Wednesday, July 29, 2020

SET THE BAR

 After spending any time here at the Casa or being around the Mistress, you know I am fond of a good tight and neat stiffener. By far, I'm a gin connoisseur. Right now I have about 9 different gins, contrary to rumors from Anne Marie, saying I'm having it sent in by tanker. That only happens once a week!!!! Currently at night,  I enjoy either a gin or tonic or two, or a white or blush wine...and the days bring a British favorite, a Pimms Cup.  But I do enjoy may libations. I also think it you entertain, it's good to have a proper bar set up. The  one above replaced three floating shelves that housed my bar wares, but I out grew that right quick. I found this refinished Provincial cabinet I bought a couple years ago,  for a mere $218 at a marketplace. It has worked perfect for my home bar in my pied de terre.  When I use to have men in before the pandemic for , huh, well... pillow talk, I always offered a good stiffener, before he gets the good stiffener,  before getting down to business. I was raised right damn it.
A home bar doesn't have to be a headache: Invest in basic equipment, stock up on varied essential liquors, a little bit of everything to cover your bases,  and you can have a spread that will impress amateurs -- and even make professionals nod in quiet approval. At any given time I have several gins, rums, vodka, whiskey, bourbons, wines and some liqueurs. The only thing I don't touch is vodka really. Most of my hootch in the bar is in the middle for easy viewing.
Liquor will keep for a long time, particularly in a cool place away from direct sunlight. The lower the liquid level, though, the more quickly you should consume the liquor, as the air in the bottle will leach out the flavors. Vermouth, however, is a wine, and should be refrigerated and drunk fairly quickly, as do some liqueurs.

The equipment needed to mix a cocktail is simple to master, and you don't need a lot of it. I currently have pictured here,  a bottle cap remover, Ice tongs, cock-a-tail shaker, a strainer and a bar knife to get seeds out of citrus fruit, and a also have several jiggers. The pink jar is a steal I just found recently,  and it holds my straws. I do have one decanter, and while they are pretty, you will have to consume the liquor much faster in my opinion. An ice bucket is also useful but mine  is located elsewhere in the kitchen.
For everyday use in your home bar, you only need four, six or eight of each of these three basic types: a old fashioned short glass, a highball tall glass, and a stem. If you plan to serve wine at your parties, invest in eight to 12 basic stemmed wineglasses, either a single shape that is appropriate for both red and white or separate sets of glasses for each.  My old fashions and highballs are kept in my kitchen cabinets along with another staple, the brandy sniffer glass which are required for whiskies, bourbons and the such to capture the experience of the libation.
The smaller wine glasses are up on the top shelf, with the martini glasses off to the right. The wine glasses with the gold rims were my dad's grandmothers and require a hand washing because of the gold leafing.
These are  my huge balloon glasses for red wines, which I enjoy more in the autumn and winter, as red wine tends to take your body temps up.
These cut crystal cordials I found a year after the bar in the same marketplace. The set is perfect for shots, or for a night cap of a nice liqueur before bed. I bought the whole set of 6 for $12.
 There is ample storage space in this cabinet which is another reason I wanted it. The first drawer organizes my cock-a-tail napkins and coasters. That's right henny, I'm one of those queens who likes a napkin under my drink. And if my gentleman wants to take his drink to the boudoir whilst having sex, last thing I need is a drink ring on my nightstand!!!!!!  For cocktail parties, allow for a pound of fresh ice for each guest, as well as three drinks,  and three  fresh napkins per person for a two-hour party. 
The next drawer down is a double drawer and not so much bar related, but houses all my bar and tea towels for the kitchen. Yeah, I like my towels. There are probably about 30 in this drawer. It's nice to have one handy for clean up or spills.
This side door houses my extra flower vases and a serving piece, while the door on the right houses my over flow of liquor and various cookbooks. 
My big ice bucket is currently housing my utensils I use on a regular basis, since I don't use it very much, and being clear, I can see what I'm looking for. I think any grown up home should have a grown up home bar, and doesn't have to be a whole set up like I have. I have helped clients use console tables, bookshelves and credenza already and they turn out fabulous. Or you can invest in a bar cart if you have room. On the  menu today was my first Pimm's Cup of the season! Pimm's is a bi-product of the gin making process...shocking right? But it makes for a lovely day drink when it's scorching hot out...so refreshing.

