Make Your Party Cocktails Green
Is there anything more enjoyable than having a great party? Having friends over, laughing as you reminisce about the past, or even about what happened yesterday, and drinking a few drinks. In today’s eco-conscious world, many people still don’t realize that many of the drinks that they really enjoy aren’t all that eco-friendly. Many of these drinks are made using products that aren’t good for the environment, or drinks that were made in some way that actually harms the environment. It is possible to go “green” with your drink, and that doesn’t mean putting something like Absinthe in it.
The Produce
One thing to think about is produce. In many drinks you have, there is actually produce! From little cocktail onions to the classic cherry, these small pieces of produce actually mean a lot when you’re talking about how to keep your drinks eco-friendly. If you were to use only products that had been grown or harvested using non-organic means, such as pesticides and using large pieces of farm equipment, for every cocktail party you ever have, you could actually be doing some damage to the environment. Look instead to organic fruits and vegetables for your cocktail party. You can also serve them as finger foods!
Another way to use fresh organic produce is to actually put them in the drinks and not just as a garnish. Take watermelon. Many people love watermelon schnapps, and one way that you can make a watermelon drink that’s eco-friendly and delicious, is to use an organic watermelon. Scoop some of the meat out of the watermelon and put it in the freezer. After a few hours, the watermelon will freeze and you’ll be ready to make some drinks! Simply put it in a cocktail glass and add some vodka (note: you can find organic vodka). This drink is delicious, refreshing, and organic. How about an apple? Buy some organic apples and use a juicer to get the juice out of them. Then simply add the juice to some of that vodka and you’ve got apple martinis. Both drinks are delicious and completely organic, and you can even have a little theme, like “what kind of organic cocktail can you make with vodka.”
Wines and Beers
Wines are always a delicious addition to any cocktail party, and organic wines are something that are fairly easy to find now a days. Head to your local store and you’ll find a number of organic wines that you can choose from. These wines are made without using pesticides or chemicals and nothing that is done during the development, or production, can harm the environment. Add a selection of these wines on a wine table with some glasses and allow your guests to thoroughly enjoy themselves.
Beers can also be served at a cocktail party, and you may find that most men go towards the beer table anyway. Instead of serving what you find in your local grocery store, seek out some organic beers or locally brewed beers. Purchasing locally helps you to save the environment because it saves on fuel costs which can accumulate through transportation costs due to shipping needs.
The Glass
Many people hold a cocktail party and use disposable glasses because there are just too many people for reusable glasses. Paper and plastic products, however, actually make waste and are definitely not eco-friendly. If you’re going to be having a cocktail party, pull out enough glasses so that you can use only reusable glasses. If you don’t have enough, try asking friends and family members if they happen to have some. Most people know a few people who have martini or cocktail glasses, and if they’re willing to lend them to you, simply wash them, use them, and then return them to their owners. Write down first, however, which person gave you which glasses so that you can easily figure out who they go back to, or you can put little colored stickers on the bottom of the glass, on the underside where they won’t easily be seen, so that you can remember which glasses go to whom.
If you don’t have enough glasses from your friends or family, then you may want to purchase some. Many dollar stores have these types of glasses for sale for very cheap, and you can easily purchase enough for the party. Once you’re done with them, store them for the next party. , If the party was a one-time event, try reusing the glasses. Who says you have to use them just for cocktails? Young children love drinking out of these glasses because it makes them feel grown up. If no one wants to use them for drinking, you may be able to locate a glass artist locally who can use the glass in their artwork.