Mocktail Oasis: Designing a Stylish and Functional Drink Station in Your Home
Pop quiz: When was the last time you poured your mineral water or lemonade into a fancy glass over ice, added a lemon wedge, and snapped endless selfies while enjoying your adorable drink? *wink*
No? Just us?
Well, now is the time to start, friend. In fact, the fancier, the better when it comes to enjoying non-alcoholic drinks at home.
Around the world, it seems “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere” has morphed into “Mocktail o’clock.” With more and more people craving something other than beer, wine, or spirits to wind down at day’s end, sales of nonalcoholic adult beverages have jumped by 33% in 2024 alone. Cheers to that! *wink*
Of course, you gotta have a special place to mix up the best mocktails at home, making a stylish mocktail station an absolute must. Whether for nighttime wind-downs, gatherings with friends, family time, or mindful moments with your honey, a swanky mocktail bar could be just what you need to elevate your home.
Ready to mix up something good? Let’s get to it!
Creating a Swoon-Worthy Mocktail Station
Let’s get to the fun stuff first — designing a mocktail station you can’t wait to show off on the 'gram or to your bestie! We’ve got some quick tricks to help you set up a bar that creates a whole different kind of buzz *wink*.
Show-Stopping Statement Pieces
The star of the show here is, of course, your mocktail station itself. So, what’ll it be? Mid-century bar cart with brass accents? Intricately carved bar cabinet? Modern sideboard with metal legs?
Whether you choose a new or repurposed piece, it should be stylish, functional, and unmistakably you (or you and your partner *wink*). No need to perfectly match everything else in your home, my love. Have some fun and think outside the wine box *wink*!
Mixing wood tones, for example, is the perfect way to give this space some personality.
Perfect Palettes
Okay, let’s chat about color! While you’ll want a cohesive color scheme that complements your overall home decor, you can also *ahem* color outside the lines, friend.
You could go bold with a colorful bar cabinet or accent wall defining the mocktail area. Or keep it neutral and add pops of color with vintage glassware and accessories. The latter makes it easier to swap different colors and decor in and out, but hey, you do you, friend!
Tempting Textures
Metal and glass and rattan, oh my! We love, love, love playing around with textures, and what better place to do it than your mocktail station?
Create a feast for the eyes with sleek glass decanters, metal trays, and wooden cutting boards. Store your flavored syrups and mixers in woven baskets within easy reach. Your station should be elegant and inviting — after all, you and your family are probably going to spend a lot of time here.
Artful Displays
Bar cart essentials include a cocktail shaker or two, bar tools like a muddler and cocktail spoon, an ice bucket and tray, and glassware in different colors, shapes, and sizes. But your mocktail station has so much potential beyond the basics!
Like styling a bookshelf, zhuzhing up your mocktail bar helps pull your space together and create a focal point in any room. Think about adding:
Touches of green with rosemary and mint (perfect for mocktail parties)
Matching glass syrup bottles with metal pouring spouts
A small chalkboard listing tonight’s “special” (mock margarita, anyone?)
Stylish books with mocktail recipes
Small bowls with fruit, garnishes, or snacks
Artfully displayed non-alcoholic spirits, like Seedlip and Curious Elixirs (check out this guide for top-ranked suggestions)
Tiered trays for added dimension
Go ahead and flex those creative muscles, my friend! Bar cart styling encourages creative mixology — the kind that’ll have the whole house racing to whip up the next batch of mock mimosas or mojitos. Yum!
Warm Lighting
Whether a pendant light, under-shelf lighting, or a well-placed lamp, the right lighting is key for creating cozy vibes at your mocktail station. Task lighting is perfect for prepping handcrafted drinks, while accent lighting creates a welcoming glow.
After all, your mocktail station is a whole mood, bestie. So, use your lighting to spotlight this beautiful area of your home, add ambiance, and set the tone for savoring the moments (and every last mocktail drop!).
Let’s Get Practical With Your Mocktail Station
You’ve got the design covered. You’re ready to shake up your first mocktail. But first, let’s make sure we’ve thought through a few practicalities for your mocktail station.
Leave Enough Counter Space
Just like when you’re prepping a meal, you need ample room for mixing mocktails. Make sure your station has room for all your ingredients, glassware, bar tools, and other essentials.
Add Organization Solutions
Well-placed shelving can help you not only create more working space but also keep all your items organized. Add some cute baskets or drawers to keep tools and ingredients in easy reach.
Consider Location, Location, Location.
Place your mocktail station in a spot that’s accessible but not in the way. If you have the space, try creating a sweet little nook with a couple of chairs and a table for quiet conversations. Or situate your mocktail station along a blank wall in your family room for quick drink-mixing during family gatherings.
Raise a Glass to Mocktail Design
With the right look and feel, your mocktail station can become a favorite spot in your home, letting you mix up delightful family-friendly drinks and encourage togetherness.
Crafting healthy alternatives to alcoholic beverages is a fun way to encourage positive habits for everyone in the home. Plus, it makes everyone feel a little fancy *wink*!
Well, that’s our riff for today, friend. We can’t wait to see what kind of mocktails you start whipping up.
Happy mixing!
P.S. Now that you have everything you need to create your own mocktail station, why not start thinking about the rest of your home, too? If you’re ready to take the next step, let’s chat.
P.P.S. Loved this blog? You’ll adore our 4 Days To A More Beautiful + Functional Home.