Pimm's Cup
Fill a high ball with ice. Pour almost half way with Pimm's, a quarter with a lemon lime soda, and finish off with iced tea. Garnish with fresh cut cucumber, blueberries and strawberries.

Cheers bitches!!!!
There now....Are we all lit???

55 comments:

  1. My dear that is quite the setup. It’s a lovely repurposing of a beautiful piece of furniture.

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    1. Thank you Huntley...I was very happy with it and couldn't believe the price I got for it. I just knew it was the perfect piece.

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  2. I LOVE that you go all out for this. I aspire to be like this when I get my own place and have room for a proper booze cabinet.

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    1. I take my drinking very seriously dear. I didn't dare show the inside of the frig!

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  3. Honey, you can ply me with alcohol anytime. Hostess with the most-est, have I got a cupcake for you. Nice set-up. And your place is so quaint and fab.

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    1. Thank you Uptonking!

      How do you want it baby...loose and shaken, or straight up?

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    2. I don't care. I take anyway you wanna serve it up. But... you gonna have to frost that cupcake yo-self.

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    3. I like I could fall madly in bed with you.

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  4. Fantastic post. It's all in here. I agree with Huntley, what a great idea to use as a bar and space saving organization. But do you have Brady? What do you like to do with brandy? A bottle I'm constantly told is essential, but I've been hesitant to pull the trigger on. You have a handsome set up Mistress.

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    1. I just drink brady on the rocks in the winter before bed, but it is also used famously in Brady Alexanders, Brandy Club and the Jolly Rodger. You can also cook with brandy and it makes an excellent glaze for various meats and sweet potatoes.

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    2. OMG!!!! BRADIED SWEET POTATOES?!?!?! That sounds amazing.

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  5. First off, gimmie one of those Pimms Cups...it does look refreshing. Second I love the whole bar set up and the corner next to it with your table and chairs? It's cozy...and that lit arrow I'm in love with!!!!!! You gave some good advice about things I have wondered about.

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  6. So beautifully organized and displayed! But hey, what do you have against VODKA?

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    1. remember when the mistress says she has a evil and dark side.....

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  7. Cap Chasen7/29/2020

    This is amazing...you mean big business honey!!!!!!!! Im a wino and rummy, so this is good to know. I had people in once and I was never so embarrassed I had such a poor assortment of liquor. The 10 bottle rule is good because then you have all your bases covered if your not sire what people drink. I love the idea of that china cabinet used as a bar.

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  8. you know the old saying...liquor up front, poker in the back.

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  9. "The only time I ever enjoyed ironing was the day I accidently put gin in the steam iron." --Phyllis Diller.

    I'm in love with that bar...very well pointed I must say.

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  10. Oh my goodness! Amazing article post! I love it. Do you have or use a muddler at all? I love the whole feel of that, and man does that Pimms look excellent. I haven't had one since you made me one the time I met you finally at the Woods. You a class act boy.

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  11. My word...NO WONDER you didn't have to leave the house for the first two months of pandemic!!!!!!! Pam Demic was SET!!!

    That Pimms Cup looks amazing...never had one but I hear they are refreshing.

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  12. Anonymous7/29/2020

    So when does happy hour start? :-) That is an awesome setup!

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  13. I would like to sample some of the booze at your bar. I don't want to buy a bottle of something and find out I hate the taste.

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  14. Mistress....you need a liquor-themed channel to host.

    That is s chic you repurposed that.

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  15. See, I would have no idea how to start a home bar or what I would even need. It's cool everything you have has a meaning and you have old and new mixed together.

    But your gentleman would have to have a stiff drink first if your topping!!!!!!!

