Save A festive and elegant tray featuring an array of fresh fruits, herbs, and treats to elevate your New Years Eve champagne or sparkling wine experience.
I always find this garnish tray brings a festive touch to any celebration, and guests love customizing their drinks with fresh fruits and herbs.
Ingredients
- Fresh Fruits: 1 cup fresh raspberries, 1 cup fresh blackberries, 1 cup fresh strawberries hulled and halved, 1 cup pomegranate arils, 2 lemons thinly sliced into rounds, 2 limes thinly sliced into rounds, 1 orange thinly sliced into half-moons, 1 cup seedless green grapes halved
- Herbs & Edible Flowers: 1 small bunch fresh mint leaves, 1 small bunch fresh rosemary sprigs, edible flowers such as pansies or violets optional
- Sweets & Treats: 1/2 cup sugar cubes, 1/4 cup crystalized ginger pieces, 1/2 cup white or dark chocolate shavings optional
- Add-Ons: 1 bottle Chambord or other berry liqueur optional, 1 bottle St. Germain or elderflower syrup optional, 1 small dish coarse sugar or gold sprinkles for rimming glasses
Instructions
- Step 1 Wash:
- Wash and thoroughly dry all fruits, herbs, and edible flowers.
- Step 2 Arrange Fruits:
- Arrange the fruits in small bowls or directly onto a large serving tray grouping similar colors and types together for visual appeal.
- Step 3 Add Herbs:
- Add herbs placing sprigs between fruit groupings for fragrance and decoration.
- Step 4 Scatter Flowers:
- Scatter edible flowers over the tray or set them in a small bowl for guests to add as desired.
- Step 5 Place Treats:
- Place sugar cubes crystalized ginger and chocolate shavings in separate small bowls or ramekins.
- Step 6 Set Liqueurs:
- If using set liqueurs and syrups nearby with small pourers or spoons for easy serving.
- Step 7 Prepare Rim:
- Provide a small dish of coarse sugar or gold sprinkles for rimming glasses guests can moisten the rim of their flute and dip for a festive touch.
- Step 8 Provide Tools:
- Set out tongs cocktail picks and small spoons for guests to garnish their drinks as they wish.
Save This garnish tray creates memorable family moments especially while celebrating New Years Eve together, everyone enjoys custom drink creations.
Required Tools
Large serving tray or platter, small bowls or ramekins, tongs and cocktail picks, small spoons, sharp knife and cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains possible allergens such as chocolate (milk soy if used). Some liqueurs may contain allergens check labels. All fruit and herb selections are naturally gluten-free and vegetarian but always verify packaging for cross-contact.
Nutritional Information
Per serving without alcohol or chocolate: Calories 65, Total Fat 0.5 g, Carbohydrates 16 g, Protein 1 g
Save This garnish tray adds a final festive touch that impresses guests and elevates your celebration.
Recipe FAQs
- → How should I prepare the fruits for the tray?
Wash and thoroughly dry all fruits, then hull, halve, or slice as needed to create an attractive display with varied shapes and textures.
- → Can the garnish tray be prepared in advance?
Yes, the tray can be assembled up to 2 hours prior and refrigerated, covered lightly with plastic wrap to maintain freshness.
- → What herbs work best for adding fragrance?
Fresh mint leaves and rosemary sprigs provide aromatic notes and visual appeal when scattered between fruit groupings.
- → Are chocolate shavings necessary for the tray?
Chocolate shavings are optional but add a rich, sweet contrast that pairs well with citrus and berries on the tray.
- → How can guests use the coarse sugar or gold sprinkles?
Set beside the tray, guests can moisten glass rims and dip them in sugar or sprinkles for an elegant and festive finishing touch.
- → What types of drinks complement this garnish tray?
Dry or off-dry sparkling wines and non-alcoholic sparkling cider pair beautifully, enhancing the fresh and sweet flavors offered.