Lesson 3: Setting Up and Stocking the Bar
The Basic Bar
First Considerations:
Besides tools, there are four other things that need to be stocked in your bar– liquor, mixers, condiments, and garnishes. In order to calculate how much of these you need, there are several things you should first consider:
Obviously, if you have friends that adore frozen margaritas but would never drink bourbon, buy more tequila and limes. Experience will allow you to refine your selection.
If you don’t yet know your friends’ preferences or are entertaining people you don’t know well, evaluate their age. People under 35 tend to prefer tequila, vodka, and rum drinks.
The season influences choices - in the warmer months, allow for more beer, vodka, gin, tequila.
Consult your local liquor store to find out what are the most popular spirits in the area. For example, in parts of the South, you should add a bottle of rye and Peychaud bitters to your cabinet as they’re the main ingredients in a classic New Orleans drink called a Sazerac. Sloe gin is also a Southern preference.
If you entertain often at brunch or during the day, add more fruit juices for such drinks as bloody marys (tomato juice and vodka or gin), mimosas (champagne and orange juice), or screwdrivers, (grapefruit juice and vodka or gin).
If you usually serve a full meal after drinks, then wine and liqueurs will become more important. People will also be more conservative about drinking before a full dinner.
Components for a Basic Bar:
Liquor:
Buy one 750 ml bottle of each of the following, unless otherwise noted. A 750 ml bottle allows for 25 (one ounce) drinks, or 17 (one and a half) ounce drinks. For wine, assume one 750 ml bottle of wine will give you five glasses.
To get you started, I’ve included some respectable brands that are largely middle priced and widely available. Do buy what you like- you don’t have to buy the top of the line, but cheap liquor tastes cheap and is not worth the savings.
- Bourbon.....................................Maker’s Mark
- Tennessee Whiskey........................Jack Daniels
- Canadian or American Whiskey....Canadian Club
- Brandy......................................Raynal
- Gin.........................................Beefeater's or Tanqueray
- Rum.........................................Bacardi Gold
- Scotch, blended.........................Johnny Walker
- Tequila.....................................Sauza Blanco
- Vodka, non-flavored...................Stolichnaya,aka Stoli
- Cordials – have four on hand:
- One orange based, Contreau or Triple Sec
- One anise based, such as Sambuco or Pernod
- Crème de menthe
- Another favorite, such as Amaretto di Saronno, Grand Marnier, Kahlua
- Beer: Buy by the case to keep the cost down, and keep at least 4 bottles refrigerated. If you have absolutely no idea of a brand, try Sam Adams.
- Red wine, (2-4 bottles)............Shiraz from Australia
- White wine, (2-4 bottles)..........Pinot Grigio from Italy
- Sherry, Amontillado...............Dry Sack
- Vermouth, Dry.....................Martini & Rossi
- Vermouth, Sweet...................Noilly Prat
Mixers:
One (six pack) of each rather than liters, unless noted, as soda loses its fizz once opened:
- Sparkling water, aka Club Soda
- Cola
- Ginger Ale
- Orange Juice (1 quart)
- Tomato Juice (1 quart)
- Cranberry Juice (1 quart)
- Tonic Water, aka Quinine Water
Condiments:
- Lemon Juice (always freshly squeezed – can squeeze and freeze in advance)
- Lime Juice (always freshly squeezed – can squeeze and freeze in advance)
- Angostura Bitters (see a description in the Luxury Bar section)
- Pepper
- Salt, coarse
- Sugar, superfine
- Tabasco
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Horseradish
Garnishes:
