6 Home Bar Essentials
She-sheds, man caves and home bars, oh my! No matter what you call it, setting up a space dedicated to your favorite drinks is a fun way to express yourself. From the decor to the bottles you stock, the choices you make say a lot about what you love. Let your style, preferences and creativity shine through when you outfit your space. Use this quick, fun guide from Pottery Barn to ensure you have the six home bar essentials.
The Bottles
When you’re initially figuring out how to stock a bar, you might be tempted by beautiful bottles that have ingredients you don’t actually love. Follow this golden rule: stock things that you like to drink. Go with your preferred brands, even if that means going against the current trends. If you’re not sure what you like, stick with the basics. They’re really all you need to make hundreds of different drink recipes. If you have these nine liquor essentials, you’re well on your way to stocking a great bar:
- Vodka
- Bourbon
- Scotch
- Gin
- Rum
- Tequila
- Triple sec
- Dry vermouth
- Sweet vermouth
Storage, Storage, Storage
The way you store liquor has a direct impact on how long it lasts. Experts recommend keeping most of your bottles in a cool spot away from direct sunlight. Place it in a cabinet or your dedicated bar furniture. Keep in mind that air can alter the flavors of the liquor, especially once the liquid level in the bottle drops low. Additionally, vermouth, which is a fortified wine, should be stored in the refrigerator.
More Than Just Liquor
While everyone loves a good cocktail, sometimes all you want is an ice-cold beer or a lovely glass of wine. In addition to stocking liquor, don’t overlook the other goodies that can round out your home bar’s menus. Stock the fridge or an extra mini fridge with your favorite brews. Fill up a stylish wine rack with your favorite vino. This way, your home bar will always have something to whet your appetite. Keep garnishes like lemons, limes and maraschino cherries on hand. Also, stock a few mixers like:
- Cola
- Ginger ale
- Club soda or seltzer
- Tonic water
- Cranberry juice
- Orange juice
- Bitters
Good Bartenders Have Good Accessories
A good cocktail is a lot about the liquor. But to make that cocktail, you need the right bar accessories and equipment. Once you have that, the rest is easy. A few essentials include:
- Carafes, which you can use to hold water or wine
- Shakers for shaking up martinis and other cocktails
- A good bar tool set with a corkscrew, strainer and cocktail spoon
- A jigger, ideally one that measures 1 ounce on one side and 1.5 ounces on the other
- Ice bucket
- Champagne holder or a party bucket for entertaining
- Coasters to protect your tables and other furnishings from sweating glasses
- Cocktail napkins
- Cocktail toothpicks
There’s a Glass for That!
Drinkware is every bit as important as your ingredients. Unless you want to serve your shaken-not-stirred martini in a plastic cup – which is great for outdoor parties! – you’re going to need some glasses. First, consider how you’ll be using it. If you don’t do much entertaining, putting your focus more on everyday home bar essentials like martini glasses, highballs and wine glasses that work for red and white makes sense. If you entertain often, consider investing in some extras, including:
- Red wine glasses, which have a larger bowl to maximize bold flavors
- White wine glasses, which have a slimmer profile than red wine glasses
- Champagne flutes
- Beer mugs or pint glasses
- Rocks glasses
Comfy Seating
Anyone planning on sidling up to the home bar needs a comfortable spot to sit. That way, it’s even easier to relax with your home-crafted cocktails. If you’re setting up a formal bar, investing in some stylish barstools complete the look. If you don’t have a bar suitable for sitting, having a comfy seating area nearby is perfect for encouraging lively or thought-provoking conversations over drinks.