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    1. From what I've seen I would agree.

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  16. So our bring your own bottle and straw partying is wrong? Good to know!

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    1. You bring whatever you want...and I will con-cock something for you dear!!!

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  17. OMG Maddie!
    Absolutely love the cabinet. Genius repurposing! And you do have a well appointed bar! That Martini set is NICE.
    Honey, I don't drink but I'd love to try one of your cocktails and have a kiki in that corner!

    XOXO

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    1. Pick a corner....and I'll fix us a set.

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  18. I need to restock,

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  19. I'm not a huge fan of Pim's, but I think I would really enjoy it the way you have it. You sure know how to do things. I love the furniture and the collections.

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  20. Booze, cock and home decor. We know where we are now!

    Jx

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  21. Love your set-up and all your accoutrement. I tended bar through college and have always had the necessary tools to craft a cocktail or ten. It does make all the difference, you know!

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    1. I love that you tended bar!!!!! Now go fix Ozzo a nice refreshment, the poor thing.

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  22. I dare say, we've got the same amount of liquor and we have lots and lots of wine...but our bar is not nearly that clean or organized! We're probably too drunk to put bottles back...or maybe it's just that we know how quickly we'll be back for a refill. LOL.

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    1. I surmise it's why we all get along so well around here. Cheers dear friend!!!!!

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  23. I've admired your drinks cabinet (and contents) for a while now - and the light-up arrow that points to it (is it run by battery, so that when there's a power cut you can always find the bar?)

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    1. You nailed it on the arrow...yes, it runs on a AA battery. It's very bright. The other arrow points to the boudoir!

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  24. Wonderful straight forward information. Great tips! I'd love to know where you got the cocktail tool set? I really like them! I also love that you included your grandmothers wine glasses in there.

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    1. My ex got that set for me one Christmas. I believe it was from Pottery Barn.

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  25. Delightful post...ready to check out your gin tonic!
    Don’t actually have a liquor cabinet...have a couple dozen bottles of good wine always handy, some of my favorite IPA in the fridge...but not much else. Maybe I should use your post as an inspiration to add some of my favorites: Pernod (love the way the green liquid fizzles to white when you add water), some port, and maybe a whiskey (a shot seems to help with a cold!)...and of course some gin! Cheers!

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    1. Oh Luke don't get me started on beers and IPA'S!!!! I enjoy those too. Never had or got into ports yet. But I take a good whiskey shot before bed in the colder months.

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  26. It's all wonderful! Very civilized. Xx

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  27. I just love those little jars that sat olives and cherries? The cabinet just wants to make you peer in and explore. But your Home Bar is so pretty. I love it!!! You are the perfect hostess! Your parties must to be funny, elegant and fantastic. I always take a good amount of suggestion on your tips you know.

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  28. Your two favorite things- cocktails and sex And you always manage to blend them together beautifully as a good hostess.

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  29. You need more posts like this in addition to drag. You give such great tips for apartment dwellers or small houses, for saving room, while it still looks great. I sometimes forget your in an apartment. For example, love this idea of the ice bucket!! And how cute is that ice bucket for your utensils? Had that been me it would have been in the closet for lack of where/what to do with it.

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  30. This was great -- and made me remember to add limes to my shopping list!

    I love your ideas.


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  31. Mistress!!!! Now you just know William and I loved this post. Your talking our talk. That is such a unique way to use that cabinet and who could complain about the price? That's a steal...and then you have everything set just so. My grandmother's glass are so pretty. And then the endless concoctions you can have there are great. I loved having a peak at everything. But that Pimms does look excellent.....

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  32. I'm in love with that bar gurl!

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  33. I love the arrow too!!
    And now I'm in the mood for a cool cucumber and something liquid!
    Sx

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  34. You are SUCH a grownup, my God. I looked at your flower vase shelf and I swear I thought I was looking at one of those 'chemistry set' bongs. I thought 'damn, she's for reals the hostess with the mostest; that is...' not a bong. But a wonderful, classy bar. Skaal!

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!