A Man's Guide to Stocking a Cocktail Bar
Start your at-home bar with the basics, and build from there. Assess your bar supplies each season and before you have guests.
Lisa Wilder
Martini
Liquors: Pick your favorite to start, and then add others over time.
- Gin
- Rum
- Tequila (white, gold, aged, extra-aged or ultra-aged)
- Whiskey, bourbon, rye
- Vodka
Liqueurs: These add a secondary layer of flavor in many cocktails.
- Herb-based spirits, such as Campari or Chartreuse
- Orange-based liqueur, such as Cointreau or Triple Sec
- Sweet liqueurs, such as creme de cacao of Kahlua
- Vermouth (dry and sweet)
Bitters: A dash of bitters accents and adds depth to a cocktail.
- Aromatic bitters, such as classic Angostura or sweet, spicy Artisan bitters, innovative flavors abound
- Orange bitters
- Peychaud's
Spicy & Savory Flavors: Easy to have on hand and most keep for a long time.
- Horseradish
- Hot sauces, such as Tabasco, green pepper sauce, Sriracha or other Asian chili sauces
- Olive brine, pickle juice
- Tomato juice
- Worcestershire sauce
Sweet & Sour Flavors: Personalize your cocktails with infused simple syrups, or make your own sour mix.
- Grenadine
- Simple syrup (plain or infused with herbs, spices or fruit)
- Sour mix
- Sugar (granulated, brown, cane)
Fruit Juices: Freshly squeeze your citrus fruits for maximum flavor.
- Cranberry juice cocktail
- Lemon juice
- Lime juice
- Orange juice
- Pineapple juice
- Pomegranate juice
- Strong iced teas or tisanes
Carbonation: Buy sodas packaged in small bottles; a 2-liter bottle of soda may go flat between parties.
- Seltzer
- Club soda
- Tonic
- Cola
- Lemon-lime
- Ginger ale
- Ginger beer
Garnishes: Precut slices or wedges of lemons and limes before the party, and have fun with inventive garnishes.
- Celery
- Citrus twists
- Coarse salt
- Cocktail onions, for Gibsons
- Cucumber
- Fresh berries or currants
- Fresh herbs, such as mint or basil
- Fun swizzle sticks, cocktail straws, spears for fruit garnishes
- Jalapeno
- Lemons
- Limes
- Maraschino cherries
- Nutmeg, for grating on brandy Alexanders or eggnog
- Olives, try different varieties or stuffed olives
- Oranges
- Starfruit, pineapple, apple
- Sugar cubes, for Manhattans
Tools of the Trade: These tools are essential to any well-stocked bar.
- Blender
- Bottle opener
- Cocktail shaker
- Cocktail stirrer
- Cocktail strainer
- Hand-held fruit juicer
- Jigger measure
- Knife
- Muddler
- Small cutting board
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