Our Editors Share Their Summer Bar Cart Tips

In the summer, the best bar setups have two things in common: mobility and ice. Whether you’re trekking out onto your fire escape for a night of rat-watching or meandering along some faraway coastline, the best summer cocktail moments are on the go. In these instances, it helps to bring your bar with you. For me, that means bringing a fully prepped cooler—complete with ice, drinks, openers, and cups—along for any summertime journey, even if it’s just crawling through my apartment window.

Of course, everyone drinks through summer a bit differently. With that in mind, we asked our editors which drinks they’ll be sipping this season and what equipment they’ll be using along the way.

Serax Fish Bottle

I’ve had my eye on this Serax Fish Bottle (in green) ever since I started at Food52, and I think it’s time I bite the bullet and get it. It’s the perfect container for something like iced tea—specifically, I want to make this cardamom green tea—or any batched cocktail. - Anabelle Doliner, Editorial Assistant

MATCH Italian Pewter Forged Bottle Opener

I plan to drink pét-nat all summer long, so my dream bar gear to get the job done is this fancy pewter bottle opener and these fun colorful lowball glasses. - Madison Trapkin, Associate Editor

Vintage Beer Glasses

I love a hazy IPA, especially during summer. I have my eye on these glasses for my bar cart—not sure if they’re traditional for an IPA (I’ve been known to use a wine glass, specifically these), but I love the shape and would drink near anything in them. - Celeste Scollan, Senior Copywriter

Estelle Coupe Glass

I love picking glassware to match my drink, and the colors of the Estelle coupes really play into that nicely. As far as cocktails go, I’m a big gin drinker, and I’ve found that the chartreuse in The Last Word is the perfect complement to the delightfully herby elements of gin that I love so much. - Emily Ziemski, Food Editor

Hepburn Mixing Glass With Metal Stirrer

In the great Shaken Versus Stirred Cocktail Debate, I sit on the side of stirring. So, having a mixing glass is crucial. Currently, I’m sipping—and stirring—this Minty Orange Gimlet from Rebecca Firsker. - Julia Kramer, Commerce Editor

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How do you set up your bar cart for summer? Let us know in the comments below!