It's the season for socialising outdoors, soaking up every hour of sunshine, and enjoying the longer, warmer evenings. And what better way than by hosting a cocktail party? But unless you have your own personal mixologist on speed dial, you'll need to invest in some summer cocktail essentials to make sure yours goes out with a bang.
From tools for mixing and muddling the classics, to stylish ways to display your spritzes and garnishes, and elevated accessories that will make your bar or drinks station feel curated and purposeful, I've picked some of my favorite cocktail-making essentials to take your party from ordinary to extraordinary.
Think elegant ice buckets, cool coasters, and statement napkins, paired with luxe trays, decorative picks for olives and fruit, and, of course, beautiful glassware to show off your creations in style.
Cocktail making tools
Cocktails are the perfect way to lean into a summer garden party theme, whether it's margaritas for a fiesta, pina coladas for a tropical celebration, or gin fizz for a rustic-themed party.
Once you've stocked your bar with a range of spirits – think gin for botanical classics, white rum for mojitos and dark rum for mai tais, tequila or mezcal for margaritas and Aperol or Campari for sundown spritzes (don't forget the alternatives to make mocktails for non-drinkers) – you'll need the right kit to whip them up.
'With the right tools and thoughtful presentation, your home bar becomes more than functional – it becomes fabulous,' says Joanna Buchanan, founder of eponymous tableware and barware store.
From one of the best blenders, with ice-crushing ability, to a shaker for making like Tom Cruise, and garnish-perfecting tools for those finishing touches, here's your starting kit.
This ice-crushing hero was selected by our expert testers as one of the best blenders for prepping frozen cocktails. They said 'It can mist ice for perfect frozen margaritas'.
From an Amazon secret store front, A Bar Above, this cocktail shaker set includes a strainer, a Japanese jigger and a Boston shaker set. You can choose from antique copper (my personal favorite), black, gold or stainless steel.
Slice fresh fruit and grate zest for garnishes and juices with this set, which is made from stainless steel with walnut handles. The knife also has an integrated bottle opener, and the zester has an integrated channel knife for twisting peel to top your drinks.
Organise your mixers and garnishes
It's a lovely idea to allow your guests to create their own cocktails or at least add the garnishes. Put out some trays or bowls of fresh fruit slices, olives, edible flowers, fresh herbs and flavored salts to allow them to tailor their cocktails to their liking.
'Allowing guests to create and decorate their drinks is a great icebreaker and encourages mingling,' says Joanna.
If you're hosting al fresco (or even if you're not) you might want to consider a portable drinks trolley like this Acacia outdoor bar cart from Pottery Barn, as you can move it to whatever position works best for your event. Stack it up with spirits, mixers, and garnishes, so guests can help themselves.
You could also add some flavored syrups in re-useable pump bottles or additional flavorings such as bitters, tabasco, or honey, labelled in their own bottles.
These pretty pinch bowls are perfect for serving up your fresh herbs, edible flowers and flavored salts to garnish your cocktails with, and are such a pretty addition for summer.
I'm in love with this lime and pink print, which screams summer thanks to Floridian palm motifs and beach scenes. Arrange your garnish bowls and flavorings on here for guests to grab as they wish.
With stainless steel spouts, cork stoppers for when not in use, a handy funnel for decanting and a bottle brush, this pretty set of syrup bottles with give your cocktail bar that artisanal look.
Ice in all its forms
Different cocktails require different types of ice. Crushed ice for long drinks, pretty ice cubes made with berries (this is a lovely way to freeze blueberries) or edible flowers inside, or large ice spheres or cubes that won't instantly dilute short drinks, like negronis.
If you only have a portable blender or one that's not up to the job of crushing ice, you might want to invest in a specific tool for the job. You can also make some beautifully shaped or colored (with juices) ice cubes using a selection of pretty molds. And, of course, you'll need an ice bucket to keep it cool.
'For extra balmy days invert fresh frozen peach pops into a glass of prosecco for a fun twist on a bellini,' Gina suggests. I love these star-shaped popsicle molds from Amazon for a touch of fun.
This 3-quart insulated ice bucket features a joyful Katie Kime print that will transport guests to Mediterranean climes. It can also be personalized making it the perfect gift for the host.
These are statement ice cubes for statement drinks. Larger blocks of ice also melt more slowly so won't dilute drinks as quickly.
If you're looking to invest in the best ice maker, you might want to consider this collab between Magnolia and Target which makes cocktail-perfect ice nuggets in just 10 minutes. It's pricey but great for a party.
Get the right glassware
For a professional and considered look, be sure to offer the right glassware for your cocktails – from martini glasses for cosmpolitans, to hi-balls for mojitos, coupes for daquiris and tumblers for whiskey sours.
You can be as playful with colors and styles as you like to reflect some personality and a sense of fun and frivolity, or keep things more classic and sophisticated with elegant fluted shapes, cut crystal and delicate stems. 'I love the idea of matching your glasses to your barware to create a theme. A blue glass with a crab or shell cocktail pick or coaster sets a coastal theme,' says Joanna.
Lean into the Gatsy-esque glamor of cocktail hour with these cobalt blue glasses for short cocktails, which have have been etched with vintage-style patterns
These hi-balls have an elevated look for special occasions thanks to the twisted pattern and fluted rims, making them a pretty addition to you cocktail glassware collection.
Inspired by New York's Jazz Age, these coupes with mis-matched stems and bases are such a talking point, plus they come with stainless steel skewers for garnishes.
Finishing touches for your cocktails
It's the finishing touches that really show that you've put in the effort, from pretty spoons for stirring in ingredients to ornate cocktail picks for your garnishes, and decorative coasters and napkins to complete the look.
'The magic is in the details – and that includes how you dress your drinks,' says Joanna. 'a cocktail isn’t just a cocktail. It’s an experience, a tiny moment of glam, and a celebration of personal style.'
Inspired by Mediterranean scenes, this hand-illustrated design from Katie Kime is a visual feast and the perfect setting for your hand-crafted cocktails.
Thes whimsical jewelled butterfly cocktail picks are so perfect for summer, particularly when paired with botanical cocktails, slices of citrus and edible flowers.
Ethically handwoven in Guatemala, these napkins are from the archive New York line, founded by Amira Marion, whose home was filled with 1970s Guatemalan textiles collected by her parents. They're machine washable, too.
Looking for a fun and easy way to serve cocktails? Martha Stewart's watermelon punch will add instant wow-factor and can be made with or without alcohol to suit your event and crowd.
