The ART of the BAR CART STYLING & RECIPES VANESSA DINA Text by Ashley Rose Conway Photographs by Antonis Achilleos Text copyright © 2017 by Chronicle Books LLC Photographs copyright © 2017 by Antonis Achilleos All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher ISBN 9781452159140 (epub, mobi) Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Dina, Vanessa, author | Conway, Ashley Rose, writer of supplementary textual content Title: The art of the bar cart / Vanessa Dina ; text by Ashley Rose Conway ; photographs by Antonis Achilleos Description: San Francisco : Chronicle Books, [2017] Identifiers: LCCN 2016051294 | ISBN 9781452158952 (hc : alk paper) Subjects: LCSH: Bars (Furniture) | Handcarts | Cocktails Classification: LCC TT197.5.B3 D57 2017 | DDC 684.1—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016051294 Design by VANESSA DINA Prop styling by ED GALLAGHER Text by ASHLEY ROSE CONWAY Chronicle books and gifts are available at special quantity discounts to corporations, professional associations, literacy programs, and other organizations For details and discount information, please contact our corporate/premiums department at corporatesales@ chroniclebooks.com or at 1-800-759-0190 Chronicle Books LLC 680 Second Street San Francisco, California 94107 WWW.CHRONICLEBOOKS.COM CO N T E N T S Introduction Bar Basics NO CLASSIC CART 15 NO VODKA CART 21 NO RUM CART 27 NO TEQUILA CART 33 NO WHISKEY CART 39 NO GIN CART 45 NO PUNCH CART 51 NO BEER CART 57 NO WINE CART 63 NO 10 LOW-PROOF CART 69 NO 11 KIDS CART 75 NO 12 CRATE CART 81 NO 13 HOLIDAY CART 87 NO 14 CREDENZA CART 93 NO 15 ITALIAN CART 99 NO 16 TRAY CART 105 NO 17 MODERN CART 111 NO 18 SIDE CART 117 NO 19 AFTER-EIGHT CART 123 NO 20 WHIMSICAL CART 129 Resources 135 Index 139 INTRODUCTION Bar carts are key decor pieces, whether you entertain often or just like a quiet drink at the end of a long day There are as many ways to incorporate them into your home as there are spaces to put them And it’s not just about the cocktails; a bar cart is a statement piece as well as a functional one A well-styled bar cart can pull together a room while providing a place to display your favorite spirits, bar tools, and glassware for making drinks Whether roving or stationary, petite or sizable, there is a cart for everyone That’s where this book comes in Each cart focuses on one spirit or theme, or on creating a bar set-up in a small or unusual space You can pick one that fits your lifestyle or mix and match to make a unique cart that is just for you There are carts for beer and wine lovers, as well as single-liquor carts that will show you how to make the most of your favorite bottle If you’re looking to throw a party, there are carts for that And even if you think there isn’t space in your home for one more stick of furniture, the Tray Cart (page 105) and After-Eight Cart (page 123) make it easy to incorporate a home bar into the space you already have With each cart you’ll find a cocktail recipe and variations that match the theme and require only a few liquors and liqueurs, making it easier and more wallet friendly to make drinks at home And a lot of those bottles are used repeatedly throughout the book, so you can try cocktails from other carts without having to invest in a whole new set of ingredients For easy serving, remember that every recipe yields one drink unless otherwise noted When it comes to bar carts, the only rule is to make sure it works for your space The ideas in this book are simply suggestions—jumping off points for styling and enjoying your home bar cart Draw inspiration from the different styles and spirits you find, discover new favorite cocktail recipes, and then make them your own! INTRODUCTION BAR BASICS Below are some guidelines