The Luxurious Essentials That Every Home Bar Should Have
There’s only one thing better than a beautifully designed home bar, a well-stocked home bar.
Creating a home bar is one thing, but ensuring you have the very best of what you need to create a memorable evening is quite another. From the perfect olive to garnish your dirty martini with to the very best glass to drink it from, this is your one-stop shop for all your home bar essentials.
The Hard Stuff
In the words of Mark Twain, “Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.”
So, with those words ringing in our ears we turn our attention to the (liquid) beating heart of any bar, spirits. From the smoothest Vodka to the most deliciously smokey Mezcal, these are the essentials to build your ultimate bar around.
Gin
Vodka
Whiskey
Caol Ila 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
Rum
Tequila & Mezcal
Del Maguey Chichicapa Single Village Mezcal
Shaken, Not Stirred
Even though all of these spirits are delicious enough to drink totally unadulterated (which we’d particularly suggest for the Caol Ila Scotch and Del Maguey mezcal) what makes a true cocktail is a great quality companion liquor.
Here are some of our favourite essentials
Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth
Noilly Prat Original Dry Vermouth
Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge Orange Liqueur
Manly Spirits Blackfin Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
Luxardo Original Maraschino Cherries
The Mixologist’s Mixers Of Choice
Is there anything more satisfying than the fizz of a crisp gin and tonic, or more transportive than an icy dark ‘n’ stormy cocktail? A top-notch drink requires a top-notch mixer.
Tonic Water
Soda Water
Ginger Beer
Lemonade
Fevertree Premium Indian Tonic Water
No Thanks, I’m Driving
Alcohol Free? With a world of alcohol free options nowadays this shouldn’t mean you enjoy your home bar any less. Here are some of our favourite home bar essential alternatives.
Alcohol Free Aperitif
Alcohol Free Spritz
Lyres Alcohol Free Italian Spritz
Alcohol Free Beer
Brooklyn Brewery ‘Special Effects’ Lager 0%
Alcohol Free Spirit
Sipsmith FreeGlider Non-Alcoholic Spirit
Ice, And A Slice
If alcohol is the leading lady, then surely quality ice is the supporting actor who steals the show? Easy to get wrong, and oh-so-fabulous when done well. Wow your guests by going the extra mile with something they won’t expect.
For Crystal Clear Ice Cubes
For The Perfect Ice Ball
55mm Ice Ball Maker
For XL Ice Cubes
Tools Of The Trade
Any barkeep worth their salt will tell you, it’s all about the gear. Superb quality, long-lasting barware will not only elevate your drink, but the entire making experience.
To Make
Plisse Electric Citrus Squeezer
Le Creuset Lever Corkscrew Set
Greggio Silver Plated Bottle Opener
Richard Brendon Mixing Glass Diamond
To Serve
Reflections Copenhagen Crystal Wilson Ice Bucket
Greggio Silver Plated Georgian Ice Tongs
A Great Drink Needs The Perfect Glass
Have you ever drunk a martini from a mug? No, although there is something quite chic about the idea, the perfect drink demands the perfect vessel.
Here are some of our recommendations
Richard Brendon Classic Martini Glasses
Waterford Arras Whiskey Glasses
Aquazzura Casa Shot Glasses
Handpainted Persian Flower No. 3 Tumbler
Campbell Rey Cosima Highball Glasses
Zaha Hadid Design ‘Hew’ Champagne Flutes
La DoubleJ Murano Glass Coupes
