh strawberries or classic margarita)

Method: Divide the above ingredients in 2 pitchers filled with crushed ice and blend for 2-3 minutes using a hand blender till nice and slushy. It's ready!

MARMALADE MUDSLIDE

1 bottle vodka
1 bottle Kahlua/Tia Maria/Coffee liqueur/ ½ bottle Monin Coffee Syrup
1 bottle Cointreau/Triple Sec
1 bottle Bailey's Irish Cream or ½ bottle Monin Irish Cream Syrup
6 tetrapacks Vijaya/Nestle cream
2 party pack vanilla ice cream
Lots of cracked or crushed ice

Method: pour all over ice in jugs. Blend together using a hand blender. Pour into stemmed glasses. Drizzle each glass with chocolate flakes.

Utterly Simple

Glass: all-purpose wine/brandy balloon
Ingredients: 45/60ml dark rum
Cinnamon stick
Hot apple juice
Garnish: brown sugar rim, slice of apple
To Make: Rim glass with brown sugar. Put rum in the glass. Break and add the cinnamon stick. Top with steaming apple juice. Float the apple slice.

Hot Chocolate Cow

Glass: Irish Coffee glass/ glass mug
Ingredients: 30ml Cointreau
Creamy dark hot chocolate in milk Cream/ice cream
Garnish: Kit Kat
To Make: Make hot chocolate with sugar, cocoa and hot milk. Fill glass. Float cream/ice cream. Lace with Cointreau. Place Kit Kat across the rim. y

(The author is managing director of Creative Consultants specialising in designing bars and cocktail and mocktail menu designs. She also runs Stir Academy of Bar Tending.)