Bar carts are great if you have limited space or don't have a built-in bar area in your home. They come in different sizes, shapes, and number of shelves, but, before you run out and get one, there's a few things you need to know about setting up your cart. Your cart is a representation or miniature bar condensed onto a cart. But don't fret, I'm here to help you style your bar cart just in time for that holiday get-together.
First, you need to stock your bar with the basics:
Liquors - vodka, gin, rum, tequila, what ever you favor. I love wine, so I added a bottle of each but you can choose either one or none. A few garnishes with fancy looking glassware and your cart is half way setup. Now, let's take a closer look at the picture below and each of the items.
Adding the above essentials is a great start. The above cart includes:
- Water pitcher
- Seltzer water
- Soda
- Rum/vodka
- Ice bucket
- Cocktail shaker
- Decorative napkin
- Decorative cocktail straws
- Coasters
- Different size glasses
- Tray
- Garnishes (lime/lemon, cherries, olives)
- Bottle of wine (always)
- Flowers and printed art
Add a few mixers - triple sec, small cans of pineapple concentrate, or whatever else you need to chase your liquors with.
Fresh garnishes are best, now I'm not a big fan of olives but some people are, but definitely have some lime and/or lemons and cocktail cherries on hand.
Glasses - six to eight will do fine. Your basic glasses:
- Short glasses
- Tall glasses
- Coupes (great for martinis and sparkling wines)
- Wine glasses (normally there's a difference between red and white wine glasses, so choose a glass that you would be comfortable with for both.
Bar tools - shakers and one of those bottle/screw opener is all you need.
Now comes the styling part:
A nice cocktail tray, stylish cocktail napkins, paper straws, and coasters. Add special touches with fresh flowers and/or framed prints, like the one above I found on Etsy.
Remember these are just guidelines, you can make any necessary changes to fit you and your guests' needs. Another important point is to NOT place your car in direct sunlight but rather in a cool dry spot in the room. Use tiny bottles (water and soda) instead of the big size, no one is mixing that much coke with their rum and it won't be a waste.
I hope you enjoy this, send me a picture of your bar cart and be featured @eventsojudith@gmail.com.
xoxo
Judith
