With the current times stuck in lockdown, you’re most likely left with extra time on your hands and nowhere to spend it. With all the pubs and bars closed this is the perfect time to create your very own home bar. Read my blog on setting up your lockdown home bar. A well-stocked bar will also make you the friend to visit in the neighbourhood when we are allowed to get together with friends and family, you’ll most defiantly be the host with the most.
Everything you need to know about setting up your lockdown home bar.
Finding the best place in your home to set up your home bar comes down to you. Ideally not too far away from your place of relaxation for easy access. You may want to have your bar out on show for all to see, this could be a free-standing bar such as a drinks cabinet or perhaps a built-in unit. Alternatively, a setup that is hidden away for you to access when needed, like a walk-in cupboard or close away cabinet. A drinks cabinet can be a nice way to have all your favourite drinks nearby behind closed doors. Or how about a retro drinks trolley so you can move your bar around the home.
Setting up in a games room or a basement would be fantastic
a home bar would be a great addition to this type of room you can entertain your guest whilst fixing them a drink. A garden bar where you can enjoy the warm weather without going too far to fix yourself a drink. Bliss!
1. The Set-Up – How to utilise the space.
Make a plan for how to utilise the space you have chosen to set up in, think about how you want to layout all your drinks, glassware and pieces of equipment. Shelving is a great way to add presents and functionality to your home bar. Worktop space is important after all this is where you will be creating your fancy cocktails and preparing mutable drinks. Ask yourself after setting up your equipment and stock will you have enough workspace left? Do you need to add an extra worktop area? using additional furniture could be the solution and to finish off the look with a couple of bar stools perhaps?
2. Stocking Up – Now it’s time to fill your bar!
The Drinks Menu
It wouldn’t be a bar without the drinks! Make sure to stock your bar with your favourites also think about how you can experiment with your new outlet. One of the best things about creating a home bar is the drinks are long life so you can have a decent selection to make a handful of cocktails without having to pop to the shop all the time. Like any artist having all the ingredients will enable you to have the most fun with creating new drinks. Enjoy happy hour!
Top 10 Drinks
- Bitters – Angostura bitters are commonly used in many popular cocktails, so a good one to have handy.
- Triple Sec – If you’re going to be making cocktails then you should have a few liqueurs in your home
- Vermouth – A key ingredient in both the Manhattan and the Martini, this elderflower drink has become very popular, and for good reason it’s delicious!
- Sugar Syrup – An essential ingredient to sweeten many cocktails, sugar syrup can be purchased ready-made, but it is just as easy to make your own by dissolving 2 parts sugar in 3 parts hot water. Boil till the sugar has dissolved, cool and then bottle for a simple syrup.
- Grenadine – That vibrant red colour is a simple way to brighten up a cocktail. Berry syrup can buy bough in most shops, again this is effortless to make at home by dissolving sugar in pomegranate juice. Tequila Sunrise, Shirley Temple and Hurricane Suzy all have this ingredient so well worth adding to your collection.
- Coffee Liqueur – If you love coffee, then this is one that will be needed. An important ingredient in cocktails like the Espresso Martini and White Russian.
- Champagne – Bubbles can liven up any cocktail and Champagne is a key ingredient in Mimosas and Bellinis. Prosecco is an acceptable alternative in most.
- Creme de – Creme de Cassis and Creme de Cacao crop up in a lot of recipes, so it is worth having both to hand.
- Spirits – Make sure you have your favourites! Vodka, Gin, Rum, Tequila, Bourbon, Scotch and Brandy are all popular base spirits. Your cocktails would be lacking without some base spirits in your home bar.
- Fruit Product – You will have to purchase fresh ingredients, like citrus fruits, fruit juice and mint which you could always buy in the pot make sure to water and keep near daylight for continued freshness.
Top 10 Glassware to Keep at Home
Hosting a party means having the right glassware darling! To go with those amazing drinks you will be creating. And make sure to have fun setting up your lockdown home bar, here is my top 10 glassware to keep at home.
- Rocks Glass
- Champagne Flutes
- Red Wine Glass
- White Wine Glass
- High ball
- Shot Glass
- Beer Glass
- Margareta Glass
- Specialty Cocktail Glass
- Martini Glass
Glassware Organisation
Having too many types of glassware hanging around the house may be a bit excessive! So why not store your excess party glassware in glassware storage boxes? Then bring them out for your next party. I would suggest keeping a selection of glasses for the drinks you enjoy, keep it simple and clutter-free.
3. Bar Equipment and Accessories
So you have the consumables now its time to get the kit you’ll need to prepare a drink and host a party.
1.Cocktail Shakers
Preparing most cocktails requires a cocktail shaker. These are great for preparing an individual drink but if you are hosting a party using cocktail mixing tins will be easier. Drinks mixing glass are also a good tool to have.
- Muddler and bar spoon
Don’t let a bad mix ruin your Cocktail, stir your drinks like a pro with this stainless steel bar spoon. Muddlers are great for citrus fruits and herbs for cocktails bursting with flavour. setting up your lockdown home bar wouldn’t be compleat without these fun tools! - Cocktail Strainers
A Hawthorne strainer will help you create the perfect cocktail it will strain without making any mess and personally my go-to stainer when preparing cocktails. You can also use a fine strainer which has a fine-mesh sieve that can sit on a shaker or cocktail glass and effectively filter crushed ice or pulp.
4.Jiggers
A Spirit measure cup is an essential tool to make sure you’re not overfilling drinks with spirits. I would recommend buying a doubled-ended Jigger so one side measures single shots (25 ml), the other doubles (50 ml). And using free flow pour spout on your bottles will avoid spillages and pouring drinks easier
5. Ice Ball Maker
Perfect for Rocks drinks and craft cocktails, iced coffee, infused fruit, infused mint for mojitos, or frozen lemonade. The mould makes slow-melting ice cubes that make a fantastic chilled drink.
6. Snack Dishes
Drinks and snacks come hand in hand. So Why not stock up on a few dishes for snacks and tapas. Nuts and olives and perhaps you could have Kilner jars to store your favoured nibbles in.
So there you are, my guide on setting up your lockdown home bar, I hope this blog on how to set up a modern home bar has been helpful. I would love to hear your comments and see photos of your creations. Cheers!
