7 Things Legendary Bartender Meaghan Dorman Always Stocks In Her Home Bar

Anna Rahmanan
·On Assignment for HuffPost
Updated ·1 min read
(Photo: Courtesy of Meaghan Dorman)
(Photo: Courtesy of Meaghan Dorman)

If you live in New York and you love cocktails, chances are you’ve enjoyed a drink at one of the many bars captained by award-winning mixologist and bar director Meaghan Dorman. The 40-year-old cocktail guru developed the bar programs at local favorites Raines Law Room, Dear Irving and plenty more, and she’s created drink recipes that professionals and nonprofessionals alike try their hands at when they’re in the mood for a stiff one.

So it’s no surprise that we were highly curious about Dorman’s at-home bar situation, especially given the fact that we’ve just spent an entire year making our own Manhattans, Negronis and Old Fashioneds at home.

“It’s definitely a collection of [objects that showcase] where I have been,” Dorman said of her bar setup in her Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, apartment. “[When I’m abroad], I buy liquors but also coasters and bar towels. It’s really a snapshot of my life.”

In addition to the knickknacks she purchases while traveling, here are some of the items that make Dorman’s personal drinking den a pretty unique one.

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"A Spot at the Bar: Welcome to the Everleigh: The Art of Good Drinking in Three Hundred Recipes"

&ldquo;This is my favorite cocktail book because it&rsquo;s equal parts recipes and philosophy of classic cocktail bars and the vibe we&rsquo;re going for [at all the bars].&rdquo;<br /><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3falAi2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Get "A Spot at the Bar" for $29.99.</strong></a>

Cocktail Kingdom Copper Plated Leopold Weighted Shaking Tin Set

&ldquo;Anything that is marketed for home bars is not really functional and doesn&rsquo;t work so well, so I use professional tools at home as well. In terms of shakers, I use ones from Cocktail Kingdom.&rdquo;<br /><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3tJr7kK" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Get the Cocktail Kingdom Copper Plated Leopold Weighted Shaking Tin Set for $39.99.</strong></a>

Jumbo Grey Silicone Ice Cube Tray

&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t go overboard with specialty ice, but I have trays to make the bigger rocks for an Old Fashioned and the regular 1-by-1 ones as well. Once in a while, I&rsquo;ll bring ice home from the bar. I like to chill my glassware before I serve a drink to guests at home!&rdquo;<br /><br /><strong><a href="https://go.skimresources.com?id=38395X987171&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crateandbarrel.com%2Fjumbo-grey-silicone-ice-cube-tray%2Fs294787" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get the Jumbo Grey Silicone Ice Cube Tray for $8.95.</a> </strong>

Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic Water (Pack of 24)

&ldquo;I&rsquo;m a huge gin and tonic drinker and I love all the tonics that are coming out, so I usually always have a few in stock. One of my favorites for spring and summer is the Fever-Tree Elderflower. I also like a classic Indian tonic.&rdquo;<br /><br /><strong><a href="https://amzn.to/3eEJByv" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get the Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic Water (Pack of 24) for $29.94.</a></strong>

Del Maguey Minero Santa Catarina Minas Mezcal

"This is one of my favorite mezcals, and this particular bottle is dear to me. I was on a trip to Oaxaca in 2011 with three other lady bartenders and we got to bless the agave roast with the family that makes it. A few months later, Ron Cooper [the founder of Del Maguey] made sure we all got a bottle and I've been savoring every sip."<br /><br /><strong><a href="https://go.skimresources.com?id=38395X987171&amp;xs=1&amp;xcust=MeaghanDorman-KristenAiken-051121-&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.totalwine.com%2Fspirits%2Fmezcal%2Fdel-maguey-mezcal-minero%2Fp%2F101140750" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get the Del Maguey Minero Santa Catarina Minas Mezcal for $99.99.</a></strong>

Pierre Péters Blanc de Blancs “Cuvée Réserve”

&ldquo;I always have Champagne at home because you never know when you want to celebrate or have people over.&rdquo;<br /><br /><a href="https://www.astorwines.com/SearchResultsSingle.aspx?p=1&amp;search=15026" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Get the Pierre P&eacute;ters Blanc de Blancs &ldquo;Cuv&eacute;e R&eacute;serve&rdquo; for $54.99.</strong></a>

Vintage Glassware

&ldquo;I love vintage shopping for glasses because you can find really cool sets and you only really need four or six in an apartment. Having nice glassware dedicated to cocktails is important. Even if it&rsquo;s just a corner space, even if it&rsquo;s within a small home bar, it&rsquo;s a very elegant thing to have.&rdquo;<br /><br /><a href="https://thehourshop.com/pages/glassware" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Shop vintage glassware at The Hour Shop.</strong></a>

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.