Designer, TV personality and former bartender Samantha Pynn shares her tips for how to stock a bar cart for a party.
1. Put it all on the cart.
Include everything you need to make drinks, including ice, lemons and a martini shaker. This will keep everyone out of the kitchen and mingling. Think of it as the office water cooler of the party — a place where people can hang out and have fun!
2. Stock up on the bar basics.
You’ll be covered for most drinks with vodka, rye whiskey, rum, gin, sweet and dry vermouth, scotch, Campari, red and white wine, pop, juice and bar mixes.
3. Make it easy to access.
Put things you need to reach easily on the top, including liquor, wine, glasses, ice, tools, lemons, limes and cocktails. Put anything extra —water, bar mixes and surplus wine — on the bottom.
4. Replenish frequently.
Keep an eye on the bar or ask a friend to watch it. Wash and pre-cut limes and lemons and have plenty of water, juice and ice on hand.