How To Style Your Bar Cart

Let’s talk about something that adds instant style and character to a home-your very own bar cart! Whether it’s a Virgin Mojito or a stiff Manhattan, being your own bartender just makes an evening a little more celebratory. The art of making a cocktail is a way to show your creativity. A weekday dinner can become a special occasion when you bring out the crystal highballs or champagne flutes and take the time to be a mixologist. Here are some tips and tricks to making a bar cart of your own.

The Bar

First find your “bar”. For the bar in my home I’ve repurposed a 1930’s heavy duty cast iron tool cart used in a steel factory. The industrial cart is on swivel casters which is great for parties since it can be moved to different parts of the the house or outside in the summer. I added mirrors to the top and bottom shelf for reflection and a little more of a lux look. Home salvage stores are great for finding unique and inexpensive pieces that can be used as bars. A small table or a dresser also make for a sophisticated set up for cocktail making.

Glassware

If you’re an avid collector of glassware like me or if you’ve been storing your beautiful glassware where it can’t be seen a bar is the perfect place to display these beloved pieces. Silver trays are a fabulous way to group different styles. Maybe a tray of highballs, crystal champagne flutes, etched wine glasses...it’s fine to mix and match. Antique malls and estate sales are full of treasures to add to your cart.

Booze

Obviously the most essential element of your bar is the liquor. Some may find purchasing certain spirits just for their eye catching bottle a bit frivolous but I’m not opposed to doing so! The elegant, French inspired bottle of elderflower liquor St-Germain is one of my favorites. Blanton’s Bourbon is another favorite with it’s beveled perfume bottle shape. A decanter is a a pretty way to display liquor that’s not top shelf or for a bottle that isn’t the prettiest. And don’t feel like it all has to be in display. Choose bottles of varied heights and shapes and stash the rest somewhere close by.

Accessories

Along with displaying your favorite glassware and bottles of spirits, don’t forget to add natural elements to you cart such as a vintage vase of flowers, a bowl of citrus for garnish, a marble holder with cocktail picks and perhaps a dish of blue cheese stuffed olives. To curate a bar where you can mix all of your favorite beverages you’re going to want to add some barware and cocktail equipment. I love a crystal decanter. Add a beautiful ice bucket, maybe brass, with matching tongs.

Add Some Light

For the final touch to a perfectly styled bar cart add some light. Play with scale. Maybe a large dramatic glass lamp or a small marble light fixture. This adds a little sophistication and importance. The bottles, decanters and glassware will shine in the light and your bar will become a unique visual statement in your home.

St-Germain Cocktail

The St-Germain Cocktail (sometimes called the St-Germain Spritz or Elderflower Spritz) was created by Simon Difford to coincide with the launch of the product. His recipe featured sauvignon blanc, while today it’s more common to use sparkling wine. Fresh and delicate, St-Germain combines well with both ingredients, and either combination yields the perfect aperitif for a breezy summer evening.

The St-Germain Cocktail employs a similar strategy as the Aperol Spritz. Both pair a low-ABV liqueur with sparkling wine and club soda for ultimate refreshment. But the Aperol Spritz chooses Italian-made prosecco, while the St-Germain Cocktail often features Champagne for an extra French flair. The elderflower lends a floral sweetness to the dry, bubbly wine, while the club soda balances that sweetness with a dose of dilution and more effervescence.