Home bars have been around for quite some time. Originating in the '40s, and most popular in the '50s and '60s, they've recently made an astonishing and most exciting comeback. We're not surprised, as there is something so unique and so special about a well-designed, well-kept and well-stocked home bar.
However, a successful home bar doesn't just happen overnight. Every wanna-be alcohol aficionado may think they can take a room, with little to no understanding of the art of building a home bar, and call it one, but there is so much more to this space that must not be missed.
You may sip your bourbon in that room all you want, but it's far from being called a home bar without a few essentials.
So, while there may not be a rulebook, we do have a few suggestions that will unmistakably legitimize your home bar.
So, are you ready to build the perfect home bar? Below are four areas where essentials matter and are not to be skipped at any cost:
1. The Stock
Of course, we're talking about the alcohol collection. Stuffing a bunch of beers in a fridge and putting a few bottles of whiskey on a shelf isn't enough. If you want to do it the proper way, here's what you should have in your home bar at all times:
- Gin:An ideal base spirit for many famous cocktails. It should not be missing from your home bar at any time. No matter the season!
- Rum:Arguably, the tastiest spirit of all. Keep light rum for standard days and dark rum for parties (excellent for punches).
- Bourbon & Scotch:A true gentleman knows how essential these two whiskeys are. Enough said.
- Vodka: Ideal for doing shots and for making tasty cocktails.
- Tequila:A fresh drink for almost every mood. Stack your home bar with your favorite brand, but NEVER run out of it.
2. The Accessories
The right kind of accessories is what turns an ordinary room in your house into a home bar, if you genuinely think about it. Here's a checklist of the accessories not to miss out on:
- Shaker: To stir things up, quite literally. Forget about cocktails if you don't have a fantastic shaker.
- Corkscrew:Even the pros prefer to open their bottles of champagne with a great corkscrew.
- Bottle Opener: It's fun to crack your beer bottles open with your teeth, but an opener is still a must, just in case.
- Ice Buckets:In addition to keeping your drinks chilled when you're having a good time, designer ice buckets are a perfect way to spruce up your home bar.
- Bartending Handbooks: Google some popular ones and keep them in your bar to try out new cocktails (Our pick: Ultimate Bartender's Guide by Ray Foley).
- Cocktail Napkins & Toothpicks: Fundamentalsfor enjoying your cocktails, and easy to stock.
3. Garnishes
If you want to serve a memorable cocktail, the way it is decorated is just as important as how it tastes. Your cocktails speak for your home bar more than anything else. For this reason, you should have all of the following garnishes to further delight your guests.
- Pitted Olives: The perfect edible to garnish your cocktails. Always keep fresh and pickled cocktail olives in your home bar.
- Lemon: If olives can't keep your drinks tangy enough, freshly cut lemons will do the trick.
- Tabasco Sauce: Because you never know when you or your guests will want a little kick.
- Maraschino Cherries: The ideal cherry on top of every martini glass.
4. Glassware
Last but not least, bar glasses are crucial for your home bar. You know your taste, and so, you may already be familiar with what kind of glasses you are going to need for your bar. However, besides your personal glasswares, these are some must-haves to keep in mind:
- Martini Glasses
- High-Ball Glasses
- All-Purpose Wine Glasses
- Rocks Glasses
Did we miss something? What other essentials do you think every home bar owner should know about? Please let us know in the comments.
If you're looking for some appealing designer ice buckets online, be sure to check out our collection.