How to Set Up a Beginner Bar in YOUR Home
Whether it's a liquor bar, wine bar, or coffee bar, at-home bars can look complicated and expensive to put together. Honestly, the process doesn't need to be! They're quite simple and will fit anywhere in the home, so long as you have a little extra surface space. For example, we set up a beautiful coffee bar earlier this year that utilized a gorgeous entry table, which means no imperative space was lost; in fact, our designer felt like she gained space since her Keurig officially left her kitchen counter. (We all know the feeling.)
So, if you're just starting the process of setting up a wet bar in your home, don't be intimidated; follow our helpful hints below, and you'll have a home bar set up in no time!
1. Find a place. No need to rush out and buy a bar cart only to question where you'll put it. We've seen home bars set up in TV cabinets, vintage desks, hutches, and even stacked crates, as well as built-ins intended for books, so take a tour of your home with fresh eyes and see if there's anything you can spare to create your bar space.
2. Just the boozy essentials. Again, no need to rush out and purchase every liquor on the shelf, especially since you'll want to pinch your pennies for some nice bar tools. Some of the most classic and popular cocktails are created with similar, if not the same, ingredients! We recommend a few "pantry staples" to start, but please keep in mind... only purchase the liquors needed to make the cocktails you know you love drinking, otherwise, you'll struggle to use the others. Love an Old Fashioned? Buy bourbon or scotch. Prefer a Moscow Mule? Pick up vodka and ginger beer. Are Margaritas your go-to? Keep tequila, triple sec, and limes on hand. Keep it simple at first!
If you need recommendations, though, here are a few basics to grab, depending on what you like:
• Tequila & Triple Sec
• Vodka
• Scotch/Bourbon Whiskey
• Light Rum
• Gin
• Vermouth
3. The right tools. No home bar is complete without the tools that make the very cocktails you're after. We recommend starting with a few of your favorite cocktails; research some recipes, find out which essential tools you need to make them, buy those and expand your bar tool collection (and cocktail repertoire) later.
If you'd like some basic recommendations, we think every bar should have:
• A cocktail shaker (preferably with a strainer, or Julep, built in. We like this one because it comes with a Jigger and pour spouts too)
• Bottle opener
• Corkscrew
• Paring Knife
• Cutting Board
• Citrus Squeezer
• Shot glass or Jigger
• Peeler
When it comes to glasses, the truth is, anything will do. Start with your wine and water glasses, but if you'd like to pick up a few extras, we recommend grabbing the glasses that coordinate with the cocktails you love most.
4. Mixers are necessary. In fact, some would argue that mixers make the drink!
• Bitters - Primarily Angastora, but if you want to pick up a collection, go for it!
• Club Soda/Ginger Beer
• Fresh produce, like limes, lemons, oranges, herbs, etc. (The key to a GREAT cocktail is FRESH juice.)
• Salt and pepper
• Simple Syrup (it's easy to make your own in nearly any flavor, like lavender! Store them in a mason jar.)
• Bottled Juices (Cranberry, pineapple, tomato, orange, etc.)
• Tonic Water
• Ice
5. Garnishes make you look pro. The first thing you notice when the cocktail that you ordered at your local bar arrives is the garnish. It's that lovely salt rim and lime wedge, the sprig of mint or rosemary, that twist of orange peel, or any combination of fruit, herbs, and spices. They're aromatic and lovely, and you can't help but feel wowed by the bartender. So here's some excellent news for your budget: a lot of your mixers double as garnishes!
• Lemon and lime wedges
• Orange peel twists (use your peeler!)
• Olives
• Salt or Sugar on the rim (Flaked salt is best!)
• Fresh herb sprigs
• Edible Flowers
• Etc.
6. Organization is key. Once you've got your basics, it's time to set them all up in, on, or around your "spare" piece of furniture or space. Arrange the bottles, mixers, and tools however you prefer, but keep in mind that "hiding" some things is perfectly okay. Keep your tools in a small basket or drawer, and obviously, keep your produce in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it. When hosting a party, pull out all the stops and display the fun stuff: tools, liquors, simple syrups, etc. For normal, everyday life, however, there's no need to show off the 'whole kit and caboodle' unless you really want to.
7. Memorize them. If you can, spend some time memorizing a few of the cocktail recipes you love most. Nothing slows you down more than having to study a recipe while assembling your cocktail! Some of our go-to recipes include:
• Sangria (we know, we know... but it's wine, and we love it!)
• Boozy Lavender Lemonade (Hello, Summertime!)
• Wine Cocktails (really, though, you probably haven't tried these ones yet.)
• Champagne Cocktails (Great for the new year, or parties that require a toast!)
We also recommend picking up a cocktail recipe book or two. Even better if the cover coordinates with your overall bar décor theme!
There you have it! Not too hard, right?
If you've got your own setup at home already, we'd like to see what you've got, how you've organized it, and we'd LOVE to see some of your favorite recipes!
