Stocking Your Home Bar

Are you tired of going to the liquor store every time you want to make a drink? Do you wish you could just have everything you need at home so you can mix up whatever your heart desires? Well, my friend, today is your lucky day. I’m going to teach you how to get started with Stocking Your Home Bar so that you’re always prepared for happy hour. Trust me, this is one skill that will come in handy time and time again.

Let’s get started!

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What Is The Difference In A Wet Bar And A Dry Bar?

A wet-bar essentially has a sink with running water. A dry bar lacks a sink and only has a location for making beverages.

Must Have Liquors Needed For Your Home:

Brandy- A brandy completes a well-stocked bar, but it’s not necessary. Some individuals just won’t drink it or combine it, but brandy is a great tool if you want to experiment with classic cocktails.
Gin- We suggest a decent bottle of London dry gin. The most adaptable ingredient, it may be used in everything from a dry martini to a gin and tonic.
Rum- At least two bottles of rum are present in a well-stocked bar. Although rum is typically one of the more reasonably priced alcoholic beverages, you can pay as little or as much as you desire.
Tequila- Tequila is essential to margaritas, but there are also many other intriguing tequila cocktails to try. Typically, you should keep at least one good tequila on hand.
Vodka- It is used in more drinks than any other distilled liquor and has a clear, translucent flavor. Vodka preferences vary from person to person, so stock up on what you enjoy.
Whiskey-When it comes to storing whiskey, things become tricky because each kind has unique qualities and applications. You will most definitely customize your whiskey choice to fit your preferences. Two bottles are typically a decent place to start, and you can always add more. Your bar should ideally have one bottle of each variety.

Drinks To Make At Home:

What Does A Wet Bar Include?

A “wet bar” is a tiny bar that has a sink with running water for mixing and serving alcoholic beverages, as opposed to a “dry bar,” which does not. Because glasses may be instantly washed in a wet bar, the rate at which beverages are served can be increased.

Essential Liqueurs For Your Home Bar

The word liqueur comes from the French verb licorer which means to mix. In fact, the first recorded use of the term liqueur dates back to 1658 when it was used to describe a mixture of wine and sugar.

Today, liqueurs are made from any type of alcohol mixed with various flavors and ingredients. They may contain herbs, fruits, spices, nuts, chocolate, coffee, tea, vanilla, honey, or even tobacco. Some liqueurs are sweet while others are dry.

Stock your wet bar with these essentials.

The Basic Liqueurs For Your Home bar

The most common ingredients in cocktails include spirits, bitters, citrus juices, syrups, garnishes, ice, and mixers. Liqueurs are not commonly used in cocktails because they tend to overpower the taste of the drink. However, there are a few exceptions. Some liqueurs are added to drinks to add flavor, while others are used to enhance the color of the drink.

Amaretto is made from almonds, sugar, water, and alcohol. It’s often served over ice in a chilled glass.
The coffee liqueur Kahlúa is made from roasted coffee beans, sugar, water, vanilla extract, and sometimes alcohol. It’s used in many drinks, including the classic White Russian cocktail.
Dry and sweet vermouth are two types of vermouth. They both contain alcohol, but dry vermouth contains no sugar while sweet vermouth contains some. Both are used to make cocktails like the Martini.

If you want to serve your guests a drink that will make them feel like they’re on vacation, try serving them a cocktail made with Irish Cream Liqueur. This creamy liqueur is made from whiskey, cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and spices. It’s perfect for making a variety of delicious cocktails, including the classic daiquiri.

The Secondary Liqueurs

Liqueur – a sweetened alcoholic beverage made from distilled spirits, fruit juice, herbs, spices, or flowers. The most common types include brandy, cognac, crème de menthe, kirschwasser, maraschino, orange flower water, and triple sec.

Here are some suggestions:

Chocolate liqueur: This is a type of liquor made from cocoa beans. It is usually served chilled and is often used as a mixer. The most common types include Amaretto, Frangelico, Kahlua, Kahlúa, and Tia Maria.
Mint liqueur : The mint liqueurs are clear or green depending on whether they contain peppermint oil or menthol. They are made by adding alcohol to water and flavoring agents, which may include sugar, vanilla extract, and sometimes herbs.
Ginger Liqueur is made from fresh ginger root steeped in alcohol. It adds a spicy kick to your cocktail.
Drambuie : This is a great way to add some extra flavor to your whisky. It’s made from herbs and spices, so it’s not just for drinking neat. You can use it in cocktails too.
Galliano L’autentico : An anise and vanilla liqueur. The problem is finding space in the bar for the tall bottle.
Melon liqueurs are made from fruit juices and spirits. They are usually served chilled and often mixed with soda water. The most common melon liqueur is Midori, which comes in both white and pink varieties. It’s made from orange juice, vodka, and sugar syrup.
Other melon liqueurs include Cointreau, Grand Marnier, and Lillet Blanc.

