Here are the basics:
- Club soda.
- Tonic water.
- Cola.
- Sprite or 7-up.
- Ginger ale.
- Orange juice.
- Cranberry juice.
- Tomato juice.
- Pineapple juice.
- Angostura bitters (technically you don’t use bitters as a mixer — they’re to be used in splashes to add a bit of flavor to your drinks)
Full Answer
How to set up and stock a home bar?
Well Stocked: How to Set Up an Amazing Home Bar
- The Ground Rules. Behind any good bar is a good book on how to mix cocktails. ...
- Stocking Up. Now, let’s talk what, exactly, you need.
- Spirits
- Liqueurs
- Mixers. Simple syrup: Make by dissolving equal parts water and sugar over heat—it keeps for several weeks in the refrigerator.
- Tools. ...
- Recipes. ...
- Old Fashioned
- Clover Club
- Magi Sour. ...
How to properly stock a home bar?
- Select varieties that you personally enjoy.
- Keep in mind the tastes of your guests and try to select for them.
- When starting your bar, don't go overboard. Purchase only what you will actually use.
- Start out with ingredients for your favorite cocktails. You can always add more ingredients to your bar later on.
What do you need to stock a home bar?
Some Basic Tips For Stocking Your Home Bar
- Keep It Simple To Start You can’t be prepared to make every drink at your home bar. ...
- Get Stuff You And Your Friends Like So where do you go from there? ...
- Find A Good Cocktail Book (or App)
How to stock a home bar, no matter the budget?
What you need to stock a home bar
- Vodka. I’m a vodka drinker, so this always has a place in my liquor cabinet. ...
- Whiskey. I’m not a whiskey drinker but I use bourbon generously when I bake pecan pies. ...
- Tequila. ...
- Wine ($40) You need at least 1 bottle of red and 1 bottle of white on hand at all times. ...
- Mixed Beers ($20) Sometimes you just want something simple. ...
What should a bar stock?
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. Rye whiskey is another excellent choice for everyday mixed drinks.
What should I stock up on a full home bar?
By stocking your bar with a small collection of basic spirits, mixers, glassware, and bar tools, you'll be able to make almost any standard mixed drink and even invent a few new cocktails of your own.
What liquors are needed to stock a bar?
Bar Basics: 12 Bottles Any Bar Should HaveGin. Lots of people think they don't like gin. ... Rum (Light) Essential for mojitos and daiquiris, or just mixing with pineapple juice when you're feeling lazy.Rum (Dark) Rich and molasses-y. ... 4 & 5. Tequila (Silver & Gold) ... Bourbon. ... Rye Whiskey. ... 8 & 9. ... Absinthe.More items...•
What should I include in my bar?
What equipment should every bar have?Cocktail and bartending equipment.Beverages and beverage dispensing bar equipment.A bar POS system.Bar furniture and other equipment.Food and kitchen supplies.
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.
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 are the 12 bottles in the 12 bottle bar?
The 12 BottlesLeopold's American Small Batch Gin. ... Rittenhouse Bottled in Bond Straight Rye. ... Remy Martin VSOP Cognac. ... Orange Bitters. ... Angostura Bitters. ... Orange Liqueur. ... Redbreast Irish Whiskey. ... Kübler Absinthe.More items...
What are the first five liquors on a bar?
The industry standard for the order of liquors on the speed rack is: rum, vodka, gin, brandy, whiskey, scotch, bourbon and tequila. However, the order of the bottles will depend on the preferences of the majority of your clientele.
What is the most versatile liquor?
Vodka is the most versatile liquor out there, hands down. It can be served any way you want, from a refreshing sip on the rocks to a fruity cocktail to a rapid-fire shot. This popular booze has been around for centuries and actually originated in the Middle Ages when it was first used medicinally.
What do bars typically have?
Bar (counter) This counter typically stores a variety of beers, wines, liquors, and non-alcoholic ingredients, and is organized to facilitate the bartender's work. Counters for serving other types of food and drink may also be called bars.
How do you stock a mini bar?
How To: Stock Your BarKEY SPIRITS. You could just pick one, but really any good home bar will have at least four essential liquors: vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey. ... VERMOUTH. Essential for Manhattans and Martinis so definitely a necessity.BITTERS. ... ORANGE LIQUEUR. ... FRESH FRUIT.
What is bar list?
Bar List means that list of bars of Metal held in Secured Allocated Accounts, published by the Issuer on the Issuer's Website.
Essential Spirits
It's easy to get overwhelmed with the variety of liquors on the market, but rest assured, if you have these key ones, you're set up to make most standard cocktails.
