Starting a bar at home is quite easy. All you need is some free space and a few quality drinks. What is the best way for a cocktail enthusiast to stock his home bar? What type of alcohol should you have? First of all, you should stock up on essential liquors. A few bottles of wine, vodka, gin, bourbon, run, whiskey, and tequila will do the trick. If you have a bottle of each of these, you can make at least 100 different cocktails.
Make a list of cocktails that you enjoy. The list can also include common mixed drinks. This will help you determine what ingredients you need for your favorite beverages. For example, the White Russian is a creamy mixed drink that contains vodka, cream, and Kahlua coffee liqueur. The classic Martini is made with vodka or gin, dry vermouth, orange bitter, and green olives for garnish. If you love the original Kamikaze shooter, you can prepare it with vodka, triple sec, and lime juice. The Caramel Appletini contains butterscotch schnapps, green apple vodka, and a green apple slice for garnish. The beverages you stock in your bar will depend on what cocktails you want to serve.
In addition to basic drinks, you can have separate bottles of different whiskey, as well as separate bottles of dark and light rum. Make substitutions of needed. Don’t be afraid to try new drinks. When shopping for beverages, look for retailers who are willing to help you learn about the different kinds of drinks.
When it comes to buying vodka, choose popular brands like Smirnoff, Stolichnaya, and Absolut. Mexican tequila is a good choice for your home bar. If you want to buy white rum, choose Bacardi. Havana Club and Cuba Libre are some of the best brands of dark rum. English dry gin is a staple for the classic martini, so you should definitely have it in your home bar. Stock some triple sec if you’re making margaritas. Coffee liquor is essential for preparing coffee drinks. White and red vermouth are a must have for any cocktail enthusiast.
Your home bar can also have brandy, Irish cream, rye whiskey, apple liquor, campari, blended scotches, and peppermint schnapps. These are the absolute essentials for your bar. However, you shouldn’t spend a fortune on beverages that you will rarely use. Pick drinks you actually enjoy. After all, it’s your bar. It should reflect your personal taste and make it easier for you to prepare delicious drinks.