If you are planning to enjoy a cozy drink with friends or family, you are faced with a choice: do you go for a ready-made drink package or do you take the time to put together a drink platter yourself? In this blog post, we will help you make the right choice by discussing the pros and cons of both options. This way, you can enjoy a perfectly composed drink with confidence. Discover what suits you best!
What are drinks packages?
Borrelpakketten are carefully composed packages with a variety of snacks and drinks, ideal for a cozy drinks evening, whether at home with friends or on location. These packages are a real eye-catcher and make organizing a drink easy and fun.
Contents of drinks packages
When putting together drinks packages, the following items are often included:
- An assortment of cheeses, charcuterie and toasts
- Various dips and spreads such as hummus, tapenade and guacamole
- Various types of nuts and olives
- Artisanal crackers and breadsticks
- Bottles of specialty beer, wine or non-alcoholic drinks
- Luxury chocolate or bonbons to finish
The diversity of flavors and textures makes each drinks package unique and offers something for everyone.
Popular brands and products
Some well-known brands that offer high-quality drinks packages are:
- The BorrelFabriek: Known for their luxurious selection of French cheeses and fine meats.
- BorrelGenot: Offers a mix of Mediterranean snacks and high quality wines.
- The Tastemakers: Specialized in vegetarian drinks with organic products.
Benefits of drinks packages
Choosing a drinks package has several advantages, such as:
- Convenience: everything is already put together, you don't have to buy all the separate ingredients.
- Quality: enjoy artisanal and exclusive products.
- Variety: discover new flavours and combinations without having to put in much effort.
- Presentation: the packages are often beautifully wrapped and are ideal for sharing and serving to guests.
In short, drinks packages are the ideal choice for a successful drinks evening where you can fully enjoy yourself and impress your guests with a varied selection of delicacies.
Let the drinks night begin! 🍷🧀
Benefits of drinks packages
Drinks are a great way to create coziness and enjoy treats with friends, family or colleagues. A ready-made drinks package can be a smart choice for various occasions. Here we dive deeper into the benefits of choosing such a package and why it can be useful.
Convenience and time saving
- Preparation: No hassle with shopping and preparing snacks yourself.
- Presentation: Beautifully composed packages make serving easy and stylish.
Variety and quality
- Diversity: Packages often contain different types of snacks, cheeses, charcuterie and drinks.
- Quality: Brands such as Deli XL and Enjoy&Wine offer high quality products from well-known suppliers.
Suitable for specific occasions
- Party at home: Easy for a cozy evening with friends.
- Virtual drinks: Ideal for online meetings, such as a Zoom party or corporate event.
Prevents food waste
- No surplus: Everything is packaged in the right quantities, so no leftovers to throw away.
- Sustainable: Some suppliers, such as The Perron, focus on sustainable packaging and production processes.
Simple ordering process
- Order online: Easily select and have packages delivered, for example via Borrel.nl or The Borrelshop.
- Custom made: Possibility of personalization for special occasions.
By choosing a drinks package, you make organizing a drink a piece of cake. Enjoy quality snacks and drinks without the stress of last-minute preparations. Make use of the diversity and convenience that these packages offer, and create an unforgettable drinks experience for you and your guests.
Why put together your own drinks platter?
Creating a snack platter is not only a great way to spoil your guests, but also a unique opportunity to express your creativity and taste. By creating your own snack platter, you have complete control over the ingredients and presentation, allowing you to create a personal and unique experience. There is nothing more fun than creating a snack platter that perfectly matches your taste and that of your guests.
Step by step: How to make a unique drinks platter?
Step 1: Choose the right base
A good snack platter starts with a balanced mix of flavors and textures. Choose a firm cheese as a base, such as a Beemster old or a Stolwijker, to give the platter firmness. Combine this with a number of soft cheeses, such as a French brie or a goat cheese, for variation.
Step 2: Add meats and charcuterie
To spice up your snack platter, you can add different types of cold cuts. Think of a nice salami, a dry ham such as Parma ham, or even a spicy chorizo for those who like a bit more spice.
Step 3: Sweet and savory: adding nuts, fruit and dips
To balance the flavors on your snack board, add nuts like walnuts, almonds, or pistachios. Combine these with fresh fruit like grapes, figs, or apple slices for a fresh and sweet note. Don't forget to add some dips like homemade hummus, tapenade, or honey for some extra flavor variety.
