The Home Bar

There is a saying, “If you’re lucky enough to live close to the water, then you’re lucky enough.” Consider yourself lucky enough when you find yourself in Lyford Cay—the gated community in the Bahamas considered one of the world’s richest and most exclusive neighborhoods. When members aren’t quenching their thirst with the club’s signature Rum Dum*—a mix of Light Bacardi Rum, lemon juice, simple syrup, water, raw egg white, and dark rum—they’re pouring their own favorites. Every Lyford Cay house boasts the one key ingredient to entertaining—the home bar. Whether atop a liquor tray or hidden neatly behind folding doors, it’s always discreet. Preppies don’t advertise their affinity for it but it’s always within arms reach.

Pytchley Lodge home bar.

We're here on a job for Quadrille, the WASPy fabric company which happens to cover the walls, windows, and pillows of every other Lyford Cay home. After settling into a pale pink cottage by the name of Pytchley Lodge (WASPs name their homes, don’t ya know), we pull back the doors to the charming bar and mix up my favorite warm weather drink, a Southside. It’s refreshing but don’t take our word for it. Mix it up for yourself.

In a shaker, muddle a few mint leaves (don’t pulverize them). Then add ice, two shots of gin, three-quarters of an ounce of simple syrup, three-quarters of an ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice, and a few drops of Angostura bitters. Shake hard for a good ten seconds and strain into a glass, either up or on the rocks.

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*Since Lyford Cay Club bartender Wilfred Sands concocted it in 1971, it's been a mainstay ever since.