As we look forward to warmer evenings ahead, mixologist Aoife Taylor has advised Mirror readers how they can set up their own at-home cocktail bars, for under £100
The warmer evenings are officially on the way, and many of us are dreaming of sitting around in sun-soaked beach bars or pool terraces with plenty of Sangria on tap.
For those of us without any current holiday plans, a little imagination may be needed to recreate a slice of paradise here in the UK. But there are ways to set up a garden bar at home for under £100, keeping you and any visiting friends quenched all summer long.
Although the great English summer can never guarantee sunshine, you can at least make the most of your days and nights in your back garden thanks to drinks expert Aoife Taylor, who has advised how to set up an outdoor bar while sticking to a budget that should leave you with plenty left over for ice cream.
Kick off with your base spirits
Aoife, Rockwater’s Head of Bars, told the Mirror: “The foundation of any good home bar are spirits you genuinely enjoy. Rather than accumulating bottles that gather dust, invest in two versatile base spirits that form the backbone of drinks you love.”
To start off with, Aoife recommends a “good gin and white rum”. She explained: “Gin works beautifully in summer cocktails like the Eastside (a refreshing mix with cucumber, mint and lime) or a classic G&T, while rum is essential for crowd-pleasers like Mojitos and Piña Coladas.”
Although Aoife has emphasised the importance of quality when it comes to your spirit of choice, this doesn’t mean stressing yourself and your bank account out by purchasing the priciest bottles in the shop. When it comes to gin, Aoife suggests brands like Beefeater (priced around £16) or Bombay Dry (£23). If you’re more into your rum, then Havana Club 3 Year (around £17.50) is also one of Aoife’s recommendations.
Aoife said: “If gin isn’t your preference, vodka makes an excellent alternative and can often be used interchangeably with gin in recipes when you’re after that crisp, clean base. Tequila lovers should tread carefully with budget options – inexpensive tequila can be harsh and one-dimensional. It’s worth spending a bit more here or choosing a different spirit altogether.”
Add a little ‘magic’ with a modifier
As any mixologist knows, a solid cocktail can be made far more interesting with the right modifier, which Aoife notes helps add “complexity” to your favourite drink.
Aoife revealed: “This is where the magic happens. A bottle of sweet vermouth (around £10) is incredibly versatile and sets you up to make classics like the Negroni, when paired with an Italian aperitivo like Campari (around £16). There’s always Aperol (around £13) to consider here too – but don’t forget that a good Aperol Spritz will require you to keep a fresh bottle of fizzy wine and soda at the ready – great for larger gatherings, but easy to waste if you’re just making one or two drinks.
“Finally, don’t forget bitters – a bottle of Angostura (£11) will last years and adds depth to countless cocktails with just a few dashes.”
Keep your fruit bowl filled
As important as it is to stock up on the right booze, making sure your fruit bowl is nice and full can elevate your cocktail-making game to the next level. And relatively inexpensive citrus fruits bring far more to a summer beverage than a simple pretty garnish.
Aoife urged: “Always keep lemons, limes, and oranges on hand. Fresh citrus is the secret weapon of great cocktail-making, providing both acidity and aromatic oils that bottled juices simply can’t match. These won’t cost the earth and should always be kept at hand.”
Add a touch of homemade sweetness
As tempting as it may be to run out and purchase enough bar syrups to fill a shelf, there’s a far more cost-effective way to go about it in a way that will likely impress any visiting guests.
Aoife told us: “Rather than buying numerous flavoured syrups, start with granulated sugar (£1 or already in your cupboard) and make your own simple syrup by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over gentle heat. Store it in a clean jar in the fridge for up to a month. For variations, infuse with herbs, spices, or fruit while warm.”
Get growing
No cocktail bar is complete without a go-to herb garden, and it’s also a great excuse to get green-fingered in the garden over the summer months. The lovely fresh scent is, of course, an added bonus.
According to Aoife: “Fresh herbs elevate cocktails from good to remarkable. Mint is essential for Mojitos, while basil and rosemary pair beautifully with gin. If you have even a small windowsill, growing herbs at home (£2 to 3 per plant) gives you a constant supply and wonderful aromatics.”
Budget equipment
As explained by Aoife, there’s absolutely no need to blow your hard-earned cash on top of the range of cocktail-making essentials. She advised: “You don’t need fancy equipment to make great drinks. Cocktail gift sets for less than £10 provide all the basics needed – a shaker, a strainer, a long spoon, and something to measure with.”
The £100 Breakdown
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Bombay Dry Gin: £23
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Havana Club 3 Year Rum: £17.50
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Campari: £16
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Sweet Vermouth: £10
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Angostura Bitters: £11
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Cocktail equipment set: £10
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Fresh citrus (lemons, limes, oranges): £5
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Sugar (for simple syrup): £1
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Herb plants (mint, basil): £6
Total: £99.50.
Aoife said: “You might need to ask your friends to bring a bottle of soda or two – but if they do you have everything you need here to make a wide range of drinks, including a Mojito, a Tom Collins, a Negroni, an Americano, and fun mocktails like a Citrus Spritz.
“Undoubtedly, this minibar will grow as you work out what you like to drink and like to make. But this is a great foundation.”
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