5 Must-have Drink Options for Your Next Event

Planning for an event can be a lot of fun when you know how to go about it and prepare for it well in advance. Planning for drinks is one of the important aspects to make an event successful. At The Grand Store, we offer a variety of drinks which you can choose and customise according to your event and events and the type of guests you are expecting. Here, we have drawn up a basic and general checklist of the 5 must-have drinks that you should have for your event so that all your guests are kept happy.

 

1.  Wine: Wine is a versatile drink that is served at almost all kinds of events and is enjoyed universally by most people. Keep at least one red wine like Shiraz and one white wine like Sauvignon Blanc at your event. Conventionally, red wines go well with robust dishes like roast beef, braised venison and other game meats etc. and white wine pairs well with light meat like frilled fish and chicken, lobster, roasted vegetables etc. Choose dessert wines like Madeira while serving desserts like toffee pudding, tiramisu, cheesecakes etc. Popular online wine shops like The Grand Store give you a lot of wine options to choose from.

 

2. Beer: While wine complements food, beer enhances its refinements and adds variety and depth to flavours. Beer is a great beverage to maintain a friendly and relaxed ambience at your event. Beer and boerewors is an unbeatable choice when it comes to food pairings with beer. Other great food choices to serve with beer are hamburgers, fish fillets, spaghetti with meatballs, BBQ ribs, pizzas etc. Provide your guests some options like strong beer and light beer to suit individual tastes. If you can serve some local craft beers available, it would be excellent. Make sure the beer is served ice-cold. For buying some great quality beers online in South Africa, visit The Grand Store.

 

3. Gin and tonic: This is a classic, timeless drink which is quick to serve and pairs well with beautifully with seafood, cheese, charcuterie, nuts, berries and chocolates. The quality of the gin and tonic drink is reflected by the individual qualities of both gin and tonic. So if you want a great tasting drink, choose a classic dry gin such as London Dry Gin, Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray etc. that has a great blend of botanicals with a hint of citrus flavours and for a good gin, try Fever-Tree or Hall & Bramley Indian Tonic to serve your guests a fantastic light and refreshing drink.

 

4. Vodka: Vodka is one of the most popular drinks at an event as it can be served with just soda water or mixed with a number of other drinks such as citrus fruit juices, tonic, cola or red bull. A good quality vodka like Absolut, Smirnoff or Belvedere has a silky smooth, creamy texture to it that can take a simple vodka and fruit juice drink to a different level. Vodka in general tends to be a bit strong and bitter, which is the reason many casual drinkers like to mix it with sweeter non-alcoholic drinks to mask its intensity. Smoked fish, steak or venison tartare, pickles, caviar, cheese with rye bread, sashimi, and dumplings are wonderful food pairings with vodka.

 

5. Rum: Rum is a diverse liquor that can be enjoyed throughout the year. You can enjoy it neat, with ice or a splash of chilled water, or savoured as a delicious blend of rum, fruit juices and syrups in cocktails. Dark rums are great to be sipped neat or on the rocks, while a spiced rum can be had with a simple rum and cola combination. Try out a classic mojito with a refreshing white rum, lime and mint combination for day events. For winter night events, you can try rum and hot chocolate – it is super yummy.  Rum is an excellent drink that can be enjoyed along with savoury and also sweet dishes. Braais, pulled pork, chicken wings, dried fruits, toasted nuts, caramel popcorn, malva pudding and dark chocolate are some of the foods that are paired very well with. 

 

Besides the above mentioned drinks, make sure that you have a good stock of suitable glasses and napkins for the convenience of your guests. Do keep some non-alcoholic options too, like soda, cola, fruit juices, and water. This way, teetotaller guests too feel taken care of well and it will be easier to make cocktails according to your guests' preferences. Also, use your imagination to line up some creative garnishes like local flowers and spices to give the drinks your personal touch. Go ahead and plan your next event with confidence.

 

You can choose the drinks as per your budget and guests right now by visiting here : www.grandstore.co.za