The Ultimate Guide to an At-Home Bar
Staying in is officially the new going out, start your at-home bar, now
Sure, the weather is pants this year, and the cost of living just keeps going up and up. It’s the ideal time to make some home improvements, and may I suggest the first place to start – get an at-home bar. Not only is it incredibly stylish and glamorous to have an ornate drink’s trolley in your pad, but it adds a certain Je Ne Sais Quoi to hosting dinners at home. I’m here with the ultimate guide on what to pop on your trolley once constructed, for the perfect centrepiece to lounges and dining rooms.
Babylonstoren Babel Red 2022
There’s nothing I love more than a comforting glass of wine at the end of a long hard day in the office. A top pick for me is the beautiful and full bodied, Babylonstoren Babel Red 2022. This beautiful red blend has a soft mouthfeel and juicy, lingering finish. Pencil shavings and sweet tobacco with mulberry and cherries on the nose. Well-judged oak maturation, adds layers of sweet spice, vanilla and dark chocolate – the perfect, heavy, cosy wine best enjoyed at home!
www.babylonstoren.com / @babylonstoren
Folc Dry English Rosé 2023
In the trending wine category is no other than a blushing rose. Ideal for summer sips, or cosy winters in, a good quality rosé should always take pride of place on your bar. Not only is this particular wine in such a gorgeous bottle, but the tasting notes centre around an eclectic blend of seven grapes. An aromatic, floral nose is backed by wild strawberries, cranberries and a green apple note on the palate with a crisp, refreshing finish. It’s positively delightful and elegant, all year around.
www.drinkfolc.com / @drink.folc
Vergelegen ‘Mill Race’ Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Believe it or not, this is one of the best white wines I’ve ever had the pleasure of drinking – and I am a massive fuss pot I’ll have you know! Did you also know that producer, Vergelegen Estate, is the third-oldest wine producing estate in South Africa! You can tell by the finesse of the finish and all wines are created in their innovative gravity-flow winery. I took hints of passionfruit, grape and lime, with a depth of guava or stone fruit. Truly tasty, and another beautiful bottle for your at-home bar!
https://vergelegen.co.za/ @vergelegen_wine_estate
Neurita Tequila
Not only is this bottle supremely slim and stylish, but Neurita is an incredible female-owned tequila brand. It’s only 18 months old and has already won a slew of fantastic awards in industry. Best of all, it’s absolutely delicious. I opted for the Neurita Tequila Blanco Citrus which is infused with fresh Sicilian orange & tangerine fruit extracts. Believe it or not, this made a fantastic addition to a spicy margarita, with just the right amount of subtle citrus sweetness.
www.neurita-tequila.com / @neuritatequila
Accesorise with some chic tumblers from Emma Britton
Emma Britton is the original floral glass splashback designer and founder of award winning, independent design brand, Emma Britton Decorative Glass Designer. Established in 2010, Emma specialises in designer made, decorative glass splashbacks and glassware. Her signature floral and modern patterns make the functional beautiful. Each glass is intricately made with a dine attention to detail. We opted for a beautiful gift set in collaboration with North42 Gin which contained a bottle of gin alongside two of Emma’s stunning, floral gin tumblers. As well as a perfect centrepiece for the bar, it also makes a fantastic gift!
www.emmabritton.net / @emmabrittondecorativeglass
Mar de Frades Albariño
One bottle that never looks out of place on a beautifully presented at-home bar is Mar de Frades. The stunning wine has a fresh and intense nose, with notes of wildflowers, eucalyptus, mint, and tropical fruit. An excellent wine for British summe, the complex, full-bodied and joyful Albariño is vibrant and refreshing on the palate and has a fresh, harmonious acidity and aromatic intensity with a hint of lingering minerals, saltiness, and subtle balsamic notes. Best of all, the bottle is stunningly designed and the perfect addition to a wine rack.