and fundamentals for making a proper cocktail Whole books have been written on how to mix up the best drink If you are interested in perfecting your cocktail skills, keep exploring It’s easy to customize your choices once you have an idea of which cocktails you prefer to mix up on a regular basis A quick note on quality: great cocktails start with great ingredients Always use the highest quality spirits, mixers, and produce you can afford I mix with organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible, focusing on what is in season for the best flavors While I may want strawberries in January, I wait until early summer, when local strawberries are ripe When you can, use fresh juices in drinks It involves a little more work than opening a bottle, but your tipple will be far tastier This is particularly important for citrus juice, which loses its brightness within a day of being juiced TOOLS Tools not make the man or woman, or bartender, but they sure help in crafting a delicious drink These are the must-have tools for the home bartender to keep on the bar cart: • bar spoon • bottle opener • citrus peeler • cocktail shaker • ice molds in varying sizes • jigger for measuring liquids • mixing glass • strainers: Hawthorne for shaken cocktails, julep for stirred drinks, and fine-mesh or tea for double straining THE ART OF THE BAR CART If you are looking to expand your tool selection, here are a few more tools I like to keep on hand: • blender • canvas Lewis bag and wooden mallet for crushing ice • channel knife and zester combined • muddler • picks for garnishes • reusable metal straws • swizzle sticks ICE Ice is a key player in cocktails They would not be as tasty or inviting without the chill that ice provides, whether it’s large, small, hand cut, crystal clear, cubed, or crushed In addition, shaking or stirring with ice adds a bit of water to a drink, which improves the flavor of many cocktails If you enjoy serving cocktails with crushed ice, consider investing in a Lewis bag and mallet, and crush it by hand A Lewis bag is made of triple-stitched canvas, so you’re unlikely to pop a seam with enthusiastic smashing, and the bag will absorb any water from ice melt Crushing ice by hand ensures that you get the size you’re looking for Speaking of size, there are many types of ice molds on the market, and they come in various dimensions Silicone ice trays make it easier to remove the ice without cracking it, like plastic versions If you like drinks on the rocks, jumbo, slow-melting spheres and cubes will keep your spirit from becoming watery; try 2-in [5-cm] ones But if you prefer to use a collins glass, or other tall, thin glassware, smaller ice cubes may be a better option A fan of refreshing tropical drinks? Small pebble ice trays are perfect; unlike crushed ice, they won’t dilute the drink too much BAR BASICS STIR OR SHAKE There is a time and place for everything, including when to stir and when to shake your cocktail Shaking is the most commonly used method for libations containing more than liquor It dilutes while adding air and thus texture to the drink On the other hand, stirring adds minimal water and air, keeping the texture of the drink smooth Spirit-heavy drinks, like a martini, are better stirred, not shaken, no matter what you may have heard THE ART OF STIRRING A thick mixing glass, bar spoon, and Julep strainer are the vital tools to properly stir your drink Pre-chill your mixing glass in the fridge or freezer if you can Next, add ice to fill the mixing glass 2/3 of the way and add your liquid ingredients Now, time to stir Holding the bar spoon in-between your thumb and your index and middle fingers, place the spoon between the ice and the side of the glass without touching the bottom The key