Creative Ideas for Combining Cocktails and Self-Care at Your Next Brunswick County Event

In today’s event culture, more hosts are leaning into experiences that support both joy and well-being. Across Brunswick County, NC, party planners are asking a new question: Can we sip and self-care at the same time?

The answer is yes—and it’s more popular than ever. Combining cocktails with self-care elements makes your gathering feel indulgent, balanced, and refreshingly original.

Whether you’re planning a bridal party, a birthday celebration, or a wellness retreat, here are some creative ways to infuse your event with equal parts relaxation and flavor.


🌿 1. Pair Craft Cocktails with Relaxation Stations

Instead of a single bar, set up cocktail + care pairings throughout the space. For example:

  • Lavender Gin Spritz + Chair Massage
  • Cucumber Mint Mocktail + Mini Facial Station
  • Coconut Mojito + Reflexology Foot Soak

These pairings encourage guests to slow down, sip mindfully, and enjoy holistic comfort while socializing.


🍹 2. Host a “Sip & Soak” Spa Party

Whether at home or a spa venue, “Sip & Soak” parties offer mini spa treatments alongside elegant drink service.

Here’s how to structure it:

  • Invite guests to wear robes or spa attire
  • Offer herbal teas, fruit-infused water, and light cocktails
  • Rotate through spa treatments: facials, hand scrubs, reiki, or reflexology
  • Serve botanical drinks like rose sangria, chamomile punch, or honey ginger spritzers

This style of gathering works especially well for bridal showers, girls’ weekends, and milestone birthdays.


🍯 3. Include Herbal and Functional Ingredients

Self-care starts from the inside. Use ingredients that support wellness while still tasting amazing:

  • Fresh herbs (mint, basil, thyme)
  • Floral elements (rose, elderflower, hibiscus)
  • Citrus and ginger (detoxifying and bright)
  • Honey, turmeric, and apple cider vinegar (immune-supportive)

Drinks that feel like rituals—not just refreshments—resonate more deeply with guests.


🧖‍♀️ 4. Set the Mood with Spa-Inspired Atmosphere

The ambiance of your event influences how people feel more than you might expect. Blend bar and spa vibes with:

  • Ambient music and nature sounds
  • Natural textures and calming colors
  • Aromatherapy diffusers or herbal bundles
  • Soft lounge seating and dim lighting

When guests feel relaxed, they’re more present—and more likely to connect with others and the moment.


🥂 5. Offer Both Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Options

Not everyone drinks alcohol—but everyone enjoys a thoughtful beverage. Offering mocktails alongside cocktails allows guests to participate in the fun regardless of preference or lifestyle.

Mocktails aren’t an afterthought—they’re a creative, inclusive experience. Use fresh juices, flavored sparkling water, and house-made syrups to bring the same flavor-forward approach you’d apply to cocktails.


👩‍💼 About the Author

This blog was written by Charity Sunrise, owner of two heart-centered businesses based in Shallotte, NC:

  • POUR THE PEOPLE Mobile Bartending: Providing customized, wellness-conscious bar services for weddings, parties, retreats, and private events across Brunswick County.
  • Sunrise Spa: A holistic spa offering massage, facials, energy healing, and reflexology for body and soul care.

Charity’s unique ability to combine luxury hospitality with restorative wellness allows her to craft events that nourish and delight from the inside out.


How to Estimate Alcohol for Your Event: A Guide for Brunswick County Hosts


Planning the perfect celebration—whether it’s a wedding in Oak Island, a birthday party in Shallotte, or a reunion in Southport—often comes with one big question:

How much alcohol do you actually need?

It’s easy to overspend or underestimate without a bit of planning. Here’s a helpful guide to estimating alcohol for your event so that your bar is stocked efficiently and responsibly.


🥂 Start with Guest Count and Timeframe

The two biggest factors to consider are:

  • How many people are attending?
  • How long is your event?

A general rule:
One guest = one drink per hour
(plus a buffer for early arrivals and late-night toasts)

Example:

50 guests × 4 hours = 200 drinks minimum
Add a 10–15% buffer: plan for about 225–230 drinks total.


🍸 Break It Down by Drink Type

Depending on your crowd, you’ll want to divide the total into wine, beer, and liquor. A common breakdown:

  • Beer: 40%
  • Wine: 30%
  • Spirits: 30%

For 225 drinks:

  • Beer: ~90 servings
  • Wine: ~67 servings
  • Liquor: ~68 servings

Adjust this based on what your guests prefer—beach wedding crowds might lean more toward light beer and spritzers, while backyard BBQs might favor bourbon and rum-based drinks.


