Thursday, March 29, 2012

Thirsty Thursday


Stocking your bar

You cannot make drinks out of the equipment, so you'll probably want to buy a selection of liquors and mixers too. It is impossible to make a list that "fits all" without including every possible liquor in the World, but here are a few guidelines on what to buy.
You should always choose your bar stock to suit your guests. Young people often prefer the more exotic drinks, so you will need various fruit juices and flavored liqueurs instead of the darker liquors (like whiskey) older people often prefer.
It is likely you will experience requests for drinks you cannot make, but that happen to almost every bar now and then. You can add new liquors to your bar stock later, and should learn how to mix what you have in the meantime.
A well-stocked bar should have the following, but you should consider the number and type of guests you expect before buying.

    • Gin (dry)
    • Vodka
    • Rye (or Canadian whiskey)
    • Bourbon
    • Scotch whiskey
    • Rum (light)
    • Vermouth (dry and sweet)
    • Tequila
    • White and red wine (dry)
    • Beer (lager)
    • Cognac (or other brandy)
    • Different liqueurs:
      • Advocaat (somewhat like brandy eggnog)
      • Amaretto (almond)
      • Anisette (anise)
      • Aquavit (caraway)
      • Benedictine (herbs)
      • Chambord (black-raspberry)
      • Chartreuse (herbs)
      • Contreau/Triple sec (oranges)
      • Crème de Cacao (cacao)
      • Crème de Cassis (blackcurrant)
      • Crème de Menthe (mint)
      • Crème de Violette/Crème Yvette (violets)
      • Curaçao (oranges)
      • Galliano (herbs and spices)
      • Godiva (chocolate)
      • Goldwasser (herbs and spices, flecked with gold leaf bits)
      • Grand Marnier (oranges)
      • Irish Cream (whiskey and cream)
      • Kahlúa (coffee)
      • Kümmel (caraway)
      • Mandarine Napoléon (tangerine)
      • Midori (melon)
      • Ouzo (anise)
      • Peter Heering (cherry)
      • Prunelle (plum)
      • Sabra (orange and chocolate)
      • Sambuca (wild elderberries)
      • Sloe Gin (sloe berries)
      • Southern Comfort (peach)
      • Strega (orange and spices)
      • Tia Maria (coffee)

    In addition to the liquors, you will need different mixers, flavorings and garnishes.

    • Club soda
    • Tonic water
    • Ginger ale
    • 7-Up or Sprite
    • Cola
    • Juices:
      • Tomato juice
      • Orange juice
      • Pineapple juice
      • Cranberry juice
      • Grapefruit juice
    • Bitters
    • Grenadine
    • Maraschino liqueur
    • Worcestershire sauce
    • Tabasco sauce
    • Milk
    • Coffee
    • Heavy cream
    • Cherries (maraschino)
    • Green olives (small)
    • Cocktail onions
    • Lemons, limes and oranges
    • Sugar, salt and pepper.
     
    Hope this helps all those who are thinking about setting up a place to have a few drinks with friends at home!







    4 comments:

    1. Savannah as my trusted assistant, showing my grocery list in public like that is inappropriate, lol :)

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      1. LOL...hey you're the one who just spilled the beans, until now everyone thought it was an actual list of alcohol to set up a home bar! Really, I did not mix up the inventory and grocery lists : )

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    2. LMBO @Keira!!!

      Here is what I have on this list: Milk, salt, pepper, lemons, oranges and tomato juice..LOL I do have Dr. Pepper but not sure that counts.

      I think I have a great deal of collecting before I invite others over for drinks. : )

      I think I may need you two to have the gigs at your pads until I get on my feet. ; p

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      Replies
      1. It's ok Robin, I have 3 bottles of wine and 1 beer, LOL...oh and salt, pepper and milk...and apples! I'm making notes as I go here : )

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