Updated on Sep. 18, 2024
Love the flair of vintage drinks? Get all the cocktail accessories you need to outfit your home bar or bar cart in perfectly retro style.
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Looking to step up your home bar game? Assembling a bar cart—complete with liquor, tools, accessories and glassware—can elevate your cocktail parties. But if you want to go the extra mile, consider outfitting your home bar with vintage or vintage-inspired items.
While it might seem overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. The key is knowing where to find the right pieces. That’s why we’ve put together this guide featuring the best cocktail accessories for a vintage bar cart, from glasses to cocktail kits and more. Whether you’re channeling Mad Men vibes or infusing a bit of Gatsby-inspired, art-deco flair into your next gathering, you’ll find the perfect addition to your bar cart right here.
via potterybarn.com
Etched and cut glass was all the rage in the midcentury. Give your home bar the Mad Men treatment with cut glass old fashioned and highball glasses—perfect for serving these classic cocktails.
via crateandbarrel.com
Not all cocktails need to be jostled in a shaker. A mixing pitcher is just what you need to stir together classic drinks like a Negroni or Boulevardier.
via crateandbarrel.com
Don’t stir up your favorite drinks with just any ol’ utensil. You’ll want a long-handled spoon to do the job of incorporating all the ingredients (especially in tall Collins glasses or a pitcher). We love this one from Crate & Barrel—turn it over and it’s a muddler perfect for smashing mint leaves for your mojito.
via crateandbarrel.com
Before flutes became more popular, you’d see champagne served up in coupe glasses like these. They still remain the glass of choice, though, for retro cocktails like the Aviation and Gimlet.
via crateandbarrel.com
Think back to the bar at your grandparents’ house or the cocktail parties of yore. Chances are that some of your favorite tipples were poured right out of an elegant decanter. You can do the same with vintage-style etched decanters for your spirit of choice.
via crateandbarrel.com
Want an olive with your martini? A cherry for your Manhattan? A whole barrage of garnishes with your Bloody Mary? Skewer them on these elegant and reusable cocktail picks.
via williams-sonoma.com
Think of the soda siphon as the original SodaStream. This old-fashioned gadget uses small CO2 cartridges to create club soda and sparkling water right at your home bar. When it’s not in use, it still looks elegant alongside your decanters and stemware.
via CB2.com
Keep all your cocktail accessories at the ready with this handy bar set and stand. The bamboo styling is the perfect nod to ’50s-era tiki drinks but looks great with any decor. While we love the spoon, bottle opener and strainer, the MVP of this kit is the measuring jigger. Vintage cocktails have just a few ingredients, so measuring carefully is key.
via williams-sonoma.com
When it comes to cocktail accessories, you can’t forget about the classic cocktail shaker. This is a must for a James Bond-style martini, Golden Cadillac and many more drinks.
Via target.com
Have ice at the ready for your next old fashioned with an ice bucket at your bar station. This gold-tone bucket with tongs has the perfect vintage vibe that suits eras from the ’50s onward (it would even work in a modern kitchen!).
via potterybarn.com
Back in the day metal coasters—particularly monogrammed ones—were a big trend in people’s home bars. You can get the same style today (and have them customized). These coasters look super smart with any bar setup.
Via bedbathandbeyond.com
Crushed ice is a must for tiki drinks (all the rage in the 1950s). This countertop ice crusher is modeled after retro models. You’ll need a little elbow grease to get this working, but it makes your Mai Tai taste all the sweeter.
via westelm.com
When it comes to old-fashioned cocktails, we encourage you to use Grandpa’s collection whenever possible. However, having a durable acrylic set of glasses is perfect for serving up summery drinks outside or around the pool (places where you definitely don’t want glass to shatter). These acrylic cups fit the bill and look straight out of the ’60s.
Via amazon.com
Before neon red maraschinos existed, there was only one name in cocktail cherries: Luxardo. If you haven’t tried these, you are in for a treat. Luxardo cherries are more tart than their brightly-colored counterparts and come in a dark syrup that’s just as tasty as the cherries themselves. Use them to garnish your favorite classic cocktail.
via westelm.com
