to The Fresh Bartender


“I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained.” - Walt Disney

Would you serve a smoothie at a party? You will once you start us- ing this book – but you won’t call it a smoothie. You’ll give it an exotic name and serve it in a fancy glass with a colorful parasol, with festive music setting the mood.

This book is about luxury and health (yes, I said those two words in the same sentence!). The Fresh Party of the future is one that brings everyone together. It combines the electrifying flavors and the health benefits of fresh juices in an atmosphere that’s fes- tive, loving and celebratory.

This book will teach you how to spoil yourself and your Fresh Party guests, all in the name of good cheer and fun. After all, it’s only the highest-end, most luxurious spas and resorts in the world that serve fresh exotic juices at a traditional style bar, in a so- cial atmosphere.

The time is ripe for innovative Fresh Bartenders to heal the rift between “tasty” and “good for you.” I think a Fresh Party is just what the doctor ordered, and this book is your prescription.



This book is for anyone who’s ever hovered over the veggie tray at a party (the one you brought!) while everyone else gorges on junk food. It’s for people who avoid parties because they don’t want to be tempted by foods that will only bring them down later. It’s for anyone who eats at coffee shops because the social atmosphere is so vital. It’s for everyone who avoids healthier diets altogether be- cause they don’t want to ditch their current friends for new ones. And it’s for those friends of ours who would throw us healthier parties, if they only knew how.

Are health food diets inherently anti-social? Do they invari- ably make non-dieters defensive? I say: Not any more! It’s time for “health nuts” to start throwing our own parties, in a casual atmo- sphere where everyone can enjoy themselves to the max!



I have focused on beverages in this party book (rather than on food) for several reasons:

  • Everyone can enjoy fresh juices for fun, no matter what they’re eating for dinner.
  • A “cocktail party” is more casual for your guests, and less labor-intensive for you, than a dinner party.
  • There will be no hard feelings because your guests found the health food meal you prepared too light or unfamiliar.
  • A juice party works just as well in the middle of the day as it does after dinnertime.
  • It can be tailored to kids as well as adults.
  • It’s a light-hearted way to introduce new traditions to your circle of family and friends. See Chapter 6 for ideas about Fresh Party occasions and themes.
  • Throwing a Fresh Party will keep you focused on what really makes a party successful: love, intention and atmosphere! The rest is just details.



Creating a Fresh Party is all about atmosphere and presentation, and fancy glasses and garnishes are your most important tools for turn- ing ordinary drinks into exotic cocktails.

Bar glasses can be purchased online and at restaurant supply stores. You can also find them at many resale shops, and even ga- rage sales and flea markets. You could collect souvenir glasses from around the world that have been ditched at resale venues. See Ap- pendix III for the specific glasses used in this book.

Colorful garnishes can range from simple pitted cherries and berries to large chunks of pineapple and melon. Citrus fruits can be cut into twists, wedges and wheels. Present several cherries, berries or grapes on a plastic sword, or add a paper parasol for a tropical or feminine flair. See the photos on the following page.

Finally, setting up your Fresh Bar like a pro will help your guests feel festive and well taken care of. See Appendix III for complete details.






No experience necessary. It’s easy to throw a Fresh Party! All you need to get started is a citrus juicer (manual or electric), a blender, and the guide- lines on the following page.

Chill It! Fresh Party beverages should have strong flavors, so pre- vent ice melting into them by making sure your fruit is cold before juicing and your juices are cold before adding ice.

Chilling glassware with ice or ice water is recommended when straining drinks “straight up” into martini, cocktail or wine glasses.

Shake it! Shaking beverages with ice really helps to create a party atmosphere. It’s also great for thorough chilling and blending of flavors, sweeteners and nut creams. Any cup with a secure lid will work for shaking, or purchase a bar shaker (see Appendix III).

“Do I have to shake the drinks?” No, just stir in the agave syrup well and add an emulsifier to your nut creams (see page 50).



1 teaspoon = 1/8 ounce
1 Tablespoon = 3/8 ounce
½ Jigger = 2 Tablespoons = ¾ ounce
1 “Splash” = 1 Pony = 1 ounce
1 Jigger = 4 Tablespoons = 1 ½ ounces
1 cup = 8 ounces
2 quarts = 8 cups = 64 ounces
1 gallon = 16 cups = 128 ounces

Note: All equivalents listed are for fluid ounces, not ounces of weight. Ounces of weight will have a grams equivalent on the label, as with Madhava agave syrup. There is no direct correlation between fluid ounces and ounces of weight across different substances.



Keep your first Fresh Parties small and manageable - after all, you want to have fun too! Here are some tips for throwing exactly the kind of Fresh Party that’s right for you:

Freshman
  • 2 to 4 guests is plenty
  • Multiply a recipe out and make a whole pitcher ahead of time
  • Allow for one additional option for your guests, e.g. create a pitcher of Apple Sour and offer ginger juice as an option
  • Serve simple fresh fruit and nuts, or make it a potluck
Sophomore
  • 4 to 8 guests is manageable
  • Make juices and nut creams ahead of time and keep chilled until serving
  • Have a few drink options, using different combinations of the same juices, or two different drinks with shaken and blended options
Junior
  • You can handle 8 to 16 guests by now
  • Throw a Fresh Theme Party in order to keep your offerings manageable and well organized - use the suggestions in Chapter 6 to create a drink and snack menu
Senior
  • Offer multiple drink options and do some fresh juicing of chilled fruit
  • Show off with that shaker!
  • Enlist some helpers, if necessary, to make some gourmet snacks; eventually, you can train fellow Fresh Bartenders to help you throw bigger Fresh Parties



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