What liquors or liqueurs should I buy first for my new home bar?!
What liquors or liqueurs should I buy first for my new home bar?
I am trying to stock my bar at home and can't decide what all I need. I have the basics like triple sec, vodka, a couple schnapps and everything else you need to have a basic start, but I want a more upscale start. Not too pricey, but some good liqours with a good name between $20-$100 that can be used in a lot of bar recipes.
Answers:
Putting together a home bar can be a fun and challenging task. What to stock? What to keep off your list? Do you have to have every conceivable bottle of spirit available?
Your liquor stock really depends on what you plan to serve. Assuming that you will want to make the most common cocktails, this is a basic list. The liquor store would love to see you coming if
you were to completely stock your bar. I suggest that you start with some basics and add to your stock as you experiment with different drinks. Check the recipe collection for drinks you might want to make for additional selections. Brands are your choice and they depend on your taste and budget.
Booze
Bourbon
Brandy
Canadian Whiskey
Gin
Rum
Scotch
Tequila
Vodka
Whiskey
Amaretto
Bailey's
Creme de Cocoa
Dark or Spiced Rum
Grand Marnier
Kahlua
Peach Schnapps
Sweet Vermouth
Triple Sec
Stocking mixers is like stocking your alcohol. It really depends on what you plan to serve.
The list below will prepare you for most any cocktail.
Mixers
Orange Juice
Cranberry Juice
Pineapple Juice
Grapefruit Juice
Tomato Juice
Sour Mix
Bloody Mary Mix
Pina Colada Mix
Bitters
Lime Juice
Grenadine
Simple Syrup
Worcestershire Sauce
Tabasco Sauce
Strawberries
Bananas
Club soda
Tonic
Cola
7 - up
Ginger Ale
Diet Cola
Half & Half
Milk
Ice Cream
Coffee
Water
Sour mix can be powdered, bottled or in concentrate form. Bloody Mary mix is not necessary if you aren't making a lot of them. Pina Colada mix can be made yourself with pineapple juice and a cream of coconut, such as Coco Lopez. I use one large can of pineapple to two cans of coconut.
Use fresh fruit for your garnishes. Again, it depends on what you plan to make,
but this will prepare you for most cocktails. You can use your imagination and add fresh fruits,
candies, sprinkles, or even tiny umbrellas to give your own touch to your concoctions.
Garnishes
Lemons
Limes
Oranges
Celery
Olives
Maraschino Cherries
Cocktail Onions
Whipped Cream
Coarse Salt
Sugar
Powdered Chocolate
Nutmeg
Equipment
In a pinch, you could probably make most of these drinks with a glass and a chopstick,
but there are a few pieces of equipment which will make your mixing easier and classier.
You should obtain the following items:
Basic equipment:
Tumblers [short, fat glasses, also known as "rocks" glasses]
Tall glasses [tall, thin glasses, also known as "highball" or "collins" glasses]
Shot glasses [for measuring and/or serving]
Measuring glass
Cocktail or Martini glasses
Margarita Glasses [optional -- they look like rounded martini glasses]
Stirrers [fancy glass wands, long-handled bar spoons, plastic forks, etc.]
Corkscrew [none of these drinks include wine, but you really should have one of these]
Cocktail Shaker
Strainer [it's a round thing with coils all around one side]
Blender [only used for a few drinks]
Ice bucket and ice tongs
Glen Fiddich, Jameson, Baileys, Kaluha, Grand Marnier, Cabo Wabo, Captain Morgan's, Bacardi.
You can have all the liquior you want, if you dont remember the mixers you are out of luck.
Kahlua, Irish Creme, Cahvahsia (dont know the spelling), Peisporter, a good Merlot, having some spritzer water is good, also some tomato and organge juice,