Festive Cocktail Stations That Pack a Punch
Mix yourself a drink and be inspired by these personality-laden cocktail stations
Melissa Cowan
12 December 2016
Lover of boho, Scandi and mid-century style. Got a project you think I might like? Get in touch!
Lover of boho, Scandi and mid-century style. Got a project you think I might like?... More
Nothing says ‘party’ louder than a cocktail. Now that the peak of the festive season is upon us, it’s a good time to organise a cocktail station to have on hand while you’re entertaining. With a little pre-planning, you’ll have everything you need to whip up a delicious drink (or three) in the one spot. Even better if your guests are happy to serve themselves!
Here are some stunning cocktail stations to take inspiration from, to see you through to the new year.
Here are some stunning cocktail stations to take inspiration from, to see you through to the new year.
The great Gatsby
Party like the rich and famous with a gold-toned cocktail station. The metallic pineapple is a bit more ‘boho glamour’ than Gatsby, but I can certainly see Jay Gatsby taking a sip from one of those champagne coupes. Have a wine decanter on hand if you want to get really fancy. An ice bucket to cool your champagne and a cocktail shaker to mix your drinks are must-haves.
Matching cocktail: sidecar Cointreau, lemon juice and cognac
Party like the rich and famous with a gold-toned cocktail station. The metallic pineapple is a bit more ‘boho glamour’ than Gatsby, but I can certainly see Jay Gatsby taking a sip from one of those champagne coupes. Have a wine decanter on hand if you want to get really fancy. An ice bucket to cool your champagne and a cocktail shaker to mix your drinks are must-haves.
Matching cocktail: sidecar Cointreau, lemon juice and cognac
The rolling stone
You’ll have moves like Jagger (or at least believe you do) after mixing a drink on this beautiful trolley. The bottle and glass holders on this cocktail station make it highly practical, while still looking sharp. It’s the little touches that count with cocktail stations, like cute straws, a lamp to illuminate it at night and a small plant to add extra beauty.
Matching cocktail: sloe gin fizz
Sloe gin, gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda water
You’ll have moves like Jagger (or at least believe you do) after mixing a drink on this beautiful trolley. The bottle and glass holders on this cocktail station make it highly practical, while still looking sharp. It’s the little touches that count with cocktail stations, like cute straws, a lamp to illuminate it at night and a small plant to add extra beauty.
Matching cocktail: sloe gin fizz
Sloe gin, gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda water
The summer lover
Summer and cocktails just go hand in hand, don’t they? While I still wouldn’t say no to one in winter, there’s just something about slurping down a cocktail on a hot day that feels very, very right. If you find yourself adding citrus to most of your cocktails, why not go one step further and put a whole citrus bush on the station? If you don’t feel like being a mixologist, champagne flutes are a glamorous way to serve your Moet. Keep cocktail-making accessories handy, like the cocktail strainer on the bottom tier.
Matching cocktail: margarita
Tequila, Cointreau, lemon juice, ice and sea salt
Summer and cocktails just go hand in hand, don’t they? While I still wouldn’t say no to one in winter, there’s just something about slurping down a cocktail on a hot day that feels very, very right. If you find yourself adding citrus to most of your cocktails, why not go one step further and put a whole citrus bush on the station? If you don’t feel like being a mixologist, champagne flutes are a glamorous way to serve your Moet. Keep cocktail-making accessories handy, like the cocktail strainer on the bottom tier.
Matching cocktail: margarita
Tequila, Cointreau, lemon juice, ice and sea salt
The gold digger
Cocktail stations don’t necessarily have to be on a trolley. This cocktail station is easily hidden by discreet cupboard doors – business by day and party by night. If you’d prefer your cocktail station to be non-moving and therefore non-tip-over-able, give this a try. Beyond the obviously glitzy and fabulous gold background, the tiers for stacking bottles are very practical. The rails to hang glasses from also save on space.
Matching cocktail: gold rush
Bourbon, lemon juice and honey syrup
New Year’s Eve decorating ideas
Cocktail stations don’t necessarily have to be on a trolley. This cocktail station is easily hidden by discreet cupboard doors – business by day and party by night. If you’d prefer your cocktail station to be non-moving and therefore non-tip-over-able, give this a try. Beyond the obviously glitzy and fabulous gold background, the tiers for stacking bottles are very practical. The rails to hang glasses from also save on space.
Matching cocktail: gold rush
Bourbon, lemon juice and honey syrup
New Year’s Eve decorating ideas
The treasure trove
Ahoy matey! Plonk yourself on the floor and pour yourself some rum. Not only does this vintage suitcase turned cocktail station look seriously cool, it is also easily to hide or take along to another party. If you’re low on space and/or funds, this would be a good option. The gold swizzle sticks are a nice touch – just make sure to keep an eye on your loot!