🍷 Bottle & Can Equivalents

Here’s what each standard serving looks like:

  • Wine bottle: ~5 glasses
  • 750ml liquor bottle: ~16 cocktails
  • Beer can or bottle: 1 drink per unit
  • Champagne bottle: ~6 flute servings

Knowing this helps you translate your totals into actual shopping quantities.


🧊 Don’t Forget Mixers, Garnishes & Ice

It’s easy to overlook the bar extras that make drinks shine:

  • Mixers (tonic, club soda, juice, cola)
  • Fresh garnishes (citrus, herbs, fruit)
  • Ice: Plan for at least 1–1.5 pounds per person

📋 Other Factors to Consider

  • Service Style: Will you have a bartender, or is it self-serve? Guests pour less when drinks are made for them.
  • Season & Setting: Outdoor summer events = more drinks and hydration.
  • Glassware: Larger glasses = faster consumption.
  • Mocktails & Non-Alcoholic Options: Essential for designated drivers and younger guests.

🧠 Planning Ahead Prevents Waste

Estimating properly helps:

  • Prevent over-purchasing
  • Avoid running out early
  • Ensure guests drink responsibly
  • Keep your budget on track

📍 Need More Help?

If you’re still unsure how much to order or how to build a drink menu around your event type, you’re not alone. Many hosts in Brunswick County reach out to experienced mobile bartenders for insight into guest preferences and inventory planning.

POUR THE PEOPLE Mobile Bartending provides professional event support across Shallotte, Oak Island, Southport, and surrounding areas. Their team helps clients estimate quantities, create balanced drink menus, and serve events with ease.


Explore more planning resources and bartending insights at pourthepeople.com

Top 5 Benefits of Hiring a Mobile Bar Service for Outdoor Events in Brunswick County, NC

From beach weddings to backyard birthdays, outdoor events in Brunswick County, NC are more popular than ever. And there’s one upgrade that takes your open-air celebration to the next level: a mobile bar service.

Whether you’re hosting in Southport, Shallotte, Leland, or along the Oak Island shoreline, here are 5 big reasons to bring the bar to your backyard (or beachfront).


🍹 1. No Venue Bar? No Problem!

Many outdoor venues—like parks, private homes, and beach rental properties—don’t include a bar setup. A mobile bartending service brings everything you need, including:

  • Professional bar equipment
  • Coolers, tools, and glassware
  • Trained bartenders
  • Fully mobile setup that fits your space

No bar? No worries. We bring it all to you.


🍸 2. It’s a Stylish Statement Piece

The bar isn’t just functional—it’s a feature. A well-designed mobile bar adds visual appeal and can match the theme of your event, from rustic to modern coastal chic.

Services like POUR THE PEOPLE Mobile Bartending offer:

  • Sleek bar stations
  • Themed signage
  • Garnish displays
  • Custom menus

Perfect for photos and even better for vibes.


🍍 3. Custom Cocktails in the Fresh Air

Outdoor events call for refreshing, seasonal drinks. Mobile bartenders can design a custom drink menu with ingredients that match the weather, theme, and guest preferences.

Popular choices for Brunswick County events include:

  • Cucumber mint coolers
  • Fresh berry sangria
  • Local peach bellinis
  • Non-alcoholic mocktails for all ages

Custom cocktails = custom memories.


🍾 4. Stress-Free Setup & Cleanup

When you’re managing an outdoor event, the last thing you want is one more thing to worry about. Mobile bar teams handle:

  • Setup
  • Service
  • Cleanup
  • Trash removal

You focus on hosting—we’ll handle the drinks.


🌴 5. Local Bartenders Know Local Needs

Working with a local service in Brunswick County means your bartenders know the best vendors, alcohol laws, and event venues. That local expertise makes planning faster and smoother.

POUR THE PEOPLE Mobile Bartending is based right here in Shallotte, NC and serves the entire Brunswick County area with reliability and flair.


Pour the Perfect Party

An outdoor celebration deserves more than a cooler and solo cups. Add flair, flavor, and functionality with a mobile bar service designed to meet your needs.

If you’re planning an event in Shallotte, Oak Island, Holden Beach, or anywhere across Brunswick County, check out POUR THE PEOPLE Mobile Bartending. Their team specializes in coastal events, beach weddings, and backyard parties with full-service bar setups and signature cocktails.


Let us bring the bar to you—anytime, anywhere.
Visit pourthepeople.com to learn more or request a quote today.