November 28, 2019, 3:13 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
A well-maintained home bar was once considered a mark of good taste. However, it disappeared from many households over time. Recently, it’s experiencing a revival. A Berlin bar expert explains to myHOMEBOOK what belongs in a well-stocked bar.
Whether for a social evening with guests or a refined drink after work–until the 1980s, a well-stocked home bar was a staple in almost every German household. The trend eventually waned but picked up again with the hype around the TV series “Mad Men.” Whether with a stylish bar cart, a display cabinet, or a built-in counter–home bars are more popular than they have been in a long time.
How to Integrate a Home Bar
On a Serving Cart
Especially for smaller households, a serving cart is suitable as a mobile home bar. It can hold the most important spirits as well as some bar tools and glasses. In no time, the serving cart can also be repurposed as a side table–practical when you need a place to set things down.
In a Wall Unit
The wall unit, behind whose door the home bar was hidden, is not as popular as it was in the ’60s and ’70s. Too bulky, too massive, it no longer fits the zeitgeist. In contrast, smaller bar cabinets are making a comeback. They usually offer more space for bottles and tools than a bar cart. An important element is the doors, behind which the coveted cabinet contents are concealed. Particularly retro: subtle interior lighting and the obligatory mirrored back.
As a Classic Bar Counter
Those who want to set up a bar counter in their room need space–and courage, as such an installed counter can sometimes appear particularly rustic. However, for larger groups that regularly gather for a refined drink, a bar counter can make sense.
In all of this, it’s important to remember: It’s less about acquiring as much alcohol as possible to drink oneself into oblivion. A stylish home bar carries a certain elegance. A good drink tastes all the more delicious when prepared with joy and attention. That’s exactly what a home bar stands for.
7 Basic Utensils for a Well-Stocked Home Bar
- Measuring Cup:
Also known as a jigger in bar jargon. It is used to measure small amounts of liquid accurately. A jigger usually has two sides with different volumes. - Cocktail Shaker:
Essential for any cocktail bar. Cocktails are shaken frothy and cooled with ice in it. A shaker usually consists of three parts: a metal cup, a strainer top, and a cap. Warning: Do not shake drinks with carbonated liquids. Otherwise, the cap might fly off! - Mixing Glass and Bar Spoon:
If you prefer your martini elegantly stirred and not shaken, you’ll need a tall mixing glass and a long-handled bar spoon. - Glasses:
Whether for cocktails, wine, long drinks, or soft drinks–glasses come in all imaginable shapes, sizes, and colors. What goes where is secondary for bar expert Mario Lange. For him, the content matters, as he emphasizes in the myHOMEBOOK interview: “Better a proper drink in the wrong glass than a wrong drink in the right glass.” - Ice Bucket with Lid:
Needed to avoid appearing rude as a host. After all, who wants to constantly interrupt the conversation to go to the kitchen for more ice? - Tongs:
If you don’t want to freeze your fingers, use tongs or a spoon to transfer ice into the glass or shaker. It also looks better.
“You always have ice on hand. A large ice cube in the glass often looks better than a few smaller cubes. Also, you can stir better with large ice cubes, while smaller cubes quickly dilute the drink.”
Bar expert Mario Lange
A Good Home Bar Has Five Basic Spirits
How well it should be stocked is explained by the expert upon request from myHOMEBOOK: “For personal use, the bar doesn’t need to be lavishly equipped. Usually, the ingredients for your favorite drink are enough.” However, if you often have friends or even business partners over, you should expand the drink selection. “To satisfy all tastes, these five basic spirits should not be missing from a well-stocked home bar: vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, and tequila,” Lange lists. From these, most relevant drinks can be mixed.
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With a Few Extras, More Drink Options
By expanding the basic equipment with sugar syrup, lighter drinks can also be created. Mario Lange: “Sours, such as the popular whiskey sour, are based on a spirit, sugar syrup, and lemon or lime juice. Add a bright red cocktail cherry, but only one with a stem.”
Mineral water is always good for drinking a sensible glass of water in between. Or to create a fizz: “Simply pour the base spirit, some sugar syrup, and some lemon juice with the water.” For long drinks, the home bar should have a few bottles of cola, tonic, and ginger beer ready. Finally, a bitter should not be missing.
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Cream Cocktails Suitable for the Holiday Season
Every season has its suitable drink. In summer, they are lighter, refreshing, and fruity beverages. In the colder months, richer cocktails come into play, often with cream. Lange: “A sweet chocolate martini, for example, conjures up a festive mood. If you don’t like it too sweet, you’ll be happy with a White Russian. With a pinch of cinnamon, the Silk Stocking tastes like liquid Christmas cookies. And perfect for a lovely evening by the crackling fireplace is the timeless classic: Brandy Alexander,” says Lange.
Note: Alcohol requires responsible handling. Alcohol consumption can endanger health and lead to addiction. Do not participate in road traffic if you have consumed alcohol and observe the regulations for youth protection. Tips for responsible alcohol consumption can be found here.