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Most people would love to have a fully stocked bar available at home, but costs will certainly prevent that for most of us. Even though I am an experienced bartender, I still only have the basic’s in my home bar. If you start with a few basic items, you can expand quite easily. I have found that it is very simple to improvise with the items that I do have. One thing to be sure of with a home bar, is of course what type of drinks you will be serving the most, what are your favorites? Make sure you have those items in stock and go from there. This is a fairly complete listing of what you will need to stock a home bar, but as I suggested, start with the basics and build your bar from there.
GLASSWARE: Glassware can be purchased fairly inexpensively at discount and department stores. My favorite, tacky, cactus stemmed, Margarita glasses were purchased for $1.00 apiece at a local discount store. Be sure to watch for special packaging at your liquor store also, many times glasses or shotglasses are sold with a certain liquor.
Champagne Saucer- this is a stemmed glass with a bowl shaped top, not only will this work for champagne, but red wine, Margarita’s and other cocktails.
Cocktail Glass- another stemmed glass with a little deeper and narrower bowl. This is used for Manhattans, Martini’s and other more traditional type drinks.
Collins Glass- this is a tall slender glass with a frosted appearance on the outside of the glass. Used for Collins drinks, can also be used when someone requests a tall drink or a soda.
Flute- a stemmed, slender glass used for white wines, champagne and other “fancy” drinks.
Highball Glass- this glass is a little shorter than a Collins glass and a little wider. This is the perfect mixed drink glass, just for a shot and a mixer.
Hurricane- this is a fancy glass with a stem, rounded bottom cup that flares on the top. Perfect for fancy tropical drinks, along with frozen Daiquiri’s and Pina Colada’s.
Old Fashioned Glass- these are a short, heavy and wide. A glass perfect for making Old Fashion’s and Metropolitan’s.
Pilsner- this is a tall, stemmed glass. Made particularly for beer drinking.
Pony- this is a tall slender but smaller glass than the Hurricane glass. This is used to make fancy shots, or to sip Amaretto or other liqueurs.
Rocks- this is your basic mixed drink glass, for “on the rocks” type drinks.
Snifter- stemmed glass with a round base, used for drinking aromatic liqueurs. The shape of this glass will release more scents from the liqueur such as Brandy and Scotch.
Beer Mugs- mugs in which to hold beer or soft drinks. These are best kept in the freezer to make sure your beverages are frosty.
Shot Glass- or jigger. Holds 1 ½ ounce of liquid, either used a measure for drinks or to drink “shots”.
Coffee Mugs- it is a good idea to have a variety of nice, but inexpensive coffee mugs for those friends that like Irish Coffee.
LIQUORS: Shop around a bit, the most expensive does not always mean the best. Where I have included the names of two liquors, one is more expensive, but if you are just using this for making mixed drinks, go with the cheaper brand. If you are covering some of the taste over, the cheaper will do just as well. As for the others, you will have to experiment to find the best brand for you. You will also have to check on availability in your area.
Bourbon- Jim Beam is probably one of the best known bourbons around, but don’t count out bourbons such as Old Crow, which is much less expensive and made by Jim Beam.
Brandy- there are many different flavored Brandies out there. Pick something that you like.
Canadian Whisky- Canadian Whisky is a little lighter in color and taste than American Whiskeys. Brands like Black Velvet and Canadian Club give you much to choose from.
Gin- Beefeater, Tangueray, and Seagrams are just a few.
Rum- Bacardi has to be one of the more popular rums, and also carries a large variety of different types.
Scotch- I was once told any Scotch beginning with the word “Glen” was a good choice. But DeWars and Johnnie Walker are also popular labels.
Tequila- Cuervo makes a good basic tequila, especially for making Margarita’s.
Vodka- While Absolut is probably the best known vodka out there with the marketing campaign they have going. Don’t be afraid to try some cheaper labels.
Whiskey- Kentucky and Tennessee Whiskeys are all good, particularly Jack Daniels and Early Times.
Amaretto- just get a cheaper Amaretto, unless you are just looking for a label for sipping. Then I suggest Di Saronno.
Baileys or Carolina’s Finest- this is a cream and Irish whiskey combination. While Bailey’s is the name brand. Carolina’s is good for mixers.
Dark or Spiced Rum- while there are many both dark and spiced rums on the market. Captain Morgan is probably your best bet for a spiced.
Kahlua or Kamora- these are both coffee flavored liqueurs. If you are just using this as a mixer, get the Kamora.
Peach Schnapps-DeKuyper Peachtree is the only one here. But look around, there are a lot of fun flavored schnapps to be sampled. Not only fruit flavored, but peppermint and cinnamon.
Sweet Vermouth- used in making Manhattans, if these aren’t in your recipe book, skip it.
Dry Vermouth- used in making Martini’s, again if these are not for you, skip this one.
Triple Sec- a orange flavored liqueur, used mostly to add a little flavor to mixed drinks. Get whatever is inexpensive.
Beer- try a variety of both domestic and micro-brews.
Wine- it is a good idea to keep several bottles of both a red and white wine available. Try something between dry and sweet, or a new wine product to satisfy everyone.
MIXERS: I suggest purchasing small individual cans if at all possible. This way there will be no waste if you open a can and only make one drink.
Orange Juice
Cranberry Juice
Pineapple Juice
Grapefruit Juice
Tomato Juice
Sours Mix- this can usually only be purchased by the bottle. But if kept refrigerated it will keep indefinitely.
Bitters- this can usually be purchased at the liquor store.
Lime Juice- you will need both Roses Lime Juice and Real Lime brand.
Grenadine- this actually needs to be purchased at the liquor store, but is generally used for coloring and a slight “cherry” taste. So cherry juice from your maraschino cherries can be substituted.
Simple Syrup- this you can make yourself and store in an old liquor bottle. Combine equal parts sugar and water, then bring to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Simmer for several minutes, then cool.
Tabasco Sauce
Club Soda
Tonic Water
Cola
7-Up or Sprite
Gingerale
Diet Cola
Milk or Cream
GARNISHES AND OTHER MISC. ITEMS:
Lemons, Limes, Oranges, Maraschino Cherries- citrus fruits need to be cut into wedges.
Olives- Green with Pimento’s
Whipped Cream- an aerosol can works the best
Margarita Salt- this can be purchased in most grocery stores in the mixer section.
Salt & Pepper
Celery Seed
Sugar- both white and confectioners
Muddle- this is a “masher” type item, used to mash fruit when making Old Fashioned
Cocktail Shaker- this item usually has a stainless steel glass along with a regular glass and is used for shaking cocktails.
Corkscrew- used to open bottles of wine
Bar Strainer- this strainer will fit over the top of a glass to strain the ice out of drinks that need to be chilled but not served on the rocks.
This list will give you an idea of where to start. Just get what you need for now and continue to build your home bar from there.
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