DRINK STATION IDEAS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR EVENT THE GREATEST!

Written By: Bec
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A DIY Drink station encourages guests to create delicious concoctions to their liking. Meaning these beauties are a handy AND entertaining part of the day!

But that's not all. This fun, stylish and easy way to serve refreshing drinks also has the potential to become a huge part of the overall 'feel' and décor at your event (a frozen watermelon margarita bar, for example, pairs perfectly with any summer inspired themes). 

So whether it be a garden party bridal shower or a winter wedding, there is a Drink Station option for you.

Ready to get started on yours? See below for our favourite ideas (that can be altered to suit a variety of events!).

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Related: Charcuterie Stations 'How To'
Related: Food Bar Ideas

​DIY Bellini Bar Ideas

★Click here to view a stunning variety of Bellini Bar printable signs★

Charming and fun, a Bellini Bar station will have your guests making, creating and devouring in no time! The perfect addition to events throughout the year, it’s a great way to brighten up any occasion whilst also appealing to a range of taste palettes. Better yet? If you’ve decided on a colour theme for your celebration, the Bellini Bar can easily fit right in. Simply find fresh fruit, different juices and décor in the colour palette you’re aiming for and you’ve nailed it!
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CREATING YOUR BELLINI BAR
A Bellini Bar requires two main ingredients: Prosecco and fruit purees (click here for recipe).

So, to get started with your bar, you will need to find space to display these items. An ice bucket or tray holding the Prosecco bottles is a great place to start, as is setting out enough pitches or carafes to hold each of your chosen purees.  

If you don’t own any pitches or carafes, you could use a variety of mason jars in their place. Ask friends and family for their jars once they’ve been emptied of food; then soak to remove any labels before giving them a good wash. Jars of all shapes and sizes will give your bar an edgier look, whilst jars of the same size will provide a sleeker appearance. Both look amazing; simply go with the option that best suits your overall event!

Sticker labels make a great addition to your pitches/jars/carafes if you want guests to know what it is they’re preparing to guzzle down. These can either be printed, hand written or purchased (click here to view a fun custom sticker option). If you would like to offer a mystery selection, forget the labels! But please ensure that there are no allergies within your guest list to avoid any horrible outcomes.

And last but not least, your guests will need something to drink from! Champagne glasses are a common choice, but you can get away with anything in your cupboard for this bar (it looks better when they all match, but if that’s not possible it’s definitely not an issue!).

On the big day, guests are free to mix and match Prosecco with their favourite pureed flavours. As Angela of 'This Delicious House' notes, the traditional recipe calls for the following ratio when creating these drinks: 2 parts Prosecco to 1 part puree. That being said, guests are welcome to experiment in any way they like - that's the beauty of a self-serve drink bar!


Handy Bellini drink bar ideas:
If you want to provide non-alcoholic options for your guests as well, offer sparkling water or sparkling apple juice as well as your Prosecco!

Top photo credit: https://thisdelicioushouse.com/bellini-bar/

​Frozen Watermelon Margarita Bar Ideas

★Click here to view a fun range of Margarita Bar printable signs★

Simply reading the words ‘Frozen Watermelon Margarita’ gets my mouth a-watering! The perfect addition to any special event in summer, this beverage just oozes fun! To learn how to incorporate such a drink into your celebration (and into a bar cart), see below.



CREATING YOUR MARGARITA BAR
First things first, you have to make the margarita. The good news is that this delicious recipe can be pre-made and kept in the freezer until your big event. Click here to view the recipe.

Once that’s sorted, it’s time to set up your drink station.

To get started, neatly arrange your cocktail glasses (at least one per guest plus a couple of extras just in case). You will also need a serving spoon and punch bowl (this will be filled with your margarita mix on the day), tequila (for those who want a bit more strength to their bevies!), lime juice, a pitcher of water, and a couple of shallow plates.

Fill one plate with salt and the other with sugar (if you label just one thing on the table, make sure it’s these so that guests don’t get any unwanted surprises!). You may also like to include a plate or bowl filled with lime wedges that can be used as a garnish.

And finally, add an instructional sign giving guests a quick lesson on how this station works. This could be hand-written on a large blackboard, printed from the computer and framed or, if you’re after something a little more elaborate, purchased from Etsy (click here for a range of fun ‘Margarita Bar’ printables that won’t break the bank!). Should you write the sign yourself, it could go a little something like this: ‘Salt the rim, Pour the mix, Add a lime, Enjoy!’

