MINI HOME BAR

For a host who enjoys entertaining guests, a proper stocked bar is a must and I love that feeling. I hope to show you that stocking a home bar can be affordable and easy. It’s all very easy to think the home bar, and to assume you need to spend a couple hundred at the Liquorteria just to get started.

Adding a mini bar to your décor is a great way to become the perfect host. However, any mini bar must be appropriately stocked and equipped to be successful. Here are some tips on the essentials you really need.

There are two simple rules to keep in mind before you start arranging for it –
• Pick alcohol you actually enjoy drinking.
• Start small

The next thing is to gather the following –

Alcohol Varieties –

• Gin – It’s one of the base spirits for many Popular Cocktails, so definitely have plenty on hand. Gin comes in four varieties: London Dry, Plymouth, Old Tom, and Genever.

• Vodka – An excellent liquor for doing shots with singing babushkas or for mixing into popular cocktails like Bloody Marys and Cosmopolitans.

• Bourbon whiskey – An essential American whiskey for the southern gentleman. Great for sipping and classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned.

• Scotch whisky – I too enjoy staring out a window, while holding a glass of scotch. It soothes the soul and assists in the thinking of deep, manly thoughts. My favorite Scotch-based cocktail is the classic Rob Roy.

• Tequila – A must-have liquor for your trips to Margaritaville.

• Rum – This tasty liquor from the Caribbean is distilled from molasses. Dark rums are best for punches. Light rums are for mixing cocktails.

• Beer / Wine – add a bottle of wine and some craft beer to my selection.

Mixers –

o Club soda
o Tonic water
o Cola
o Sprite or 7-up
o Ginger ale
o Orange juice
o Cranberry juice
o Tomato juice
o Pineapple juice

Garnishes –

o Cocktail olives
o Cocktail onions
o Red Cherry
o Lemons
o Tabasco sauce
o Salt
o Pepper
o Sugar
o Ice

Truly Essential Tools

o Glassware
o Martini glasses
o Rocks glasses
o Red and white wine glasses
o Highball glasses or tall glasses
o Beer mugs and pint glasses

o Measuring tools
o Knives
o Shaker / Mixer
o Bar spoon
o Strainer
o Swizzle stick
o Toothpicks for the olives and onions
o Napkins
o A good Mixologist recipe book.
o A collection of appropriate cocktail sipping music.

A home bar will become an assembly point in your home when you entertain. I hope this little write up was informative and a bit entertaining. But more importantly, I hope it inspired you to get started with your home bar today. Don’t wait!

Cheers!