What is a Liquor Cabinet?

The liquor cabinet's history

The liquor cabinet became a popular fixture in many homes in the U.S. during the early 1900s. The liquor cabinet was invented to keep alcohol hidden away during the prohibition.

Liquor cabinets made during this era were thus unobtrusive and were designed as though they were parts of bigger furniture pieces, such as vanities and hutches. An example of liquor cabinet is one that was made to look like a huge chest housing four small cabinets. Its two middle cabinets were actually discreetly used as liquor cabinets.

As soon as the prohibition was lifted, liquor cabinets were suddenly in vogue and became an invaluable piece of furniture in the American home. After the 1970s, the liquor cabinet lost its appeal and gradually evolved into different forms.

Today's liquor cabinets, adapted to the new lifestyles, take on sleek and stylish designs that could easily fit into a modern office or study. They may be likened to mini-bars that hide away small appliances such as personal refrigerators and coolers. Other homeowners even use kitchen cabinets for this purpose.

What to keep in liquor cabinets

A well-stocked liquor cabinet should hold the basic ingredients for mixing drinks and a few bottles of the most common liquor. You may keep your favorite brands of red and white win, gin, vodka, brandy and scotch. Stock up, too, on mixers such as triple sec, tequila, grenadine, tonic or soda water, lime juice and rum. Other basics are coffee liqueurs such as Bailey's Irish Cream and Kahlua, fruit juices and ready-to-use coconut milk.

To complete your mini-bar, include a small refrigerator to keep olives and other garnishing fresh. This is also handy for ice storage and to keep other drinks cool and ready for serving.

Other mini-bar items

Devote a space in your liquor cabinet for shot glasses, jiggers, wine glasses and cocktail glasses. Keep in mind that there are different types of glasses for various kinds of liquor, and it is rather gauche to serve them in glasses that are not appropriate.

It would also be good to keep a double jigger – this is a double-sided shot glass with a vial for a 1-oz shot and another for 2 ounces. Other essential items to be kept in a liquor cabinet are corkscrews, ice buckets, shakers, stirrers, napkins and other items, which are indispensable in serving drinks to family and guests.