www.mardefrades.es / @mardefrades
Babylonstoren Wine Subscription
Taking pride of place on most at-home bars is usually a wine rack. If you’re anything like me, wine doesn’t tend to last too long in my house, so a subscription is a great option to keep that wine rack healthy and full. One of the best, in my opinion includes Babylonstoren’s Wine Club. Babylonstoren is one of the South Africa’s oldest working Cape Dutch farms. The subscription is priced at £100.00 every quarter, and includes a range of its award-winning wines. A particular highlight for me was the Shiraz which is deep, heavy and rich – perfectly complementing rich dishes such as bourguignon or steak and ideal for an evening on the sofa.
www.babylonstoren.com / @babylonstoren
108 Gin from 108 Brasserie & Bar
If you’ve ever been for a stroll around Marylebone, you may have stumbled across the beautiful 108 Brasserie & Bar. Elegant and sophisticated, with a killer Sunday roast, it’s the ideal shopping stop off. But did you know they also make gin? 108 Gin has been developed in partnership with the award-winning Hawkridge Distillery, and every sip promises an unmatched drinking experience thanks to its exceptional smoothness and flavoursome depth. Its crisp and refreshing profile makes it an ideal choice for cocktails or a straight serve. When experimenting, my personal preference was shaking it into the smoothest Dirty Martini. The bottle is also beautiful and makes a great addition to any at-home bar.
www.108brasserie.com / @108marylebonelane
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
Prepare to put some elegance on your bar, and hairs on your chest, with Uncle Nearest’s 1884 Small Batch Whisky. This stunning bottle is home to a 93-proof whiskey distilled, aged and bottled entirely by Uncle Nearest. Each batch is curated by 5th generation Nearest Green descendant and the Master Blender, Victoria Eady Butler, who was named Master Blender of the Year by Whisky Magazine for two consecutive years in 2021 and 2022 as well as receiving the same honor from The Spirits Business and Vinepair in 2021. The whiskey itself is long and smooth with notes of honey and warm brown sugar, cedar, orange peel and tobacco flower. Delicious!
www.unclenearest.com / @unclenearest
Get your Garnishes from Opies
Opies are the ultimate brand for garnishes. I cannot be more obsessed with a brand than I am this one. Naturally, I love pickles and they have a full range of silverskin onions and gherkins. However, what they also have, are a fantastic range of drinks garnishes too. From sliced lemons, cocktail cherries and black cherries with kirsch. There really is something for everyone. You can even use their summer berry compote to make iced drinks such as daiquiris.
Espolòn Tequila Blanco
Espolòn tequila is the ideal addition to an at-home bar. With fun and quirky labels with punk-like skeleton sketches, it definitely adds a point of difference. Our top pick is the pure and tasty Espolòn Tequila Blanco. This unaged Tequila Blanco is created using 100% Blue Weber agave. It delivers a perfectly smooth and balanced taste that you can enjoy neat, shaken over ice, or in your favourite cocktail. The crispness lends itself well to fruity drinks such as a Paloma.
www.espolontequila.com / @espolontequila
The Gentleman Brewing Co.
Some may say beer belongs in the fridge, not the at-home bar. However, beer that has such a strong and impactful label and design can certainly spend some time, pride of place on your bar, before cooling to drink. The first time I tried The Gentleman Brewing Co.’s beer was actually at the award-winning Ruffians® barbershops, which were handing them out alongside hair cuts during the Father’s Day period. I was very attracted to the design on the label and the uniqueness of the branding – landing it a justified space in this at-home bar guide.
www.tgbco.co.uk / @thegentlemanbrewingcompany
Manatii Rum
You probably already know that we love Manatii Rum here at On In London. The brand was born in 2021, in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian that hit the Caribbean in 2019. The team wanted to steer away from the clichés often associated with rum and instead celebrate the vibrancy of the Caribbean. Thus, Manatii was formed. With colourful, fun branding and a deliciously smooth taste. This is my ideal pairing for a delicious at-home Daiquiri. The bottle is tropical and eye catching, and they even have a branded candle that would also look superb on your at-home bar also.
www.manatii.co.uk / @manatiirum
Gin Mare
We all know that gin has had a major resurgance, but with so many on the market, how can you pick the best option for your at-home bar? Gin Mare have made it undeniably easy by designing one of the most eye-catching and stunning bottles. Within the bottle is a super premium gin that perfectly captures the essence of the Mediterranean lifestyle in a bottle. The taste really captures the botanicals, and it has a gorgeous characteristic scent of rosemary, basil, and thyme.
