TIPS ON STOCKING A BAR
Liquor:
· Vodka: 1-3 bottles, including flavored ones. Vodka is always a safe bet because you can serve it on the rocks and it mixes well with any kind of juice, soda, or tonic.
· Gin: 1 bottle for old-school martini lovers and tonic drinkers will do the trick.
· Tequila: It’s the prime ingredient of margarita - not to mention a great shot - and 1 bottle will do the trick.
· Rum: 1 bottle to make delicious mojitos or spice up sodas, fruit salads, and fruity flavored mixers.
· Whiskey: I consider this a broader category that includes bourbons and scotches and an at home bar is complete with 1 bottle.
· Beer, red and white wine, and champagne: Having all three on hand is best, but not a must. And if you're strapped for funds, it’s okay to have only enough champagne for one glass per guest for a group toast.
Mixers:
· Soda: Tonic, Coke, or Pepsi and diet versions, club soda, and fancy flavors, like cream vanilla flavored soda.
· Juices: Orange, cranberry and grapefruit juices as well as vegetable juices like cucumber or tomato. Also remember lemon and lime juice.
· Fruit Purees: Melon, watermelon, pear, raspberry, etc. Keep your preferences and those most often requested by friends on hand and display them in labeled containers so people can grab their choice or sample something new.
· Herb Infusions: Be sure to stock herbs like rosemary, mint, or cilantro, to make any cocktail novel.
· Flavored Mixes: Liquor is always enjoyable when you had a tasty flavor to it and store brought mixes (like pina colada, daquiri, margarita, etc.) are a relatively inexpensive and easy thing to keep on hand.
Garnishes:
· Garnishes can be pretty much anything, but always keep the basics like olives, cherries, lemon and iime wedges, and sliced fruit on hand.
