For wine enthusiasts, the latest must-have is a mini Enomatic dispenser. This preserves wines for up to several weeks so you can enjoy those special vintages by the glass, and also ensures the perfect serving temperature. Add ambience with lighting, furniture, and accessories Naturally, you want your home bar to have an inviting ambience. So, be sure to include some plush, comfortable seating for your guests to sink into. Chesterfield sofas and armchairs are a classic choice for a home bar, and are very comfortable as well as looking the part. Don’t forget to include a few side tables or trays for your guests to rest their drinks on, too. Lighting can make a huge difference to the atmosphere of your home bar, so choose carefully. Ideally, go for some form of dimmable lighting, so you can control the ambience. A bit of bright accent lighting can also be a stylish touch — neon lights are a big trend at the moment, and you can order a custom piece with your own choice of lettering for an extra personal touch. Finally, consider adding a touch of personality with a quirky accessory or two. Disco balls, vintage globes, or reclaimed signage are all on-trend options that are sure to be a talking point for your guests. Why not add some entertainment with a vintage arcade machine? Cover the essential ingredients As well as your own favourite tipples, you’ll want to stock up your bar with the basic ingredients used in popular cocktails, so you can cater to anything your guests might want. Here are some essential cocktail ingredients to buy in: • White rum: Used in many beloved cocktails like the mojito, piña colada, and daiquiri. • Dark rum: Used in rum punch, zombies, and dark and stormy cocktails. • Whisky: Used in old-fashioned, whisky sour, and Manhattan cocktails. • Vodka: Used in many classics, such as the cosmopolitan, Moscow mule, espresso martini, bloody Mary and vodka martini. • Gin: As well as being the base for a classic G&T, gin is the base for a lot of spritz-style drinks, like the Hugo, as well as the ever- popular negroni. • Liqueurs: A good selection of sweet liqueurs — like amaretto, elderflower, and coffee liqueur — can be used to make all kinds of cocktails. • Bitters and aperitifs: Add flavour and complexity with Angostura bitters and aperitifs like Campari and vermouth. • Mixers: Soda water and tonic are used in countless cocktails and highballs. • Syrups: These are used to sweeten many cocktails, such as the whisky sour, mojito and plenty of others. A neutral, versatile sugar syrup, like gomme, should cover most bases. • Limes and lemons: Used for juice and citrus garnishes. Using these tips, you can create a luxe home bar that will provide the perfect setting for parties and cosy nights in throughout the winter months.
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