5 Ways To Organise A Zero Waste Thanksgiving Home Bar
With thanksgiving around the corner, one would be immersed in planning a gathering for friends and family to come together and socialise during the festive season. Any such social affair effectively spells generation of kitchen waste as lots of produce is required to cook food and blend drinks for the event.
However, there are several ways one can go about organising a thanksgiving bar, complete with cocktails and mocktails that minimise the waste generated during such an event.
From crafting big batch beverages to extracting the most out of fruit and veggie peels, there are several measures that can be taken to make a thanksgiving event a more organic affair. Moreover, the decor and ambience of the party can be so designed that this too reflects the theme of reusing and recycling natural elements for adorning the party space.
Read on below to know more about some of the ways in which one can go about organising a zero waste home bar at a thanksgiving gathering:
Prepare Batch Drinks
While hosting a thanksgiving gathering, one can go for batch cocktails or mocktails that can be prepared in large quantities to cater to a host of guests.
Big batch beverages generally use produce in bulk and reduce the amount of waste that is generated when single use cans or plastic bottles are put to use in the making of individually mixed drinks.
Such drinks can include an alcoholic option like a rum punch or a margarita cocktail or a non-alcoholic option like lemonade fizz or virgin mojito. The mixes can be served in drink dispensers so guests can fill up their reusable glasses with these interesting blends.
Use Peels As Garnishes
Another way to cut down on the waste generated at a thanksgiving gathering is to use fresh veggie and fruit peels as garnishes. When drinks are prepared in bulk, undoubtedly there will be lots of citrus peels leftover that make it into compost.
However, before they wind up there, the citruses can be added to cocktail dispensers or individual serving glasses as interesting adornments. The peels not only add a decorative touch to the drinks but also build into their taste as they are intensely filled with tart and tangy flavours.
Source Organic Produce
Organic produce grown without the use of harmful fertilisers and pesticides can also be sourced to be more ecologically conscious while planning a thanksgiving gathering.
Such fresh produce includes fruits like oranges, tangerines, grapefruits and veggies like cucumbers and pumpkins as well as herbs like mint and basil which will bring bold, robust flavours into alcoholic and non-alcoholic mixes.
The waste generated when organic produce is used will be more conducive to composting so find a local greengrocer who can provide all the organic ingredients essential to make fruity drinks.
Make Homemade Infusions
Another alternative employed often to cut down on the waste generated upon the use of flavoured packaged drinks is homemade infusions. Fruit juices and mixers can be prepared at home instead, using fresh fruits and vegetables.
These ingredients can also be used in the making of infusions like simple syrups containing the flavours of vanilla, lavender or mint. Also, spirits like rum and vodka can also be infused with organically sourced citruses like limes, oranges and raspberries.
To make these infusions, take 500 ml of the spirit, and infuse it with organic ingredients that will bring a customised touch to the drinks.
Reusable And Natural Bar Decor
One of the elements integral to planning a Thanksgiving party is decor alternatives. While fairy lights and glass bulbs made from recyclable materials will introduce an organic element into the ambience, natural decorative in the form of pine cones and stalks of wheat or barley also imbue a more earthy feel into the bar setting.
Small potted herbs, reusable coasters, dried flowers and fruit peels offer interesting organic adornments that would suit a themed thanksgiving bar at home.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
