How to Stock a Home Bar With Garnishes

By eHow Food & Drink Editor

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A selection of garnishes, from fresh fruit to cocktail olives and onions, will allow to to mix drinks with style.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Tabasco Sauce
  • Worcestershire Sauces
  • Coarse Margarita Salt
  • Cocktail Onions
  • Fresh Lemons
  • Fresh Limes
  • Fresh Mint Leaves
  • Fresh Oranges
  • Granulated Sugars
  • Green Olives Olives
  • Grenadines
  • Maraschino Cherries
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Saucers
  • Angostura Bitters

Step1
Remember that making a great mixed drink is a lot like making any recipe: the best results come from the best ingredients. Some quality ingredients can be bought ahead and kept with your other cocktail supplies, but fresh ones should be bought just before serving.
Step2
Fill a bowl with fresh lemons, limes and oranges just before a party, so you'll have them on hand for mixes and garnishes.
Step3
Buy fresh mint sprigs as needed to mix in drinks and use as garnish - better yet, plant a pot of mint so you always have it on hand (see Tips).
Step4
Keep on hand an 8-oz. jar of maraschino cherries in maraschino liqueur.
Step5
Buy 10-oz. jards of cocktail olives and onions - an onion on a cocktail pick turns a martini into a Gibson.
Step6
Keep boxes of coarse salt and superfine sugar on hand - when hosting a party, put them in saucers to make dipping the rims of glasses easier.
Step7
Remember that for drinks that need to be sweetened by sugar, a simple syrup works best. You make it by combining 1 part sugar and 1 part boiling water, and stirring until the sugar dissolves (see Tips).
Step8
Stock Tabasco® (in 2- or 5-ounce bottle) and Worcestershire sauce (in a 10-oz. bottle).
Step9
Keep a 4-oz. bottle of Angostura bitters on hand to flavor aperitifs and longer drinks.
Step10
Use grenadine - a sweet, red syrup based on pomegranate juice, commonly found in a 12-oz. bottles - for coloring.

Tips & Warnings

  • A small refrigerator near the bar will let you keep ingredients chilled and ready to be mixed into cocktails.
  • Mixed drinks contain alcohol, so use moderation.
  • Never drink and drive.

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eHow Article: How to Stock a Home Bar With Garnishes

eHow Food & Drink Editor

eHow Food & Drink Editor

Category: Food & Drink

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