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How to Really Style & Stock a Bar Cart

Your Pinterest dreams are about to come true.

Decor
How to Really Style & Stock a Bar Cart
Renée Rodenkirchen

One of the most common decorating gripes I hear from almost everyone I get on the subject with (aside from, say, a sheer lack of square footage) is the difficulty of mastering the art of the bar cart. First, you have to find one. And have you actually tried finding a bar cart? Because nabbing one that won’t break the bank (or lead to a spending shame spiral) is all but impossible. Once/if you get past that first hurdle, it’s on to the mammoth task of stocking said cart with all the tools that look vaguely familiar from hazy evenings at mixology (ugh) bars. And then you need to make it look cute on top of that. Um, help?

Luckily for you (and, fine, us), we enlisted the help of BYOB Cocktail Emporium in Toronto (if you’re in Kensington Market, you can’t miss it—it’s the massive pastel-pink house with gold pineapples out front), and its founder, Kristen Voisey, to guide the way.

 


Step One: The Bar Cart

 

Back to the bar cart. We’re going to take a wild guess that you want something vaguely mid-century modern, ideally in gold, brass, rose gold, chrome… need we go on? The pretty gold one at BYOB is ideal. Of course, nothing worth having comes easily—we suggest stalking CB2 and West Elm, as well as 1st Dibs, One King’s Lane, and IRL antique stores to score.

 

 

Step Two: Stock Up on Bar Tools

 

Now that they have a place to call home, it’s time to load up on bar tools. Here’s what you’ll need:

Shaker: To shake cocktails with ice, booze, juice, cream, and whatever else you feel like drinking.

Mixing Glass: To stir cocktails with ice. Stirred cocktails are technically cocktails that only include spirits, such as a Manhattan or a Martini.

Bar Spoon: To stir cocktails in the mixing glass.

Strainer: Used with a mixing glass to strain liquid into glass while keeping ice out of the glass.

Jigger: To measure ingredients.

Muddler: To press oils and flavors from mint, berries, et cetera.

Juicer: Fresh citrus juice is a must for proper cocktails.

 

Step Three: Get Your Glasses

 

For a proper home bar, you’ll need to be prepared for anything—including tiki cocktails. Here’s everything you’ll need.

Cocktail Coupe: Classic cocktail glass for cocktails that are NOT on ice.

Double Old Fashioned Glass: Classic cocktail glass for cocktails on ice.

High Ball or Collins glass: Cocktails with ice.

Martini Glass: For martinis.

Champagne Flute: Sparkling wine.

Tiki Glass: For tropical rum cocktails.

 

Step Four: Add Literature

 

Now that you’re stocked, it’s time to read up on what the eff to do with all your new goodies.

The Bar Book: Based on essential techniques on how to make a perfect cocktail.

The Craft Cocktail Party: Great recipes.

Classic Cocktails: Classic cocktail history and instructions.

 

Step Five: Let’s Drink!

 

Stock up on all the booze, bitters and syrups you could ever possibly need.

Basic Alcohol:
Gin
Rum
Tequila
Rye Whisky
Bourbon Whiskey
Campari
Red Vermouth
Dry vermouth
Cointreau

A Variety of Basic Bitters:
Aromatic Bitters
Orange Bitters
Celery Bitters
Cherry
Grapefruit

Basic Syrups:
Simple Syrup: Standard Syrup
Tonic Syrup: All-natural small-batch tonic concentrate.
Grenedine: Pomegranate Syrup
Orgeat: Almond Syrup
Agave Syrup

Garnish:
Cocktail Cherries
Cocktail Olives

Bottoms up!

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