Get your bar fully stocked…
With New Year right around the corner (thank god, am I right?!), I thought it was high time I talked you through my beloved bar cart! Like most of us I’m sure, our plans for the evening are to sit in front of the TV with a few cocktail creations – we usually start big with some sort of gin fizz or creamy number, but after a few of those our standards slip and we’re fine with a bottle of cheap secco or an easy gin and tonic!
Still, it’s important to me that my bar cart is in tip top condition, and it’s currently brimming with my favourite spirits, garnishes, mixers and more…
The Cart
I got this rattan bar cart not long after we moved in to this flat, it was kindly gifted from Att Pynta and I adore it! It usually sits in the corner by the window but we’ve had a little switcheroo for Christmas and I love it’s new spot.
If you don’t have a cart, check out Gumtree for an old hostess trolley you can do up, or treat yourself to a little brass number. There’s so many available, I had my eye on this rattan one for so long too!
If you haven’t got the space, use a round gold or rattan tray to display a few of your favourite spirits on a sideboard or section of your kitchen. Add a measure, a bottle opener and a couple of beaut glasses and you’re set!
The Spirits
There are so many beautiful bottles of local gins, flavoured liqueurs, cocktail essentials and even non-alcoholic options and these are exactly what you need to make your bar cart stand out!
We usually have some sort of original gin (we love Isle of Harris, or the original Edinburgh Gin is great too) for a simple gin and tonic. Alongside that, we have a few flavoured options too; Whitley Neil Blood Orange is lovlely, as is the Eden Mill Love Gin, and we have the Salted Caramel Gin Liqueur which is beautiful in any kind of creamy cocktail.
We also always have a bottle of Aperol on hand for the classic Aperol Spritz, as well as Bailey’s, Cointreau and a good quality tequila – I’m a margarita gal myself so it’s imperative we have the ingredients on hand at all times!
At this time of year, it’s a good idea to have a bottle of Disaronno for a festive Amaretto Sour too.
The Mixers
These bad boys are just are important as the booze, so make sure there’s no chance you run low or it’ll be shots of tequila come 10pm. We tend to stock up on Fever Tree cans when they’re on special, and I adore the Fentimen’s Rose Lemonade, Elderflower Tonic and the Belvoir Elderflower Pressé.
The Accessories
Of course, no bar cart is complete without the extras! I’m talking adorable glassware, cute bottle openers, measures, minis and cocktail shakers.
I always look to Anthropologie and Oliver Bonas for this sort of thing, so I’ve linked a few ideas below. Trust me when I say your cocktail game will be complete with a set of lovely tumblers, some champagne coupes, a jigger and an adorbs bottle opener.
And while we’re on the topic, don’t forget the garnish! I love citrus fruit, so we usually have lemons, limes and grapefruit, but I tend to buy dried fruit where possible too. A raspberry or cocktail cherry always goes down well too!
My Four Favourite Cocktail Recipes
Salted Caramel White Russians; timeless, festive and so easy to make!
Salted Passionfruit Margaritas; My all-time fave tipple!
Creamy Nutella Cocktails; Need I say more?!
Spiced Caramel Apple Martinis; oh so delicious and perfect all year round!
Need more inspiration? Check out a few more of my favourite recipes to make at home here!
A Few Styling Tips
Still need a little bit of help styling your set-up? Work in some cocktail books to add height, and a vase of dried eucalyptus or fresh flowers for some greenery.
Display a few of the prettier bottles on top of your cart, along with a bowl of fruit, some accessories and a couple of glasses too.
On the bottom of your cart, display the bulk of your booze – the less stand-out ones that aren’t as eye-catching. Your cart will come together in no time!
I hope you’re all looking forward to a cosy New Year’s Eve in, I’m already excited to be sipping a cocktail in my comfies! Oh, and always remember to drink responsibly.
What are your NYE plans?
