Dimitra Hatziplis
How to Style a Bar Cart
Bringing home a bar cart is very exciting until you are faced with the burden of styling it. In this article we have taken Minotti Italia’s Atollo bar cart and styled it in different ways to show you that styling a bar cart is easy to do and adds a lovely touch to your room as long as you keep things simple.
Entertaining is difficult enough without the stress of making everything in your home including the bar cart look impeccable. Instead of looking for jiggers, swivel sticks and the perfect straws that strike that balance between function, retro cool and dolphin friendly, style your cart the way that is useful to you.
Above: Minotti Italia Bar Cart featuring Crystal 'Rocks and Martini' Glasses by Fferonne Design, Torus Vase, Tota Tealight Lantern and Globe Vase by AYTM and Ras T-Light Holder by XL Boom
Firstly, it makes sense to include some drink related items on your bar cart. The key here is to include only the types of glasses and bottles that you use. Don’t look for cocktail mixers if you never use them, life’s too short to clean just another thing. Accumulating accessories that are not relevant to your lifestyle only adds clutter so get everything down to essentials but make sure that they are your essentials.
While we are reducing clutter, make sure that you add some sparkle. If martinis are your thing then have some interesting martini glasses. If gin and tonic is more your style, then consider adding some nice bottles of tonic water and don’t forget an ice bucket. For mixed drinks, consider the Prometheus tumblers by Sieger by Furstenberg. These tumblers are the perfect size to accommodate ice as well as the drink which is the problem with most glasses, there is not enough space for the ice.
Above: Prometheus Ice Bucket and Tumblers in Satin White and 24ct gold interior by Sieger by Fürstenberg
While you don’t want to clutter the bar cart, add some of your favourite pieces that complement your décor or the mood you are trying to create. If you are having friends over for whiskey and cigars, perhaps add a sophisticated pack of cards like the ones made by Giobagnara along with your Japanese whiskey bottle. If you are having a romantic night in then tea lights are an obvious choice.
Above: Minotti Italia Bar Cart featuring Giobagnara Cigar Ashtray and Table Lighter in Cream Bellagio Leather, Ice Bucket in Printed Black Crocodile and Naples Leather Card Holder in Printed Black Crocodile
Whatever you are doing, here are some tips. Almost all bar carts will have glass or mirror so before you entertain, empty the bar cart completely and give it a spray and wipe to make everything look sparkly. Next, even though bar carts have wheels do not be tempted to move it around the room without first emptying it. You may get away with this a couple of times but eventually something will fall off. In fact, moving the bar cart might be the best time to also give it a clean while it is also empty and accessible.
Also, make sure you take advantage of the wheels and move your bar cart to different parts of the room, it is meant to be a mobile piece of furniture so experiment by putting it by the sofa, against a wall or beside a statement piece of art. When you move it, restyle it and keep the look fresh.
Above: Minotti Italia Bar Cart featuring Super Milly Tumbler in Clear by Mario Luca Giusti, Doric Bowl and Rondo Ice Bucket in Black by XL Boom
A well placed bar cart should adapt with your changing style and the seasons. To farewell the warmer months one of our favourite brands Sieger by Furstenberg has shared with us a cocktail recipe by their resident barkeeper Marie Rausch.
Marie Rausch is one of Germany’s top bartenders. Marie and her husband Nicklas have run Rotkehlchen in Munster since 2012 and bring together a unique combination of culinary and mixology expertise perfectly harmonising meal experiences. Marie uses the Sieger by Furstenberg tumblers because they are unconventional and ideal for showcasing her unique cocktails. Here Marie shares her recipe for the Prometheus cocktail. In this case, the unique taste comes from the unusual use of tea. For all gin and tonic enthusiasts, this is something not to be missed.
Prometheus Cocktail
Ingredients
- 50ml Dry Gin
- 30ml lemon juice
- 20ml sugar syrup
- 1 lime blossom teabag
- 5 blackberries
- Tonic water
- 10ml Cognac (optional)
Preparation
- Shake all ingredients including the teabag.
- Prepare the tumbler with lots of ice.
- Double strain the drink into the tumbler. This means running the ingredients through two strainers: the bar strainer integrated into the shaker and an additional fine-mesh tea or conical strainer.
- Fill up with Tonic Water.
- Optionally add 10ml cognac (pour over slowly)
