Installing a unique customised home bar complete with stylish seating is undeniably exciting but it only begins to feel like a real bar when you add the drinks and accessories. Here is a helpful guide to the essential items you can’t do without.

Beautiful Glassware

After the thrill of designing your own home bar and seeing the it come to life thanks to your favourite team of creative installers, pay careful attention to the type of glasses you’ll be using to serve drinks to your guests. There are some imaginative designs on the market in frosted glass for tumblers of iced drinks. Some even include an interior panel that changes colour to add an innovative touch. For special cognacs you can’t manage without traditional brandy glasses that have large bowls to swirl the contents around to gently warm them. Small glasses for whisky shots are a must and so are a variety of cocktail glasses that are specifically designed a martini or tequila sunrise.

Useful Accessories

You will always need the additional items such as cocktail sticks, stirrers and shakers to show off your new skills as a bartender. Remember to add a few ecological paper straws or some reusable brass versions in a subtle gold colour. Everyone expects to find dishes of nuts, crisps and pretzels to munch on so try to locate colourful bowls in porcelain or ecological bamboo or palm leaves. An ice bucket for keeping a handy supply of freshly made ice cubes can be stored in the small fridge beneath your bar. You will also need slices of lemons, cherries, cucumber and olives to decorate your cocktails. A touch of salt around the rim of a margeurita is a must but try impressing your guests by using Himalayan rock salt as it has a unique pink tinge and is incredibly healthy.

A great array of Drinks

Of course your bar won’t be able to be launched unless you have a great choice of drinks for your guests. On the shelving behind your bar counter place bottles of spirits such as brandy, whisky and gin. Try to opt for unique brands that have different labels to catch the attention of your friends and will encourage them to want to try them. For instance, there are some unusual organic vodkas available that they might never have come across before. Tonic water and cocktail mixers such as tequila, grenadine and vermouth are needed and fortunately they have bright colours to add a touch of glamour. Fruit juices of pineapple and orange will be required as will a choice of soft drinks for those determined to resist the alcoholic beverages. A selection of beer is popular even if you have had an integral beer pump fitted. When you have had a beautifully stylish new home bar designed and installed by the expert team at Dawnvale you need exciting drinks to match.