Staying in for a quiet drink

Want to take socialising to the next level? Sam Wylie-harris shakes things up with the snazziest stemware and home bar accessories

Thanks to social distancing, quarantinis and staycations, we’ve become a dab hand at fixing our own drinks and mixing up a storm at home.

We’re buying more wine online, spirit sales are soaring as we make the most of the change of bar scene.

So much so, lavishing time and money on our drinking rituals at home has become much more affordable, with cocktail equipment and “atelier du vin” for every mood and budget.

Sip in splendour with these stylish buys…

1. John Lewis & Partners Honolulu Tiki Bar, currently £402.50 (was £575), John Lewis

For a taste of island life, say aloha! to the best tiki bar around. With an authentic beach bar feel, it comes complete with a fringed wicker roof, two bar stools and sturdy aluminium bar frame. Home bartenders will be in paradise.

2. John Lewis & Partners Stainless Steel Recipe Cocktail Shaker – Silver Copper, £20, John Lewis

Taking the guesswork out of our favourite party drinks, this clever shaker lists the ingredients for classic cocktails, such as a margarita, tequila sunrise and cosmopolitan, all at the turn of the metallic outer cover. Genius.

3. Artland Tropical Leaves Glassware, from £20.50 for Set of Two DOF Tumblers to £25.95 for Set of Two Gin Glasses, Wine Glasses, Champagne Saucers and Martini Glasses, Not Just Jugs

With their exotic palm leaf print and mirrored silver finish, these gorgeous glasses will glisten when they catch the sunlight, or soft glow of a storm lantern.

4. Kara Circular Drinks Trolley, £375 (other decos from a selection), Graham & Green

Cocktail trolleys are timeless and trending big-time, from boutique hotel bars to our very own front rooms. Part of the appeal is that they can be beautifully styled – much like a dressing table – with all our hero labels, crystal and decorative drinking decos.

5. Keep Your Cool Champagne Buckets, £68.50 each, Heating & Plumbing

Keep that bottle of bubbly chilled in one of these brilliant hanging ice buckets – think branch of a shady tree, when you’re making an evening of it in the garden. The base is shaped so you can slightly tilt your bottle of fizz before adding ice. Just make sure the label remains visible before gently pouring at the perfect 45-degree angle.

6. Octopus Wine Bottle Holder, £240, At Home in the Country

Not exactly a drop in the ocean, but if you’re looking for something a little unique, your top drops deserve to be shown off like a fine piece of art. This eye-catching Octopus wine rack holds eight bottles.

7. John Lewis & Partners Swoon Raine Bar Cart – Gold, £449, John Lewis

This art deco style bar cart mixes up white and pink marble with a brass finished frame and bottom wooden tray, garnished with bottle holder rings to prevent slipping and sliding, it’ll add some cocktail theatre to late-summer soirees when the sun goes down.

Lavishing time and money on our home drinking rituals is much more affordable, with equipment for every mood and budget

Clockwise from main picture: Honolulu Tiki Bar, John Lewis; Kara Circular Drinks Trolley, Graham and Green; Aldsworth Wine Store, Garden Trading; Swoon Raine Bar Cart, John Lewis; Yvonne Ellen Cocktail Hour Cheetah Glass Ice Bucket, John Lewis; and Artland Tropical Leaves Glassware, Not Just Jugs.