Creating a mini bar for a one-person household is a fun way to enjoy a well-crafted drink at home without taking up too much space or wasting ingredients. Whether you enjoy a cocktail at the end of the day, a glass of wine with dinner, or the occasional mocktail, a thoughtfully stocked mini bar ensures you always have what you need on hand.
Cocktails are really expensive! In my younger days, I was a bartender for many years and remember the days of $1 well drinks, eek how times have changed. The other day while going out to breakfast I thought, a Bloody Mary would be great, I quickly changed my mined when the price was a whopping $15.00!!
Essentials for a Cozy Home Bar
Choosing the Right Spot for Your Mini Bar
You don’t need a dedicated bar cart or a full cabinet to set up a great mini bar. Here are a few compact and creative locations to consider:
• A kitchen counter corner – If you have a small section of counter space, designate a tray with your essentials for easy access. Check out the the thrift stores for the right size tray and paint a pretty color and you have an ultra portable mini bar that looks great on a table or shelf.
• A bookshelf or floating shelf – Adding a shelf for bottles and glassware can turn any small space into a functional mini bar. Add a couple of vintage bartender guides for decoration.
• Inside a cabinet or pantry – If you prefer a clutter-free look, store your booze and mixers in a dedicated cabinet or pantry shelf.
• A rolling cart or narrow table– A small bar cart allows you to move your setup as needed while keeping everything organized.
For my setup I picked up a narrow small vintage table that fits nicely against a short wall outside the kitchen. I use a small shelf to stagger the mini bottles, but you could also use an expanding condiment shelf.
The little tray with glasses was picked up at a thrift store and painted a cheery yellow. The glasses are vintage, collected over the years.
Wherever you place it, ensure it’s away from direct sunlight and excessive heat, which can affect the quality of your spirits and mixers.
Stocking a One-Person Mini Bar
Since you’re not stocking a full bar for entertaining large crowds, focus on versatile spirits in smaller bottles that work well in multiple cocktails.
- Vodka – A great base for many drinks, from a classic vodka tonic to a simple screwdriver. Personally I stock a small bottle of vodka because I like to mostly make vodka based cocktails and individual bottles of specialty liquors.
- Gin – Perfect for gin and tonics or a refreshing Tom Collins.
- Whiskey (or bourbon) – Ideal for sipping neat or making an Old Fashioned.
- Tequila – A good option for a quick margarita or a Paloma.
- Rum – Light or dark, great for simple drinks like rum and cola or a daiquiri.
Optional
- Add in some specialty liqueurs like Kahlua or Baileys for a holiday cheer.
- Maraschino Cherries and Stuffed cocktail olives.
- Package of pretty cocktail napkins.
- Stirrers,straws, and little paper umbrellas for that summer vibe.
Choose 1-2 spirits you enjoy most to avoid clutter and waste and add in some individual sized bottle for versatility. I also keep a half bottle of wine for those times I want a glass of wine with dinner or a touch for cooking.
Long Shelf-Life Mixers
Since you’re setting up a bar for one, it’s best to stock mixers that have a longer shelf life after opening. Choose your mixers based on what you drink, and maybe add an extra mixer for guests. Here are some good options to consider:
- Tonic water (individual cans or small bottles) – Essential for gin and tonics, and smaller bottles prevent it from going flat too quickly.
- Club soda (individual cans) – Great for highballs and lightening up drinks.
- Bitters (Angostura or orange bitters) – These last indefinitely and enhance cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan.
- Vermouth (stored in the fridge) – Dry vermouth for martinis, sweet vermouth for Manhattans. It lasts about a month after opening.
- Simple syrup (store-bought or homemade in small batches) – Used in many cocktails and can be refrigerated for about a month.
- Grenadine – A non-alcoholic syrup that adds a touch of sweetness and color to cocktails like a Tequila Sunrise.
- Cranberry juice or 100% pineapple juice (individual bottles or cans) – A great mixer that lasts longer when bought in small portions.
- Ginger beer (cans or small bottles) – Perfect for Moscow Mules and Dark & Stormy cocktails.
Bar Glassware & Accessories
You don’t need an extensive collection of glassware, but having a few essentials will elevate your mini bar. Look for vintage glassware at thrift stores and garage sales.
- On the rocks glass (for whiskey, Old Fashioned, or neat spirits)
- Highball glass (for gin and tonics, rum and cola, or other mixed drinks)
- Martini glass (for martinis or daiquiris)
- Small cocktail shaker
- Jigger or shot glass (for accurate measurements)
- Bar spoon and a small cutting board with a knife for garnishes
- If you like blended drinks, invest in a small handheld bar blender.
- If you really into mixing specialty drinks, pick up a bartender guide and have fun becoming a mixologist!
Keeping Your Mini Bar Simple and Functional
Since you’re not making drinks for a crowd, keep it minimal with what you genuinely enjoy drinking. Buy smaller bottles when possible, so nothing goes to waste, and focus on long-lasting mixers. I confess, sometimes I buy the little bottles because they are pretty!
With a compact setup, a few key spirits, and some long-shelf-life mixers, you can create a home bar that’s perfect for a solo cocktail night, whether you’re unwinding with a classic drink or experimenting with new flavors. Cheers!
Bonus Cocktail Recipes
I was a bartender for many years back in my restaurant days and these are truly the classic recipes, quick and easy! It’s so much fun to occasionally whip up an after dinner drink and pretend you are an Advertising Executive after a hard day at work!
All of these drink include Alcohol so this post is for the over 21 crowd.
1. How to Make a Stinger
- 1 ½ ounces White Creme de Menthe
- 1 ½ ounce Brandy
- Crushed ice
Pour into a shaker over the ice, shake, strain and serve in cocktail glass
2. How to Make a Manhattan
- 1 ounce Italian (sweet) Vermouth
- 2 Ounce Rye Whiskey (Rittenhouse Rye is an more affordable option)
- 2 dash Bitters
Add vermouth, whiskey, and bitter to cocktail shaker and stir, not shaken. Serve in a rocks glass over ice and garnish with a maraschino cherry.
3. Home to Make a Tom Collins
- 1 lemon or lime, Squeeze and use all the juice.
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 ounces Gin
- Club Soda
- Ice
Add Ice to a tall highball glass. Add the juice,sugar, gin into a cocktail shaker. Shake to mix and pour over ice.
4. How to Make a Whiskey Sour
- ¾ ounce fresh squeezed Lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon Sugar
- 1 ½ ounces Whiskey
- Crushed ice
Add ice and ingredients into the shaker. Shake and pour into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a Slice of Orange.
5. How to Make an Alexander (not a Brandy Alexander)
- 1 ounce Sweet Cream
- 1 ounce Creme De Cacao
- 1 ½ ounces Gin
Add the cube ice, cream, creme de cacao and gin in a cocktail shaker. Shake, Strain and pour into cocktail glass.
6. How to Make a Daquiri
- ½ Fresh Lime Juice
- ½ teaspoon of sugar
- ½ ounce Light Rum
- Crushed ice
Add the ice to the shaker, add the lime juice, sugar, and rum. Shake and pour into a cocktail glass.