Everything you need to create the ultimate at-home bar while pubs are closed

Drinking at home is nothing new, with most of us treating ourselves to a glass of vino with dinner every now and then.

But ever since the first lockdown began in March 2020, staying in has become the new going out, meaning more of us have started equipping ourselves with everything we need to knock up a tasty #quarantini at home.

With England now in its third national lockdown, it’s going to be a long wait for a glass of something cold in your local, as pubs and bars have been forced to close until at least mid-February.

So, as we face several weeks of home-based entertainment, now is the time to embrace aperitif hour from the comfort of your own home with a DIY bevvy.

Whatever your vice, get ready to shake, rattle and roll like a pro, with a set-up you can enjoy solo for now and, later, with friends.

Sure, you could just crack open a bottle of cheap plonk, but there’s something about sipping on a good-looking drink served in a fancy glass from a stylish cocktail trolley that just tastes better.

Here’s everything you need to get your own home bar started, from a cocktail shaker to beautiful glasses and, of course, plenty of booze

You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

Bar cart

While the main reason behind investing in an at-home bar is to enjoy a lovingly crafted drink, part of the fun is also in the styling. Once a relic from the 1970s, bar carts and trolleys are now back with a bang and, as well as giving you somewhere to store your precious glasses and bottles without fear of them toppling over, they can make a seriously stylish addition to any room.

In our round-up of the best bar trolleys, this mirrored option (£450, Cox & Cox) was praised for its Deco-inspired aesthetic, which “positively dazzles” when filled with reflective glasses and bottles.

“This statement drinks trolley is a delight. Party guests will be forgiven for thinking you’ve made a unique vintage discovery with its duo of mirrored trays supported by its cage-like frame in antiqued silver-brass,” said our reviewer.

If you want something a bit more minimal, try this sleek serving trolley (£870, Cane-Line) from the Danish and Icelandic design duo Welling Ludvik. While it is on the higher end of the price scale, our reviewer said it is well worth investing in, if your budget allows. “The robust frame is made from powder-coated aluminium, while slatted natural teak forms one of the two trays,” they said. “We loved the way the wooden tray could fit top or bottom, depending on preference. Simple, beautiful, timeless design.”

Cocktail shaker

If you fancy becoming an at-home mixologist, a good-quality cocktail shaker is in an essential piece of kit for any bar. While not every drink needs a vigorous shake, there are a wide range that do, from a classic daiquiri to the more modern picante. Plus, they make a stylish addition to your drinks trolley.

This stainless-steel cocktail shaker (£34.95, Master of Malt) featured in our round-up of the best cocktail shakers, with our reviewer describing it as a “high-quality piece of kit”. With a 500ml capacity, there’s plenty of room to mix a couple of cocktails at a time, and its curvy design means it’s easy to grip onto while preparing your go-to beverage.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for something that will make a statement, try this gold cocktail shaker (£25, Nikita by Niki), which is made up of three parts including a metallic strainer and lid, and a thick textured glass jug.

Accessories

From jiggers to spoons and bottle openers, utensils add the finishing touch to your home bar and are key to making a memorable margarita or perfectly pouring a chilled glass of rosé.

We’ve all had our fair share of cheap wine openers that fall apart at the first hurdle, so it makes sense to shop around for something built to last, like this pink one from Brabantia (£6, Dunelm), which made it onto our guide to the best corkscrews. Available in a rosy hue and with a five-year guarantee, our reviewer praised it for being a cheap and cheerful product that does the job.

If you don’t want to search around and buy your tools separately, invest in a readymade kit like this one from Root7 (£80, Root7), which contains everything you need to create a fancy cocktail at home. Featuring in our round-up of the best cocktail making kits, it includes six black titanium-covered, stainless steel essentials – a shaker, strainer, jigger, bar spoon, bottle opener and wooden muddler – which are all stored safely in a sturdy, wax-coated wrap.

