11 Stylish Barware Items to Up Your Summer Hosting Game

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Shop & Tell is our latest shopping series, featuring thoughtfully curated home finds from House Beautiful editors. Every week we'll take you inside our carts and dish on what we're buying—and why you should be reaching for your wallet too.

In order to have the ultimate bar set-up at home, you'll need a variety of liquor (of course) and all the necessary tools that are required. Think cocktail shakers, wine aerators, glasses for all your different spirits and mixed drinks; everything you need to create the perfect mixology night at home. Since shopping for glassware and the proper utensils can be a headache—there are so many options on the market—allow us to assist you. Ahead, House Beautiful editors share their favorite barware picks to get you inspired.

Drinkware is top priority for most people, as the right glass can bring out the sweet notes in your sour beer or smokiness of your mezcal for an olfactory experience. In addition to this, for those who love cocktails, you'll want items like shakers, strainers, or muddlers. In fact, Director of Special Projects Carisha Swanson has the perfect recommendation for you here: a Williams Sonoma x Billy Reid barware set. "The set includes all the most important parts: jigger, bar spoon, muddler and waiters corkscrew, all set in a beautiful mouth blown smoked glass enclosure over a non-slip acacia stand," she says. As you gather up all your tools, don't forget another important piece of the puzzle here: an ice bucket! Senior Commerce Editor Marina Liao has her eyes set on this one from abacaxi, which will keep the ice nice and cold for hours. Shop all of our favorite barware picks right now below, so you can deck out your own bar cart or drink area in time for all the summer hosting festivities.

Ice Bucket

"Right now when we need large amounts of ice at our parties, we either keep the ice bag in our freezer or dump it into our Le Creuset dutch oven for guests to take from. (Yes, I know it's not meant to be used like that, but it also does work for a few hours!) I wanted a proper ice bucket though and spotted this one from abacaxi, which feels so appropriate for summer thanks to the raffia wrap details and floral embellishments. This would look cute and work well for our small rooftop parties come July or even for a picnic with friends."

—Marina Liao, Senior Commerce Editor

Jeweled Cocktail Picks

"If you, like me, love an extra dirty martini, then you know the importance of a nice cocktail pick. Stacking your olives, or whatever garnish you choose, on a chic pick looks 100 times more put together than letting them all rest at the bottom of your glass. Plus, it makes snacking on them as you finish your drink so much easier. I love this jeweled set by Joanna Buchanan, and while I don't have them (yet), these are a great option to really elevate your bar cart even when you're not using them. Even if you're not a martini fan yourself, they would make a great gift for the person in your life who is."

—Meghan Shouse, Assistant Editor

Slab Glass Coasters, Set of 4

"I became a little obsessed with craft cocktails in the peak of the pandemic, so I decked out my bar cart with all of the necessities, including these coasters. They're really simple, which is why love them, especially because, at first glance, they kind of look like blocks of ice. Each one features a really beautiful textural variation that makes the set feel unique and fun. They may be simple, but you don't really see coasters like these anywhere!"

—Jessica Cherner, Associate Shopping Editor

Billy Reid Tools Stand and Shaker Set

"I'm all in on form and function. The new exclusive collaboration with fashion designer Billy Reid and Williams Sonoma hit on both fronts. If you like to show off your barware, which I do, then this compact bar set is the perfect addition to your at home setup. The set includes all the most important parts: jigger, bar spoon, muddler and waiters corkscrew, all set in a beautiful mouth blown smoked glass enclosure over a non-slip acacia stand. It also includes an additional cocktail shaker and strainer. All in, it's not the least expensive barware you can find, but it definitely wins on being great eye candy."

—Carisha Swanson, Director of Special Projects

Tritan Outdoor Multicolored Wine Glasses, Set of 6

"My mother-in-law, my sister-in-law, and I all have these fun shatterproof wineglasses, and they're our go-to for family dinners. They're great for by the pool or out on the deck, but we use them all year. They won't break if a toddler knocks them off the table, and the colors make it easier to remember whose is whose."

—Elyse Moody, Contributing Senior Editor

Amber Punch Service for 10

"A party punch is the OG pre-batched cocktail. I like to mix up a nonalcoholic version and include liquors on the side for guests to add. It’s a choose-your-own adventure that adds a little oomph to your get-togethers. And vintage punch bowl sets are divine. The midcentury swirls! The matching cups and ladles! I love to scour eBay and Etsy for interesting bowls, but I bet your grandmother would be thrilled to let you borrow hers."

—Olivia Hosken, Deputy Managing Editor

Stemless Wine Glass Chiller

"This is one of those items you might not buy yourself, but is a good gift to give someone or to receive, which is what happened in my case. I got this as a housewarming present, and I use it a lot! I don't have a bar cart or dedicated barware area at home (small apartment problems), so I keep the chiller in a cabinet and pop it into the freezer right before I use it. It does keep my white, orange, and rosé wines cool when I sit outside on my balcony in the summer and I'm sipping slowly. I only wish I had more of these so when my guests come over, they can use it for their drinks, too."

—Marina Liao, Senior Commerce Editor

Puck Flute Glasses x 2

"With a cone-shaped body and puck-style base, these Tom Dixon flutes elevate every celebration. The sleek glasses have a smokey tint and can be worked into various design styles. The best part? It's safe to place them in the dishwasher after you've enjoyed the last drop of bubbly."

—Kelly Allen, Associate Editor

Bevande Cocktail Napkins

"I fell in love with Sferra’s cocktail napkins during a recent visit to their Manhattan townhouse. The delicate hemstitching instantly refreshes any table setting, and the embroidered designs in the corner of each one are darlin. The vibrant color and detailed stitching just make for extra unique touches, and the colorful drinks stitched in are perfect for serving cocktails to guests. The napkin sets come in 15 different designs, with everything from fresh fruit and florals to zodiac signs sewn in."

—Janae McKenzie, Associate Shopping Editor

Bar Culture Martini Glasses, Set of 2

"After watching HBO's White Lotus season two, I became enamored with martini glasses that have an extra long stem. There's something about the delicacy that makes even the more boring of drinks feel fun. And seeing as drinking is a rarity for me, my favorite long-stems are usually filled with sparkling water or NA gin & tonics. But no matter what's in the glass, drinking out of these makes me feel like I'm on the coast of Italy hatching a scheme, which is a win in my book."

—Kate McGregor, SEO Editor

The Connaught Bar: Cocktail Recipes and Iconic Creations

"Coffee table stack, meet cocktail book collection. I had the chance to preview this debut from one of my favorite hotel bars ever, The Connaught in London, and it's such a gem—plus, makes a pretty kitchen addition or fabulous hostess gift for an at-home mixologist. If you snag it for yourself, I recommend the Number 11 (a cross between a Vesper and their famous martini) with Hendricks in a pretty coupe. Happy spring sipping!"

—Claire Brito, Senior Social Media Editor

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