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" Interior design by Lindsey Coral Harper. Photo by Kelly Stuart for Hearst Digital.  We&amp;#039;ve all seen those gorgeous, styled bar carts on Pinterest that perfectly bridge the gap between serviceable and stylish. You can picture the fabulous impromptu cocktail parties its owner likely hosts: Signature drinks, metallic-rimmed cocktail glasses, paper straws! Though not everyone has the space\u2014or need\u2014for a full bar cart, it&amp;#039;s smart to give your liquor stash a good spring cleaning before the warm weather hits.  STEP 1: CLEAR OUT THE OLD Pull It All Out: Start by removing everything from your liquor cabinet or bar cart and lining it up on your kitchen counter. Throw Out Expired Booze: In general, alcohol has an extremely long shelf life but that doesn&amp;#039;t mean the stuff can last forever. Here&amp;#039;s how you should decide what stays and what goes. \u2022 Base Spirits (Unopened): Unopened bottles of hard liquor (such as vodka, gin, bourbon, tequila, etc.) will keep indefinitely. But like that dress with the tag still on it, if it&amp;#039;s been over a year and you still haven&amp;#039;t touched it \u2014 donate the bottle to someone who will. \u2022 Base Spirits (Opened): To be safe, most folks say opened bottles should be tossed after 8 months, but they&amp;#039;re really fine up to 1 year. Throw away any bottles that are less than one-quarter full and have been sitting around for a while; the less there is, the more quickly it spoils. \u2022 Liqueurs (Non-Creamy):  Sugary liqueurs and cordials spoil more easily than plain spirits so keep an eye on &amp;#039;em. Discard after 1 year or when you detect any discoloration, crystallization or odor. \u2022 Liqueurs (Creamy): In general, refrigerate bottles up to 6 months after opening. Check the bottle for an official expiration date. \u2022 Fortified Wines:  Hold on to fortified wines (such as vermouths) up to 8 months after opening. When it smells musty or loses its flavor, toss it! \u2022 Bitters: Keep these around! They last for years, even opened. De-grime Your Bottles: Wipe off bottles with a damp cloth to remove any dust and/or residue. Wash and dry barware, and toss any items that are chipped or cracked. Clean Your Spot: Thoroughly dust and swipe down your bar cart, cabinet or shelves with a damp cloth so you&amp;#039;re starting with a fresh space. Consider covering the area with a shelf or bar liner to prevent bottles and glasses from slipping. STEP 2: RESTOCK JUST THE BASICS Replenish your home bar with just the basics. Make sure your cart, cabinet or bar is away from direct sunlight and in a cool, dry place for optimal storage. Bases: You can whip up almost any cocktail using these common bases: \u2022 Gin \u2022 White rum \u2022 Vodka \u2022 Bourbon \u2022 Tequila \u2022 Brandy Mixers: Similar to above, you can make most cocktails using these mixers. Add your own personal favorites, especially if there&amp;#039;s a drink/spirit you keep coming back to. \u2022 Dry vermouth \u2022 Sweet vermouth or Lillet \u2022 Cointreau or triple sec \u2022 Bitters (angostura, orange, etc.) Accents: Not every cocktail calls for these, but you&amp;#039;ll be thankful you have &amp;#039;em on hand. \u2022 Soda water and/or seltzer water (tiny bottles are best \u2014 open as needed and you won&amp;#039;t waste a big jug that will go flat before it&amp;#039;s finished) \u2022 Fresh lemon and limes for juicing/garnish \u2022 Cocktail cherries, olives and/or onions \u2022 Simple syrup (try our recipe!) Barware: You really only need four basics \u2014 ideally six to eight of each. \u2022 Short glasses \u2022 Tall glasses \u2022 Coupes (perfect for both cocktails and sparkling wines!) \u2022 Wine glasses (pick one favorite and use for both reds and whites) Tools: You don&amp;#039;t need a lot of equipment to mix up a killer drink. \u2022 Cocktail shaker \u2022 Strainer (separate from cocktail shaker top) \u2022 Jigger \u2022 Corkscrew \u2022 Bar Spoon  Interior design by Lindsey Coral Harper. Photo by Kelly Stuart for Hearst Digital. STEP 3: INSERT YOUR STYLE  Try A Tray: Use cocktail trays to group together bottles, glasses, or other items. They keep your bar area organized, and they can double as serving trays when guests are over. Stylish Sippers: Big fan of refreshing, warm-weather drinks? Upgrade your straw stash for an instant makeover. We love stainless steel straws and paper straws, which you can match to your d\u00E9cor/party theme. Top-Notch Napkins: Tie your cocktail napkins into the look and feel of your home, plus, they can double as coaster. Some companies offer inexpensive personalization online; choose paper or cloth. More from ELLEDECOR.com The Personalized Touch Your Dinner Table Needs 11 Things Kelly Wearstler Is Loving Right Now DKNY PR Girl Hosts A Girls Brunch "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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