Having a home bar is a requirement for all elegant homes. After all, while going out for drinks always sounds good, in reality, it can turn into a logistical (and expensive) nightmare. Instead, by buying alcohol in Dubai and maintaining a well-stocked home bar, you can avoid the lines and spilled drinks and have a libation (or two) at home.
What’s more, through your home bar, you can bring the world to you. One night you can make a Mexican cocktail like the Mercadito and the next plan a Greek date-night with Kretaraki. For more casual nights, lay back with a glass of wine and a coffee-table book that details how the French drink. Then, the following morning, wake up and start arranging the souvenirs from your travels on the bar cart.
For more ideas on making your home bar a more global place to be, read on for four ways to experience the world through your home bar.
1. Make cocktails from around the world.
If you are longing for an international experience, consider taking a happy hour trip to places such as Mexico, Italy, and Japan. By making a cocktail from an international destination, you can transport yourself (in both mind and taste) from the comfort of your home. Here are some international cocktail options for you to try:
- The Mercadito, Mexico (tequila, agave nectar, lime juice, cucumber slices, cilantro, thin jalapeño slice)
- The dill martini, Iceland (vodka, kosher pickle brine, dry vermouth)
- Aperol spritz, Italy (prosecco, Aperol, soda water, orange slice)
- Matcha bee, Japan (vodka, matcha honey syrup, fresh lemon juice, soda water, lemon peel)
2. Curl up with a booze-related coffee-table book.
While you are drinking your newly-made cocktails, consider opening up a book or watching a documentary about alcohol around the world. Just as with food, alcohol can be an insight into learning about another culture’s way of doing things. These books will not only take you on a journey through the history of the beverage, but they will also give you valuable insight into the role that alcohol plays in societies around the world.
Some options include:
- Bourbon Empire by Reid Mitenbuler: discusses the world of American whiskey and the story behind its origin.
- A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage: tracks the world’s history through the lens of beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and cola.
- Wine Simple: A Totally Approachable Guide from a World-Class Sommelier by Aldo Sohm: full of everyday tips and key information to know, as well as lessons on doing wine tastings at home and evolving your palate.
- Booze & Vinyl: A Spirited Guide to Great Music and Mixed Drinks by André Darlington: pairs cocktails with 70 of the best vinyl albums of all time.
- Drinking French: The Iconic Cocktails, Apéritifs, and Café Traditions of France by David Lebovitz: features 160 recipes as well as stories and photographs from daily life in France.
These books are ideal if you are looking to increase your alcohol knowledge while sitting back and relaxing with a beverage. What is more, coffee-table books look fantastic as decor around your home. Style them on your bar cart when you aren’t reading.
3. Decorate your bar area with souvenirs.
Souvenirs from your travels deserve to be on display around your home, and there is no better place to have them than around your bar area. If these items are important to you, then you should have them where you can see them every day. Coasters, glasses, and artwork all make for fantastic souvenirs, while also adding a little extra touch to your home.
What is more, if you have a few great finds from your last trip, you can just sprinkle them around your home as reminders. Art is a brilliant way to communicate stories of where you have traveled. Wall art is one of the easiest things to find on trips as you can easily transport them (unframed) in a carry-on. Around the world, flea markets and second-hand stores can be a great source of artistic inspiration. Be on the lookout for vintage glasses and other bar accessories!
Of course, your bar area should also stock various international liquors and beverages. Build a collection of Sake from Japan, Campari from Italy, Tequila from Mexico, Ouzo from Greece, and red wine from France. If you are looking to enhance your collection, have a browse of liquor offers online to get great deals.
Other international beverages to try include:
- Pisco Sour, Peru
- Caipirinha, Brazil
- Bia Hoi, Vietnam
- Sangria, Spain
- Whiskey, Scotland
- Gin, England
- Vodka, Russia
- Rum, Jamaica
- Guinness, Ireland
- Schnapps, Germany
- Becherovka, Czech Republic
- Soju, South Korea
4. Replicate an experience at your favorite global restaurant.
Do you know your favorite Italian, Thai, or Indian restaurant? Why not try to replicate an experience at home? Whether you live by yourself or with a partner or housemates, choose an evening you can dedicate to making the food and preparing the drinks.
For example, if you are replicating an Italian date night, then put candles in empty wine bottles, throw a typical white/red checkered Italian tablecloth on your table, have some Grissini (the typical Italian breadstick) on the table and plenty of Italian wine ready to drink. You may want to make your own pizza, watch an Italian-themed movie, or learn some Italian words. Whatever you do, don’t forget the tiramisu! It pairs perfectly with sweet wine.
Or, for a Greek-themed evening, start with Ouzo as an aperitif and then feta cheese and olives for an appetizer. After dinner, do a Greek wine tasting before feeding yourself actual grapes. Other Greek spirits to sample include Tsipouro (like an Italian brandy), Kretaraki (from the island of Crete), and Rakomelo (similar to Raki but mixed with honey, cinnamon, and clove).
If you aren’t sure your cooking skills are up to the challenge, order take-out from your favorite restaurant and spend your extra time practicing making cocktails!
What do you like to do to experience the world through your bar cart? Do you have any activities or tips and tricks to share? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
AUTHOR BIO
Valentina Chessa is the Retail Marketing Manager at African + Eastern, the largest alcohol retailer in the Middle East with a network of 29 stores in the UAE, 5 in Oman, and a team of over 400 professional staff. The company boasts an extensive portfolio of beer, wine and spirits, and customers can shop online or at one of its conveniently located stores.
