How to Build the Ultimate Bar Cart: Essential Spirits, Tools, and Mixers

Key points

• Building a home bar cart starts with a few favourite bottles, then adds the six core spirits: gin, vodka, tequila, white rum, bourbon or rye, and aged whisky. Modifiers such as sweet and dry vermouth, Cointreau, Campari or Aperol and Angostura bitters add depth to classic cocktails.
• Fresh citrus, homemade simple syrup, carbonated mixers and quality ice complete the setup. Essential tools include a shaker, jigger, mixing glass, strainers, a juicer and a muddler.
• Placing the cart away from direct sunlight, and storing opened vermouth in the fridge, helps keep drinks in good condition.