Bar cart essentials
What’s on a great bar cart? Here’s a rundown gleaned from , and
1. Cocktail recipe books. Try Dale DeGroff’s “The Craft of the Cocktail” (Clarkson Potter, 2002) or Tucker Shaw’s “A Man’s Place is Behind the Bar,” (Chronicle, 2008). The best book is a small one that you won’t weep over when rum gets spilled on it.
2. Glasses. Martinis and old-fashioneds, some tall thin glasses. They don’t have to match, but storing is easier when they do.
3. “Most proper drinks require stirring or shaking,” says GQ’s Kevin Sintumuang. There are lots of opinions on shakers. We say, get one that you can hold comfortably.
4. A strainer. Yes, it’s that goofy thing with the curved spring. Make sure the coils are tight.
5. A jigger measure. If you want a drink to taste like it’s supposed to, you need one. And if you’re tending bar, the only one that has to like it is you.
6. Lime or lemon squeezer. They make using the fresh stuff fast and easy.
7. Citrus peeler for twists and zests. Backup: a really sharp paring knife. Bonus: A small bar board to protect your swanky cart, especially if you’re cutting that citrus fresh — and surely, you are.
8. Muddler. Can’t do a mojito without one — but you can use the wooden pestle from that suribachi you picked up for a song at the Asian superstore. Also nice: A vessel to hold the pestle and other tools to keep them handy and tidy. That’s where you can employ that souvenir pint glass.
9. Cocktail napkins and bar towels. Going with a swank menswear theme? Cut your own napkins from outdated dress shirts. Keep the bar towels small and washable.
10. Corkscrew. Manmade (manmadediy.com) with a knife for removing foil. And
11. Ice bucket and tongs. These are essential, but don’t let them hog too much space on your cart. A square one is most space-efficent.
12. Now: Add alcohol and mixers. It’s party time.
