How to Build A Cascading Champagne Tower

Looking to add a little something special and memorable to your next event? People will often choose to use florals or decor items to create a unique look, but why not consider something totally different, interactive, and delicious? A champagne tower is simple to build, creates a great opportunity for photos, and will keep your guests talking long after the event. Here's how to build your own tower:

Step 1: Determine how many glasses you need
Champagne towers are built using square levels that decrease in size from the bottom to the top. If the bottom layer is 5x5, the next would be 4x4, then 3x3 and so on until you get to one glass at the top. As an example; for an event of 140 people, you would need to do an 7 level tower (level 1 - 49, level 2 - 36, level 3 - 25, level 4 - 16, level 5 - 9, level 6 - 4, level 7 - 1 = 140).

Step 2: Order the glassware and champagne.
Champagne towers must be built using the traditional coup or saucer glasses. Champagne flutes will not work. For the champagne, 1 bottle will fill approx 5 glasses. There will

Step 3: Build the tower
Select a spot at your event where the tower will be highly visible but also unlikely to get knocked or bumped by people. To build the tower, start with the bottom layer and arranged the glasses so that the tops are touching and that there is a diamond shape formed between glasses. Assemble your entire first level and ensure that all glasses are touching each other. For the next layer, start by placing the first glass directly over the diamond shape formed by 4 glasses in one corner. As with the first layer, put all glasses out ensuring no spaces between. Continue until you get to the top layer with one glass.

Step 4: Pour the champagne
Slowly start pouring champagne into the top glass and watch as it overflows and begins cascading down to the next level. Keep pouring bottle after bottle into the top glass until the tower is full.

That's all there is to it!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to add them below or contact us directly.

Cheers

Valentines Day Cocktails

It's been a long time since I last posted anything to the blog. However, 2012 is a new year and so here we go with the first post for 2012.

Valentines Day is just around the corner and for most guys it means stressing about what to do, paying way too much for flowers, trying to get a reservation for dinner somewhere (anywhere! Argh I waited too long and everything is booked up) and hoping that your girlfriends significant others don't show you up with their thoughtful romantic gestures.

In the spirit of fiscal responsibility (the hot trend right now) and creativity, why not scrap the overpriced dinner and evening out with a romantic evening at home? If you are like most men, then romance just doesn't come easily. Fortunately for you, I've pulled together a list of ideas for impressing her this year and they don't even all involve alcohol (though you could certainly incorporate it into the ones that don't). Here you go:

Dinner In - I'm not talking about Dominos or White Spot. How about Pan Seared Duck Breast ported cherry flambe jus with creamy risotto and fresh vegetables? Our good friends at Emelles Catering have got you covered. They'll put together a complete romantic dinner for two and deliver it for you at home. It's creative, it's different, and it's thoughtful. You can't go wrong.

Demonstrate your Mixology Skills - While you're waiting for dinner to arrive, get her in the mood and impress her with a few special, signature cocktails? Here are a few ideas. Prior to the evening, figure out which one(s) you're going to make and learn how to make them. She'll be blown away with your mixology prowess. Trust me, I cannot understate the appeal of a man who knows how to mix great cocktails. Just ask your local bartender.

Get Creative with the Wine - We all know that you can't go wrong with the old standards, but if you really want to impress her, you'll put some thought into the wine selection. It's a special occasion so why not go for something a little out of the ordinary. A couple suggestions that are good value, White Bear Pinot Blanc, BC, Escorihuela 1884 Reserva Malbec, Argentina. Or check here for a list of great wines under $20. Again, it's all about creativity. She will appreciate it.

Get Out for Some Fresh Air - After dinner, head out for an evening stroll in the neighbourhood. Not really original, but always a winner. If you feel so inclined, bring a warmer for the road. A few of the standards can be found here.

So there you go. Simple evening at home turned into a memorable, thoughtful, and romantic valentines day. Far be it from me to claim to be the expert. If you've got some other ideas (preferably involving cocktails), please share.

Happy Valentines Day.

Luxury On The Rocks

Often overlooked, ice is truly one of the most important ingredients in any cocktail. You might be thinking that all it does is chill the drink and thus, any ice will do, but there's much more to it than that. As the ice in your shaker or glass melts, it adds to the cocktail providing the right amount of dilution to complete the experience. The quality of the ice itself and have a big impact.

Our friends at On The Rocks know ice better than anyone and they've gone one step further. Not only do they offer the purest, cleanest ice around, they now offer Luxury Ice products which we think are totally cool!

Ice Spheres

The ice sphere is one of the most efficient and attractive ways to cool your premium beverage. The pure, crystal clear 2.5" diameter ice sphere is designed for maximum cooling and minimum dilution appealing to the high-end cocktail connoisseur.

2" Cubes

Top shelf cocktails and liquors should be chilled to enhance their individually unique flavours. These 2" cubes do just that without weakening them with quick dilution. They stylishly address the problem of maintaining the integrity of fine liquors and enable your customers to savour the taste. For a custom touch, your own logo or design can be added to the cubes.

Cleaner ice = better tasting cocktails and with these new offerings from On the Rocks, now you can add that extra touch of luxury to your next cocktail party.

Back to the Prom

Last weekend we went back, way back to 1969 for a birthday party prom-style, joining the girls at Dream Group to recreate the authentic 60's prom experience for Marianne's 60th birthday party. From brilliant decor, to Prosecco punch, the event looked great. And when the guests arrived in full costume, the party really got going. Check out Dream Group's blog for some pics of the event.

Looking forward to the next party!

Leaving the Beer Garden

Some shred of good news in Canadian liquor law reform this week. In Ontario, the government has announced they are "exploring" the idea of loosening up liquor laws for special events and vacation resorts. In typical Canadian fashion, the highly contentious topic of allowing people to take a beer out of the beer garden tent has garnered a lot of debate.

Proponents say the relaxed laws will stimulate tourism by allowing Ontario resorts to sell all-inclusive vacation packages (why go to the Caribbean when you can go to Muskoka?) and making it easier for festival planners and the events industry. Opponents swear there will be anarchy in the streets with drunken fathers and abusive alcoholics running rampant.

Am I the only one that thinks this debate is given more attention than need be? We're talking about a legal substance consumed only by adults (responsible enough to vote for the people making these laws). While I'm glad to see more attention being given to liquor law reform (hopefully this will rub off in BC), I really just don't see why all of this is such a big deal. If you treat adults like adults, perhaps they will actually act like them. Where else in the world do they deal with this issue? The outdated laws that place the tight restrictions on alcohol consumption need to go.

Read the full article here

Food & Beverage Trends for 2011

What's in store for food and beverage trends in 2011? Tate & Lyle's food experts convened at a roundtable to develop the Top 4 trends that will shape the food industry this year while helping manufacturers supercharge their brands to meet consumers' ever-changing preferences.

Trends for 2011:

1. Simplicity
   
2. Stealth Sugar and Calorie Reductions is the new Mid Calorie
   
3. One Product, Multiple Benefits
   
4. Restaurant Quality at Home
   

Read the full release.

The Finer Details Event Planning: 5 Tips to Choose the Right Vendor

A great article by our friends at the Finer Details Event Planning.

The Finer Details Event Planning: 5 Tips to Choose the Right Vendor: "You’re getting married – Congratulations! Beyond the ever important questions of when & where comes, “Who’s making your cake?”, “W..."