Limes, lemons, oranges, cherries, olives and mint are food. At the bar they are often treated like decor, left out in an open tray for hours. That shortcut can get you written up and can make guests sick. A good garnish station keeps garnishes cold, clean and within reach.
Shop the equipment in this article: CBB-48G-T 48″ underbar swing glass door back bar cooler, CBB-60G-T 60″ underbar swing glass door back bar cooler and BJ120C compact citrus juicer. Freight is included on every order.
Garnishes Are Cold-Hold Food
Cut fruit and many garnishes should be held cold. The FDA Food Code sets cold holding at 41F or below for foods that need temperature control. Cut citrus, cut melons, dairy and olives in brine are common items that need attention. Rules differ by location, so ask your health department how they treat cut citrus and garnishes left at the bar.
Options for Cold Holding
There are three common ways bars handle garnishes:
- A refrigerated garnish tray or condiment rail on the bar top.
- An underbar cooler with small containers pulled out as needed.
- A small tray on ice, changed often.
For most bars, the easiest approach is to keep the main garnish supply in an underbar cooler and set out only what is needed for the next hour or so. Swap trays often during a rush.
CBB-48G-T 48″ underbar swing glass door back bar cooler
CBB-60G-T 60″ underbar swing glass door back bar cooler
Keep Garnishes Off the Drink Ice
Do not set garnish trays directly in the ice bin used for drinks. Ice used in beverages is food, and a tray pressing into it can contaminate it. If you chill garnishes on ice, use a separate ice container, not the drink well.
Cutting Garnishes Safely
Cut fruit on a clean cutting board with a clean knife, never on the bar top. Wash whole fruit before cutting. Keep a small cutting board at the garnish station and wash it between uses. Color-coded boards help keep fruit prep separate from other food.
Thunder Group PLCB001 15″ x 9″ x 1/2″ polyethylene cutting board
Thunder Group PLCB008 10″ x 6″ x 3/8″ polyethylene cutting board
Fresh citrus juice for cocktails is also a garnish-station job. Press juice before service and store it in labeled, dated containers in the cooler.
Use Tongs or Picks, Not Hands
Bartenders should use tongs, picks or gloves to place garnishes. Bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food is restricted in many places. Keep tongs in the garnish tray and change them regularly.
Label and Date
Label every garnish container with the prep date and time. Throw out cut fruit at the end of the day, or sooner if it looks dry or soft. Mint and herbs wilt fast, so prep smaller batches.
Where the Station Goes
Place the garnish station between the ice bin and the service well, so the bartender can garnish right before handing the drink over. If two bartenders share one garnish tray, place it in the center section.
A Garnish Station Checklist
- Cold holding at 41F or below for cut fruit and garnishes.
- Tongs or picks for every tray.
- Clean cutting board and knife for prep.
- Labels with prep date and time.
- Trays swapped during rushes, not topped off.
Next Steps
Start with underbar refrigeration close to the service well. Browse bar refrigeration and cutting boards to set up your station. Questions? Contact Express KitchQuip and we will help you pick the right size and configuration.
Models in this guide at a glance
The models linked above are listed here with the main points from each product page, so you can compare them side by side before opening the full listings.
CBB-48G-T 48″ Underbar Swing Glass Door Back Bar Cooler (model CBB-48G-T)
- Brand: Coldline
- 48″ Underbar Design: Commercial back bar refrigerator with reduced height for convenient installation beneath compatible bars and counters.
- Reduced 34.25″ Height: Thin galvanized top design provides approximately 1.35 inches of reduced height compared with the standard-height model.
- Narrow 23.62″ Depth: Space-saving construction is ideal for commercial bars and service areas with limited floor space.
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
CBB-60G-T 60″ Underbar Swing Glass Door Back Bar Cooler (model CBB-60G-T)
- Brand: Coldline
- 60″ Design: Commercial back bar refrigeration designed for beverage storage and display in professional bar and foodservice environments.
- Underbar Height: 60″ Underbar Swing Glass Door Back Bar Cooler reduced 1.35″ height helps the unit slide conveniently beneath suitable bars and counters.
- Swing Glass Doors: Glass swing doors provide convenient access while making refrigerated products easy to view.
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
Thunder Group PLCB001 15″ x 9″ x 1/2″ Polyethylene Cutting Board (model PLCB001)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- 15″ x 9″ x 1/2″ cutting board with non-skid surface.
- High density polyethylene.
- Dishwasher safe.
Thunder Group PLCB008 10″ x 6″ x 3/8″ Polyethylene Cutting Board (model PLCB008)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- 10″ x 6″ x 3/8″ cutting board with non-skid surface.
- High density polyethylene.
- Dishwasher safe.
BJ120C Compact Citrus Juicer – 1L Serving Container
- Brand: Waring
- BJ120C Compact Citrus Juicer – 120 oranges/hr
- Works with lemons, grapefruit
- Removable parts
Before you order
- Measure the space and every doorway on the delivery path, and compare them with the dimensions on each product page.
- Check the spec sheet for power, gas or water requirements and match them to what your building has.
- Compare capacity with your busiest day rather than your average day.
- Read the warranty terms for the brand before you order.
Delivery, warranty and payment
- Delivery: delivery within the continental US is included in the price on the product page, and freight orders include liftgate service.
- Warranty: each product carries its manufacturer warranty. Terms by brand are on our warranty page.
- Financing: lease-to-own financing through Clicklease is offered on items of $500 and up. See how financing works.
- Quotes: buying for a business and need a written quote? Call +1-877-558-2253 or use our contact page.
Not sure which model fits?
Call +1-877-558-2253 with your space, power supply and daily volume, and we will help you narrow it down.