In holiday spirits

Photos by JT Fernandez

I love the Christmas season. Especially the loud, boisterous ones, where everyone takes a moment to relax, loosen their collars, and reconnect on a more personal level. Where differences are put aside and we all take a moment to be grateful to have each other.

To make the experience extra special, here are a few tips your family, friends, and colleagues are sure to appreciate.

Curating a holiday home bar

Setting the tone for a festive evening begins with a beautiful, eye-catching home bar—whether it’s a dedicated corner, a small table with a nice tray, or a simple bar tray that organizes your essentials. And with the right elements, it can orchestrate a symphony of cocktails, mocktails, and celebratory pours without requiring too much of you.

Drinks clink over ice, sparkling fizz rises, and friends arrive with gentle hums of conversation. Entertaining should feel elegant yet effortless, a philosophy that starts with stocking smart. After all, the beauty of a holiday home bar is not in the number of bottles you keep, but in the versatility of what you choose.

And when curated well, a compact selection can do the heavy lifting across cocktails, mixers, garnishes, and non-alcoholic options.

Below are 10 essentials that multitask beautifully—the very items that can help you glide through gatherings from intimate dinners to Friendsgiving feasts and post-Noche Buena conversations.

1. Whisky: The steady classic

Good whisky earns its place on any holiday bar. It anchors classics like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan, warms the night in the simplest way—a pour over ice—and plays well with ginger ale for an easy highball.

Keep one bottle of bourbon or rye for mixing and another bottle of scotch or single malt for those who take it neat or on the rocks.

2. Clear spirits: Gin, vodka, and tequila—bright, clean, and versatile

Clear spirits are the quiet chameleons of the holiday bar—crisp, adaptable, and endlessly mixable. Gin offers botanical charm for spritzes and citrus-forward cocktails; vodka brings a clean neutrality that slips easily into almost any mix, and one of the lightest calorie counts of the season’s pour choices. Meanwhile, tequila adds a festive brightness.

Serve them over ice with citrus, mix into highballs, or enjoy as a celebratory shot. Together, they create a foundation that feels fresh, modern, and ready for any gathering.

3. Vermouth: The secret ingredient

Often overlooked, vermouth brings complexity to cocktails and plays beautifully with both gin and whisky. Dry vermouth is perfect for martinis and spritzes, while sweet vermouth deepens Manhattans and Negronis. A small bottle goes a long way—and adds instant sophistication.

4. Sparkling wine: The spirit of celebration

Nothing says “holidays” quite like bubbles. Sparkling wine is your all-around celebratory mixer: add a splash of citrus juice for brunch, or pour it over ice with fresh fruit slices for an effortless yet elevated Piscine de Champagne—made properly with Champagne—or savor it on its own. It becomes both a drink and a mood.

5. Luxardo cherries: The garnish that works overtime

A holiday bar isn’t complete without Luxardo cherries. Deep and ruby-red, they elevate cocktails, add whimsy to mocktails, or shine on their own in a crystal bowl. While I was at the DarkSide Bar in Hong Kong, the bartender shared that they harvest and infuse their cherries by hand—proof of the lengths some go for a truly bespoke touch.

6. Fresh citrus and glassware: Your brightest ally

A well-stocked bar isn’t just about what you have, but how you use it. Jiggers keep pours balanced, letting fresh juices and syrups shine. Lemons, limes, and oranges brighten cocktails, garnish drinks, and create festive non-alcoholic spritzers. Served in a rock glass or flute, a twist of lemon or a sprig of rosemary elevates even the simplest pour.

7. Bitters: The flavor multiplier

A dash of bitters can transform almost anything. It adds depth to whiskey cocktails, brightens sparkling spritzes, and even lends sophistication to mocktails. One small bottle is all you need, and it lasts through the season.

8. Simple syrup: Sweetness on standby

Simple syrup is exactly that: simple. It blends effortlessly into cocktails and mocktails, and smooths out flavors without the graininess of sugar. For a richer, more complex note, try using muscovado sugar. You can also infuse it with rosemary, vanilla, or cinnamon for a subtle holiday flair.

9. Tonic and soda water: Effortless mixers for all

A stash of good tonic and soda water keeps your bar ready for anything. Mix with gin, whiskey, or sparkling wine; top with citrus for a refreshing non-alcoholic drink; or serve as a palate cleanser between courses. These bottles are your quiet but indispensable partners.

10. A non-alcoholic mixer: Ginger ale or sparkling juice

Inclusivity is essential to modern entertaining, and a thoughtful host always prepares a non-alcoholic option. Ginger ale brings warmth and gentle spice, while sparkling juice adds sweetness and lift. Fresh juices are also key to a good mix—calamansi, orange, or lemon, and even whatever fruit is in season for both availability and ease.

All of these pair beautifully with citrus, herbs, or syrups, creating drinks that feel festive, intentional, and every bit as celebratory as their spirited counterparts.

The non-alcoholic moment: Simple, festive, and inclusive

We are in an era where non-alcoholic options are not just an afterthought but an essential part of a host’s repertoire. With just a few thoughtful ingredients—sparkling water, fresh citrus, grenadine, or even a playful garnish like a gummy bear, you can craft drinks that feel both grown-up and festive. Even brewed Earl Gray tea or chilled coffee can become beautiful bases for zero-proof spritzers, adding depth, aroma, and a touch of sophistication.

A simple spritz of soda with orange slices and a dash of grenadine becomes a jewel-toned mocktail, while Earl Gray with flavored syrup over ice with lemon, or a lightly sweetened cold coffee topped with tonic water, whipped cream, and zest of orange feels modern and refreshing.

And yes—the addition of a single gummy bear can bring both charm and a wink of nostalgia.

After all, holiday entertaining is not just about cocktails—it’s about connection. A well-planned bar ensures everyone feels seen and cared for, whether they’re sipping whiskey neat or enjoying a citrus mocktail with a festive twist.

Holiday hosting, simplified

With just these 10 essentials, plus a touch of Don Papa rum for hot chocolate and torched marshmallow as garnish, your home bar becomes a versatile, confident companion for the season. Whether hosting impromptu gatherings, afternoon aperitivos, long dinners, or quiet evenings of reflection, you can do so effortlessly, without the scramble of last-minute supplies. In the process, you create a space where guests feel welcome, indulged, and completely at ease.

As the holidays arrive and your home begins to glow with familiar warmth, let your bar play its supporting role with grace. A carefully measured pour, a thoughtful garnish, and suddenly the room is alive with that unmistakable shimmer of celebration.

Effort can be effortless and elegant when every pour is intentional.

Spirited sources

Movies: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Two for the Road,” and “Marie Antoinette” capture chic, playful parties that exude effortless style and festive sophistication, while a classic James Bond film inspires iconic cocktail moments—martinis shaken (not stirred)

Fine wines, spirits, mixers, barware, and Riedel glassware: Bacchus Epicerie

Bespoke cocktails: Rian Asiddao (0917 506 5506)

Event bartending: MK Ramores (0939 854 6664)

Essentials and garnishes: Luxardo cherries, Angostura bitters, and AÉR (plant-based, flavorless alternative to traditional egg whites) can be purchased from Reenvio (0917 847 4532)