Stocking your Home Bar

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

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

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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