What to Buy For Your Home Bar

estion that this is going to be expensive, but• Crème de Menthe
there are some things you can do to try to keep• Crème de Cacao
the cost more moderate. You might begin by• Anisette
stocking only the basic liquors. And, in any case,• Vermouth
you do not need to purchase the premium brandsMost of these can be found for less under the
at their whopping premium prices. If you really likebrand name of Mr. Boston. The great thing about
them though, purchase enough for you andstocking all of these liqueurs is the large number
perhaps the one or two guests that can tell theof different drinks that can be mixed with them.
difference, most people can’t tell theSince only a small amount is used for each drink,
difference between a twenty dollar bottle ofthey should last a long time.
scotch and two hundred dollar bottle of scotch.Non-alcoholic Drinks and Mixers
The truth of the matter is that most• Grenadine
don’t care.• Sour Mix
Basic Liquors• Lime juice
These are a must to have in any home bar. With• Cola
them, you can mix many a fine drink and they• Diet Cola
are the basis of most mixed drinks, cocktails, and• Red Bull
shots.• Orange juice
• Vodka• Pineapple juice
• Gin• Cranberry juice
• Rum• Grapefruit juice
• Whiskey• Tomato juice
• Tequila• Sprite or 7up
These will go fast so stock a few bottles of each• Soda
in reserve.• Tonic
Beyond Basic Liquors• Ginger Ale
These are not absolutely essential to have on• Cream
hand, but some of your guests may well ask for• Milk
them. They also afford you a wider variety ofDon’t buy the huge cans of juice, stick
drinks and shots that you are able to serve.with the 8oz size. You will find them to last longer
• Scotchwithout spoilage. Obviously, if you are going to
• Brandythrow a big shindig, then buy enough for that. Milk
• Cognacand cream cannot be stored, so purchase them
• Irish Whiskeyas needed and in small sizes.
• JagermeisterGarnishes and Condiments
• Rumplemintz• Cherries
Should you not be a scotch or cognac drinker you• Olives
can steer clear of the high priced brands. Trying• Cocktail onions
to stock high end scotch is a difficult task if you• Bitters
do not know what you're looking at and can also• Worcester sauce
get very expensive. Guests that drink high end• Tabasco sauce
liquor know what it costs and will forgive you if it• Salt
is missing from behind your home bar.• Pepper
Liqueurs and Cordials• Lemons
• Blue Curacao• Sugar
• Midori• Limes
• Cointreau• Oranges
• Grand Marnier• Picks and stirs
• Triple SecMost of these can be stored for long periods in
• Kahluaeither the refrigerator or on a shelf or cabinet
• Bailey’s Irish Creambehind the bar. The fresh fruits will have to be
• Peach Treereplenished as used.
• PuckersOkay, now you are properly stocked. Time to
• Amarettothrow a party and show off your fine bar and
• Chambordyour fine bartending skills.
• Frangellico