SO YOU WANT TO START A HOME BAR? Great!

But where do you begin? What type of liquor should you buy? Do you need to buy every mixer or drink ingredient out there? What about bar tools and glassware? Which ones do I really need?

I had the same questions when I started my home bar. In short, the answers will depend on your own drink preferences. But if you want to have what you need to make most classic cocktails, this list is a great place to start. 

Let’s start with liquors…

LIQUORS

Generally speaking it’s good to have at least one bottle each of vodka, light and dark rum, and tequila. 

Vodka is a neutral spirit and used in many classic cocktails, including Moscow Mules, Cosmopolitans, and Vodka Martinis. 

Having a bottle of both light and dark rum on hand will allow you to make daiquiris, rum punches, and a number of tiki drinks

Tequila, specifically Blanco or Silver, is a must have for Margaritas. Joven (a blend of aged and unaged tequila) and Reposado (aged tequila) can also be used, but Blanco is a good place to start if you had to choose just one type. 

Gin is great to have for Martinis and Gin & Tonics. A London dry gin is the most versatile and will work in most gin based cocktail recipes. 

Whiskey is another case where it’s good to have at least two types. Bourbon or Canadian blends will be a bit smoother and sweeter, while Rye is sharper and spicier. Having both will allow you to make a number of whiskey based cocktails. 

And finally, you can round out your liquour selection with a nice bottle of Brandy.

Liqueurs

You might be wondering about liqueurs. Liqueurs are liquors that have been sweetened and flavored. They are also at a lower proof vs. standard liquors. 

Liqueurs are great to have since they can used to flavor your cocktail. The 5 most common types of liqueurs are:

1) Orange liqueur - used in Margaritas, Long Island Ice Teas, Cosmopolitans, and so many other drinks

2) Irish cream - used in Mudslides and Martinis

3) Coffee liqueur - great for White Russians, Martinis

4) Amaretto, an almond flavored liqueur

5) Vermouth - this is actually made with wine and available in sweet, dry, or extra dry. It’s another must for Martinis and drinks in the Negroni family

MIXERS

Generally, mixers are ingredients that add volume and/or flavor to your cocktail. Some popular mixers include water, sparkling water, tonic water, fruit juices, and soft drinks. 

Out of all these, water is the #1 mixer and is usually added as ice. When it comes to ice, size, shape, and quality are important.

The size and quality of your ice can affect the flavors of your drink significantly. Off flavors from ice can taint your cocktail. Ice that is either too small or large will not dilute it properly, resulting in a drink that is watered down or too strong.

“Seasonings”

This is a term given by Death & Co in their best selling book Cocktail Codex for ingredients that add complexity and complimentary flavors to a cocktail.

Bitters are one type of “seasoning”. They are made by infusing botanicals in an alcohol base and are considered salt and pepper of cocktails.

Garnishes can also act as seasonings. They can deliver aromatics, sweetness, or acidity which compliment or enhance the flavors in the drink.

Citrus wheels and peels are most common garnish and fresh herbs can be used as a garnish or in the drink itself.

BAR TOOLS

In addition to ingredients, it’s important to have the right bar tools. These are the must haves:

1) Shakers:

• Cobbler - 3 pcs with a built in strainer, found in most home bars

• Boston - 2 pcs, no strainer but can hold more volume. Great for mixing more than one drink at a time

• Parisian - 2 pcs, no strainer (similar to the Cobbler type)

2) Strainers:

• Hawthorne: most recognized, perforated piece of metal which is lined with a flexible spring that catches ice and other solids

• Julep: originally used to prevent ice from falling into the faces of Mint Julep drinkers, this strainer is designed to be easily held over a mixing glass

• Fine mesh: great for removing pulp and smaller pieces

3) Bar spoon for mixing and measuring

4) Muddler to muddle and extract juice and flavor from herbs

5) Citrus squeezer or juicer

6) Wine opener and stopper

GLASSWARE

And of course, you’re going to need some glassware. These are some good ones:

1) Rocks or old fashioned glasses for strained drinks with small amount of ice

2) Highball or Collins glass for drinks with lots of ice or non-alcoholic mixers

3) Martini

4) Standard wine and champagne

5) Shot glass

6) Pint glass for beer

That just about covers the essentials. Again, all of the ingredients and items mentioned here are only suggestions. At the end of the day, your home bar should reflect you and what you like to drink or prepare for others.

I hope this was helpful. If so, let me know in the comments. And feel free to leave any comments, questions, or suggestions you might have.

Until next time, cheers!

- Gabrielle