Photo credit: https://wowitsveggie.com/frozen-watermelon-margarita/

Hot Chocolate Drink Station Ideas

★Click here for Hot Chocolate Bar sign inspiration★

Hot chocolates are amazing. The smell, the sweetness, the warmth… it’s a cup of coziness that just can’t be beat! And if your celebration happens to fall in the cooler months, it’s the perfect excuse to share some of this toasty goodness with your friends and family. Mouth watering at the thought? Learn how to create a DIY hot chocolate bar below!

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CREATING YOUR HOT CHOCOLATE BAR

The hot chocolate drink station just radiates warmth! To get started, set out the milk. It’s important to offer a variety of options here so as to cater to all dietary requirements. Full cream, light, soy and almond milk are the most common requests. Pour your warmed options into separate jugs and place neatly on your table. Help guests identify what’s on offer by labeling (click here to view fun custom stickers) or attaching cute tags to each jug.

Now for the chocolate! Offer a range of options such as shaved Lindt chocolate, milo, drinking chocolate, and/or your own mix of cocoa and sugar. Display each of these in a small bowl, complete with tiny serving spoon. You may also like to pre-make chocolate spoons. These little beauties not only mix straight into warm milk (see recipe here), but will also add to the overall fun and style of your hot chocolate bar.

Thought we were done with the sweetness? Not yet!

Dipping treats are also a must. Cookies, marshmallows, mints, shaved chocolate, chocolate sticks and more can be set out in little bowls and on platters. You may also like to provide syrups and other fun additions – get creative with your options.

And finally, guests may need a little direction when it comes to making their own drinks. Help them on their way by setting up a printed sign (framed) or blackboard that tells them where to start and what to do next.
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You can find a cute example by clicking here and scrolling down the page.​

Handy Hint:
Another way of providing hot beverages, such as hot chocolates, is by pre-making the mix in a slow cooker or saucepan (see recipe here). Keep it warm in the kitchen and, when guests are ready, allow them to fill their mugs. Hot choccy in hand, they can then make their way to the hot chocolate station to stock up on their favourite toppings, dipping treats and more! 

Photo credit: http://www.abrideonabudget.com/2017/12/diy-hot-chocolate-bar

DIY Coffee & Tea Bar​

★Click here to view our fave Hot Beverage Bar printable signs★

Alcohol is almost always a given at parties. But it’s not often that you find hot beverages such as tea and coffee on offer as well. Treat your guests (the elderly, the pregnant, the non-drinkers and those who simply need a caffeine hit!) by serving up a bar dedicated solely to these delicious drinks. The perfect pick me up or a great way to end celebrations with friends; see instructions below and learn how to create your own beautiful tea & coffee bar.


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CREATING YOUR HOT TEA & COFFEE STATION
To begin with set out an assortment of tea and coffee flavours. Chamomile tea, English Breakfast, Green Tea and Lemon Tea, along with lattes, decaf Coffee and normal coffee, are a great place to start. Each option can be placed into a separate jar (just make sure to label each jar with their contents; helping guests in their decision making).

Sweeteners such as honey and sugar are also a must (follow this link and scroll down the page to find a gorgeous ‘sugar rose’ recipe to wow your guests with!); as are pitchers filled with milk.

​If you would like to cater to a range of dietary requirements, it’s a great idea to offer full cream milk, low-fat milk, soy milk and any other variety you know your guests enjoy. You will also need to provide a hot water urn – after all, there would be no hot beverages without it!
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And last but not least, ensure there are enough mugs and stirrers set out for each guest, along with serving spoons should they be required (i.e. a serving spoon would be needed to scoop ground coffee from the jar). 

If you wish, decorations such as blackboard/printed signs (e.g. ‘Coffee & Tea Cart - click here for more printable sign inspiration), fabric bunting in your theme colours, and even a small vase of flowers can be used. For those who want to go the extra mile, you could also incorporate hot chocolates into this cart – making it a ‘Hot Beverage Bar’!

Handy Tip:
​If you have a coffee machine that is easy to operate, this could also become part of your cart/bar experience. Guests could then treat themselves to cappuccinos, espressos and more. Hosting your next party in the warmer months? Perhaps mix it up by offering iced tea as well.

