How to Stock a Home Bar

If you entertain regularly, you've already discovered that the cocktail is back. That means keeping a well-stocked bar is more important than ever. Start with the basics - then build on those for special occasions.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Liquor

1. Designate a cabinet or closet to store your bar supplies and liquor all together and to protect them from heat and sunlight. Make sure it's a place children can't access.

2. Start with the basic spirits: gin, rum, vodka, whiskey and tequila in 750ml bottles for mixed drinks. If you or your guests like to sip fine spirits, you'll already know to stock such items as single-malt Scotch or 100-percent agave tequila.

3. Add other spirits and wines: dry and sweet vermouth, brandy or cognac, a basic white wine and a basic red wine, also in 750ml bottles.

4. Buy larger bottles (1 liter) if you are throwing a party or know that your crowd loves a particular drink.

5. Purchase liqueurs you know you'll need for your guests' favorite drinks: Cointreau or Triple Sec (margaritas), Kahlua (black Russian), creme de cacao (Alexander) and blue curacao (almost any blue drink!) are just a few examples.

6. Be sure to stock non-alcoholic ingredients - enough for drinks but also for the non-drinkers in the crowd. These could include: cranberry, grapefruit and orange juice in 48- to 64-ounce bottles; soft drinks such as cola and lemon-lime soda canned in sixpacks; canned tomato juice or Bloody Mary mix in sixpacks; club soda, tonic water and bottled water (still and sparkling), bottled in sixpacks.

7. Add condiments and garnishes: cocktail olives and onions (10-oz. jars), maraschino cherries (8-oz. jar), Rose's lime juice (12-oz. bottle), Angostura bitters (4-oz. bottle), Worcestershire sauce (10-oz. bottle), Tabasco® or other hot sauce (2- to 5-oz. bottle) and small boxes of coarse salt and superfine sugar for mixing and for coating the rims of glasses.

8. Check Related eHows for more information on glassware, garnishes, mixes and mixing a great cocktail.

Tips & Warnings

• Check online sources for liquor, but make sure you investigate shipping costs and regulations.

• A small refrigerator is very handy near the bar.

• If your tap water tastes bad, use bottled water in your drinks - and to make ice!

• Invest in an ice bucket and tongs. It helps say, "Here's the bar" - and the tongs encourage people not to stick their fingers in the ice that will go in others' drinks.

• Keep vodka in the freezer - it's best ice-cold but won't freeze solid.

• Mixing the perfect cocktail is easier with the right tools, such as the Ultimate Cocktail Set which includes a shaker, strainer, zester and mixing whisk among other items.

• Use moderation any time you drink alcohol.

• Never drink and drive.