Take frozen vodka to a whole new level by freezing it in a decorative block of ice.  I have been making this impressive yet simple bar-staple for years and it not only adds interest to your bar, but it also keeps the vodka syrupy and delicious.

You’ll need an empty milk carton, various garnishes to fill the ice with color, and a bottle of good-quality vodka.

Before you begin, make sure that the vodka bottle you plan to use can fit in your freezer, standing upright.  Next, cut off the top of an empty milk carton to square-off the top and create a rectangular mold and rinse inside.  Place a bottle of vodka in the center of the clean carton and fill with first layer of chosen garnishes (evergreen sprigs, fruit, etc.).  Pour just enough cold water into the carton to cover the garnishes.  Freeze for several hours until the garnishes are suspended in the ice.  Add another layer of garnishes and again, pour just enough cold water into the carton to cover the garnishes.  Repeat freezing and filling until you fill the carton to about 1″ below the top.  Keep frozen until ready to serve.  Peel the carton away from the block of ice before serving.  Be sure to place frozen vodka on a tray with a lip to prevent melted water from spilling onto your bar.

Add an unexpected option to the sweetener selection for tea/ coffee by setting out rock candy that can be used as a swizzle stick.  Choose from various colors to coordinate with your party decore:  yellow for Easter, green for a garden party, or use a neutral white or brown (pictured above) for a dye-free alternative.  A little whimsical touch like this will make everyone feel like a kid again.

You don’t have to sacrifice style to keep track of drinks with these fun chalkboard glasses.  They’re perfect for a casual dinner party or wine and cheese get-together.  Leave white chalk on the bar in a silver mint julep cup or juice glass to dress up the sidewalk staple.  Unlike other chalkboard cups, these glasses are reusable.  Simply erase names while washing glasses and reuse until your heart’s content.  These babies are dishwasher safe, though I hand wash them or use the china setting on my dishwasher to prevent the chalkboard area from wearing away.   
Available at Wold Market, $16/ set of 4 glasses
http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3596187

Prosecco pairs well with light appetizers like proscuitto wrapped melon, fig and parmesan crostini, bruscetta, olives, grilled vegetables, aged cheese and fresh fruit.

Prosecco is also touted as an inexpensive alterantive to champagne.  One of my favorites rings up at $15 a bottle from a local wine shop here in NYC. 

If you haven’t sipped Prosecco yet this summer, now is the time.  Salute!

While plastic cups may not seem like an eco-friendly option, you can cut down on plastic waste by using cups that guest can keep track of.  The “etch it” cups allow guests to mark their own cup so even if they put it down they’ll be able to find it and reuse it all day or night.  No pen is required – just use your fingernail to “etch” your name in the chalkboard-like area.  Your guests can get creative and draw pictures, use quotes or pick-up lines (“what’s your sign?”) to identify their cup.  It’s a fun alternative that makes for a more eco-friendly choice when picking up disposable party goods.

These great cups come in two color options: frosted clear or red. 

Visit the etch-it website for store locations, http://etch-it.com/wheretobuy.htm 

Etch-it Cups are available online at Plum Party – $7.50/ package of 32 cups
http://www.plumparty.com/partysupply/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=100200&Product_Code=15695

Buying holiday-specific party goods isn’t generally a great idea unless you have lots of extra storage space.  But purchasing a few small, festive pieces that can be used for other occasions will help you set a festive scene.  Take, for example, this skull and bones cocktail shaker.  It doesn’t scream “Halloween” but it’s definitely perfect for the occasion.  Not only will it “shake-up” your Halloween bar, but you can easily use this kitchy piece year-round.

This cocktail shaker is availble at Target (seasonal), for $14.99.

Figuring out how much alcohol you need for a party can be tricky.  Knowing how many drinks you can get out of a bottle of wine, liquor or mixer is a good starting point.  The following list can serve as a guideline, but know that it depends on how you prepare your drinks.  I tend to use 1.5oz of hard alcohol instead of the standard 1oz per drink, so a bottle doesn’t last as long at my bar.  You should also consider the size of your glassware.  In a large goblet, 6 ounces of wine doesn’t look like much, and people will tend to pour more into their glasses.  The same goes for pint glasses; if you use those instead of lowball glasses you will need more than a 1oz shot of hard alcohol to make a standard strength drink.  Bottoms up! 

750 ml. bottle of wine = 4 glasses of wine (about 6oz per glass)
750 ml. bottle of hard alcohol = 25 drinks (1oz each) or 16 drinks (1.5oz each)
1 quart of juice = mixer for 6 drinks
1 liter soda = mixer for 6 drinks