Make it personal with unique accents
To make your snack board truly unique, you can add accents that suit your personal taste. Think of special crackers, such as those from Heks'nkaas, a premium olive oil such as Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Olio Carpeta, or a chutney from Wild & Brown.
Comparison and considerations
Cost
- Coffee machines: A Nespresso machine, such as the Nespresso Vertuo Next, costs an average of €100 – €200, while a fully automatic espresso machine from De'Longhi or Jura, for example, often costs between €500 and €1000.
- Running shoes: Quality running shoes like the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 cost around $120, while premium models like the Brooks Glycerin 18 can cost upwards of $180.
Variety
- Coffee machines: Nespresso offers a wide range of coffee capsules with different flavors and intensities, while espresso machines offer the possibility to use different beans and blends for a unique cup of coffee.
- Running shoes: Nike has an extensive collection with various models and colors, while Brooks specializes in premium running shoes with advanced cushioning technologies.
Convenience
- Coffee machines: Nespresso machines are easy to use and require little maintenance, while fully automatic espresso machines offer more adjustment options but also require more maintenance.
- Running shoes: Nike shoes are known for their light weight and responsive cushioning, which promotes comfort and performance, while Brooks shoes focus on maximum support and stability for long distances.
Personal preferences
- Coffee machines: If you like convenience and speed, a Nespresso machine may be the best choice, but if you like to experiment with coffee beans and different brewing methods, an espresso machine will suit you better.
- Running shoes: For runners who value speed and agility, Nike shoes may be preferable, while serious long-distance runners may prefer Brooks for their advanced cushioning and support.
Which option suits you best?
After reading this blog post, you now have enough insight to make a conscious choice between drinks packages and putting together a drinks platter yourself. Enjoy the process and choose the option that best suits your preferences and occasion. Cheers to a successful drinks party!
Frequently Asked Questions about Drinks Packages
Yes, with pre-composed drinks packages there are often specific themes or variations available. For example, think of an Italian theme with antipasti, or a cheese board with matching wines. There are also variations such as a vegetarian drinks package or a luxury version with exclusive delicacies. It depends on the provider which themes and variations are available exactly, so it is always good to look at the offer before making a choice.
Yes, there is usually a price difference between ready-made snack packages and self-assembled snack packages. Ready-made packages can sometimes be a bit more expensive because costs have already been included for selecting and assembling the products. Self-assembled packages can be more economical because you have control over which products you choose and where you buy them. The price difference can vary depending on the store or supplier. The most important thing is to choose what suits your needs and budget best!
In general, the ingredients in self-assembled snack packages are often fresher and of better quality than those in ready-made packages. This is because you have control over which products you select and can assess their freshness before you put them in the package. In addition, with self-assembled packages you can often choose local and artisanal products, which can improve the quality. It is therefore certainly worth the effort to put together your own snack packages if you are looking for the best ingredients for a successful drinks evening. Have fun putting together your package!
A drinks package is a collection of various treats and drinks that you can use for a fun drink. Think of different types of cheese and meats, crackers, dips, nuts, olives, and sometimes even a bottle of wine or beer. It is a fun way to treat yourself or others with a varied selection of snacks and drinks for the drinks!
Yes, when you put together a drinks package yourself, you can certainly take specific wishes and preferences into account. You have the freedom to choose the products that best suit the person for whom the package is intended. Think of favorite snacks, drinks or special dietary requirements. This allows you to put together a personal and unique drinks package that perfectly matches the preferences of the recipient. Good luck with putting together your ideal drinks package!
If you choose a ready-made drinks package, you save time and effort because all products have already been carefully put together and packaged. In addition, a ready-made package can also offer more variety and surprise, because it is often put together by experts with the best combinations of snacks and drinks. It is therefore a convenient and easy option for a successful drinks party!
Choosing a standard drinks package instead of putting it together yourself can have some disadvantages. For example, the options are more limited with a standard package and it may not fully meet your preferences. In addition, there is a chance that you will receive things that you do not like as much or that are not suitable for your occasion. Putting together your own drinks package offers the opportunity to fully customize it to your taste and wishes.
