TIPS: How to Stage Your Home Bar
(And some Bonus Holiday cocktail recipes)
The holidays are upon us, so what better time than to share a few tips on how to style that ravishing collection of barware currently stowed away in your cupboard?
Take stock.
It may seem daunting, but collect your half-filled bottles, glasses, bar jigger and a few fun accessories you may have lying around your house.
Edit.
Select your favorite bottles – the ones with most visual interest.When selecting, be sure to consider height. You don’t want all high or all low, a variety will look the best in your display.
Add glassware.
Pick some tall glasses and mix with low ball glasses. We strongly recommend decanters for any essentials you may have in high quantities (we’re looking at you Costco Irish Whiskey). Select your best glassware. While there are exceptions to the rule, stick with matching pairs – preferably logo-free.
accessorize
Here’s where you can have some fun! Need height in your setup? Add a vase with greenery. Looking to fill in an empty space? Try a stack of cocktail books with your shaker and barware. Play around with the look. We also love adding found objects such as geodes, driftwood and other visual items of interest.
Tip: Avoid the cluttered look by putting the bottles on a tray. Visually, it groups a potentially chaotic array into a singular station.
piece of art.
A phrase you may hear us use from time-to-time is “shop your house.” Not every styling occasion calls for purchasing new items. Look around your house and find a piece of art or mirror that will station your home bar and draw the eye. Hang it, or if you’re setting up the bar temporarily, simply lean it against the backdrop of the bar.
sweet Success.
Wah la! All the components are there. Don’t be daunted to search the web for ideas. Even professionals benefit from inspiration and good examples of styling. We’ve compiled some of our bar ideas from past projects below!
KEEP READING…COCKTAILS ARE COMING!
Wait, wait! We’re not done! In the spirit of bar styling, the Swatts & Co. team conducted a mixology research session. We’ve each selected a favorite festive cocktail for your enjoyment.
Please drink responsibly — and Happy Holidays!
Coconut Mint Mojito
2 ounces Rum
1 Tbsp. cream of coconut
Club soda
Mint
Lime
Muddle several slices of lime with 4-5 mint leaves. Add rum, coconut cream and top with club soda. Serve on ice and garnish with lime and mint.
Cheers!
Susannah
Ginger-Pomegranate Paloma
Ginger syrup:
Combine 1/2 c. sugar, 1/2 c. water and 1/4 cup chopped ginger in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, add a small bunch of mint. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Drain the solids and set aside.
In a glass with ice, mix:
2 oz. tequila
2 oz. grapefruit juice 2 oz. pomegranate juice
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp ginger syrup (see above)
Top with ginger beer, give it a stir and enjoy!
Stay warm!
Christy
Maple Whiskey Old Fashion
2 ounces Whiskey or Bourbon
1 tsp. Maple Syrup
2-3 drops of bitters
2-3 Maraschino Cherries
Orange Peel for garnish
Who doesn’t love classic, easy and delicious? Muddle maraschino cherries, syrup and bitters in the bottom of your glass. Add bourbon and ice, garnish with an orange peel. Syrup can be added for more or less sweetener.
Happiest New Year!
Andrea