Tinsel & ’Tini’s — Wedding Venue Map’s 2025 holiday party for Central Florida industry pros took place on December 9th atVeranda Elegant Events in Orlando.
We had the pleasure of sponsoring the bar again this year—which fills me with holiday joy and, not gonna lie, a little anxiety. Once a theme is set and sent to the vendor sponsors, my wheels start spinning.
I love serving my peers, but these vendors and venues have seen it all, so every year I push myself to deliver something out-of-the-box and unexpected. With a theme like Tinsel & ’Tini’s, martinis were a given—but which martinis? I flirted with the idea of an alcoholic dessert in mini martini glasses, but another vendor was already covering that (I play nice and don’t step on toes). So I stayed with classic martini builds…and gave them an upgraded twist.
First decision: metallics—all three would sparkle with edible luster dust. Then color. During the walkthrough it was obvious the décor heroes would be silver and gold. That’s two. For the third, it hit me: spotlight our brand colors—teal and orange. Boom: Silver, Gold, Teal/Orange.
Next came the fun part: I designed garnish first, recipe second which is the exact opposite of what I normally do – but hey, its good to turn things upside down once and a while.
-
- Silver made me think shiny crystal and ice → metallic silver rock candy—a stir-in sweetener that doubles as an indulgent, boozy lollipop.
- Gold had me picturing tinsel & Christmas ornaments → a gold-painted olive stuffed with a surprise and skewered with tinsel toothpick
- Orange was easy → a metallic dehydrated orange. We’d make the drink itself teal and anchor it with a surprise ingredient most folks haven’t tried.
From there, I headed into my “intoxicology lab,” played with ratios, refined the builds, and landed on the trio you’ll find below.
Tinsel Tini
Taste: floral lychee + elderflower with a crisp, crystal-clear finish
Look: icy silver sparkle with an interactive sweetener
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- ½ oz lychee liqueur (or ¼–½ oz lychee syrup for less sweetness
- ½ oz elderflower liqueur
- ¾ oz white cranberry juice
- 1 dash orange bitters
- Pinch edible silver luster dust
Method
- Shake hard with ice; fine-strain into a chilled coupe.
- Garnish: metallic silver rock-candy stir stick.
Guided Glow Tini
Taste: bright ginger warmth over a silky, clean martini backbone.
Look: radiant gold shimmer with a glam olive.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- ¾ oz ginger liqueur (Domaine de Canton)
- ½ oz blanc (or dry) vermouth
- 1 dash orange bitters
- Pinch edible gold luster dust
Method
- Shake with ice; fine-strain into a chilled coupe.
- Express a thin lemon peel over top (discard).
- Garnish: Guilded Gold Olive (Castelvetrano stuffed with candied ginger, brushed with edible gold)
BNC’s Teal Tini
Taste:spa-fresh aloe + crisp agave with bright, clear citrus
Look: jewel-tone teal shimmer with a metallic orange accent.
Ingredients
- 1¾ oz tequila blanco
- ¾ oz aloe liqueur (Chareau**)
- ½ oz clarified citrus
- ¼ oz simple syrup (1:1), to taste
- 1–2 drops 20% saline (for brightness)
- Pinch pearl/teal luster dust
Method
-
Shake hard with ice; fine-strain into a chilled coupe.
-
Garnish: Citrus Sail — dehydrated orange wheel, brushed orange metallic stood upright on the rim.
** Chareau
A unique new liqueur that blends aloe vera juice, macerated vine fruits, Californian botanicals, and eau de vie. The result is an exceptionally “cooling” liqueur with bright notes of muskmelon, lemon, cucumber, and spearmint. This can be hard to find and may need to be special ordered from your local liquir store.
Zero-Proof Twins
Tinsel Twinkle (NA)
Taste: lychee-floral and crisp, same silver sparkle.
Per drink: 2 oz white cranberry • 1 oz lychee syrup • pinch silver luster dust
Method: Shake with ice; fine-strain up.
Garnish: metallic silver rock-candy stir stick.
Glowstick (NA)
Taste: lively ginger with a tart, silky finish.
Per drink: 2 oz white grape juice • ¾ oz ginger syrup • 2–3 drops lemon juice • pinch gold luster dust
Method: Shake with ice; fine-strain up.
Garnish: gold-brushed olive speared on top
BNC’s Not So ‘Tini (NA)
Taste: cool aloe + bright citrus, ultra-clear teal shimmer.
Per drink: 2 oz clear aloe juice • ½ oz lime cordial • ¼ oz simple (1:1) • pinch pearl/teal luster dust
Method: Shake with ice; fine-strain up.
Garnish: metallic dehydrated orange on rim
Service & Shimmer Notes
-
Use FDA-approved luster dust only; tiny pinches go a long way.
-
If you batch keep well-chilled; add shimmer just before service or swirl bottle before pouring.
-
Rest metallic garnishes on the rim, not in the liquid, to keep finishes pristine.