is to stir without adding too much air and bubbles; keep the bar spoon spinning along the edge of the glass without interrupting the ice For the best dilution and chill, aim for 30 seconds of constant stirring Then place a Julep strainer over the mouth of the mixing glass and strain into a glass THE ART OF SHAKING Shaking requires a little more finesse than stirring The first thing to think about is the shaker Cobbler shakers—which come with a tin, strainer, and fitted top—are popular for their classic look and are easy to find Boston shakers—which consist of a mixing glass and tin or two tins that fit together—are more versatile and can be easier to use, although they don’t have the same classic look If you choose a Boston shaker, you will also need a separate strainer to strain out ice and solid ingredients Both shakers are perfectly fine tools to shake up a cocktail, so pick whichever one suits your home bar 10 THE ART OF THE BAR CART Details are important Hand-painted bar accessories, like a marbled dish to display vintage tools, add a unique touch To take the personalization of your bar to a whole new level, add painted details to the cart itself If you have a color scheme for the cart, an abstract pattern, like watercolor, is a good way to add more color without clashing There is a fine line between tchotchkes and a curated collection By grouping together complementary bar pieces, or other items, they appear purposeful and not haphazard Select things that carry a similar theme, but don’t worry about getting too matchy-matchy Arranging vibrant glassware in the same shade, like these cerulean coupes and martini glasses, or displaying bar props with similar patterns provide a no-fuss, interesting look Here the brass pineapple jar, cut crystal cobbler shaker, and tea towel play off of one another’s geometric shapes and textures harmoniously 133 WHIMSICAL CART RESOURCES BAR CARTS PROVIDED BY/COURTESY OF: Jonathan Adler, jonathanadler.com The New Traditionalists, thenewtraditionalists.com RH, restorationhardware.com Society Social, societysocial.com BAR PROPS PROVIDED BY/COURTESY OF: Cocktail Kingdom, cocktailkingdom.com Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, mgbw.com LIQUOR PROVIDED BY/COURTESY OF: anCnoc, ancnoc.com Aperol, aperol.com Boodles Gin, boodlesgin.com Bombay Sapphire, bombaysapphire.com Brancott Estate wines, brancottestate.com Campari, campari.com Campo Viejo wines, campoviejo.com Champagne Taittinger, taittinger.com Cutty Sark, cutty-sark.com Dewar’s, livetrue.dewars.com Disaronno, disaronno.com Domenico Valentino Selections, domenicovalentino.com 136 THE ART OF THE BAR CART Elit by Stoli, elitbystoli.com Hangar Vodka, hangarone.com Jacob’s Creek wines, jacobscreek.com Jägermeister, jager.com Jose Cuervo, cuervo.com Leopold Bros, leopoldbros.com Sandeman Port, sandeman.com St George Spirits, stgeorgespirits.com Stranahan’s Whiskey, stranahans.com 1800 Tequila, 1800tequila.com Tincup Whiskey, tincupwhiskey.com WALLPAPER PROVIDED BY: Hygge & West, hyggeandwest.com SPECIAL THANKS TO: Carlo Geraci, carlosays.com Eddie Ross, eddieross.com Holger Keifel, holgerkeifel.com 137 RESOURCES INDEX A champagne Creamsicle Fizz, 94 After-Eight Cart, 123–27 Cucumber Spritz, 70 Credenza Cart, 93–97 Americano, 100 Elderflower Cool, 106 cucumbers Aperol Pear 75, 88 Cucumber Spritz, 70 Pimm’s Sparkler, 70 Mean Green Cooler, 36 Cucumber Spritz, 70 applejack Whiskey Warmer, 40 artwork, 48, 96 Sorbet Sparkler, 106 Chartreuse Mixed Words, 46 E eggs cheese, 67 B Cynar Flip, 100 Creamsicle Fizz, 94 cherry liqueur The Candy Cane, 88 Cynar Flip, 100 Beer Cart, 57–61 Mixed Words, 46 dry shaking and, 11 Michelada, 58 Very Cherry Manhattan, 16 beer Honey Whiskey Sour, 40 Pineapple Beer Fizz, 58 Chocolate