When it comes to stocking your home bar, you have a myriad of options to choose from. You can opt for the traditional route and emulate a professional bar, which entails acquiring all the essential liquors and other ingredients required to make the most popular cocktails, giving you the most flexibility. For those who enjoy hosting guests, an appropriately stocked bar is a must-have. A well-crafted drink has the power to entertain friends, woo a date, and impress family members. Preparing cocktails at home for loved ones and acquaintances fills me with a sense of being in a bar, mixing drinks for patrons.
Starting a home bar can be daunting for many people, especially those new to mixology. However, I assure you that it doesn't have to be. Building a home bar can be a fun and exciting experience. With the right approach, anyone can create a well-stocked bar that is both affordable and accessible. The key is to take it one step at a time and not get overwhelmed by the variety of options available. Starting small and gradually adding to your collection, you can create a home bar perfect for you and your guests.
Essential Bar Stock Customized to How You Drink
Essential Liquors:
Gin:
Undeniably, not everyone is a fan of gin. However, having at least one bottle in every bar is nice. At the least, a good bottle of a Tanqueray dry gin is recommended. This is the most versatile and can work in everything from a dry martini to a gin and tonic.
Vodka is an excellent liquor for shots or for mixing into popular cocktails like Bloody Marys and Cosmopolitans. It does not have a strong color, taste, or aroma, so it makes for a perfect mixing liquor.
Tequila is a must-have liquor for your Margaritas and shots. What type of tequila you stock depends on what you use it for.
Rum. This delicious liquor from the Caribbean is distilled from molasses. Dark rums are best for punches. Light rums are for mixing cocktails.
Whiskey (Bourbon, Rye, and Scotch)
The whiskey category comprises many subcategories, but the three essentials are bourbon, rye, and Scotch. Old-fashioned and Manhattans are the way to go for bourbon and rye lovers; when it comes to Scotch, the Blood and Sand (equal parts Scotch, sweet vermouth, Cherry Herring, and orange juice; shaken) is a real crowd-pleaser. If you are ever serving or sipping a neat whiskey, add a bar spoonful of water to open the spirit. Excellent bottles include Four Roses bourbon, Whistle Pig rye, and Glenmorangie Scotch.
The Basic Liqueurs
You cannot make your Favorite drinks without The Liqueurs. As you explore cocktail recipes, you will quickly realize that some liqueurs appear more than others. These are what we are going to consider essential for a well-stocked bar.
Amaretto - An almond-flavored liqueur used in fancy and casual cocktails.
Coffee Liqueur - White Russians and countless other cocktails rely on a bottle like Kahlua.
Dry and Sweet Vermouth - Only necessary if you enjoy martinis.
Irish Cream Liqueur—Baileys is a popular brand, but there are others you might prefer. You can also stock another cream liqueur, such as RumChata.
Drambuie - A scotch-based herbal liqueur, this is the ultimate companion to your whiskey stock.
Orange Liqueur—This invaluable ingredient is Used in countless cocktails. Options include curacao, triple sec, Cointreau, and Grand Marnier, though many bars have two or more bottles in stock.
Midori - The bright green, melon-flavored liqueur, this one can be used to create some enjoyable drinks.
Chambord - The iconic raspberry liqueur brand
You cannot make your favorite cocktails without the essential cocktail tools for every home bar. These tools, which you can buy as a set from Amazon, are what you will need to have a complete bar.
Shot Glass
Measuring Jigger
Cocktail Shaker
Bar Spoon
Strainer
Muddler
Bar Knife
Wine Opener/ Beer
