don't leave them thirsty and wanting more
a Build-a-Bar workshop to keep your guests satisified
In a time where people are drinking less, it might be a zag to publish a newsletter on how to stock your bar. But even if you’re drinking less, drink better. Below, you’ll find:
- my framework for building a bar you are proud to show off
- sources for bartenders’ and vintage hunters’ favorites
- five cocktails to impress your guests
This may be the first time, but it is certainly not the last, that I will write the words “I’m kind of a snob” in this newsletter. I often BYOB to parties because I am terrified to reveal that I am not, as I often claim, “omnivorous” and “down with anything.” I’m actually kind of a snob.
Beverage trends come and go, but investing in a well-curated bar set-up and selection is forever. Here’s what you need to build a bar that will make you, and your space, look sophisticated and will satisfy even your pickiest guest (me).
Build-a-Bar: Principles
Form + Function: your bar cart/cabinet/shelf will take up significant real estate in your common area. It’s worth the extra $100 to make sure it fits your space, aesthetic, and stuff.
Brand matters: in the alcohol aisle and glassware market, brand is often a signal of quality, proprietary secrets, and craftsmanship.
Appeal to the masses: five main ingredients and a few glasses will empower you to serve anyone.
Make it your own: no need to get fancy, but you should have a signature drink that you love to serve (e.g., a signature Spindrift selection, spicy margarita, cucumber-infused water, homemade amaro).
Bar Furniture, Tools, and Glassware: Essentials
A designated storage solution: for the sake of space, I’d recommend an option with purpose-built bottle and/or glass storage.
Basic: a clear bar cart is reasonably-priced and makes your collection the star.
Splurge: I invested on the Blu Dot Shale Bar Cabinet nearly five years ago and it has both stood the test of time and been the most complimented piece of furniture in the apartment. Currently 20% off.
Fixation(s): track down a vintage statement piece: the Cosmic Cocktail Cabinet holds a special place in my heart, I wish I was a horse girl, and Deco did it right.
A fridge (especially for the wine-os):
Mid-market: a <$350 ~20 bottle fridge with dual temperature zones will keep you cool, calm, and collected.
Splurge: the Rocco Super Smart Fridge is the more modern choice.
Fixation: one day I will have the Veuve Cliquot x Smeg fridge in my bedroom.
Glassware:
Cocktail glasses (rocks, up): Urban Bar has the best selection of quality glassware that looks good but doesn’t make you cry if you or a guest have a mishap. They frequently replenish stock of their classic selections — including:
Koto Old Fashioned Glass: does the job.
1910 Nick & Nora: perfect for a low-spill martini.
Gold Rim Champagne Coupette: works for champagne or cocktails.
Wine: Wine people are going to come at me in the comments, but I think that you can keep everyone happy and spill-free with some mid-market stemless glasses. But to upgrade:
Champagne flutes: Waterford Elegance is your classic registry pick and the Riedel has a gorgeous shape. Make sure you keep ‘em clean.
White: a thin, crisp glass looks elegant and keeps your wine the right temperature. West Elm has a basic option and Zalto is a splurge.
Red: people rave about the Zalto Hand-Blown line, but the lip on the Zweisel Vivid Senses collection is also excellent for your mid-market pick.
Tools: these are for mixing and cooling the liquid effectively. You don’t need to splurge and you can usually find them at vintage stores.
Shaker set: you can use a Boston Shaker (basically two glasses) or a Cobbler Shaker (with a built-in strainer). The Cobbler is a more flexible introductory tool — and has less risk of spillage.
Cocktail spoon: key for rapid stirring.
Bar Furniture, Tools & Glassware: Joy Bringers
Vintage decanters: add visual interest without being too loud or branded. A few classic designs that are worth the investment: Waterford Lismore, Holmegaard, or Baccarat Harmonie.
Boston Glass: great for stirring orders of >2.
A Classic Wine Decanter: for when someone brings a big red.
A Penguin Ice Bucket: a cute classic since the 1960s’s for a reason
Porthole: I’ve been experimenting with infusions and aged cocktails this year and love that I can put this on my bookshelf. Yes, it is annoying to clean.
Sipping (grown-up shot) glasses:
I carried a set of Murano glasses (similar) across Italy one summer and love them for an after-dinner digestif.
A copper set is perfect for tequila drinkers.
Stock the Bar: Essentials
You can make basic, crowd-pleasing cocktails with 5 ingredients — plus a little bit of sugar. Stock some soda or tonic and you’re covered for those who prefer a G&T or whiskey highball.
A few of my favorite brands:
Bourbon or Rye: Knob Creek for mixing, Willett Rye for sipping
Tequila / Mezcal: Casamigos for mixing, Bozal for the mezcal-minded
Vodka: Tito’s
Vermouths: Lofi
Stock the Bar: Impress Your Guests
Add a few more ingredients, a little bit of citrus, and you open up a world of possibilities.
Classic Prohibition-era Bijou: fall in love with Green Chartreuse for the charming NYT article about the monks who make it.
Too Soon: my favorite cocktail! Don’t worry, Cynar doesn’t actually taste like bitter artichokes.
Rum Punch: the easiest batch cocktail for summer parties.
Left Hand: tiny bottles of bitters pack a big flavor. Add chocolate bitters to a tweaked Boulevardier to make this sipper.
Rye Sazerac: a bottle of Absinthe will last you years — and the prospect of fairies is a helpful conversation filler if you need it.
IMHO you don’t need special vodka cocktails — you can do a martini, soda, or Bloody Mary (check out Back Pocket Provisions for the absolute best mix).
For More Recipes
The Bartender’s Choice App: is well-worth the $5 to learn how to make your favorite speakeasy’s cocktails.
Slow Drinks: if you’re a forager and/or interested in making your own alcohol, this is a must-buy.
Other Stuff to Chew On
Cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services threatens Meals on Wheels, a program that provides meals for America’s growing population of seniors.
GLP-1 access continues to get easier — but the long-term question about who will pay remains:
Novo Nordisk secured Wegovy’s place as CVS Caremark’s preferred weight loss medication. They also kissed and made up with online pharmacies that were previously compounding the medications, announcing a partnership with Hims & Hers, Ro, and LifeMD.
McDonald’s spending is down 1% (3.6% in the US) and they are blaming Trump — for the economic uncertainty, not for that photo.
Bon Iver knows his audience: every Millennial who has teared up during Skinny Love loves tinned fish and novelty iced beverages.
Carl Radke, star of Summer House, is finally opening Soft Bar — a morning-to-night café and bar in Brooklyn focused on functional beverages (
has the scoop). I’d love to know which of his exes (and crushes) show up.Martha Stewart went to Queens last night for the first time.
Toast will be sending more notifications to your server to get them to upsell you. I’m all for AI making F&B jobs easier — but will more time on screens be better for guest experience?
I went inside a gas station for the first time in many moons and didn’t love it. Can companies like Maggie’s make us fall in love with the gas station again?
It’s going to be a banana boy summer:
Cheers to the freakin’ weekend!
Sophia
Sophia- What a fantastic guide!! Well, if you're going to have a bar cart taking up precious square footage in NYC, you best make it count, and clearly you are doing just that!
Great tips overall for an at home bar program to rival your local watering hole. The piece satisfied a Sunday craving for something fresh, new, and high-quality on here. So thank you for that.
My sleeper spirits: Cocchi Americano, Calvados, and Green Chartreuse - the former two help make some of the best eggnog your guests will ever have. Come December - food for thought!
I never knew your favorite cocktail! Noted.