Setting up a Home Bar

Serving drinks from your home bar increases your entertaining skills.

While anyone can pop the top on a beer or mix rum and coke in a glass, not everyone can make a tasty cocktail for their guests. If you want to increase your entertaining clout, set up your own home bar and serve your guests a variety of drinks that will wow them. Gather your basic bar tools, glassware, a variety of spirits and the appropriate mixers, and before you know it, your parties will be the ones no one wants to miss.

Things You'll Need

• Bottle opener
• Cocktail shaker
• Ice bucket
• Tongs
• Jigger
• Bar spoon
• Ice trays
• 6 to 8 short glasses
• 6 to 8 tall glasses
• 6 to 8 stemmed glasses
• 8 to 12 wine glasses
• Cocktail recipe book
• Liquor
• Mixers
• Garnishes

Instructions

1. Assemble your equipment. Basics include a bottle opener, cocktail shaker, ice bucket and tongs, jigger, bar spoon and plenty of ice trays. You'll also need an assortment of glasses, depending on the types of drink orders you anticipate. MarthaStewart.com recommends six to eight each of short glasses, tall glasses and stemmed glassware. The site also suggests eight to 12 wine glasses. A glass pitcher and stirrer come in handy for serving drinks made in large quantities.

2. Obtain a copy of a comprehensive cocktail recipe book. The "Field Guide to Cocktails," "The Little Black Book of Cocktails" and "The Ultimate Bar Book" are just some of the hundreds on the market. In addition to recipes, cocktail recipe books often have a list of equipment, instructions for setting up a bar and interesting tidbits regarding the origin of a variety of drinks.

3. Choose your liquor. The home bar should be able to function well with one bottle each of rum, vodka, gin, bourbon, tequila, whiskey, triple sec and vermouth. Add other options as you see fit, such as coffee liqueur, Irish creme, cognac and brandy.

4. Stock up on mixers. Basic options include: soft drinks, including a mix of citrus sodas and colas; fruit juices, including orange, grapefruit and cranberry; bitters; sour mix; club soda; tonic; and grenadine.

5. Choose your garnishes. While you'll want to buy these fresh, of course, oranges, lemons and limes are popular choices. Cherries and olives are other common garnishes to have on hand.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be afraid to venture out and create your own unique cocktails.

• Monitor your guests' intake and never let them drink and drive.

References

• ActiveDayton; How To Set Up a Home Bar For Parties; Alexis Larsen and Craig Schrolucke; March 8, 2010
• Martha Stewart: How to Set Up and Stock a Home Bar; Barware
• Martha Stewart: How to Set Up and Stock a Home Bar; Glassware
• The Sexy Kitchen: Home Bar Essentials - Supplies, Alcohol and Tools
• Martha Stewart: How to Set Up and Stock a Home Bar; The Liquors