Stock your home bar with these essentials.

Essential Non Alcoholic Mixers Needed For Your Home Bar

Ice – The first step in stocking your home bar is to buy quality ice.
Essential Juices- The easiest way to stock your home bar is to buy a few bottles of juice on sale. You’ll find many varieties available, so choose based on your preferences. Some brands offer a wide variety of flavors, while others specialize in just one type of fruit juice.
Citrus fruits like lemons and limes are great additions to any bar because they add a bright flavor to drinks. You can use them whole or cut up to garnish your favorite cocktail.
Grapefruit juice is not essential, but it is very good to have on hand. It adds a refreshing citrus taste to any drink and is especially useful when making tropical cocktails.
Tomatoes: The most important ingredient in a Bloody Mary. They give it body and color.

More Essential Mixers

Bitters are essential ingredients in cocktails. They add depth and complexity to drinks like the Manhattan, Old Fashioned, and Sidecar. The best way to use bitters is to mix them into your favorite drink before adding ice and garnishes. You can find bitters in many places, including liquor stores, specialty food shops, and online retailers.
Simple Syrup– The easiest way to make simple syrup is to combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Let cool before using.
Sour mix is a simple way to add some zing to your drinks. It’s made up of equal parts sugar and lemon juice. The sourness comes from the acidity of the lemon juice. You can use fresh lemons or bottled lemon juice.
Grenadine is a sweet, clear, colorless liquid made from pomegranates. It is used primarily as a mixer for cocktails like the margarita. The grenadine is added to the drink after mixing, so it doesn’t affect the taste of the cocktail.
The most common milk used in cocktails is whole milk. It’s available in cartons in the refrigerated section of your supermarket. Whole milk will keep for about three weeks if stored in the refrigerator.
You can use half-and-half instead of regular milk in recipes calling for cream. Half-and-half will keep for up to two months in the fridge. And finally, there’s heavy cream, which is made from skimmed milk.
Tomato juice is a great base for Bloody Marys, margaritas, mojitos, and mimosa’s.
Worcestershire sauce adds a bit of zing to any drink. It’s especially good on fish and chips.

Essential Sodas Needed

Sodas come in many varieties. Some are carbonated while others are not. They may contain sugar or artificial sweeteners. They may be flavored with fruit juice or herbs. They may be served chilled or room temperature. They may be made with water, milk, cream, or alcohol. And they may be diet sodas.

The most important part of stocking your home bar is choosing the right size bottle. You want to make sure that you have enough space on the shelf so that you don’t run out of room before you finish using all of your beverages.

Also, if you plan on keeping your soda cold, you’ll need to purchase larger bottles than those used for serving warm drinks.

Essential Garnishes You Should Have On Hand

The first step when stocking your home bar is to decide which garnishes you want to use. You’ll need to consider how much space you have available, whether you prefer citrus or fruit, and if you like sweet or savory flavors. Once you’ve decided on your garnishes, make sure you keep them organized so you don’t lose track of where each one is.

Citrus fruits are often used as garnishes on cocktails. They add a refreshing taste and color to drinks. You can make your own citrus twist by cutting off the top and bottom of a lime or orange and squeezing out the juice. Or, if you want to buy some ready-made twists, look for small bottles of lemon, lime, and grapefruit juice.
Lemons are acidic fruits that contain citric acid which helps prevent bacteria growth. They are used in many drinks and foods, especially those containing alcohol. The most common variety of lemon is the Meyer lemon, which is sweeter than regular lemons.
Lime juice
Maraschino cherries– They are used in cocktails like the Cosmopolitan and the Sidecar.

Nice to Have Around

The salt and sugar on the rim of a cocktail glass are there to enhance the flavor of the drink inside. They don’t need to be added to every drink, just the ones you want to taste better.
Cinnamon-It is used in cooking and baking, and is often added to beverages like tea and coffee. The aroma of cinnamon is very distinctive and is often used to flavor.
Grated nutmeg: A great compliment for many winter and creamy cocktails! It adds a warm spice flavor to your drinks and makes them taste even better.
Celery or pickles: The classic garnish for a good Bloody Mary.

Create a Customized Drink Menu

If you’re looking to make your own custom drink menu, start with a list of ingredients that you enjoy drinking. Then, use online tools like Google Trends to find trending topics related to those ingredients. You can also search for “drink recipes” on Pinterest.

So, now that you have an idea of what to stock your home bar with, it’s time to get shopping! And when you do, be sure to keep the tips we shared in mind. By mixing and matching different spirits and flavors, you can create a variety of cocktails that will impress your guests – no matter what the occasion.

Cheers!

Stocking Your Home Bar

What Is The Difference In A Wet Bar And A Dry Bar?