How to Stock Your Bar

Shaken, stirred, on the rocks or straight up with a twist, the cocktails you mix and serve will depend on your mood and the event (casual get-together or elegant soiree). With a few recipes and a fully stocked bar, you can become the mixologist of the moment, from lemon drops to bourbon on the rocks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Build your liquor supply. Bourbon, vodka, rum, scotch, whiskey, brandy and tequila are essentials. But you'll also find that many base alcohols are coupled with other types, like amaretto, anisette, chambord, Grand Marnier, triple sec, schnapps, Irish creme liqueur, sambuca, vermouth and Kahlua. Keep in mind that these can also serve as the primary ingredient of a drink.
2. Compliment your liquors with adequate mixers. If you're only stocking with a few types of liquor, then make sure the mixers you buy are associated with those drink types. These can be soft drinks, grenadine, tonic water and club soda, coffee, ice cream, half and half, fruit juices, worcestershire sauce and tabasco.
3. Include optional garnishes to add an element of sophistication. Although, some garnishes are necessary to complete the drink. Some common garnishes are celery, cocktail onion, olives, fresh mint, cherries, cocoa powder, fruits and spices, like nutmeg, pepper and salt.
4. Equip yourself with the appropriate gadgets. Bar towels can wipe the counter clean. Coasters can range from paper cocktail napkins to brass or wood. You'll likely need a blender for some drinks, cocktail picks for olives and other garnishes and a shaker. A corkscrew and bottle opener are key components to any bar. get and ice bucket and tongs. And last, but certainly not least, buy glasses. These include cocktail glasses, highball glasses, martini glasses, margarita glass, wine glasses and beer mugs or glasses.
5. Load up on a few select wines and microbrew beers. These are optional, but party guests don't always prefer cocktails. Have a couple of reds and a couple of whites on hand. For beer, a few dark beers or pale ales are nice. For larger parties, it might behoove you to stock lighter, more traditional (and cheaper) beers.