About Barware

The image on the top and the numbers below are for a formal dinner place setting.

1. Napkin  
2. Fish Fork
3. Dinner or Main Course Fork
4. Salad Fork
5. Soup Bowl & Plate
6. Dinner Plate
7. Dinner Knife
8. Fish Knife
9. Soup Spoon
10. Bread & Butter Plate
11. Butter Knife
12. Dessert Spoon and Cake - Dessert Fork
13. Sterling Water Goblet
14. Red Wine Glass
15. White Wine Glass

A Tom and Jerry is a variation of egg nog. This is the recipe from the famous Trader Vics in California. Also check your local grocery store or liquor store as they will usually have some of this batter already premade. Serve in a glass barware mug.

Tom and Jerry Single Serving - Home made batter
Makes: 1 serving

I N G R E D I E N T S:
1 egg, separated
1 teaspoon bar sugar
1 ounce dark Jamaica rum
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 ounce brandy
Hot water

I N S T R U C T I O N S:
Beat egg yolk with sugar, rum and allspice until smooth and thick. Separately beat egg white until stiff.  Fold white into yolk mixture.  Put mixture into a preheated mug.  Add hot water to fill mug 3/4 full.  Stir gently.  Add brandy. Dust with grated nutmeg.

Drink Mix From Prepared Batter -
1 heaping teaspoon prepared Tom and Jerry batter
1/2 ounce Jamaican rum
1/2 ounce brandy
Boiling water, hot coffee or hot milk

Preheat a 6 ounce Tom and Jerry mug with hot water.  Add batter, rum, brandy, and stir.  Fill mug with boiling water, hot coffee or hot milk. Stir.

Mulled wine, variations of which are popular around the world, is wine, usually red, combined with spices and typically served warm. Historically, wine often went bad. By adding spices and honey, it could be made drinkable again. Nowadays, it is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas. Typically served in a glass barware mug.

It is usually prepared from red wine, heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, vanilla pods, cloves, citrus, cardamom, ginger, bitter orange, and suger.

To prepare mulled wine, spices and/or spice extract are mixed into the wine, which is then heated to (140°-158° Fahrenheit). The temperature should not be allowed to rise above (173.12° Fahrenheit) in order to avoid evaporation of the alcohol. When preparing home-made mulled wine using spices, the hot mixture is allowed to infuse for at least an hour, often longer, and then reheated before serving.

A hot toddy is a drink that is usually associated with relieving the symptoms of colds or sore throats. The hot toddy is a spirit-based drink with an added sweetener, such as honey or sugar. As well as being used for medicinal purposes, the hot toddy can also be used to help a person relax in the evening. It is also used when people have been exposed to cold weather or have incurred a shock to the system.

There are varied accounts of the origins of the hot toddy. Popular thinking holds that the hot toddy came from Britain by way of India. In India, the juice of certain palm trees was called tari. This juice was made into a dark, sweet alcoholic drink. The English in India at the time replicated the drink by using spices, fruit, and alcohol and introduced it to Britain. Variations on the drink itself are abundant. The main alcohol used is usually some form of whiskey, but different types of alcohol are acceptable. A hot toddy can be used to relax after a shock, and this effect is mainly accomplished by the alcohol. Use your Christmas barware cups to serve this drink. Or glass barware cup will also do just fine.

What is a party without booze? Wine plays a central role in any festive occasion. Wine has transcended geography and culture. Dignitaries, presidents, and leaders drink to seal a friendship. Colleagues open a bottle of wine to celebrate a promotion, or a job well done. Families gather and drink wine during the holidays.

It is no surprise that wine accessories gifts are a hit year-round. A glass thermometer, air-tight bottle stoppers, a drip ring, and a corkscrew are some examples of useful wine accessories. Now that wine tasting parties are becoming popular, these accessories will come in handy.

Hot buttered rum is among a family of spiced drinks popular during the holiday season. The drink is made with butter, rum, sugar, and spices, and diluted with hot water which warms it. After a day in brisk winter weather, a hot buttered rum can be a pleasant way to warm up and relax. Usually, hot buttered rum is served in thick ceramic mugs which will retain the heat without cracking. The drink tends to be sweet, with a strong kick from the rum that makes it quite delicious.

Like many hot alcoholic drinks, hot buttered rum has its origins in Europe. Spiced drinks made with various alcohols have been around for thousands of years. Hot buttered rum probably entered the scene in the 1700s, when the potent liquor began to be imported from the Jamaican colonies. When water supplies were potentially dangerous, people often consumed a great deal of alcohol, and came up with creative ways to prepare and serve it. In the winter, warming drinks were vital in poorly insulated, cold buildings. Use your Christmas barware cups to serve this drink. Or glass barware cup will also do just fine.

Eggnog is a libation traditionally served during the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Eggnog is made from cream or milk, egg yolks and sugar. Those who imbibe may choose to add brandy or rum to their eggnog. Those who drink eggnog are customarily supposed to drink to each other’s health, though after a few glasses of spiked eggnog, most will drink to anything.

Eggnog, which translates to “egg inside a cup”, actually has a bit of history behind it. It was derived from an English drink called posset. The posset contained eggs, cream and wine or other spirits. It was only a matter of time before it took on a life of its own.

Eggnog became popular in the early 19th century and was mostly enjoyed by the upper classes. During that time in London, only those who were well-to-do could afford to drink a glass of milk, let alone serve it at parties. Revelers enjoyed mixing it with a little alcohol to give it an extra “kick. Nowadays most people don’t make up their own eggnog. They purchase a carton or a case at their local supermarket or liquor store and spike it once their guests have arrived. It’s a convenient, delicious way to toast to good health and good friends. It’s lucky for us that eggnog caught on! Use your Christmas barware cups to serve this drink. Or glass barware cup will also do just fine.

It is the time to fill out that Christmas list with the last few items to purchase for the season. Make wure you buy some Christmas barware, swizzle sticks, stemware and the like. Even a Christmas drink coaster will be an excellant and inexpensive gift for that person with the home bar setup.

At this time of the year there is always a great selection of barware gifts in the stores and on-line websites. I have to admit I enjoy web browsing just to see the large number of items that are available. And Christmas barware is just one of those things that fit in with the tree, and other decorations around your home.

If your family loves to sail or be on the water together, you want your home furnishings and decorations to express that interest. A nautical home decor can be achieved through any combination of signs, lamps, and decorations. While overdoing the look can seem showy or gimmicky, some well-chosen items can accent your home in an elegant way while still telling the world of your interest.

-Many ship enthusiasts will choose the classic ship in a bottle or a small scale replica of a schooner. Made with care and attention to detail, these boats are often intricate and made with high quality wood, making them the perfect addition to any sailing home or office.

-For those that want to display their ship love in the kitchen or dining room, select decorative plates and barware. Containing nautical scenes (sometimes hand-painted, sometimes not), these plates can remind you of the water even when you’re not able to be there.