Picture this: You’re hosting an impromptu cocktail hour after dinner. You want to show off your mixology skills – oh, but where is the shaker? Do we have the right glasses? Can I remember how to make a Manhattan?
The best way to prepare for hosting eventualities is with a perfectly prepped bar cart. It may sound simple, but building the ultimate at-home cocktail station takes more time and consideration than one might initially think.
While it’s tempting to get started with fancy kit, ingredients should always take priority. “The best bar cart isn’t the one with the most bottles – it’s one that gives you versatility without overwhelming you,” says Felicity White, The Macallan UK brand ambassador. “A well-rounded foundation of gin, vodka, tequila, and rum will cover most classic cocktails, complemented by a Scotch whisky … A well-made drink starts with a quality spirit, so I’d always choose that over quantity.”
A properly executed drinks set-up should also go beyond function and nod to a host’s life well lived. “The best home bars reflect the people who own them,” says Lucas Paterson, bar manager of The Delany Drawing Room at Dukes London, “[and] the most memorable collections are built around personal taste rather than trends.”
“Having a few bottles that have a real story behind them can act as a great conversation starter,” White adds. “Perhaps a bottle that you picked up while traveling, something that you opened to celebrate a milestone, or simply a bottle from a producer whose craft and heritage resonates with you.”
And when it does come to the kit, consider the essentials first. “The most important element is often the glassware … every spirit deserves to be served in a glass specifically designed to showcase its aromas and character,” says Lalique hospitality manager, Romain Iltis.
Other bar cart essentials include a jigger for proper measuring, a bar spoon for stirring, and a mixing glass. Your equipment can be used to inject fun, too: “I like to have a selection of vintage and novelty cocktail picks to help deliver garnishes with some whimsy,” says drinks writer Millie Milliken.
Finally, a cocktail is nothing without its ice. Hailed as the most important hidden ingredient, ice of course lowers temperatures, but is also used to gently dilute mixtures and increase aeration. Although not technically part of your bar cart, make sure your freezer is constantly stocked with ice of various sizes in preparation for last-minute hosting.
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The Savoy Cocktail Book
Also known as the cocktail bible, The Savoy Cocktail Book is the ultimate drinks companion. First published in the 1930s, it documents the most popular serves of the era with lightning precision, wit, and insight, as well as 750 of the hotel’s most popular recipes.
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Ardbeg 25 Year Old
Purists will tell you an aged whisky has no business in cocktail but if you’re prepared to rock the boat, consider a big, bold, smoky number like the Ardbeg 25 in an old fashioned. While the usual bourbon increases sweetness, a peated Scotch adds a more grown-up level of depth.
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Mahogany and marble bar cabinet, Ghidini 1961
A centerpiece in its own right, this Italian-made bar cabinet is crafted from rich mahogany and emerald marble, with brass accents for an Art Deco edge. As well as sectioned display shelves, the cabinet has a series of convenient drawers for storing all the cocktail mod-cons and accessories. Considering leaning into the theme with all-vintage glassware.
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Silver-plated cocktail set, Brunello Cucinelli
While primarily regarded as a wardrobe staple, Brunello Cucinelli also dabbles in lifestyle products. The silver-plated cocktail set is equally stylish and practical, containing all the staples: a Boston shaker, strainer, bar spoon, jigger, and ice tongs, all presented in a slick leather box.
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Dry gin, Tarquin's
The gin market has mushroomed in recent years, with all manner of processes, flavors, and producers filling a saturated market. For a one-size-fits all gin that is perfectly primed for cocktails, classic is best. Try Tarquin’s – a small-batch Cornish gin that uses 12 botanicals. Its crisp and citrussy.
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Silver cocktail picks, Heath Wagoner
Novelty cocktail sticks are fun, but rarely are they luxe, too. Breaking the mold are Heath Wagoner’s Marfa sterling silver cocktail picks, each made by hand in New York and depicting a Wild West motif. Your guests are unlikely to have seen something similar.
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Marble coasters, Giobagnara
Little is worse than a water ring stain on a treasured piece of furniture; mitigate the risk with Giobagnara’s set of six marble and leather coasters in an attractive deep green hue. (Just be careful to avoid becoming the host that shouts “COASTER!” the moment a guest sets a drink down.)
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Reposado tequila, Clase Azul
Every at-home bar needs tequila, and Clase Azul’s signature reposado is a strong contender for the ultimate all-rounder: it’s plenty smooth enough to sip neat and versatile enough to not entirely dominate a margarita. The oversized ornamental vessel might be tricky to fit on a bar cart, but the work around is well worth the liquid inside.
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Striped champagne glass, Aquazzura
Although many opt for vintage crystal glassware, for a little playfulness, look to Aquazzara’s bold red-trimmed coupes. Made from hand-blown Murano glass, they’re delicate and decorative – and worthy vessels for a glass of the finest vintage. Consider mixing and matching colors for a properly maximalist collection.
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Decanter, Hermès
While a decanter isn’t a cocktail cart essential, it is a vital accompaniment to any decent wine collection, and also makes for a nice display piece. Hermès’ delicate Iskender offering is hand-blown, with decorative details carefully also added manually. The piece comes with six matching crystal glasses.
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Sterling silver bar spoon, Hamilton & Inches
Time spent stirring a cocktail – to gently and accurately dilute the liquid – is perhaps one of the most underrated elements of bartending. To do it properly, invest in a premium bar spoon. Hamilton & Inches’ Art Deco-inspired utensil is made by hand from sterling silver in its Edinburgh workshop, with an intricate twisted stem for frictionless stirring. There’s an engraving option, too – consider them as memorable party favors.
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Ball ice cubes, Harrods
While ice offers essential dilution properties in cocktail preparation, when it comes to serving, many want their drink to stay cold, without any watering down. Enter Harrods’ re-usable metal spheres. Store them in the freezer and add to your finished drink, offering all the cooling properties of ice, without ever melting.
