how to stock a bar on a budget

How to Stock Your Home Bar on a Budget

• Start with your favorite drink. Richard and McGarry both agree that the most cost-effective way to build a home bar is to purchase the essentials for one go-to cocktail.
• Buy ingredients that can be used in a variety of cocktails. ...
• Purchase only the essential gadgets and tools. ...

Full Answer

What do you put in a home bar?

An expert-level home bar should be stocked with a range of spirits and liqueurs used in a wide variety of cocktails, from stirred and boozy to shaken and tropical. Bitter spirits, fruit liqueurs, herbal spirits and syrups, otherwise known as modifiers, help achieve more complicated drinks and look handsome on a bar cart.

What are the best things to put in a bar cart?

Bitter spirits, fruit liqueurs, herbal spirits and syrups, otherwise known as modifiers, help achieve more complicated drinks and look handsome on a bar cart. Additionally, a well-stocked home bar must have a few top-notch spirits best served neat or on ice, including rum, tequila, bourbon and Scotch.

How many bottles of liquor should I have in my bar?

Start with the basics according to your taste and shoot to have at least three different bottles of liquor: something clear, something brown, and something fun. Then build out your bar with the essentials.

What are the best drinks for a home bar?

Additionally, a well-stocked home bar must have a few top-notch spirits best served neat or on ice, including rum, tequila, bourbon and Scotch. Aviation, Last Word, Mai Tai, Pisco Sour, Aperol Spritz, Irish Coffee, Cadillac Margarita, Ancho Chile Margarita, White Russian, St-Germain Cocktail, White Lady

What is a sampler case of mixed beer?

Can you have rum at home?

Do you have to go to bartending school?

Do you need to pick up liquor?

How much is a to stock a bar at home?

Stocking a bar by buying one bottle of every category of spirit, even if you go down-market, will cost you at the very least $150, unless you're buying stuff bottled in plastic, and even then, such a shopping trip still won't be cheap.

How much alcohol is needed to stock a bar?

The general rule of thumb for the types of alcohol you'll serve should be these ratios: Full bar: 33% liquor, 33% beer, 33% wine. Beer and wine only: 70% beer, 30% wine.

How do you stock up a bar?

In general, two bottles are good to start, and you can always add more. Ideally, a bar should have one bottle of each style. For the most versatility and mixability, stock a bourbon and Canadian whisky. The bourbon will give you that robust whiskey flavor, while the Canadian blends tend to be very smooth.

What should a well stocked bar include?

Your checklist for a fully stocked home bar includes a variety of alcohols, tools, and drinkware, and mastering a few cocktail recipes. You should have the five common types of alcohol, including tequila, gin, vodka, rum, and whisky, as well as a small selection of beer, wine, and champagne.

Is opening a bar a good investment?

Is Opening a Bar a Good Investment? Yes, opening a bar can be a good investment. The average net profit of a successful bar is more than the average annual return from the stock market.

Why do bars fail?

Lack of funds is one of the big reasons bars fail. There are many operators who only have enough cash in their account to handle last week's bills. This is a mistake. You should always have at least 6 months' worth of rent as cash in your account.

What are the six basic drinks?

They are the Old Fashioned, Martini, Daiquiri, Sidecar, Whiskey Highball, and Flip. In each drink, every ingredient falls into at least one category. Core is the primary flavor; balance enhances the core with sweetness, acidity, or both; and seasoning adds another dimension and complements or contrasts with the core.

How do I stock a bar for 200 guests?

200 GUESTS:140 bottles of wine.350 bottles of beer.30 bottles of liquor (750 ml)40 bottles of champagne for toast (optional)

How do I stock a bar for a party of 50?

For a party of 50 guests, that translates to between 12 and 13 dozen beers, 9 dozen mixers and 20 bottles of wine. You can add two bottles of cordial (orange and lime are generally the most popular), a bottle of bitters, and some fruit juice options to diversify the choices without adding too much stock.

What is the 7 spirits of alcohol?

The 7 Types of Distilled SpiritVodka. Distilled primarily from high-starch plants, vodka typically isn't very flavorful. ... Tequila. Made from fermented agave, tequila tastes somewhat sweet, earthy, and piquant, though this varies depending on where the agave was grown. ... Gin. ... Rum. ... Whiskey. ... Mezcal. ... Brandy.

