Style The Ultimate Holiday Bar Cart In 5 Simple-Yet-Lavish Steps
How many people do you know with fun-looking bar carts set up near their gathering spaces? (People you follow on Instagram count.) Now, how many people do you know who actually use those picture-perfect bar carts?
Well, you can be one of the kinds of people who do both, by blending design and function with this easy, how-to guide to building a bar car you'll love to look at and use.
Where to begin? You can't make stellar cocktails without high-quality liquor, so you'll want to start by stocking up on a crowd-pleaser like the fragrant and flavorful Bombay Sapphire — which also adds a beautiful pop of color to your bar-cart decor — that will set a festive mood for a party-ready cocktail station now that the holidays are in full swing.
From there, you can curate other cocktail-making essentials that exude a lavish vibe, but are also fully functional — so you'll be ready to sit back and sip a chilled Bombay & Tonic in no time. Start with the holiday-ready recipe below, then follow our steps for styling the ultimate holiday bar cart.
Paul Anderson for Hunker
Ginger Spiced B & T
- 1.5 oz BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin
- 5 oz Fever Tree Aromatic Tonic
- Candied ginger
- Cinnamon sticks
Build in a balloon glass and garnish with candied ginger and a cinnamon stick.
1. Select a classic-with-a-twist cart
Look for a bar cart (HD Buttercup, $995) that can anchor the space — whether it's a standing cart or a simple tray — but keep it classic with a unique detail, like glass panel insets or gold-finish hardware.
2. Pepper in festive elements
Nothing says cheers like a pop of sparkle. Adding dollops of tinsel-inspired decor like these mini brushed Christmas trees (Crate & Barrel, $50) heighten the festive atmosphere.
3. Lean into vibrant glassware
Mix and match textured (Crate & Barrel, $8) and brightly colored old fashioned glasses (Huset, $26) alongside balloon glasses (Crate & Barrel, $6) for your Bombay & Tonics to blend quintessential and cheeky aesthetics.
4. Add in a dose of metallics
Accessories shouldn't feel bland. Boost party ambience with small details that can make a big impression, like metallic coasters (Arne Jacobsen, $74) that add to the lavish vibe.
5. Opt for elevated-but-functional
A glass ice bucket (The Little Market, $88) will keep your bottle of Bombay Sapphire cool all night long, or you can simply use it to keep fresh ice on hand for plunking into drinks. Instead of just a simple bucket, look for one with hand-etched details to add a bit of whimsy.