Essential Mixers
Mixers are just as essential as spirits, as most standard cocktails are going to require at least one (more likely two). Having some of the more popular ones on hand will ensure that you always have what you need to make your favorite libations.
Essential Garnishes
Though you may be tempted to skimp on garnishes, don't. Part of the fun of preparing and investing time and money into a great cocktail is the presentation. Plus, depending on the type of garnish they can add flavor to the mix as well.
Bar Toolkit
The number of bar tools and gadgets on the market are endless, but with just a handful of tools you can handle 99 percent of home bartending tasks. And we're willing to bet you already have quite a few of these in your kitchen right now.
Glassware
It's tempting to buy a different type of glass to go with each accompanying cocktail (like margarita glasses or martini glasses), but having two to three different sized glasses on hand will work for nearly any cocktail you could ever want to make. Plus, elegant cocktail glasses look stunning in a bar cart or cabinet.
Bar Carts and Cabinets
Without a built-in home bar, you'll need somewhere to proudly store and display your growing liquor and bar collection. You don't have to drop thousands of dollars on a fancy bar cabinet — you can find stylish, minimalistic bar carts and cabinets for less than $100.
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1. Daiquiri
Daiquiris are among my favorite drinks. They are a group of cocktails that contain rum, citrus juice, and a sweetener. Rum can also be switched out for other alcohols. For example, a daiquiri with gin or vodka is essentially a Gimlet.
2. Old Fashioned
Another favorite of mine is the old fashioned. It’s certainly very versatile. The main cocktail is made of whiskey, bitters, simple syrup, and a citrus twist.
3. Martini
This is probably the cocktail I make the least, but is still a huge favorite. A classic dry martini is gin and vermouth with an olive or a lemon twist.
4. Sour
According to the list I linked above, the sidecar is one of the six classic cocktails. However, the sidecar is actually a kind of sour. The sour family of drinks are made with a base liquor, lemon or lime juice, and a sweetener. And, according to these rules, they actually make the Daiquiri part of the Sours.
5. Highball
I’ve always thought a Highball sounded like the fanciest of cocktails, but it’s also the simplest. For all you fans of a rum & coke, a Highball is just a spirit plus a non-alcoholic mixer.
6. Flip
And, last but not least, and the most advanced to make, is the Flip. A Flip is a cocktail that contains a spirit, a sweetener, and a whole egg. Flips can also contain just an egg white, but if we’re being picky about the Classics, I wanted you to know.
How to Stock a Home Bar: Essential Liquors
This lineup is all you need to make the six classic cocktails listed previously. To stock a bar with the basics you’ll need rum, gin, tequila, whiskey, and a dry vermouth. You could technically get away without the tequila, but that would take away the ability to make margaritas, palomas, tequila sunrises, and more.
Essential Liquors, Mixers, and Garnishes for a Full Bar
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Essential Liquors
The foundation for the majority of cocktails, a well-rounded bar should include at least one bottle of each of the six base liquors. Stocking a good selection of these will ensure you can mix up almost any cocktail on a whim. If you feel like a whiskey cocktail tonight, you'll be ready.
Vodka Is Essential
Vodka has a clean, transparent flavor, and it is used for more cocktails than any other distilled spirit. Some people like vodka more than others, so stock according to your preference.
A Versatile Gin or Two
Not everyone is a fan of gin. However, it is nice to have at least one bottle in every bar.
Tequilas for Margaritas
Tequila is key to margaritas, though there are other fascinating tequila cocktails to explore. Generally, you'll want to stock at least one nice tequila.
Two Rums Are Good
A well-stocked bar has at least two bottles of rum. You can spend as little or as much as you like, though rum tends to be one of the more affordable liquors.
Choose Your Whiskey
Things get complicated when it comes to stocking whiskey because each style has its own characteristics and uses. This category is definitely going to be adapted to your personal style. In general, two bottles are good to start, and you can always add more. Ideally, a bar should have one bottle of each style.
The Home Bar Rules
Home Bar Rule #1: Pick alcohol you actually enjoy imbibing. When I first started my own home bar, I only picked spirits that I thought would impress guests when I had them over. I ended up spending a fortune for alcohol that I hardly ever used. While you’ll use your home bar for entertaining, don’t forget that a home bar’s main customer is you.
Alcohol
Gin. It’s one of the base spirits for many popular cocktails, so definitely have plenty on hand. Gin comes in four varieties: London Dry, Plymouth, Old Tom, and Genever. I suggest starting off with a London Dry gin. Later on, add a Plymouth gin to the mix. Learn more about this spirit in AoM’s primer on gin.