What should I stock my bar cart with?

Spirits: Bottles of vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey. Depending on your taste, the whiskey can be sweet (bourbon), spicy (rye), or astringent (Scotch). Equipment: A two-part Boston shaker, a Hawthorne strainer, a juice press, a bar spoon, and a double-sided jigger (either .

How do you arrange liquor bottles in your home bar?

0:172:55Home Bar 101: Key Bottles to Stock a Home Bar - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd what they would have in a professional bar here's something that I'd suggest to you to getMoreAnd what they would have in a professional bar here's something that I'd suggest to you to get started you'll want to have a vodka a gin tequila rum bourbon perhaps some rye a scotch cognac or brandy.

Essential bar items

Before we get into the specifics of what brands of mixers and spirits to stock, you have to know the must-have items for any bar. While there are endless types of cocktail-making tools, glasses, and accessories, there are a few main pieces you should pick up.

Affordable spirits to stock

The most expensive part of stocking your bar is the alcohol itself. While it’s entirely possible to find extremely cheap liquors, do you really want to serve the absolute cheapest alcohol to your friends and family? Probably not.

Mixers to stock on a budget

Now that you have a good selection of spirits, you need some mixers to go with them. Although you can use several mixers for one cocktail, you should opt for those you know you’ll use often.

Other items to stock on a budget

While you may think you need to have many liqueurs to have a well-stocked home bar, you don’t. If you’re having a get-together, and you know you’ll be making some cocktails, you can pick out a couple of liqueurs to buy.

Takeaway

Stocking your home bar doesn’t have to be a costly affair. You can find everything you need for a complete and ready bar while staying under a strict budget.

What is a sampler case of mixed beer?

A sampler case of mixed beer is the easiest way to make sure you have something to please any beer drinker that visits your home.

Can you have rum at home?

Rum is one item I haven’t yet picked up for my home bar, but if you’re a fan of even a simple rum & coke, you’ll want to keep a bottle in your own home. Consider picking up both a bottle of dark rum and light rum, depending on what drinks you’ll be missing.

Do you have to go to bartending school?

You don’t need actually need to go to bartending school to be able to serve your friends before a night out, but you should have something to mix your liquors with so you’re not just handing them a glass of pure alcohol.

Do you need to pick up liquor?

Liqueurs will cost you as much or more than your base liquors in your bar cabinet, so buy carefully. These should only be picked up when needed for a specific drink. Thankfully, because you typically only use them to enhance the flavor of a cocktail based on one of the liquors listed above, it will take you a lot longer to burn through your supply, making the price tag more bearable.

How many wines should I have in my home bar?

To consider your home bar truly well-stocked at this point, you’ll want to have at least two red and two white wines, as well as a sparkling for cocktails and celebratory toasts.

What is the best way to mix spirits?

On top of the suggested spirits for mixing cocktails, adding a small selection of spirits intended for sipping and savoring will ensure that your home bar is stocked for every occasion. And while individual tastes for high-end spirits are strongly a matter of opinion, we’re especially fond of the following bottles for each category:

Step 1: The Cart

We’re using the term ‘cart’ very loosely; you need a structure that can hold bottles and the occasional wine glass. If you’re not in the mood to go shopping or spend money on a one-use item, here are some other objects that will work:

Step 2: Stock Your Bar With the Basics

Start with the basics according to your taste and shoot to have at least three different bottles of liquor: something clear, something brown, and something fun. Then build out your bar with the essentials. We think buying middle-shelf brands are a good way to go.

Step 3: The Most Important Ingredient of All

Ice! According to Eric Alperin, award-winning bartender and owner of The Varnish in Los Angeles, “Ice is one of, if not the most important ingredient in making a cocktail; sadly [it] is the most overlooked component, especially at home because fancy cocktail ice is thought to be only found in high-end bars.” Alperin also suggests making your own ice blocks (freeze water in a plastic container, invert it onto a tray, then smash it up with something sturdy and sharp), but we think a big ice tray gets the job done just as well—and might be a little less dangerous..

