Secrets to a well stocked bar?!
Is there anything I'm missing? triple sec? brandy?
Answers: I have a decent bar but I am not sure if I have everything--or most kinds of liquor for a decently stocked bar. I have tequila (orange tequila as well), rum, burbon, vodka (and vanilla vodka), peach and peppermint schnapps, coffee liquor, amaretto, whiskey, gin, club soda and Rose's lime juice. I also have a few reds, a few whites, a blush and a port.
Is there anything I'm missing? triple sec? brandy?
I believe you're on the right track.
I just think you could stock up on a few more liqueurs: Bailey's, Jagermeister, Cura?ao (any colour), Southern Comfort, Grand Marnier or Cointreau, Sweet & Dry Vermouth, Whisk(e)y, grenadine, sparkling wine or champagne and beer.
Now myself, I am a sucker for bar tools. Restaurant supply stores are like toy stores for me. Everything is just so bright & shiny. I have pourers for my bottles, a jigger (just in case, I can't recall the last I've used it since I have the pourers), a shaker, mixing glass, strainer, rimmer, 6 compartment tray for fruit, mortar & pestle, bitters, blender, paring knife, champagne stopper, vac-u-vin, corkscrew, ice bucket, bottle opener, wine key.
I really like infusing alcohol, too. So I save my empty bottles to make up creative concoctions. Spring is coming up, I'm thinking lemon/basil vodka & pineapple/cilantro tequila.
Having the basics covered, which you do, is important, but it is more important to know the tastes of your friends, so you have the brand or spirit they like. Triple Sec is inexpensive and goes in many drinks, Grand Marnier is also a good thing to have around, and Kahlua is very versatile and popular, especially for after dinner. Whiskey is a very broad category - a single malt scotch would be better if you know which single malt your friends like, otherwise a blended scotch is more versatile. I always have champagne around, too, and, of course, a 12 pack of beer is always smart to have on hand, but it doesn't stay fresh for more than a month or so. Cranberry or orange juice, Coke, and tonic are some other good mixers to have around. And DO NOT store your wine at room temperature; even red wine is better off being stored in the fridge and brought back up closer to room temerpature just before serving.
Triple Sec, bitters, and grenadine.