What are the basic things you need in a good "bar" for your home? (vodka, gin, tequila, rum, already here)

Question

Just trying to set up a good bar so I can make a lot of different cocktails!

Answer 1

That could come as a book. But of course you need to think about what's your favourite cocktail and how you want it to be served to your friends.

Basic Alcohol you'll need is that
Vodka (Original and/or flavours) and keep it frozen
Gin
Tequila
Rum

Mixers you might want to add
Coke
Lemonade
Sparkling Water (They go well with Whiskey, but don't waste your Malt on it), or you could use Soda
Tonic

Then you have to think about what tool you have
A shaker/Bar Spoon
A Blender (good to make frozen Margaretta)

Also you have to think about how to garnish your drinks, you will probably need
Lemon
Lime
Olive
and some other fruits depends on the season and what cocktail you are making

Of course, to upgrade it a little bit more. Throw in some of the following to make it really works.
Champagne/Wine
Cognac
Whiskey (Blended, Malt, Scotch, Bourbon etc.)

But the true fun is to be created, so start small and add additional when it comes to a specific drink, or specific flavours.

Start with some Vodka first and add according to your budget... ;)

Answer 2

Bourbon, gin, light rum, scotch, tequila, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, triple sec and vodka are the basis for any bar. You want to choose brands that meet a variety of taste expectations without breaking your budget. Unless you have specific favorites that cost more, expect to spend between $15 and $30 per 750 milliliter bottle.


In addition to the nine basic types of alcohol every bar needs some basic bartenders tools and glassware. You don’t have to invest in a full set of glasses for each kind of cocktail. Just having a selection of high-ball glasses, pint glasses and wine glasses should do the trick. You can find these for under twenty dollars at many discount stores such as Wal-Mart, Kmart and Target.


If you don’t have a separate bar cabinet designed for and dedicated to alcohol storage and glassware, you can set aside one of your regular kitchen or rec room cabinets for the purpose. You got even have to spend a lot of money on bartender tools. You can pick up a basic set that includes a knife, swizzel stick, strainer, shaker, corkscrew and can opener for under ten dollars in most places.
Now that you are faced with making actual drinks it’s time to get your mixers and some garnishes to keep on hand. I usually don’t worry about restocking the mixers and garnishes until I’m ready to have people over. They are perishable and you want them to be as fresh as possible.


So what mixers are essential? Regular cola, ginger ale or lemon-lime soda, soda water, and tonic water are all key ingredient in a variety of cocktails. The nice thing about sodas and fizzy water is that you can buy 12 ounce cans and small bottles, only using what you need and preventing waste. Another mixer that you can keep on hand for longer is something called bitters. This comes in a small bottle, and you use very little at a time.


Fruit juices such as cranberry juice, grapefruit juice and orange juice should all be purchased close to the date of your party, or as concentrate in your freezer. Many drinks call for an ingredient called simple syrup. If you have white granulated sugar, some water and a small saucepan you can make your own simple syrup right before any party. Perishable garnishes such as green olives, cocktail onions, maraschino cherries, lemons and limes should be is fresh as possible

Answer 3

You will want some grenadine and sweet and sour mix for the sweeter drinks and a shaker glass to shake them over ice. Alot of the cocktails I make at my house include coconut rum, and alot of different juices. Alot of the people who drink them like me to use an Orange pinapple guava juice that you can pick up at most grociery stores. If you can't find it, buy it seperatly and mix it yourself. For good *girly* shots, mix 2parts fruity schnapps and 1 part vodka in a shaker to get it ice cold and pour in to shot glass. It will be cold an fruity tasting and get them fealing good in no time.
Good luck on your bar.

Answer 4

Gary Regan one of the worlds premier mixologists just answered this in his newspaper column for the San Francisco chronicle. I thought he did a bang up job.

Answer 5

A good wine for non-hard drinkers, brandy, whiskey and ice cold beer. You will also need a variety of mixers, oj, coke, seven, sour, tonic etc.. Don't forget the grenadine for tequila sunrises. I'll have a Captain coke please!

Answer 6

you have the basics already, but you might want some more flavorful alcohols, like triple sec, liquors (cinnamon, peppermint, apple..), and flavored vodkas (vanilla, fruit..). these will expand your drink-mixing abilities. kahlua is another big one.

Answer 7

Whiskey - Jim Beam and/or Jack Daniels!

Answer 8

Add some Kahlua and Bailey's and you're all set!

Answer 9

vermouth gin bourbon schnapps