How to Style a Holiday Bar Cart

Happy Monday ladies! You girls seem to really enjoy all the home and entertaining posts as much as much as I do, so I’m on a mission to make these a regular series on The Honeybee in 2019! Today’s post is serving up some bar cart inspo with how I like to style mine for the different holidays plus a super festive (and photo-worthy) cocktail I like to make in the Winter. So let’s talk Bar Cart Styling 1o1….

My Bar Cart is an integral part of my living room and my favorite entertaining accessory! This year, I wanted to figure out how I could decorate our bar space so that it lasted from now until the new year. I decided to make it festive while staying generic enough for all three (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve) holidays. I added simple accents, for example, a pumpkin for Thanksgiving, that can easily be changed out for cinnamon scented pine cones in December, or a disco ball for New Year’s Eve;)

First things first, I positioned my bar cart in a way that I can utilize my actual bar space along side of it. This prevents the bar cart from being overcrowded with too many items and looking messy. Always start with the placement of your bar cart because this can change how you style your accessories!

On the top of the cart, I like to display the appropriate glassware for whatever I’m serving. These delicate wine glasses are a collaboration between goop x CB2.  The entire collection is gorgeous, you should definitely check it out! Next to the glasses I’ll add the ingredients that are needed for the drink of the night. In this case, blackberries and rosemary sprigs. If I’m not entertaining and the bar cart is purely for decoration, I’ll still keep the pretty bowls out as decorative accessories. I placed taper candlesticks on the top shelf so as not to take up too much room on the bar cart.  I’m all about clean, simple but still cheerful.  

And last, but not least, a bottle of whatever we are drinking (or what goes into our signature cocktail) goes next to the glassware! A pretty bottle of bubbly can never hurt if I’m just keeping it out.

On the bottom shelf, I like to put enough water for everyone to stay hydrated or extra non alcoholic mixers . I do try to make sure the bottles look nice and are lined up so they can stay out all the time, also serving as decor. Other accessories that are important to have next to the bar cart are your bar tool set, a shaker and an ice bucket.

 I like to accessorize the area overall with pretty books about food, cocktails or wine, extra glasses, pretty bottles of liquor, and candles. Add flowers to the overall area and voilà, you have a bar cart area that can take you through all the holidays during this crazy time.

As mentioned above, holiday entertaining is in full effect! I always love entertaining and I wanted to share this super festive to test out our new bar area. I whipped up this fun photo-worthy champagne cocktail that is sure to impress! I love this because you can make the syrup before hand so it’s ready to go for your party. In fact, I actually recommend you do since it takes a while to cool. Less for you to do while you are entertaining!

My Festive Blackberry Sparkler Winter Cocktail

Rosemary Infused Blackberry Sparkler Champagne Cocktail

What you’ll need:

Homemade Syrup

–  1 cup of water

–  1 cup of sugar

– 10 springs of rosemary (or more for flavor)

Cocktail

– 1 egg white

– Brut Champagne (any of your choosing)

– More rosemary and blackberries for garnish

How to Make It

Add all ingredients to a small pot and bring to a simmer 

1. Let it simmer for 5 minutes
2. Remove from heat, strain the liquid out and allow to cool
3. Put syrup in an airtight container and refrigerate until completely cool (2-3 hours)
4. Let cool completely before adding to champagne
5. Add 4 ounces of the syrup and one egg white to a cocktail shaker.
6. Shake shake shake (vigorously!) until the mixture begins to foam 
7. Add champagne to your glasses and top with the syrup and foam from shaker (be sure to remove the strainer from the shaker or you will lose your foam!)
8. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a blackberry and ENJOY!

Bar Cart Love

I’ve been thinking about getting another one and there are SOOOO many cute ones right now!! I always gravitate towards the brass ones but the black and steel options could be really cool too.

I know bar carts can be a little intimidating but honestly just have fun with them! They always add that little “wow” moment whenever your guests arrive and see a fun little display all ready for them to dive into! Just choose pieces that speak to you and that you love looking at year round. Then you can change the theme according to whatever holiday or event your having!

Ps this one was fun and girly but honestly this cart could easily be changed into a low key beer cart with nut assortment for Super Bowl Sunday too!

Okay hope you girls enjoyed this post as much as I did putting it together!! As always I love hear what you girls like reading about here on The Honeybee so if you want to see more of these kinds of posts i’d love your feedback either way! xo