how to stock a bar cart

Having a thoughtfully stocked bar is the key to throwing together a great, easy cocktail in a pinch. Whether it’s been one of those days or friends unexpectedly pop by, keeping a handful of ingredients on hand and a few tools within reach ensure that you’re always prepared for a drink on the fly. A quick run to the grocery store for fresh citrus and a bunch of mint and you’re really in business.

Here’s a look at what’s usually on our bar cart (and in our fridge!) for simple cocktails in a snap.

LIQUIDS

• wine (red in fall/winter, sauvignon blanc or rosé in spring/summer)
• 3 favorite liquors (tequila, vodka, whiskey, gin, etc.)
• his and hers mix-ins (sam: laphroaig, me: st. germain )
• ginger syrup (bc yum!)
• bitters, if whiskey or scotch is on the bar

GLASSES, ETC.

• decorative multipurpose glasses (I love my moroccan tea cups, even for wine!)
• old-fashioned glasses
• shot glasses
• fun straws
• coasters (if you use them)
• + an ice bucket (which we don’t yet have but I’m dying for!)

TOOLS

• cocktail shaker
• muddler
• mixing spoon
• bottle opener
• corkscrew
• wine bottle stoppers

IN THE FRIDGE / FREEZER

• sparkling fruit juice
• ginger beer
• seltzer and/or tonic
• bag of ice
• tray of extra-large ice cubes

PICK UP ON THE WAY HOME

• limes, lemons or an orange
• mint

EASY COMBOS

scotch whiskey + laphroaig + lemon + ginger syrup (called a penicillin – sam’s favorite!)

sparkling fruit juice + tequila + lime

vodka + ginger beer + lemon

gin + st. germain + seltzer + mint + lime

whiskey + sugar + water + bitters + orange

GET THE LOOK

cb2 lucite bar cart, $349 // world market moroccan tea glasses set of 6, $36 // anthropologie textured glass cocktail shaker, $42 // furbish studio otomi coster set, $36 // anthropologie chin chin bottle opener, $16 //meri meri rose gold straws, $6 // world market bar cart, $160 // kate spade glitter coasters, $35 // cb2 rose gold ice bucket, $15 // chairish neon pink moroccan tea glasses set of 6, $59 // meri meri silver foil star straws, $6 // cb2 gold mini cocktail shaker, $12

peace, love & neon,

marisa

< photos by christina mulé >