Lowrise Beer
Beers on the bar are a must, particularly those with a super cute design. Lowrise have a perfect option, with its low calorie, yet full strength, beer cans. A full-strength, full vibe & gluten–free lager, but with 35% fewer calories than the average UK beer – just what the doctor ordered. Each beer is brewed using New Zealand hops, with a golden hue, tropical and stone fruit aromas, and a dry finish perfect for summer sessions. The cans are also easily purchasable via your nearest Waitrose.
www.lowrisebrewery.com / @lowrisebrewery
Everleaf non-alcoholic Aperitifs
As well as housing a boozy bar, it’s important to have a drink for every occasion – and not all occasions require an alcoholic tipple. My personal favourite non-alcoholic spirit is Everleaf. A delicate blend of distilled botanicals derived from the natural world, Everleaf has been perfectly balanced to lend the best flavour to cocktails and spritzes. We love all of the variations, but the top runner has to be Everleaf Forest – flavour notes include exotic saffron, rich Madagascan vanilla and honeyed orange blossom of sun-streaked forest floors.
www.everleafdrinks.com / @everleafdrinks
Castillo de Ibiza
We always recommend to chill your rosé before drinking of course, but if it has a stunning bottle, there’s no reason you can’t display on the wine rack or bar beforehand. Castillo de Ibiza is a beautifully dry, pale rosé with crisp red fruit aromas underpinned by a savoury note. It is the perfect pale rosé to take you back to that special moment, when the sunset turns the long summer days into even longer nights. This wine is carefully crafted from Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes, using the saignee method in Navarra, the cradle of Spanish rosé. A must!
Maestro Dobel’s 50 Cristalino
Now this is a standout bottle! Maestro Dobel’s 50 Crisalino is an iconic tequila. The tasting notes include a compelling marriage of caramel, honey, cooked agave and dried fruit, such as fig or quince, emerges, with hints of chocolate, tobacco and sweets that make for an enticing, aromatic scent. Some herbal notes add a touch of freshness and lightness with a hint of lingering vanilla and nutmeg on the finish. This one is fantastic neat, no need to taint with cocktail ingredients, simply enjoy the quality taste.
www.maestrodobel.com / @dobeltequilauk
FEW Bourbon
Bourbon fans, assemble. I have to admit, I’m much more of a bourbon fan, than a Scotch, so I simply knew I would love this. The spirit itself is distilled through timeless liquor making techniques. The makers initiate a three grain recipe that infuses generations of Southern tradition with the spiciness of Northern Rye, and a touch of malt for smoothness. FEW is hand crafted through a small-batch process in charred oak barrels to age its bourbon – a must try and a classy bottle for the bar!
Buy via The Whisky Exchange / @fewspirits
Del Maguey Vida de Muertos Mezcal
Mezcal is hot right now, and should always be a permanent addition to your at-home bar. Known as the smokier, sexier older brother to tequila, the Del Maguey Vida de Muertos Mezcal is one of our absolute favourites. The special-edition mezcal from Del Maguey is inspired by the mezcal produced by Paciano Cruz Nolasco ahead of his Dia de los Muertos celebrations. It shows a pleasing combination of tropical fruit and vegetal spice, with aromas of pineapple, milk chocolate and green bell pepper on the nose, leading to notes of smoked sage, liquorice and roasted agave on the palate.
Buy via The Whisky Exchange / @delmagueymezcal
Ume No Yado Yuzu
All sophisticated at-home bars should have a full range of Japanese spirits with an emphasis on great sake. You simply can’t beat great sake, particularly when pairing with delicious cooked-at-home Japanese dishes and stir-frys. As well as a dry and sparkling, it’s always great to have a sweeter yuzu sake for the dessert course or a palette cleanser. This particular option comes from the Ume No Yado brewery in Japan’s Nara prefecture. Yuzu is a citrus fruit indigenous to Japan that’s close to a cross between a mandarin and a lime, giving a punchy and sweet citrussy taste.
