For many people, delicious cocktails are a huge part of social gatherings. But what if you’re pregnant, trying to stay healthy, or just don’t enjoy drinking? You shouldn’t have to miss out on the fun! Having non-alcoholic drink options at your next party will let you still be a part of the festivities without the hangover.
This is where a non-alcoholic bar cart comes in! By following a few simple tips, you can design a bar cart that is both stylish and functional.
Table of Contents
1. Choose Your Vessel
The first step is to choose a cart or other small piece of furniture that you can use to hold all of your bar supplies, from non-alcoholic prosecco to your favorite glassware. If you don’t have a lot of space, something like a small end table or even a TV tray will work just fine.
When choosing your bar cart, consider the overall theme. If you’re going for a more sophisticated look, try a sleek metal cart. If you want something with a vintage feel, look for an antique wooden piece.
Make sure your bar cart fits the overall decor of your home. For example, if you have a modern home, a vintage bar cart may look out of place. But if you have an eclectic home with lots of different styles, a vintage bar cart can be a great way to add some personality to your space.
2. Curate Your Favorite Drink Recipes
You can’t have a bar cart without drinks! Curate a selection of your favorite non-alcoholic drink recipes to make sure there’s something for everyone.
If you’re not sure where to start, consider some classic mocktails like a Shirley Temple or a Virgin Mary, or get creative and come up with your own unique twists on classic drinks. Here are a few ideas along with ingredients to add to your cart in order to get you started:
- Raspberry Faux-jito: Muddle mint leaves, raspberries, and lime juice together, then add sparkling water and a splash of cranberry juice.
- Cucumber Fizz: Mix lemon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup with sparkling water and a few slices of cucumber.
- Pineapple Punch: Blend pineapple juice, orange juice, and lemonade together, then add a splash of grenadine.
If you prefer to keep it easy or have limited space on your cart, you can stock up on canned non-alcoholic versions of traditional mixed beverages, such as an alcohol-free sangria.
3. Gather the Essentials
Once you have your recipes, it’s time to gather all of the supplies you’ll need to make them. This includes things like mixers, fruit, juices, sodas, and any other non-alcoholic ingredients you’ll need. And if you want to get really fancy, you can also add garnishes, paper drink umbrellas, and decorative straws.
Must-have items for your non-alcoholic bar cart include:
- Sparkling water
- Cranberry juice
- Lemonade
- Orange juice
- Grenadine
- Simple syrup
- Mint leaves
- Limes
- Raspberries
- Cucumbers
You may also want to consider adding some bottles and cans of non-alcoholic beer or wine. These can be added to mixed drinks or served on their own.
4. Stock Up on Glassware
No bar cart is complete without glassware! Stock up on high-quality glasses that will make your drinks look even more delicious.
If you’re serving mocktails, try to find glasses that mimic the shape of traditional cocktail glasses. For example, if you’re serving up a Virgin Mary, look for a tall glass like a Collins glass. For a raspberry mojito, try using a short, wide glass like a hurricane glass. And if you include non-alcoholic wine in your bar cart, look for stemless wine glasses.
For mixed drinks and punches, you’ll want to have a selection of glasses of different sizes and shapes. For a more casual look, Mason jars or plastic cups can work just as well. And if you’re really short on space, disposable cups are always an option.
5. Assemble Your Tools
To make your alcohol-free drinks, you’ll need a few basic bar tools. This includes things like a cocktail shaker, jigger, strainer, and muddler.
If you don’t have these things on hand, they can easily be found at your local home goods store or online. And if you really want to step up your game, you can also invest in some more specialized bar tools like an ice crusher or electric mixer.
There are a few other things you’ll need to make your bar cart complete, including:
- Towels or napkins
- A small trash can
- A cutting board and knife
These items will come in handy for things like spills, cleanup, and prep work.
6. Put It All Together
Once you have all of your supplies gathered, it’s time to start assembling your bar cart. Start by placing the larger items first, such as the mixer, pitcher, and ice bucket. Then, add in the glassware, followed by the smaller items like the strainer, jigger, and napkins.
If your bar cart has shelves, make sure to arrange the items in a way that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. For example, you might want to keep all of the glassware on one shelf and the mixers and syrups on another.
If you have any space left, you can use it to add some personalization to your bar cart. This could include things like candles, photos, flowers, decorative trays, or a few bottles of non-alcoholic spirits. Get creative and make it your own!
Once you have everything in place, take a step back and make sure that everything looks good and is easy to reach. You’re now ready to start mixing up some delicious alcohol-free drinks!
Final Thoughts
Bar carts are a great way to add some style and personality to your home, and it’s never been easier to create a beautiful, alcohol-free bar cart of your own. With some non-alcoholic drinks and a little creativity in your arsenal, you’ll be whipping up mouthwatering mocktails in no time!
