Having a small garden bar means that you might not have much space to keep ingredients for fancy cocktails. Thankfully, there are a few ingredients the feature in several cocktails. This means you won’t waste valuable space on strange spirits you only use once a year.
These multitasking cocktail ingredients are great space saving supplies for your small garden bar. You’ll be able to wow your friends with your mixology skills, while still being able to offer a variety of gorgeous drinks.
If you haven’t quite got round to investing in a garden bar yet, then what are you waiting for? Get the ball rolling by stocking up on on these cocktail essentials, then get your bar built ASAP. Staying home is the new going out, and so much cheaper than the pub!
Small Garden Bar Essentials
While wine and beer should always be an option to offer your guests, everyone knows a garden bar has one main attraction – homemade cocktails!
Below is everything you need to fill you garden bar with staple ingredients for all great cocktails.
Every Small Garden Bar Needs Gin
Gin has been having a moment for a year or two now and while a G&T is technically a cocktail, it’s not a particularly exotic one. You might disappoint your guests if you promise exotic drinks and wheel out this. Instead, offer up a honey-sweetened gin cocktail with a hint of lemon.
Fresh Herbs will Delight Your Friends
Herbs like mint, basil, rosemary, and thyme are excellent for adding a touch of freshness and aroma to your cocktails. They can be muddled or used as garnishes. Either way, they’ll take your cocktails to the next level.
Citrus Fruits Add Zing
Lemons, limes, and oranges are essential for providing acidity and bright flavours to cocktails. Juice them or use as garnishes.
Berries by the Dozen
Fresh berries such as strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries can add natural sweetness and vibrant colors to your cocktails. Stick then around the rim of your glass, freeze them and use them like ice, or just use them as a garnish.
Vodka can be anything but bland
Vodka’s lack of flavour is often discussed. Add it to a flavoured mixer, and people who don’t like the taste of alcohol, don’t tend to mind a splash of vodka. This comes in handy for cocktail making, as you don’t have to worry about the alcohol flavour clashing with ingredients. An easy cocktail to rustle up is a White Russian, just get your hands on a coffee liqueur and single cream for a tasty, creamy cocktail. You could also make an espresso martini, if you’re feeling adventurous.
Cool Cucumber
Cucumber slices or cucumber-infused water can add a refreshing and hydrating element to your cocktails. It works particularly well in gin-based drinks.
Other Fresh Fruits
Depending on the season, you can include fruits like watermelon, pineapple, mango, or peaches. Consider pureeing them for a fresh twist.
Coffee Liqueurs are a versatile ingredient
Coffee liqueurs feature in a range of cocktails so it’s handy to add a bottle to your shelf of ingredients. I’ve already mentioned a White Russian, but many other popular cocktails involve coffee liqueurs and are simple to make. Definitely an essential ingredient.
Bitters
Bitters are concentrated herbal extracts that add complexity and depth to cocktails. Classic options include Angostura and Peychaud’s bitters.
Simple Syrup
Simple syrup is a mixture of equal parts sugar and water, heated until the sugar dissolves. It’s a versatile sweetener that can be infused with flavours such as vanilla, lavender, or ginger.
Aromatic Liqueurs
A few essential liqueurs to have on hand are triple sec, elderflower liqueur, and Campari. They can be used to add sweetness, floral notes, or bitterness to cocktails.
Other Good Quality Spirits
Depending on your preferences, stock your garden bar with a selection of quality spirits such as rum, tequila, whiskey, and a range of liqueurs. Opt for indie brands to give your guests something they’ve never tried before while also supporting small businesses.
Tonic Water and Soda Water
These carbonated mixers are essential for creating highballs and spritzers. Tonic water pairs well with gin, while soda water can be used in various cocktails.
Stock Up on Ice
Don’t forget to have plenty of ice on hand to chill your cocktails and keep them refreshing.
Non-Alcoholic Ingredients
Your small garden bar needs to consider your tee-total guests too, so non-alcoholic drinks are a must. If you’re trying to save space, buy soft drinks that can be served alone or go into making exquisite cocktails.
Fruit juices such as cranberry juice, orange and tomato juices can be made into mocktails or hold their own as a drink in their own right. Things like lemon juice or lime juice can jazz up alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks alike. Sparkling water and Indian tonic water are also standard ingredients for cocktails, work as mixers or can be drunk alone.
Accessories
There’s no point in having exemplary cocktail game if you don’t make your cocktails look good. It’s important to be mindful of the environment, so anything that’s plastic and goes straight into a landfill is a big no-no. Instead invest in metal or glass straws, that can be washed and reused again and again. Throw a half a cup full of crushed ice into every drink you serve, alcoholic or otherwise.
If you’re feeling flash, you could also get some special cocktail drinking vessels. Cocktail glasses are always good, but novelty cocktail tumblers are even better. Get an array of cups that look like tropical fruits. Serving a pina colada in a rose gold pineapple cup will impress your guests more than expensive glassware.
Final Thoughts
Stocking your garden bar with the right drinks is the perfect way to entertain this summer. By gathering up a variety of essential cocktail ingredients, you can elevate your garden bar to new heights and delight your guests with tasty cocktails.
Fresh herbs like mint, basil, and thyme, along with citrus fruits provide a burst of freshness and flavour to cocktails.
Having a well-curated selection of quality spirits like vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey ensures a wide range of options for every palate.
To complement your drinks, don’t forget stock up on tonic water, soda water, and ice.
With these essentials in your garden bar you’re bound to wow with the drink that your make for you and your friends.
Cheers!