Stocking your Home Bar
Glasses – check. Accessories – check. Now what?
Now it’s time for the real investment – the liquor. Remember, you are stocking your home bar, so the first thing you should look at is what you like to drink. If you love Margaritas, you’ll need tequila. If you’re a traditional Martini guy or gal, you probably already have a preferred gin or vodka in mind. Once you have stocked for your palate, the goal is to have enough variety to ensure your future guests’ enjoyment without breaking the bank. We love the analogy “stocking a bar is a marathon, not a sprint”.
Liquor
If you already have a favourite brand, great, you don’t need our advice. If you don’t, try and stick with a product at the middle price point. Also, buy smaller bottles of the liquor you know won’t be used often or in high quantities, such as an orange liqueur.
Basics
Vodka
Gin
Blended Scotch
Rum – if possible, try to stock both light rum and dark rum.
Tequila
Bourbon
Nice to Have
Orange Liqueur
Dry Vermouth – remember, this is a wine product and will spoil after opening. It can usually be kept up to two months, or longer if refrigerated.
Irish Cream
Coffee Liqueur
Amaretto
Mixers
When it comes to mixers and condiments, it’s ok to stock non-perishable items long-term but purchase your carbonated /juice beverages and fruit only when needed.
Cranberry Juice
Grapefruit Juice
Orange Juice
Pineapple Juice
Tomato Juice
Club soda
Tonic
Ginger Ale
Cola and/or Diet Cola
Lemon-Lime Soda
Condiments
Bitters
Grenadine
Tabasco Sauce
Worcestershire Sauce
Black Pepper
Coarse Salt
Sugar (Sugar Syrup)
Cocktail Olives and Onions
Fresh Lemons & Lime
Fresh Mint