Step 4: The Extras

For nights when you feel like taking your vodka-soda game to the next level, pull out a few tricks. Start with a baseline liquor, then add an aperitif (a dry, light beverage) or a liqueur (a syrupy, sweet distilled spirit). We think a good bar cart should have at least two or three of these.

Cocktail Formulas

We can’t send you off to set up a bar cart without a few recipes. Leave the rum and orange juice to your roommate, and give these drinks a try (take or leave the glass suggestions based on what’s handy). They all average out to be less than $3 a pop. Who’s thirsty?

How to keep a bar stocked?

Actually, you can keep your bar stocked for a fair budget if you know a few basic rules. First, only buy what you’ll use. For instance, if you favor whiskey, spend your money on whiskey. Don’t go out and buy bottles and bottles of vodka if you aren’t going to drink it.

Where should I keep a bar?

To fit these criteria it is usually best to keep your bar in your kitchen or living room. Keeping your bar in the kitchen is by far the more popular choice. Mini bar under the stairs. Don’t feel limited by this, though. Finding the perfect spot for your small home bar is dependent on how your home is built.

What do you think of a home bar?

When most of us think of a home bar, we think of liquor, a place to sit at the end of the day to have a cocktail or a fine glass of scotch. This is only one potential picture of a home bar, though. Alternatively, you could also have a wine bar. These are much the same as a standard home bar but instead of liquor, you would stock your bar with your favorite wine, glasses, opener and decanter.

Is a small home bar good?

So, a small home bar doesn’t only save you money, it is also the appropriate size for most homes.

Do you need to buy top shelf liquor to stock a bar?

Of course, you don’t want to fill your bar with poor quality drinks but you need to remember that you don’t necessarily need to buy top shelf liquor to have a quality drink.

Do you need extra ingredients for wine?

Of course, you will need to purchase items such as wine glasses but you won’t need extra ingredients such as garnishes or mixers for the drinks you pour at a wine bar.

9. Cocktail Bitters: Angostura, Regan's Orange, Peychaud's

Currently, there are nineteen bottles of bitters in my liquor cabinet. I often get them as Christmas and birthday gifts, and since you only use them a few drops at a time, they last forever. I stopped drinking soda and soft drinks years ago, and so I add a couple of dashes to club soda when I want something special.

Okay. Now what?

Couple those basics with some basic mixers (club soda, tonic water, ginger ale), fresh citrus and a couple juices, some clean-tasting ice, and some 1:1 simple syrup, you can make hundreds of cocktails.

How much can you discount spirits?

Well-known spirits can be discounted by over 50% at times, especially when it’s a festive season. Most spirits can be kept for a long time as long as you’re storing them in a cool and dark place. If you’re looking for bulk purchases of beer and other alcohol, then you can usually get it cheaper online.

Is glassware expensive?

In addition to drinks, you’re going to need glassware! You don’t really need expensive glassware and in most cases, you’re better off getting something cheap. Fancy glassware can be fun to entertain your guests with, but the reality is that you’re just serving them a drink.

Do you need a cabinet for a home bar?

However, if you decide that you want to expand your home bar, then you’ll want to have a cabinet of sorts to keep everything in one place. This is a great way to keep all of your home bar-related things in the same location and ensures that you can stay organized.

What is a sampler case of mixed beer?

A sampler case of mixed beer is the easiest way to make sure you have something to please any beer drinker that visits your home.

Can you have rum at home?

Rum is one item I haven’t yet picked up for my home bar, but if you’re a fan of even a simple rum & coke, you’ll want to keep a bottle in your own home. Consider picking up both a bottle of dark rum and light rum, depending on what drinks you’ll be missing.

Do you have to go to bartending school?

You don’t need actually need to go to bartending school to be able to serve your friends before a night out, but you should have something to mix your liquors with so you’re not just handing them a glass of pure alcohol.

Do you need to pick up liquor?

Liqueurs will cost you as much or more than your base liquors in your bar cabinet, so buy carefully. These should only be picked up when needed for a specific drink. Thankfully, because you typically only use them to enhance the flavor of a cocktail based on one of the liquors listed above, it will take you a lot longer to burn through your supply, making the price tag more bearable.