It’s almost time to scream, “Happy New Year”! If you’re staying in to host the party and don’t want to be the bartender all night long, here’s a great way to be the host/hostess with the most entertaining freedom! This year ditch the beer buckets and dip station and create your own DIY Bubbly Bar and Bites table!

Step 1: Gather enough bubbly- depending on the amount of people, it’s safe to say around 1, 1/2 half bottle-1bottle per person will be consumed (safely of course).

Step 2: Mixers & Garnishes- without overdoing it, try to stick with some easily interchangeable and delicious garnishes and mixers. Top picks such as: Cranberry Juice, POM Wonderful juice, and Pineapple Juice will do, and pair them with garnishes like: Cherries, Limes, Lemon Peels, Sugar, Salt, and Cotton Candy (I recommend Spinn Candy).

Step 3: Gather some booze- Whether you’re making Champagne Margaritas, Flirt-Tini’s from Sex and the City, or Sparkling Sangria, it’s always a good idea to have a few cocktail ideas for those who like to sip on something a little extra! To make these sparkling cocktails mentioned above you would need:

Champagne Margaritas: Tequila, Lime, Triple Sec, Champagne (or sparkling wine)

Sparkling Sangria: Sparkling Wine, Triple Sec, Peach Schnapps or Pear Vodka, Cranberry or POM juice, fruit, fruit, fruit!

Flirt-Tini (from Sex and the City): Sparkling Wine, Pineapple Juice, and Vodka (I also love using Pineapple Van Gogh Vodka for an extra pineapple kick!)

Step 4: Pair-able bites- Food is often overlooked or thrown together last minute before a party. Become a party prepped master this NYE and allow New York Style Pita Chips and Bagel Crisps to help you out. Below are two simple recipes to use thanks to New York Style.

Cran-Panetini- Prep Time: 15 Min, Serves: 10-12

Brie cheese

Fresh cranberries

Arugula

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

Directions: Bring 1 cup of water and sugar to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan. Add the cranberries and return to a boil. Boil gently for 10 minutes, until cranberries pop. Assemble each Cran-Panetini by placing 1 slice of brie and 1 to 2 pieces of arugula on top of Panetini® crisp. Top with cranberries and enjoy.

 

Sweet Potato Pie Crisps- Prep Time: 10 Min, Serves: 8-10 

2 peeled, cooked and mashed sweet potatoes

– Cinnamon

Directions: Spread mashed sweet potato on Cinnamon Raisin Bagel Crisps®. Sprinkle cinnamon on top.

My top sparkling choices for this glamorous, glitzy, and eventful evening are in my Holiday Sparkling Wine gift guide. Keep an eye out on Instagram for some sneak peaks into my own DIY Bubbly Bar I will have on NYE night from noon until midnight! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE… SEE YOU IN 2017!