Milkshake, Salted Elderflower Cool, 106 Sour Shandy, 58 Caramel, 76 F bitters, 121 Citrus Russian, 124 Bittersweet Float, 82 Citrus Vodka Tonic, 22 bourbon Classic Cart, 15–19 Bittersweet Float, 82 Cocchi Grapefruit Spritz, 100 Very Cherry Manhattan, 16 coconut Viscous Hibiscus, 112 brandy Brandied Pear, 124 Coconut Cooler, 28 Piña Melon, 132 Fernet-Branca Bittersweet Float, 82 Flaming Ginger, 112 Float, Bittersweet, 82 flowers, 55 Floral Gimlet, 106 coffee liqueur Fall Sangria, 66 Citrus Russian, 124 Sidecar, 118 Spiced Pear, Raspberry, and Whiskey Warmer, 40 Fall Sangria, 66 Coffee Sips, 124 Rose Rosé Punch, 54 Viscous Hibiscus, 112 fruit See also individual fruits Fall Sangria, 66 Cognac C Summer Sherry Cobble, 66 Brandied Pear, 124 Calvados Whiskey Warmer, 40 Campari Americano, 100 candles, 91 Sidecar, 118 Cointreau Cranberry-Orange Sparkler, 88 Sidecar, 118 The Candy Cane, 88 Coke, Peanut Rum and, 82 Chambord See raspberry Cranberry-Orange Sparkler, 88 liqueur Crate Cart, 81–85 crates, 82 G games, 72, 79 garnishes, 13 Gimlet, Floral, 106 gin, 46 The Candy Cane, 88 Cranberry-Orange Sparkler, 88 Creamsicle Fizz, 94 140 THE ART OF THE BAR CART Floral Gimlet, 106 H L Gin & Jam, 46 Holiday Cart, 87–91 lemonade Gin Cart, 45–49 honey Kiwi-Pineapple Lemonade, Kumquat & Gin, 94 Honey Old Fashioned, 16 Minty Gin Rickey, 46 Honey Syrup, 12 Pimm’s Cup, 70 Mixed Words, 46 Honey Whiskey Sour, 40 Sour Shandy, 58 Pear 75, 88 Sparkling Honeyed Grape- Sorbet Sparkler, 106 76 lemon juice fruit Punch, 54 Gin & Jam, 46 Sparkling Honeyed Grapefruit Punch, 54 Spicy Pomelo, 132 Honey Whiskey Sour, 40 I Mixed Words, 46 ice ginger ale Peach and Sage, 118 buckets, 19, 58 Pear 75, 88 Flaming Ginger, 112 crushed, Rose Rosé Punch, 54 Pimm’s Cup, 70 importance of, Sidecar, 118 molds, 9, 52, 55 Sparkling Honeyed Grape- ginger beer Mean Green Cooler, 36 ice cream fruit Punch, 54 Moscow Mule, 82 Bittersweet Float, 82 Sour Shandy, 58 Salted Caramel Chocolate glassware Milkshake, 76 colorful, 30, 73, 133 Infused Syrup, 12 goblets, 67, 102 Italian Cart, 99–103 mixed, 19, 90 J types of, 13 Jägermeister Cocchi Grapefruit Spritz, Michelada, 58 Minty Gin Rickey, 46 Mean Green Cooler, 36 Minty Mojito, 28 Roasted Jalapeño Purée, Moscow Mule, 82 130 Spritzer, 22 Coconut Cooler, 28 Mean Green Cooler, 36 jalapeño chiles Grapefruit and Lillet and, 22 lime juice Grapefruit Scofflaw, 16 Bittersweet Float, 82 100 Floral Gimlet, 106 stacking, 96 grapefruit juice Whiskey Warmer, 40 Lillet Spritzer, Grapefruit Piña Melon, 132 Grapefruit Scofflaw, 16 Smoking Pineapple, 130 Pineapple Rum Swizzle, 28 Paloma, 34 Spicy Pomelo, 132 Scofflaw, 40 Peach and Sage, 118 Sparkling Honeyed Grapefruit Punch, 54 Spicy Pomelo, 132 Tequila Sunset, 34 Smoking Pineapple, 130 K Kids Cart, 75–79 Kiwi-Pineapple Lemonade, 76 Kumquat & Gin, 94 141 INDEX Low-Proof Cart, 69–73 M Peanut Rum and Coke, 82 Manhattan, Very Cherry, 16 pear brandy Mixed Words, 46 Coffee Sips, 124 Fall Sangria, 66 maraschino liqueur Spiced Pear, Raspberry, and pear liqueur Roasted Jalapeño Purée, 130 root beer Martini, Olive Oil, 22 Brandied Pear, 124 Mean Green Cooler, 36 Pear 75, 88 Rose Rosé Punch, 54 measuring, 25 Spiced Pear, Raspberry, and rum, 28 Coffee Sips, 124 Michelada, 58 Milkshake, Salted Caramel Coconut Cooler, 28 Pimm’s No Chocolate, 76 mint Peanut Rum and Coke, 82 Pimm’s Sparkler, 70 Pineapple Rum Swizzle, 28 Minty Gin Rickey, 46 Minty Mojito, 28 pineapple juice Coconut Cooler, 28 Mixed Words, 46 Minty Mojito, 28 Pimm’s Cup, 70 Piña Melon, 132 Rum Cart, 27–31 Spiced Nut, 94 rye whiskey Kiwi-Pineapple Lemonade, Modern Cart, 111–15 Grapefruit Scofflaw, 16 76 Mojito, Minty, 28 Moscow Mule, 82 Scofflaw, 40 Piña Melon, 132 Very Cherry Manhattan, 16 Pineapple Beer Fizz, 58 Whiskey Warmer, 40 N Pineapple Rum