How to Stock the Ultimate Bar on a Budget
You Don't Need to Break the Bank to Entertain with Style.
Jun 2, 2009
The Essential Liquors for a Bar
There are dozens of liquors out there, but most cocktails are created out of the core five. For your bar, make sure to have vodka, gin, rum, tequila and whiskey (or bourbon if you prefer). Vermouth is also a good liquor to have around for martini lovers. You do not want to spend a bunch of money on every type of alcohol, such as flavored vodkas. You can replace those by adding different types of fruit to the drinks, such as juicing blood oranges into your martinis, or pomegranate juice cocktails.
An insider tip: you can stick to your favorite liquors without advertising the brand you purchased. Use decanters or carafes to hold the liquor so no one is the wiser. You can also filter alcohol on your own, by filtering it through a water purifier such as Brita and pouring it into a carafe or decanter. This works best with vodka and gin.
Wine and Beer
Everyone has an inexpensive brand of wine that they like. Disguise the price by putting a red and a white wine into two different carafes. Visit a liquor warehouse such as BevMo to get great deals on bottles of wine by the case. On average, you should have a white wine and a red wine, with champagne only for special occasions. Stick with a crisp chardonnay, and a Cabernet or Pinot Noir.
Keep two different types of beer in your bar. For parties, stocking a light and a regular beer is your best bet. Although many people like darker stouts, these can be expensive and should be a splurge. Pick popular or common beers, such as Budweiser, Coors, Miller, Heineken, etc.
The Essential Mixers for a Bar
Do not spend the extra money on pre-made mixers, as these can be pricey. Stock fresh ingredients that can be used for several types of drinks. The core five include cranberry juice, orange juice, tonic water, club soda, and other sodas such as Coca Cola or Ginger Ale. Have garnishes on hand to add extra flavor to the drinks and to spice up the appearance. The most common garnishes are lemons and limes and olives, and sometimes cherries. These garnishes keep for a long time in refrigerators.
The Essential Tools for a Bar
You can find bartending sets at stores as a package deal, or else you can buy the pieces separately. Make sure you have a shaker. This can be used to help mix most drinks, such as martinis, mixed drinks, or ever to just chill drinks. A jigger is useful to measure out amounts of alcohol for shots and drinks. For glasses, keep around four of each on hand. If you are having a large party, don't splurge on a bunch of expensive glasses. Instead, find some sturdy plastic glasses and use those instead. Highball glasses are used for most cocktails and sodas, while rocks glasses are used for straight liquor on the rocks (the wide bottom provides room for the ice cubes).
Martini glasses and wine glasses are basics that should be in every bar for sure. If you are confused about what types of wine glasses to invest in, choose a size in between small and large, with wide middle and slightly smaller opening. Also stock a bottle opener and colorful cocktail napkins.
Stocking these tools, liquors and mixers for your bar will guarantee that you can cover almost any drink someone requests, as well as your own favorites. Set up your bar area in a corner of your kitchen or in a large cupboard so you can access it easily. Drink in moderation and enjoy!
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