Mixers
Again, what mixers you decide to stock will depend on the cocktails you want to make. Here are the basics:
Garnishes
Garnishes add a bit of decorative panache to your drink. They also give you something to nibble on as you sip your drink. The type of garnish you add to a drink depends on the drink. Tequila-based cocktails often use citrus garnishes like a lime or lemon. Gin-based tonics use olives and onions. A man should never add garnishes to a Scotch.
Glassware and Other Assorted Accouterments
You’ll need the proper tools for your apothecary of invigorating elixirs. You can get pretty specific with your glassware. There are tumblers made specifically for certain cocktails. If you drink those cocktails frequently, by all means get them. But you can get by just fine without them. Here are the basics:
Home Bar Storage
Some of you might be choking on your cocktail olive at the size of this list. You’re probably thinking, “Sure, Jeff, this sounds all well and good, but where am I supposed to keep this in my tiny house/apartment/condo?”
Vodka
"I would never spend more than $50 on a bottle of vodka," Ehrmann advises. "You can find plenty of top-end, high-quality vodka in that price range." He avoids vodka made with potatoes and opts for a vodka made with rye because it has more character and spice. However, if you prefer a generally creamy mouthful, you might like potato or wheat vodka.
Tequila
If you love tequila drinks—margaritas, Palomas, and diablos—a good silver tequila is a must for your home bar. Ehrmann recommends getting a high-quality one because, "a well-made Blanco tequila is as delicious a sipper as it is in a cocktail." He prefers to use silver tequila for cocktails because it has a pure agave flavor.
Whiskey
Whiskey is a broad category of spirits that includes bourbon, rye, and scotch. Ehrmann suggests getting at least one of each type, including Irish whiskey, to cover all the basic classic drinks. "For each of them, focus on 86 to 100 proof because you want that alcohol content to punch through in a cocktail," he says.
Cognac
Cognac is organized by aging style. There is VS, VSOP, XO, and XXO, a new category that is the oldest and meant to be strictly sipped. "For cocktails, you want a VS or VSOP, and there can be great range in price," Ehrmann says. "VS is going to be cheaper than VSOP. With the VSOP, you're getting more age"—four vs. two years.
Vermouth
Vermouth is an aromatized fortified wine that comes in white and red varieties known more commonly as dry and sweet vermouth. Dry vermouth is used in a martini, while sweet vermouth is used in a Manhattan. Both are common ingredients in many concoctions, but vermouth can also be sipped solo over ice or in a spritzer.
Essential Liqueurs
A high-quality triple sec like Cointreau is a necessary ingredient in margaritas, cosmos, sidecars, and many other drinks. It's a must for every home bar. A triple sec differs from orange liquor (such as Grand Mariner) because the triple sec is made with a neutral spirit rather than an aged spirit like cognac.
Trendy Liqueurs
Once you've stocked the basic building blocks, add liquors that excite you to your collection. Mezcal, a Mexican spirit made from smoked agave, is a potent yet versatile ingredient that can replace tequila in many cocktails. Sherry is another spirit used in mixology but is also worth trying by itself.
How to Stock a Bar
Bar essentials encompass all the items you need to keep your bar running, including mixers and equipment. Keeping your bar stocked with these key bartender essentials allows your bartenders to mix a wide variety of drinks, from signature craft cocktails to tried and true classics.
Bar Inventory List
Make sure your bar is properly stocked with the equipment and bartender tools your staff will need to pour liquor, blend drinks, and shake cocktails. These key pieces of bar equipment will help your bar staff quickly prepare almost every type of drink your customers can order.
Cocktail Ingredients
Bar Ingredients are the key to a well-balanced and memorable drink. They add flavor, depth, and color to your cocktails. By stocking the following cocktail ingredients, you'll have a great inventory base for making most any drink:
Pre-Made Cocktail Mixes
Bar drink mixes help your bar staff make popular drinks faster to maintain a consistent service time frame and taste, and to keep customers happy. Because they are premixed, bar drinks mixes also cut down on prep time.
Cocktail Glasses
Using the right cocktail glass can actually make your drinks better and improve the experience for your guests. Instead of using the same rocks glass or pint glass for every drink, enhance your presentation with the following line up of cocktail glasses:
Cocktail Garnishes
Presentation is just as important as taste when it comes to mixed drinks. That is why the process of making incredible mixed drinks ends with selecting the ideal garnish for your glass, perfected with garnishing tools. Here are three drink garnishes that no successful bar can live without:
