How to Properly Stock Your Bar Cart, According to Wine and Spirits Experts

It's essential to have a trusty bar set that can help tend to all your cocktail needs. We love that this high-quality home set from Picnic Time has everything—from bar spoons to a small ice bucket—that a burgeoning mixologist needs to deliver delectable drinks at home. Plus, the acacia box looks chic on a bar cart and keeps all your tools organized.

You can never go wrong with having a bottle of gin on your bar cart. Sipsmith's flagship gin is a versatile and approachable option. It's smooth enough to be served in a martini and provides a balanced base for gimlets and G&Ts.

VERANDA's visual editor and resident mixologist Ian Palmer swears by an atomizer, especially for those that love to make classic cocktails. "My favorite classic cocktail is a Sazerac, and nothing gets that signature rinse of absinthe (or Herbsaint, if you make 'em my way) in the glass like one of these nifty sprayers or misters. Several other cocktails similarly call for a rinse of absinthe or other spirits in your glass before pouring in the mixed drink, so this cheap tool has a variety of uses in the home bar."

Campari is the one bottle that Palmer has on his bar cart at all times. "No matter what kind of drinker you are—whether you prefer bourbon or gin, or gravitate toward stirred and boozy or shaken and bubbly drinks—this Italian bittersweet apertivo is a true workhorse and has countless uses on anyone's bar cart. It's essential for classic stiff drinks like the Negroni and Boulevardier and can easily be combined with soda or sparkling wine for an easy-drinking summer spritz. Not to mention its vibrant red color and old-school branding make it a beautiful bottle to have front and center on your bar cart."

A Boston shaker is often the preferred type of shaker for mixologists as it's quick to use and can hold a lot of liquid. Cocktail Kingdom's weighted tins fit tightly together and make mixing up drinks a breeze.

Between the five different types of tequila, it's a smart move to opt for a bottle of blanco tequila as it presents a vibrant-agave-forward flavor that blends flawlessly in margaritas and sings when drank neat. Fortaleza Blanco has subtle notes of olive and basil which makes for an enjoyable yet interesting sip.

As a host, having a couple of non-alcoholic options for your guests is always a nice gesture. Morgan McLachlan, the cofounder of De Soi, almost always opts for an apéritif that can be served online or dressed up. "My personal bar cart favorite is De Soi’s Champignon Dreams, our medium-bodied apéritif. It’s layered and fruity, with notes of strawberry, bitter citrus and juniper. And I love to spruce up my drink with a grapefruit peel and a slice of strawberry," says McLachlan.

As for her favorite glassware, McLachlan is a big fan of Estelle Colored Glass for their quality and fun shades. "When it comes to glassware, I adore the Estelle Colored Champagne Flute Glass. They look gorgeous on the bar cart,” says McLachlan.

The cocktail napkin is the unsung hero of the bar cart. The handy tool makes it easy to clean up small spills and gives guests something to dry their hands on. Sferra's linen cocktail napkins standout for their impeccable craftsmanship and their variety of colors.

Winemaker Zidanelia Arcidiacono firmly believes that a few bottles of wine can be a very versatile addition to your bar cart. "Not always are you (or your guests) in the mood for a cocktail. My recommendation is a bottle of Sonoma Cutrer rosé and a bottle of Russian River Valley pinot noir. A rosé wine is a refreshing treat while a pinot noir offers a touch of classic distinction. My favorite way to enjoy them is on their own but they can also be enjoyed in a wine spritzer or a New York sour!"

It's smart to have a few stemmed glasses on your cart for cocktails served without ice. The stem gives sippers a comfortable place to hold the drink without fear of warming up the shaken cocktail. These smoked glass coupes will fit right in on any bar cart.

Keri Smith, bar manager at the Wythe Hotel's Bar Blondeau, says, “There are two things that will always have a place on my bar shelf: Angostura bitters and a good bottle of cognac. The bitters come in handy for both alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic ones. As for the cognac, it's my go-to spirit. Whether it's sipped neat or shaken up in a Brandy Crusta or Sidecar, it’s sure to hit the spot. And after a long day, there's nothing more comforting than adding a splash of it to a hot cup of tea while I unwind with some Masterpiece Theater. To make it even better, I'll even add a dash of bitters for the perfect toddy.”

Smith also highly recommends always having a Hawthorne strainer on hand as it's a workhorse for those who love shaken cocktails. This versatile set from A Bar Above features a Hawthorne strainer along with a Julep strainer and double-welded fine-strainer for all your cocktail needs.

When it comes to choosing a whiskey or bourbon for your cart, look for an option on the more affordable side that performs well in mixed drinks. Knob Creek bourbon dazzles when drank on the rocks and mixed in a julep.

Allison Luvera cofounded Juliet with the mission of making boxed wine look chic while being eco-conscious and delicious. To complement the whimsical boxes, Luvera loves to serve the wine with an unexpected pop of color. “I like to display the 2021 Juliet rosé with ANNA New York Wine Gems, which are the perfect complement to the vibrant Mediterranean aesthetic of our packaging. These jewels look luxurious and provide the perfect chill for our Provencal-style rosé; it's a must-have combination to impress your guests.”

Julien Pepin Lehalleur, Hennessy’s global brand education & training director, instinctively gravitates towards cognac, but there's a certain blend he recommends over others. “Naturally, the crown jewel of my bar cart is the epitome of cognac, Hennessy Paradis. Perfectly balanced and elegant, this rare blend of exceptional eaux-de-vie looks and tastes sleek, in a decanter that is a work of art on its own. The accessory to accompany this special blend is of course a Hennessy Paradis tulip glass, crafted to bring the liquid’s refined tasting notes to life in harmony.”

A classic old-fashioned glass never goes out of style. The versatile tumbler can be used for a number of cocktails (Negronis, Sazeracs, and even margaritas) and neat pours.

Made with American grain and wine grape, Hangar 1 tastes more complex than other traditional vodkas with its fruity and peppery notes. The crisp spirit creates a solid foundation for an array of cocktails from mules to cosmos.