Recipe books

Cocktails don’t need to remain the trusted secrets of bartenders. Whether you like yours shaken or stirred, there are plenty of recipe books out there that give you a step-by-step guide on how to recreate your favourite drink.

A mixologist’s guide to making cocktails (£26.11, Amazon) took the top spot in our guide to the best cocktail recipe books, as it illustrates each drink with a straightforward diagram that details the precise components and proportions for each drink.

“Whether you’re a vodka, gin, brandy, rum, whisky, tequila, champagne or liqueur enthusiast, there are aperitifs for every taste, handily divided into chapters for each spirit. There’s also a section dedicated to shots at the back, covering everything from Alabama slammers to slippery nipples, if short drinks are more your thing,” our reviewer said.

If gin is your go-to tipple, Fever-Tree – The art of mixing (£12.80, Wordery) is a great choice. The book features more than 125 recipes from some of the world’s best bars and bartenders, and the recipes are straightforward with chapters divided according to the type of mixer you intend to use. Our reviewer also praised the book’s fetching gold embossing, making it one to keep out on the drinks trolley.

Taking part in dry Jan? Pick up a copy of Redemption bar – alcohol free cocktails with benefits (£10.42, Amazon). The book was praised by our reviewer for its comprehensive chapters on everything from martinis to mojitos, long drinks and fizz. “Recipes include detailed introductions explaining the inventive and experimental cocktails and their health benefits, and the accompanying photography is luscious and seductive enough to make anyone forgo the booze,” they said.  

Glasses

When considering glassware, it can be easy to obsess over having the right glass for every occasion. But we suggest starting with a small selection to suit your favourite drinks. This is a home bar, after all.

Whether you’re looking to replace a mismatched set or just starting out, good-quality wine glasses should last for years, seeing you through many midweek tipples. If space and budget allow, your glassware collection would ideally include separate styles for white and red, but this set of ripple glasses (£35, Goodhood) work well for both. Featuring in our round-up of the best wine glasses, our reviewer described them as a “super-stylish” option perfect for using solo or to impress the next time you’re allowed to have guests round for drinks.

Tumblers are also essential, as they are perfect vessel for everything from soft drinks through to cocktails and most things in between. We recommend picking up this set of green-tinted glasses from Hay (£25, Liberty), which won a spot in our guide to the best tumblers. They promise to brighten up a room instantly and are made from a special type of borosilicate glass that makes them more durable.

Alcohol

So you’ve got your wine glasses lined up and ready to go, and your cocktail shaker on call for the next celebration. But how about the booze? There are plenty of options to choose from here, so to avoid getting overwhelmed we suggest starting with the classics.

Fans of gin should try Conker Spirit’s dorset dry gin (£36, Conker Spirit), which featured in our round-up of the best British juniper tipples. Our reviewer said it is less dry than its London cousin and has a complex and bright taste. If you have a sweet tooth, opt for a flavoured gin like That’s the Spirit Co’s apple pie creation (£24.99, The Bottle Club), which is perfect for the winter months. In our guide to the best flavoured gins, the drink was described as tasting like warming cinnamon, ginger and creamy vanilla, with a whiff of buttery pastry.

More of a rum person? We’ve got you covered. The Chairman’s reserve spiced rum (£23.39, Drink Supermarket) won best buy in our round-up of the best spiced rums from around the world for having the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. “You can see why Chairman’s has been so clutchy with this slick, spicy export from the revered St Lucia Distillery. The initial citrus twist of orange peel gives way to a warm wash of caramel, nutmeg and a delicate smattering of cinnamon,” our reviewer said.

If you’d rather leave the bartending duties to the experts, you’re in luck, because you can now get readymade tipples delivered to straight to your front door. In our guide to the best bottled cocktails, East London Liquor Co’s variety pack (£20 for 12, East London Liquor Co) was featured thanks to its array of varieties, all of which are made without preservatives, artificial flavours or colours. The range includes everything from grapefruit-infused G&T to fiery rum and ginger, and vodka and rhubarb.

For more alcohol inspiration read our guide to the best malbec wines