Sugar Rose Photo Credit: https://sustainmycookinghabit.com/diy-hot-tea-bar-bigelow-steep/

​Lemonade Stand (+ Alcohol)

★Click here to view our fave 'Lemon' themed printables on Etsy★

Is your event scheduled to take place in the middle of spring or summer? Would you like to provide delicious, thirst quenching refreshments for guests whilst they enjoy the sunshine, light breeze and scenery in these beautiful months? If you answered ‘yes’, a creative beverage station dedicated to all things LEMON (with a cheeky twist!) may be the perfect option for you.



CREATING YOUR LEMONADE STAND
The first step in creating this drink station is finding a cart or table to place your items on.

Lemonade stands look fantastic when combined with rustic tables/carts (as pictured below). Sometimes you can find rustic tables perfect for this purpose at your local Op Shop. If you don’t have a rustic stand (or simply prefer a different décor style), white tables/table cloths also look beautiful. The bright lemon colours will really ‘pop’ against the stark backdrop.

Now for the beverages themselves. Neatly place some large jugs or glass bottles on your table and fill each of them with freshly squeezed lemonade (this can be prepared before your event – click here for a delicious homemade recipe). For those who want to offer up a variety of flavours, pineapple lemonade, strawberry lemonade and raspberry lemonade all make for tasty options. Attach cute tags to each jug letting guests know what type of lemony treat is awaiting them.

My favourite part comes next. Place different types of alcohol (such as vodka, gin, peach schnapps or even beer) on the table. Arrange these bottles near shot glasses; giving guests the chance to measure their cheeky extras or go free-range.

And finally, you will need something to drink from. Rather than guzzling this goodness from cups, add a bit of ‘sparkle’ to your celebration by offering champagne glasses instead. Not your style? Jars also make for stunning, reusable ‘cups’ that add an air of fun and uniqueness to your celebration.

From here it’s up to your guests to get creative with their concoctions! Will they mix different flavours? Add shots? Or stick to good old-fashioned lemonade all on its own? Only time will tell!

If you’re considering a lemonade stand for your next event, click here for more inspiration. With everything from DIY cart décor to a delish lemonade recipe, these tips will have your guests refreshed and happy.

Related: Main Squeeze Themed Event

Photo credit: https://tikkido.com/blog/ultimate-lemonade-stand

Styling a Bar Cart

Love the idea of a drink station but would like to offer a range of options (wine, champagne, beer, etc.)? Take a look at this handy article that details exactly how to style/make your own drink bar for any occasion! 

Handy Hint:
Include recipe cards that pair with your selection of beverages. Party goers can then whip up a variety of drinks themselves; an interactive element of the event they're sure to enjoy!

​A Few of Her Favourite Things

We all have our favourite types of drinks, including the bride-to-be. So why not add a personal touch to her special day by incorporating a table dedicated to her most loved beverage/s?

​This could be sweet treats (e.g. milkshakes, hot chocolates, etc.) a mix of her favourite alcoholic beverages (favourite champagne, favourite wine, signature cocktail) or a table filled to the brim with one ADORED drink of choice. Decorate with her favourite flowers/colours.

​This little personalization will make such a lasting impression!

​Related: Thoughtful Party Ideas

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EPIC FOOD BAR IDEAS:

​Fun to style and easy to tie into a themed party, food bars will encourage guests to self-serve to their hearts content. Meaning that although there is some prep involved before the celebration, you can sit back and enjoy your meal with friends once the party is underway! For some great DIY food bar options, read on.

Click here to read the article now.​

​APPETIZER IDEAS:

Easy to whip up, delish and, best of all, perfect for a range of occasions; this list of food ideas is guaranteed to take the stress out of appetizers! So grab yourself a snack (trust me, the pictures alone will get your stomach a-rumbling) and get started on your menu.

Click here to read the article now.

Enjoy Putting Together Your Drink Station!

Pretty, fun and so much easier to create than you may think, the drink station ideas in this article are bound to be a hit - not only because it means your wonderful guests can mix their own crazy concoctions, but also because they look beautiful and give the host a bit of a break! If you have any tips that we've missed, or if there is a drink station that absolutely LOVE that hasn't been featured, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comment section below or on our socials.

Cheers to THE most delish and refreshing event around!

Much love, keep smiling - Bec x
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P.S. The below image is perfect for Pinterest... Go on and share these drink station ideas - you know you want to! :)