Essential liquors
- vodka
- whiskey
- tequila
- rum
- gin
Not-so essential liquors
- vermouth
- red wine
- white wine
- bottled beverages (prepared cocktails, beer)
Mixers
Fresh juices improve taste, but if you're in a squeeze, bottled juices will do. Remember to pick up plenty of soda and water for those designated drivers.
Essential mixers
- soda water
- cola
- simple syrup
- cranberry juice
- pineapple juice
- ginger ale
Not-so essential mixers
- apple juice
- grapefruit juice
- tonic water
- grenadine syrup
- premade mixers are for a do-it-yourself bar. You can use them to make your favorite cocktails.
Garnishes
Bright, fun and sometimes funky, a garnish is the perfect finishing touch.
- fresh mint
- fresh strawberries
- maraschino cherries
- fresh lemons
- fresh limes
- bitters
- sugar
- salt
- rimmers (glass-top flavorings for mojitos, cosmos and flavored martinis)
- and of course, don't forget the ice!
Setting up the bar
- Pick an area with enough space for people to gather.
- Accent your bar area with fun prints on the napkins and the tablecloth.
- Make sure you have enough glasses-caterers generally stock have as many glasses as guests. If you're running short, disposable cups come in all shapes and sizes.
- Put out a large pitcher of drinking water for those designated drivers.
If you're looking to save a few bucks, try creating a theme around a few cocktails, like classic and flavored martinis. Many of the spirits and mixers listed above can be stored for future parties. Have fun!
Essential Gadgets for the Home Bar
Even though you may not be bartending all the time, having the right tools for mixing and serving drinks can help make all your parties a hit.
Essential hardware:
Jigger
Properly measuring the ingredients for your cocktails ensures a balanced taste. Most jiggers (or measuring glasses) have a half ounce measure on one side and a two ounce measure on the other.
Shaker
The Boston shaker (with pint glass) is the shaker of choice for professional bartenders. A standard cocktail shaker works just as well for your home bar, plus, it looks stylish.
Hawthorne Strainer
You'll typically use a Hawthorne strainer with a Boston shaker. It keeps ice in the shaker while allowing fruit pulp to pass through.
Cutting Board and Knife
Prepare garnishes before you start serving, but keep a small cutting board and knife handy if you start to run out.
Bar Spoon
For layering or stirring. It's also handy for pulling cherries and olives from jars.
Muddler
For mashing fruit or mint leaves into the bottom of a glass.
Corkscrew
If you plan on serving wine - a winged corkscrew makes opening bottles a breeze.
Ice Bucket
Bartending requires mountains of ice, no matter how small the party. The right bucket keeps ice from melting and is especially handy if you're bartending outside.
Not-so essential hardware
Blender
If you already have a blender, make sure it's able to crush ice.
Bottle Stoppers
Especially useful for maintaining the bouquet in wine.
Julep Strainer
A smaller strainer that's handy if you're straining into narrower glasses.
Glassware
Try chilling your glassware in the freezer, or by filling with ice cubes, before use. Always hold glassware by the base or stem to avoid leaving finger marks.
Essential glassware
Martini Glass
Also known as a cocktail glass, its chic neck lets your guests hold the glass without warming the drink.
Old Fashioned Glass or Rocks Glass
A short glass with a heavy base for drinks served on ice. It's the quintessential tumbler for enjoying whiskey.
Highball Glass
Similar to a rocks glass, but taller. It's typically used for drinks that have larger amounts of mixer, such as a Scotch & Soda. A highball glass is also known as a collins glass.
Wine Glass
Grasping the long stem keeps chilled wines from getting warm. The bowl shape of the glass converges the wine's flavors or the "bouquet." Red wine glasses typically have a larger bowl than white wine glasses.
Not-so essential glassware
Champagne Flute
The narrow shape helps retain champagne's carbonation.
Snifter
Usually used for serving brandy, the bulbous shape helps hold aroma.
Margarita Glass
The best way to serve Margaritas or other frozen drinks. The wide rim is perfect for salting.
Pint Glass
Improves beer's drinkability and is useful for serving low-alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks. A must-have if you're using a Boston shaker.
Shot Glass
Thick-walled glass for serving shots or spirits.
TIP:
Discount stores will carry most of these essentials