Swizzle, 28 napkins, 72 Smoking Pineapple, 130 S St Germain liqueur plants, 37 O Bittersweet Float, 82 Elderflower Cool, 106 port Old Fashioned Honey Old Fashioned, 16 Floral Gimlet, 106 Fall Sangria, 66 Spring Garden Punch, 52 punch variations on, 114 ice for, 55 Salted Caramel Chocolate White Old Fashioned, 112 Punch Cart, 51–55 Olive Oil Martini, 22 Rose Rosé Punch, 54 Sangria, Fall, 66 orange juice Sparkling Honeyed Grape- Scofflaw, 40 Cranberry-Orange fruit Punch, 54 Sparkler, 88 Spring Garden Punch, 52 Milkshake, 76 Grapefruit Scofflaw, 16 shaking art of, 10–11 Creamsicle Fizz, 94 Pimm’s Sparkler, 70 R Tequila Sunset, 34 racks, hanging, 31 Sherry Cobble, Summer, 66 raspberries Sidecar, 118 P Paloma, 34 Peach and Sage, 118 stirring vs., 10 Rose Rosé Punch, 54 raspberry liqueur The Candy Cane, 88 142 THE ART OF THE BAR CART Side Cart, 117–21 Simple Syrup, 12 Smoking Pineapple, 130 Soda Drop, 76 Sorbet Sparkler, 106 Flaming Ginger, 112 tomato juice soda siphon, 73 Michelada, 58 Honey Old Fashioned, 16 Honey Whiskey Sour, 40 tools Sour Shandy, 58 displaying, 43 Peach and Sage, 118 sparkling wine, 91 list of, 8–9 Whiskey & Rhubarb, 118 stacking, 96 Whiskey Cart, 39–43 Tray Cart, 105–9 Whiskey Warmer, 40 The Candy Cane, 88 Cocchi Grapefruit Spritz, 100 White Old Fashioned, 112 Cucumber Spritz, 70 V Elderflower Cool, 106 vermouth wine, 64 See also sparkling wine Pear 75, 88 Americano, 100 and cheese, 67 Pimm’s Sparkler, 70 Grapefruit Scofflaw, 16 Fall Sangria, 66 Sorbet Sparkler, 106 Olive Oil Martini, 22 Grapefruit and Lillet Sparkling Honeyed Grape- Scofflaw, 40 Very Cherry Manhattan, 16 fruit Punch, 54 Spritzer, 22 Rose Rosé Punch, 54 Spiced Nut, 94 Viscous Hibiscus, 112 Spring Garden Punch, 52 Spiced Pear, Raspberry, and vodka, 22 Summer Sherry Cobble, 66 Citrus Russian, 124 Wine Cart, 63–67 Spicy Pomelo, 132 Citrus Vodka Tonic, 22 Wintery Mulled Wine, 64 Spring Garden Punch, 52 Grapefruit and Lillet Coffee Sips, 124 Spritzer, 22 stirring art of, 10 Moscow Mule, 82 shaking vs., 10 Olive Oil Martini, 22 strainers, 11 Piña Melon, 132 strawberries Rose Rosé Punch, 54 Rose Rosé Punch, 54 Smoking Pineapple, 130 Spring Garden Punch, 52 Spring Garden Punch, 52 Vodka Cart, 21–25 Summer Sherry Cobble, 66 syrups, 11–12 T W walnut liqueur Spiced Nut, 94 tequila, 34, 37 Mean Green Cooler, 36 watermelon juice Piña Melon, 132 Paloma, 34 Tequila Cart, 33–37 Whimsical Cart, 129–33 Tequila Sunset, 34 whiskey, 40 See also bourbon; rye whiskey 143 INDEX 144 T H E A R T O F T H E BA R C A R T VANESSA DINA is a design director and party-planning expert, and The Art of the Bar Cart is an extension of her love for all things entertaining When she is not designing books or art directing creative talent, she’s throwing get-togethers in her charming San Francisco apartment, more often than not with a Negroni in hand ANTONIS ACHILLEOS is a New York–based photographer specializing in food and lifestyle photography His work has appeared in Grilled Cheese Kitchen among many other cookbooks, and in numerous publications, including Bon Appétit, Real Simple, and Martha Stewart Living Want More Chronicle Ebooks? Click Here! Get freebies, discounts, and more! ... CLASSIC CART 15 NO VODKA CART 21 NO RUM CART 27 NO TEQUILA CART 33 NO WHISKEY CART 39 NO GIN CART 45 NO PUNCH CART 51 NO BEER CART 57 NO WINE CART 63 NO 10 LOW-PROOF CART 69 NO 11 KIDS CART 75... CRATE CART 81 NO 13 HOLIDAY CART 87 NO 14 CREDENZA CART 93 NO 15 ITALIAN CART 99 NO 16 TRAY CART 105 NO 17 MODERN CART 111 NO 18 SIDE CART 117 NO 19 AFTER-EIGHT CART 123 NO 20 WHIMSICAL CART 129... together the lime juice and sugar until the sugar dissolves Rub a mint leaf over the rim of the glass, and then tear all the leaves in half and toss into the glass Add the rum, and fill the glass