Matching cocktail: dark ‘n’ stormy
Dark rum, ginger beer and bitters
Ahoy matey! Plonk yourself on the floor and pour yourself some rum. Not only does this vintage suitcase turned cocktail station look seriously cool, it is also easily to hide or take along to another party. If you’re low on space and/or funds, this would be a good option. The gold swizzle sticks are a nice touch – just make sure to keep an eye on your loot!
Matching cocktail: dark ‘n’ stormy
Dark rum, ginger beer and bitters
The eclectic delight
Oh darling, this cocktail station is just so quaint and complete with its tulips. Convenient drink trays are available to carry your cocktails outside and bring back the empty glasses on (there’ll probably be a few). It’s been thoughtfully made too, complete with all the cocktail accessories you’ll need. And there’s no shortage of lemons here to help make your pisco sours.
Matching cocktail: pisco sour
Pisco, lemon juice, egg white and sugar syrup
Oh darling, this cocktail station is just so quaint and complete with its tulips. Convenient drink trays are available to carry your cocktails outside and bring back the empty glasses on (there’ll probably be a few). It’s been thoughtfully made too, complete with all the cocktail accessories you’ll need. And there’s no shortage of lemons here to help make your pisco sours.
Matching cocktail: pisco sour
Pisco, lemon juice, egg white and sugar syrup
The silver fox
Why not greet your guests with a cocktail at the front door? You can be assured they’ll be much merrier than before they arrived. This cocktail station is on functional wheels too, so it can be moved to follow the party from room to room (because the best parties end up in the kitchen). This station is best suited for those who prefer straight spirits rather than complicated mixes. The mirror placement even allows you fix your hair before you enjoy a drink with your guests.
Matching cocktail: gin and tonic
Gin, tonic water and lime
Why not greet your guests with a cocktail at the front door? You can be assured they’ll be much merrier than before they arrived. This cocktail station is on functional wheels too, so it can be moved to follow the party from room to room (because the best parties end up in the kitchen). This station is best suited for those who prefer straight spirits rather than complicated mixes. The mirror placement even allows you fix your hair before you enjoy a drink with your guests.
Matching cocktail: gin and tonic
Gin, tonic water and lime
The bamboo bar
This vintage gold bamboo cart has plenty of space within its three tiers. If your liquor selection is limited (or should we say, refined), you can use the other tiers for crockery. This’ll be handy when your guests need something to put their mini salmon quiches on. Artfully arrange some flowers in a vase to complement the visual feast.
Matching cocktail: pink lady
Gin, egg white and grenadine
Eclectic jewel box loft
This vintage gold bamboo cart has plenty of space within its three tiers. If your liquor selection is limited (or should we say, refined), you can use the other tiers for crockery. This’ll be handy when your guests need something to put their mini salmon quiches on. Artfully arrange some flowers in a vase to complement the visual feast.
Matching cocktail: pink lady
Gin, egg white and grenadine
Eclectic jewel box loft
The sleek and simple
This contemporary cocktail station has everything you need and more. It’s been cleverly set out with the bulky items (like liquor bottles) on the bottom and lighter items (like delicate glasses) on top. This will help prevent an over-enthusiastic guest from toppling it over.
Matching cocktail: buck’s fizz
Champagne and orange juice
Ways to house your drinks selection
This contemporary cocktail station has everything you need and more. It’s been cleverly set out with the bulky items (like liquor bottles) on the bottom and lighter items (like delicate glasses) on top. This will help prevent an over-enthusiastic guest from toppling it over.
Matching cocktail: buck’s fizz
Champagne and orange juice
Ways to house your drinks selection
The abstract art
So, I hear you say, this is all fine and dandy – but what if I don’t drink!? Not to worry, you’ll be the envy of your friends the next day when you’re playing tennis in the sunshine and they’re still at home in bed, groaning. Treat yourself to a mocktail station instead. This would also be useful if your teenage children are insisting on encroaching upon your supposedly adults-only party. Bonus points for managing to successfully hide the actual alcohol.
Matching mocktail: Shirley Temple
Ginger ale and grenadine
So, I hear you say, this is all fine and dandy – but what if I don’t drink!? Not to worry, you’ll be the envy of your friends the next day when you’re playing tennis in the sunshine and they’re still at home in bed, groaning. Treat yourself to a mocktail station instead. This would also be useful if your teenage children are insisting on encroaching upon your supposedly adults-only party. Bonus points for managing to successfully hide the actual alcohol.
