Jane Hoffman Realty represents beautiful Okanagan homes with the space and grandeur you want for a holiday gala. Examine these gorgeous properties with wet bars, the perfect spaces for an entertaining maven.
These homes (and cocktails) make holiday parties a breeze. Each of these exclusive Jane Hoffman Listings stand out with elegant entertaining enhancements.
Winter in the Okanagan is a time of beauty and celebration. The snow-capped mountain peaks and occasional frosting of the trees emphasizes the gentle climate we enjoy year-round. As the holidays draw closer, we gather with friends and family to toast in the new year.
The numerous award-winning wineries in the South Okanagan make it easy to pop the cork on a bottle of bubbly. A built-in wet bar in your home opens your entertaining options. Store your favourite spirits and bar equipment, and you’ll be ready to throw a fête whenever the occasion calls. Craft cocktails, mixed behind your home wet bar, are a special way to make the evening shine.
Upper Mission – 4816 Carmel Crescent
Look out on incredible lake and city views from all three stories of this upscale modern home. You’ll love entertaining guests in the spacious recreation room with wine enclave and granite-counter wet bar. The theatre room with tiered seating adds comfort and drama to your gatherings.
Custom Spirits for the Holidays
Small touches can make all the difference at a holiday party. After you hang the decorations, mix up a batch of custom cocktails to welcome your guests. Many party-planning services offer custom cocktail creation as part of their packages, but you can start with one of the recipes we’ve designed. Starting with homemade spice syrup.
Holiday Spiced Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 star anise
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
- 4 allspice berries
Place cloves, star anise, allspice, and nutmeg in a tea strainer or steeping bag. Combine water, spice bundle, and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Carefully add sugar to boiling water and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand until cool. Remove spices and pour cooled simple syrup into a pretty bottle. Keep refrigerated in between uses. Use holiday spiced syrup in place of regular simple syrup for a warm, wintery cocktail. The holiday spiced simple syrup works best in whiskey- or rum-based cocktails.
Lower Mission Waterfront – 3602 Lakeshore Road
Entertain year-round in this fabulous Lower Mission home. The waterfront property has spacious, light-filled rooms with Brazilian cherry hardwood floors. The outdoor kitchen and BBQ area features a sit-up bar with granite counter. Mature landscaping offers privacy and beauty to your lakefront view.
Snowball Smash
This festive favourite incorporates the homemade holiday spiced syrup. Garnish with a twist of orange peel or some candied cranberries and your guests will be sure to coming back for more!
- 1/4 blood orange
- 1 oz holiday spiced syrup
- 2 oz whiskey
- ice (crushed and cubed)
Cut blood orange quarter into smaller pieces and place in a cocktail shaker. Muddle to release juices. Add holiday spiced syrup, whiskey, and cubed ice to cocktail shaker. Shake well. Strain into an old-fashioned glass and top with crushed ice. Garnish with a twist of orange peel.
West Kelowna – 1813 Diamond View Drive
You’ll find breathtaking lake, city, and mountain views from every angle of this custom 4-bedroom walkout rancher. The barrel vault ceilings and open concept great room will give your gatherings an exclusive feel. Guests will be amazed by your media room featuring high-definition sports simulator. Play championship golf courses from around the world without leaving your home!
Cranberry Sparklers
Given the amazing number of world-class wineries in the Okanagan, we had to include a wine-based recipe to suit this wine bar! These sparkling libations are as nice to look at as they are to drink.
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 cup plus two teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup sweet red vermouth
- dry sparkling wine
In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add cranberries and 1 cup sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved. Return just to a boil and cook gently for 10 minutes, or until cranberries have popped. Remove from heat and let cool. Strain cranberries into a bowl. Add sweet red vermouth and two teaspoons of sugar and mix gently. Let sit for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until cranberries have absorbed vermouth and sugar has dissolved. Spoon 2 tablespoons cranberry mixture into each of six flutes and top with dry sparkling wine.
Lakeside Luxury – 6-180 Sheerwater Court
This sprawling 5-bedroom, architecturally designed home redefines lakeside luxury. Soaring ceilings and clean contemporary lines embody quality craftsmanship in the prestigious Sheerwater Estates. You’ll love entertaining with floor-to-ceiling windows, temperature-controlled wine room, and 12-person dining area. In the summer, enjoy outdoor entertaining over your infinity, saltwater pool.
