Cool Mobile Bars from Around the World

Everyone knows that the liquor laws in BC are, well, rather restrictive with respect to where you can and can't consume alcohol. I came across some really cool mobile bars from other countries that I thought I'd share. This week I came across some great examples of mobile bars in other countries and thought I'd share. Unfortunately all of these ideas would essentially be illegal here in Canada, but it never hurts to dream.

Here are my top 5 Mobile Bars:

#1 - Amsterdam pedi-bar

Imagine cruising through Stanley Park on this!

#2 MrFrothy

(Check out mrfrothy.com. It's awesome!)

#3 Best VW Bus Ever!!

They really know how to do it up in Thailand

#4 Bar2D2

Not that I like the idea of being replaced by a robot but this is pretty cool....

#5 - The Travelling Goodbar

I lived in NZ for a while but unfortunately never had the opportunity to see this up close and personal. The Travelling Goodbar is probably one of the coolest mobile bars I've ever seen.

If you have some other examples of great mobile bars, please share.

Cheers

Keep your resolution with natural and low calorie cocktails

By January 21, statistics say that 80% of us will have abandoned our new years resolutions. This is especially true for resolutions revolving around improving our health by exercising and losing weight.

Fortunatly, you don't have to quit drinking to keep your resolution! Even better, you're not condemmed to vodka sodas all year either. Here are some ideas for reducing calories and not taste:

• Drink low calorie cocktails - Mojitos are one of my favourite cocktails and, surprisingly, they're low in calories (122 calories).  Compare this to something like a Long Island Iced Tea (780 calories) and the difference is clear. Here's an article on some other low calorie cocktails.
• Less is more - When you're out for the night drinking highballs, screwdrivers, etc.. a lot of the calories come for the sugar in all the pop and juice you're drinking.  One option is to just reduce the amount of juice/pop in the drink.  Vodka soda with a splash of grapefruit juice is one of my girlfriend's favourites.  You still get the flavour, but with way less sugar and calories.  This really adds up over the course of a night.
• Insist on natural ingredients - cocktails using real fruit, vegetables, and syrups contain way less refined sugar and preservatives and often have the added bonus of vitamins and anti-oxidants.  If you're going out, visit Lauren Mote at the Refinery or Shaun Layton at L'Abittoir for some great natural cocktails.  Or if you're feeling creative, here are some healthy syrup recipes for cocktails you can make at home.
• Low carb beers - Admittedly, most of these are not very tasty.  Watery and more like soda water is what you typically get. Amstel Light is pretty good though difficult to get in Vancouver.  Regardless of which one, you want to stick to the ones in dark bottles or cans (they stay fresh longer) and drink them ice-cold, preferably in a frosty mug.  This helps enhance the light flavour.
• Low carb wines - There are low calorie wines out there, but I have yet to taste a really good one.  For the most part, wine is generally pretty safe as long as you're staying away from the super sweet ones.  The average glass has between 75-90 calories. If you're numbers kind of person, here's a table on calorie count by wine type.

If you've got any comments or some other healthy or low-cal cocktail suggestions, please share.


And, good luck with those resolutions.

Planning an Eco-Friendly Event Bar

Are you going green at your wedding or planning an eco-friendly event? Don't forget to think about the bar. Your event planner will undoubtedly have lots of ideas relating to venue choices, food menu, and eco-friendly decor, but the bar is often not really thought about until the last minute. There are a lot of options available to "green" your bar and a well-crafted bar menu showcasing organic, all-natural cocktails will excite your guest's tastebuds and is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Here's a few tips for “greening” your event bar:

• All-Natural Beer, Wine, and Spirits – There are tons of options when it comes to organic liquor. It is important to note though that not all organic liquors are created equal. Don’t just buy without tasting. Sample the goods first or consult a professional. Some of our favourites include Nelson Brewery, Summerhill Estates Winery, White Bear Winery (not organic but affordable and 15% of proceeds go to rainforest conservation in northern BC), and Prairie Organic Vodka.
• Organic or All-natural fruit and mixers – Organic juices and sodas are readily available and, while they may cost a bit more, your taste buds will thank you.
• Homemade Ingredients - Ask your bartender to get creative and prepare some homemade, natural mixers in advance or do it yourself. You’ll find tons of recipes for homemade syrups, nectars, and sugars that not only showcase natural ingredients, but are relatively inexpensive.
• Avoid Plastic Cups – This may seem like a no-brainer but many people are still convinced that plastic cups are a good option. Cheap to buy and no cleaning required. But think about the waste. Consider renting glassware from a rental company. Not only is it more environmentally friendly, it’s also way classier and adds a more upscale feel to your reception. If you insist on disposable glassware, consider going with biodegradable cups.
• Ban Bottled Water – Of all the things you can do at your wedding to be green, there is perhaps no greater one than eliminating bottle water. I won’t go on a rant about how awful this stuff is for your health and the environment (check out http://www.tappedthemovie.com for more info if you’re interested) but will instead say that there are cheaper options. Why not just rent pitchers and have wedding staff keep them filled with tap water? Better for you, better for you wallet, and better for the planet.
• Recycling – Proper recycling is more than one garbage bin and one blue bin. Set up separate recycling bins and proactively separate throughout the night. Save yourself time at the end by planning ahead. Organic waste, plastics, paper/cardboard, glass, and garbage should all be separated for proper recycling. If you’re hiring someone to do the bar, they should have no problem doing this and will even take everything with them when they leave.

For more tips on creating your ultimate eco-friendly event bar, contact us directly or post your question here and I’ll get back to you asap.

Welcome to the Lavish Liquid Blog

That's right, we're blogging now. Visit often for thoughts and insights on event bar planning, great cocktail recipes, information on the always complicated liquor laws, and other random ideas we may choose to share.