Some weekend mornings call for a little something extra—a bridal shower, a baby shower, a hey-your-roommate-has-finally-showered party. Even a birthday brunch. Those get-togethers seem simple enough, until it's the morning of and you realized that breakfast casserole you pinned needs to sit overnight before baking, and making your own cherry blossom centerpieces is way more time- and splinter-inducing than you ever imagined.
You need something fast and easy to offset the chaos. Something foolproof. You need a bellini bar.
Seriously, the bar couldn't be easier to set up: Simply puree your favorite frozen fruits with a teaspoon or two of sugar—just enough to add a little sweetness—and line them up in large mason jars or carafes, along with a bottle or two of Prosecco (a bellini must-have) and some fresh fruit, to garnish.
You could even make your own simple syrup, so guests can adjust the bellini's sweetness to their liking. Just combine even amounts of sugar and water in a saucepan—one cup of each is great—and bring it to a boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Plus, if there's any leftover after the party, you can store the syrup in the fridge and use it to sweeten coffee or homemade margaritas.
What to Stock
It's always a safe bet to have a classic peach bellini on hand, though if you're having trouble finding frozen peaches (or the costs are adding up way faster than you wanted), you could always buy canned ones. Drain out the excess juices and put them in a gallon-size plastic bag, then stick them in the freezer until you're ready to get your blend on. Done.
Other frozen fruits you should try:
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Mango
- Pineapple
- Dark sweet cherries
- Berry blends (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
How to Make Them
Have guests spoon 2-4 tablespoons of pureed fruit into a Champagne flute, topping it off with Prosecco and garnishing with some fresh fruit (for extra swagger, naturally).
How Many Bottles You Should Be Poppin'
Honestly, the hardest part is staring down a wall of bubbly at Costco—or wherever you may be—debating how many bottles (and bags of frozen fruit) you need to buy to keep the masses happy. The average 750-milileter bottle of Prosecco can make about 9-10 bellinis, depending on how heavy-handed people get with their pour.
You—or the guest of honor—would know better than anyone how boozy your friends and family brunch, but it's often a safe bet to estimate 3-4 bellinis per person, if you're hosting a three-hour party. Many people won't drink that much; some may party harder, but in the end, that estimate usually evens out, resulting in some bubbly left over for your "Hallelujah, I survived this!" party the following day.
One bag of frozen fruit makes about 5-6 bellinis, which may make you want to limit your drink options to three varieties. Peach tends to be the most popular, so you may want to stock up on extra, but if you run out, people won't complain about having to drink straight Prosecco with their frittatas and cauliflower-hashbrown egg cups.
Behind the Scenes
Keep an ice bucket on hand to keep the bubbly chilled. Or just store extra bottles in the fridge until it's time to get another one poppin'.
You could use a chalkboard or buy package tags from a craft supply store to label each fruit puree, but unless you're planning a party for 50 or more people, it's easy enough to tell guests as they come up. (Plus, it's a way more natural conversation-starter than, "So, do you know who knocked up the mom-to-be?")
Add some tassel bunting—we love this brand—and a vase of hydrangeas, and you're ready to paaaarty! You may not have a life-size chocolate fountain or be able to give puppies away as party favors, a la Bridesmaids, but with this bar, nobody will mind. Trust.
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