Matching mocktail: Shirley Temple
Ginger ale and grenadine
The hipster’s delight
You’ll know you’re cool without needing any external validation with this little beauty. Popping a mid-century portrait behind the bottles says you know your art, while the subtle book placement will let your guests know you’re well read. Bow ties, beards and purely decorative eye glasses are also welcome.
Matching cocktail: tequila mockingbird
Tequila, lime juice, sugar syrup and mint leaf
Bar trolleys you’ll love
You’ll know you’re cool without needing any external validation with this little beauty. Popping a mid-century portrait behind the bottles says you know your art, while the subtle book placement will let your guests know you’re well read. Bow ties, beards and purely decorative eye glasses are also welcome.
Matching cocktail: tequila mockingbird
Tequila, lime juice, sugar syrup and mint leaf
Bar trolleys you’ll love
The vintage wonder
Just short of having a time machine, this vintage cocktail station will still help you travel back in time. Adorn your cart with all the instruments – copper cocktail kits and jiggers galore. The crystal decanters and copper mules are a lovely touch too.
Matching cocktail: Moscow mule
Vodka, ginger beer and lime juice
Just short of having a time machine, this vintage cocktail station will still help you travel back in time. Adorn your cart with all the instruments – copper cocktail kits and jiggers galore. The crystal decanters and copper mules are a lovely touch too.
Matching cocktail: Moscow mule
Vodka, ginger beer and lime juice
The little guy
If you don’t think you really and truly need a standalone cocktail station (but I’m hoping at this point you think you do!), you can create a little cocktail corner on a pre-existing item of furniture. This will be easy and still work perfectly well and acts as a low-key liquor assemblage.
Matching cocktail: old fashioned
Bourbon or rye whiskey, Angostura bitters, sugar cube and water
If you don’t think you really and truly need a standalone cocktail station (but I’m hoping at this point you think you do!), you can create a little cocktail corner on a pre-existing item of furniture. This will be easy and still work perfectly well and acts as a low-key liquor assemblage.
Matching cocktail: old fashioned
Bourbon or rye whiskey, Angostura bitters, sugar cube and water
The balanced beauty
The bottles, books and flowers have been balanced so cleverly here, with both sides holding similar weight. If you’d rather avoid feeling groggy the next day, keep plenty of mineral water on hand. There is advice that you should drink a glass of water between each alcoholic beverage, and for good reason.
Matching cocktail: caipirinha
Cachaca, lime and brown sugar
The bottles, books and flowers have been balanced so cleverly here, with both sides holding similar weight. If you’d rather avoid feeling groggy the next day, keep plenty of mineral water on hand. There is advice that you should drink a glass of water between each alcoholic beverage, and for good reason.
Matching cocktail: caipirinha
Cachaca, lime and brown sugar
The Caribbean cruiser
Have you ever seen anything more divine than this tropical haven, complete with cane cocktail station? You won’t even need to leave the comfort of your daybed to grab yourself a pina colada. The cart is easily movable to the outdoors and happily holds some summer fruit too.
Matching cocktail: pina colada
White rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice
Have you ever seen anything more divine than this tropical haven, complete with cane cocktail station? You won’t even need to leave the comfort of your daybed to grab yourself a pina colada. The cart is easily movable to the outdoors and happily holds some summer fruit too.
Matching cocktail: pina colada
White rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice
The moody bartender
I love the play on height here that’s been created by the arrangement of different bottles and spirit holders, combined with the placement of intricate dishes and navy napkins. There’s an understated elegance to this cocktail station, topped off by the gold napkin rings (because having napkin rings means you’re a proper grown-up).
Matching cocktail: vodka martini
Vodka, dry vermouth and green olives
TELL US
Which cocktail station is your favourite? Tell us why in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse home bars in all shapes and sizes
I love the play on height here that’s been created by the arrangement of different bottles and spirit holders, combined with the placement of intricate dishes and navy napkins. There’s an understated elegance to this cocktail station, topped off by the gold napkin rings (because having napkin rings means you’re a proper grown-up).
Matching cocktail: vodka martini
Vodka, dry vermouth and green olives
TELL US
Which cocktail station is your favourite? Tell us why in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse home bars in all shapes and sizes
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I will use my old butchers block. its on wheels so it can be moved were ever. I'll use some baskets to keep everything in place.
A baby change table can be repurposed into a great cocktail or BBQ trolley - just add wheels some hooks to hang things, even cut a hole into the top to sit an ice bucket in.