Setting up your Home Bar

By / Wine + Drinks / September 6th, 2013 / 1

A career, a partner, children, keeping fit – with so many responsibilities and obligations, many of us are now spending more time at home. As our priorities shift, so do our social lives. A great night out is no longer about hitting the bar scene; it’s about hosting, or being hosted, by friends and family. But, that’s not to say we don’t enjoy a cocktail or an after dinner drink – we’re just doing from the comfort of our homes. In this three part series we’ll look at glassware, accessories and stocking your home bar.

Cheers!

Glassware

We suggest at least six of each glass in the Basics group, a dozen if you host larger parties.

Basics

Highball
Large, tall glass used for mixed drinks, usually served over ice. Typically holds 8-12 ounces.

Rocks
Also known as an Old-Fashioned or Lowball, this glass can be used to serve spirits on the rocks or neat and can also be used for smaller, mixed drinks. It has a 5-6 ounce capacity with a double Rocks glass holding anywhere from 8-10 ounces.

Cocktail
Also known as a Martini glass, this stemmed glass is an essential piece of barware. It can be used for any cocktail served without ice.

Pilsner
This glass is a slightly more elegant version of the beer mug.

Shot
Ok, so you may not be doing shots of tequila at home (or, maybe you are) but a shot glass is a great way to measure proportions for mixed drinks. A typical shot glass will hold 1.5 ounces.

Nice to Have

Margarita
Primarily used to serve Margaritas, Daiquiris and frozen drinks; this stemmed glassware is on some homes’ Basics list.

Collins
A slender version of the Highball, this glass derives its name from the Tom Collins cocktail but it is also good choice to serve Mojitos in.

Hurricane
A great glass to serve larger tropical or frozen drinks in – usually holds 15 ounces.

Cordial
A stemmed, slightly larger (2 ounce capacity) version of a shot glass usually used to sip liqueurs.

Snifter
Also known as a Brandy Snifter, this glass’ large bowl and narrow opening make it the ideal glass to enjoy most aged liquor.

Stay posted for: Must-have Accessories and Stocking your Bar

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shannon is an urban soul living (and loving) a small-town, country life. Short term goals include always keeping her wine glass, and outlook on life, half-full. Long term goal…taking her three boys on a 6 month south Pacific adventure. We’ll keep you updated.

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