Planning a bar menu for your wedding or event? Here’s some tips!
The most popular red wines are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. Other varieties of red wines include Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Gaymay, Grenache, Malbec, Matero, Nebbiolo, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Shiraz, Tempranillo, Zinfandel. If you are a beginner red wine drinker. Start of by trying out some of these wines first: Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Garnacha or Grenache, Monastrell or Matero, Shiraz, and Carménère.
When it comes to Pinot Noir they pair best with these foods: goat cheese, brie, walnuts, chicken, lamb, sausage, filet mignon, salmon, ahi tuna, mushrooms, strawberries, dried fruit, figs, clove, truffles, cinnamon or light medium red sauces, creme brulee and white chocolate. Pairing foods for a great Merlot are chestnuts, walnuts, parmesan, ahi tuna, grilled fish, steak, grilled meats, plums, tomatoes, onions, mint, juniper, rosemary, bolognese, bearnaise, fondue, berries, and dark chocolate. However, if you do eat chocolate with this particular wine. The wine should be sweeter than the chocolate because the wine will taste sour if not. Cabernets go well with cheeses, other foods that are great with this type of wine are walnuts, gorgonzola, beef stew, rib eye, venison, grilled ahi tuna, tomatoes, broccoli, cherries, rosemary, junier, lavender, tomato and brown sauce, and bittersweet chocolates.
The most popular white wines are Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc. Other white wines are Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Riesling, Semillon, Viognier.
When it comes to pairing white wines, some are going to be similar to each other. Drinking a Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with feta, goat cheese, pine nuts, chicken, pork, turkey, lobster, shrimp, sushi, green apple, asparagus, chives, cilantro, light cream sauces, mango, sorbet, and more. A simple Chardonnay goes great with semi soft cheese, any kind of toasted nuts, almonds, veal, pork, fish, chicken, halibut, crab, lobster, shrimp, squash, mango, apple, potato, sesame, basil, pesto, cream sauces, etc. Rieslings pair well with gouda, candied walnuts, pecans, duck, smoked sausage, foie gras, sea bass, trout, chili peppers, pears, apricots, ginger, indian spices, thai, rosemary, BBQ, chutney, spicy, apple pie, and caramel sauce.
Onto beer! There are many different types of beers but the highest sold and most popular beers are Coors, Corona, Heineken, Bud Light and Budweiser. Other types of bottled beers are Blue Moon, Busch Light, Dos Equis, Michelob Ultra, Miller Light, Modelo Especial, Natural Light, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Steel Reserve, Stella Artois, and Yuengling Lager.
Another option for beer is to get a keg. When you buy a keg of beer you are buying 15.5 gallons per keg. However, kegs are not just for beer. Kegs can also hold coffee, wine, cocktails, tea, and juice. When you buy a keg you receive a valve for the keg. But, there is more to it than just a valve. You will also need a coupler which helps the gas flow, tubes which will help the beer flow, and finally a faucet which will help the beer to reach your glass. The best way to keep a keg chill is to use a large trash can and fill it with ice. Once the tub is filled place the keg in the ice.
Specialty types of Beers include American Black Ale Beer, Barrel Aged Beer, Chocolate Beer, Coffee Beer, Fruit and Vegetable Beer, Gluten Free Beer, Herb and Spice Beer, Honey Beer, Pumpkin Beer, Rye Beer, Session Beer and Smoke Beer. There are also a variety of craft beers out there including Ghost River, Walk the Lime, Lovebird, Wiseacre, Tiny Bomb, Ananda, Gotta Get Up to Get Down, and IPA’s.
Thinking of including a Signature Cocktail on your bar menu? There are many options for personal and custom cocktails, some popular choices include: Champagne, Cider, Lemon Drop, Margaritas, Mojitos, Sangria, Punch, Bellinis, Daiquiri, Pina Coladas and more.
Liquor options to include on your bar are: Brandy, Mezcal, Gin, Rum, Vodka, Tequila, Whiskey, and Vermouth. And don’t forget the mixers! Popular mixers include: Lemon Sour, Syrup, Orange Juice, Tonic, and Club Soda. Mix well with your alcoholic beverage. Sodas are another great mixer option! Garnishes complete the perfect drink aesthetic, elevate your cocktail with these garnish ideas: Apple, Berries, Candy, Celery, Lemmon, Limes, Maraschino Cherries, Mint Leaves, Olives, Orange, Pineapple, Salt, Strawberries, and even Whipped Cream!
