Drink Accessories
Ringing in the New Year calls for appropriately festive drinks, which (like most things in life) has much to do with the right accessories. Whether it's the perfectly-shaped ice cube or a bit of chocolate designed to perch elegantly on the rim of a glass, these small additions are graceful ways to make sure New Year's Eve (and any other celebration for that matter) is anything but amateur.
Enric Rovira Chocolate Accents
Made by Enric Rovira, a chocolatier based in Barcelona, these little globes are made from first-rate dark chocolate and feature a small slit that fits perfectly on the edge of a glass (pictured above right). An effortless way to make a flute of champagne even more special, one of these accents would also do well with red wine or a chocolate martini. Order Enric Rovira's Chocolate Accents for €9 from Latas y Botellas or look for them at some Dean & DeLuca retail locations.
Dom Pérignon by Marc Newson
One of award-winning designer Marc Newson's latest collaborations, this two foot tall case functions as an ice bucket and adds pop to the party with a Newsonian lime green (pictured left). A limited edition of 100, each piece is signed by Newson and available for $1,000 at design stores and online from Moss.
Gold and Silver Leaf
For a luxe accent that's been a buzzed about choice among top mixologists recently, Easy Leaf's gold and silver accents (pictured above right) come in shakers, small petal flakes and sheets. It's available from several specialty retailers.
"Perfect Cube" Ice Cube Trays by Tovolo
Though we prefer the less-diluting slabs of ice in our cocktail, like those served at the NYC bar Little Branch, for those of us who still like to make ice the old fashioned way, the "Perfect Cube" Ice Cube Trays by Tovolo are the ultimate accessory. The food-grade silicone won't absorb odors or colors and the design eliminates messy shards of ice. Available in blue and red from Sur La Table, a set of two is $10.
Decorated Sugar Cubes
For over a decade Kara Cashion has been sculpting sugar into dragees, miniature houses, bowls and other whimsical forms. She decorates her sugar cubes, an old world European tradition, with everything from simple hearts to miniature tea sets. As precious as they may be, her customizations, like Harry the dog (pictured above left) are hard to resist. The cubes start at $14 for a box of 18 and custom orders start at $53 for 36 cubes.
For a more modern take, a selection of Can à Suc's perching heart-shaped pieces, as well as puzzle shapes and sticks, are available from Sur La Table for $25.
Straw Spoons
Also one of our favorite accents at Little Branch, a long stainless steel straw/spoon stays pleasingly cold in a mixed drink and, like Argentine bombillas, is the perfect way to combine stirring and sipping. (Pictured above left.) A set of four eight-inch straws costs $20 from the Container Store.
Ice Jacket
Using a simple sleeve and base, the Ice Jacket encases bottles in a layer of ice (pictured above right), keeping liquors appropriately chilled and making a dramatic addition to any bar. Pre-order for $40 from info [a] icejacket [dot] com or by calling 01-239-566-7076.
via Urban Daddy.
Lace Coasters
These Rubber Lace Coasters are a clever take on your grandmother's doilies. (Pictured above left.) Available in both black and white from Rocket St. George, a set of four is £7.50.
by Letizia Rossi
Professional Ice Maker
You can't have a proper bar without ice. The Professional Ice Maker (pictured above right) produces enough ice to keep your friends drinks chilled in eight minutes, making up to 29 pounds a day with room to store two and a half pounds, eliminating ice runs in the middle of a party and freeing up freezer space. With settings for three different kinds of ice cubes, the brushed steel box is fully automatic and requires no installation. Available online from Sur la Table for $400.
