A prosecco bar is one of the easiest ways to make a party feel special. Set out the bubbles, a few juices, some fresh garnishes and let your guests mix their own drinks. It takes the pressure off you as the host, and it works for almost any occasion: engagement parties, birthdays, bridal showers, baby showers, Christmas, New Year’s Eve or just a Saturday with friends.
I first made a DIY prosecco bar for our engagement party, and it was the thing everyone talked about all night. Since then, I have set up plenty more, and I have learned that you do not need a huge budget or a Pinterest-perfect table to pull it off. This guide covers everything you need to know about how to set up a prosecco bar: what to buy, drink ideas, how to arrange it and how to decorate it. There is also a printable kit at the end if you want to skip the DIY and have the signs and labels done for you.
What you need for a prosecco bar
The great thing about a build-your-own prosecco bar is that you can tailor it to your budget and whatever is in season. These are the basics:
- Prosecco or sparkling wine: Prosecco is light, fruity and affordable, which makes it ideal for mixing. Any dry sparkling wine works too.
- Mixers: juices, soda water and Aperol or a similar aperitif.
- Glasses: wine glasses are my favourite for spritzes because there is room for ice and garnishes, but champagne flutes work well for classic mimosas and bellinis.
- Ice: more than you think you need.
- Garnishes: fresh fruit, berries and herbs.
Get those five things, and you have a prosecco bar.
Prosecco bar drink ideas
If you want some inspiration, this is what I put on mine:
- Prosecco and plenty of ice
- Soda water, plus Aperol for an Aperol Spritz
- Peach juice for bellinis
- Orange juice for mimosas
- A berry purée made by blending frozen mixed berries with a little water
- Garnishes: mint leaves, strawberries, orange slices and blueberries
Other easy additions include elderflower cordial, pomegranate juice, fresh raspberries, rosemary sprigs and cucumber ribbons. Pick two or three mixers and a handful of garnishes rather than offering everything. It looks better and costs less.
Easy prosecco bar drinks your guests can make
Guests are much more likely to get creative if they know a few simple ratios. These are the classics:
- Mimosa: half orange juice, half prosecco.
- Bellini: one part peach juice or purée to two parts prosecco.
- Aperol Spritz: three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol, a splash of soda water and an orange slice.
- Berry fizz: a spoonful of berry purée topped with prosecco and a few blueberries.
- Alcohol-free spritz: soda water with a splash of juice, plenty of ice and a sprig of mint.
That last one matters. A prosecco bar is a lovely way to include guests who are not drinking, because they can mix and garnish just like everyone else.
How to set up a prosecco bar
You could go full Pinterest with your setup, but I pulled mine together with things I already had at home, and it worked beautifully. Here is how:
- Choose your space. A bar cart is perfect, but a console table, sideboard or kitchen bench works just as well. Keep it away from the main walkway so guests can browse without a traffic jam.
- Chill everything. Put the ice, prosecco and soda water in a large bucket or tub. If you do not own a champagne bucket, a big storage tub or an inexpensive ice bucket from a homewares store does the job.
- Pour the mixers into pretty containers. Jugs are ideal, but I used clean old gin bottles when I ran out. Place them next to the Aperol if you are serving it.
- Add the garnishes. Put fruit and herbs in small bowls in front of the mixers. I used terracotta pots for a consistent look, but any bowls will do.
- Label and decorate. Signs, tags and a few extras take it from a drinks table to a proper bar (see below).
Tip: Prep garnishes just before guests arrive so berries and herbs stay fresh, and keep a spare bag of ice in the freezer.
How much prosecco do you need for a party?
A standard 750 ml bottle of prosecco pours about six glasses. As a rule of thumb:
- Plan on roughly one bottle for every two to three guests for an event of two to three hours.
- Add one extra bottle per ten guests if you expect a big drinking crowd.
- Buy about one litre of juice for every four guests, and a couple of litres of soda water.
- Allow around one kilo of ice for every four to five guests, more in summer.
It is always better to have a little too much than to run out, especially of ice. Unopened bottles keep well for the next celebration.
Prosecco bar decorations and signs
A few simple touches add a lot of personality, and none of them is expensive.
- A welcome sign. I bought small blackboard signs from a homewares store and wrote “pimp your prosecco” with a silver marker. I found a design I liked online and copied it, but you can absolutely create your own.
- Tags on the mixers. Leftover gift tags tied to the bottles with the juice names written on them mean guests always know what they are pouring.
- A bit of fun. A champagne balloon next to the bar adds a festive touch and costs very little.
- Fresh flowers or greenery around the cart or table tie everything together.
Skip the DIY with a printable prosecco bar kit
If you would rather not hand-letter signs or hunt for templates, I made a printable kit so you can have it all ready in minutes. The Build Your Own Prosecco Bar Kit includes:
- A welcome sign and a “build your spritz” sign
- A cocktail menu with six prosecco drinks
- 12 drink labels, 6 tags and 8 table numbers
- A guest cheat sheet to help you work out how much to buy
It is a print-ready PDF in A4 and US Letter (full kit), plus A3 and 11×14 in sizes for the signs, so you can print at home or at a print shop. Get the printable prosecco bar kit here.
Prosecco bar FAQ
What do you put on a prosecco bar?
Prosecco, ice, glasses, a few juices (peach and orange are classics), soda water, an aperitif like Aperol, and garnishes such as berries, citrus slices and fresh herbs.
How do you keep prosecco cold at a party?
Keep bottles in a bucket or tub filled with ice and a little water. Top up the ice as it melts, and keep spare bottles in the fridge to swap in.
What is the best prosecco for a prosecco bar?
A dry (brut) or extra dry prosecco is ideal. It is crisp enough to balance sweet juices and purées, and you do not need to buy anything expensive because the mixers do a lot of the work.
Can I have a prosecco bar without alcohol?
Yes. Swap prosecco for soda water or a non-alcoholic sparkling wine and offer the same juices and garnishes. Everyone can join in.
What glasses should I use?
Wine glasses are best for spritzes and anything with ice. Champagne flutes are great for mimosas and Bellinis.
Is a prosecco bar good for a baby shower, wedding or holiday party?
Absolutely. It suits any celebration, and you can change the juices, garnishes and signs to match the season or colour scheme.
Final thoughts on creating a prosecco bar
A prosecco bar is much easier than it looks. Use what you have, choose a few mixers and garnishes, and add as much or as little decoration as you like. It works for weddings, birthdays and showers, and it is a showstopper for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. If you want the signs, menu and labels done for you, grab the printable prosecco bar kit.
Would you create a prosecco bar? Share your favourite combinations and tips in the comments below!