Four Pillars Gin
It’s always nice to have a special serve, for special guests, and this award-winning gin from The Whisky Exchange is no exception to the rule. Winner of The Whisky Exchange’s Gin of the Year 2024 award, we can’t recommend this gin enough. The Yarra Valley-based distillery uses Australian wheat from New South Wales to make its spirit, and combines Asian spices and Mediterranean citrus, with a handful of locally-sourced Australian botanicals to create its vibrant, bold character. These botanicals include pepperberry from Tasmania, adding warmth and spice, lemon myrtle from Queensland, a more floral alternative to lemon peel, and lavender grown in the Yarra Valley. Simply delicious.
Buy via The Whisky Exchange / @fourpillarsgin
Bisol1542 I Gondolieri
It’s essential to have a bottle of Prosecco ready and waiting, for those unexpected celebratory moments. The Bisol1542 I Gondolieri – is a fantastic choice. The delicate straw yellow fades into a subtle and lively perlage. Elegant, savory, clean and direct. It makes comprehensibility and immediacy its strong point, it dazzles like the beauty of Venice. Harmonious bouquet with fruity notes of peach and nectarine emerging on very light sensations of saltiness. Just what you want when celebrating at home.
Hampden Eight Year Old Rum
Whilst we’re on the topic of award-winning spirits, this delightful rum also came away with the top prize in The Whisky Exchange’s Rum of the Year 2024 category. Silky, smooth and tropical, this eight-year-old rum from Jamaica’s Hampden Estate distillery is produced with the same techniques that were used when it was founded in the 18th century. Matured for eight years in Jamaica’s tropical climate, it embodies the aromatic complexity and vibrant fruitiness that Hampden Estate is known for, making it a great all-rounder. A medley of ripe banana, allspice, orange zest and baked apple aromas fill the nose, complemented by notes of ginger, vanilla, dark chocolate, praline and roasted coffee beans throughout the palate.
Buy via The Whisky Exchange / @hampdenestaterum
Classic Cocktail Selection Box from Whitebox
Little mini cocktails are obviously the cutest addition to any at-home bar, and in my opinion Whitebox are the top, top option. Sure, there’s lots of hype around Moth, but I prefer the taste of these tiny options. The Classic Cocktail Selection Box includes a Pocket Negroni, Prêt à Boire Boulevardier, a Classic Cosmo, a Freezer Martini, a Chipper’s Old Fashioned and a Squeezy’s Margarita – all in adorably designed cans. My personal favourite is the Old Fashioned, which tastes better than any freshly made cocktail I’ve ever tasted!
Buy via The Whisky Exchange / @whiteboxcocktails
A range of Angostura Bitters
One cannot make great cocktails, without great equipment and ingredients – and that includes Angostura Bitters. A vital ingredient to many favourite cocktails, I personally love this brand the most. On my bar at home, I have the Classic, Orange and Cocoa options, each ideal for different cocktails. For example, the orange is a perfect addition to an Old Fashioned or Cosmo, and the Cocoa elevates and lifts those Espresso Martinis!
A Trendy Hip Flask
There’s nothing cooler and more risque than converting your at-home bar from internal to external. Drinks prices in London are rocketing and a handy hip flask can be the perfect antidote to a cheaper night on the town. It also looks pretty slick on the bar at home. There are millions of designs to choose from but this silver design is simple, sleek and chic. At just £6.95, you can’t go wrong!
De Kuyper Ready to Serve Cocktails
I know I’ve been encouraging you to get creative with your at-home bar and make your own cocktails, but sometimes, after a long hard day, you just want something quick and easy. De Kuyper,has launched its expert-made, ready-to-serve cocktail range with options such as Strawberry Daiquiri, Pina Colada, Passionfruit Martini and Espresso Martini. They are packaged in practical yet sophisticated glass bottles so you can enjoy your drink and do less to impress. With the best ingredients and masterful craftsmanship in each bottle, these cocktails are a must-have for cocktail connoisseurs. We love the fruity rum Strawberry Daiquiri which is like sunshine in a glass.
www.dekuyper.com/cocktails / @dekuypercocktails
