How to stock your home bar

Stocking your home bar can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to home bartending. If you were planning for one specific party, you’d be better off just getting the ingredients you need for whatever drink you’re making, but if you’re looking to create a well-stocked home bar, you might need some pointers. Here are six things you’ll need to get started!

The Base Spirits
The very first things you’ll want to put in your home bar are some base spirits. To start with, we recommend Vodka, Light Rum, Bourbon, Tequila, and Gin as they’re the most commonly used spirits in cocktail making.

Bitters
A Bitter is a bittersweet spirit infused with highly aromatic ingredients such as orange peels or cacao beans. Essentially, Bitters are what elevates a glass of Bourbon and Sugar into an Old Fashioned. For your new home bar, you’ll want an Orange Bitter to start with.

Sweet and Sour
Sweet and sour ingredients are essentially to cocktail making what salt and pepper are to cooking. To get started, you’ll want Homemade Simple Syrup, Triple Sec, Lemons, Oranges and Limes.

Tools
Next, you’ll want to get some good tools. If you’re just starting out, we recommend getting a Boston Shaker, Hawthorne Strainer, Muddler, a Peeler, and a Mixing Glass. These five tools will let you make almost any cocktail you’ll come across.

Read more about essential bar tools here!

Recipes
Last but not least, you’ll want some great cocktail recipes to make at home! Luckily, we’ve got a bunch for you right here. Enjoy!

Drinks to get you started

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Moscow Mule

Moscow Mule

Absolut Vodka, Lime Juice, Ginger Beer, Lime

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Margarita

Margarita

Tequila Blanco, Lime Juice, Triple Sec, Salt

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Tom Collins

Tom Collins

Gin, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Soda Water, Cherry, Lemon

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Old Fashioned

Old Fashioned

Simple Syrup, Bourbon, Angostura Bitters, Orange Zest

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Martini

Martini

Gin, Dry Vermouth, Green Olive

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Screwdriver

Screwdriver

Absolut Vodka, Orange Juice, Orange

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Mojito

Mojito

Mint Leaf, Sugar, Superfine, Lime Juice, Light Rum, Soda Water, Mint Leaf

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Whiskey Sour

Whiskey Sour

Bourbon, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Egg White, Orange, Angostura Bitters

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Daiquiri

Daiquiri

Light Rum, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Lime

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Negroni

Negroni

Gin, Campari, Sweet Vermouth, Orange

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TOP TEN DRINKS FOR ANY OCCASION

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Espresso Martini

Espresso Martini

Absolut Vodka, Kahlúa, Espresso, Coffee Beans

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Lemon Drop Shot

Lemon Drop Shot

Absolut Citron, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Lemon

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Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan

Absolut Citron, Triple Sec, Lime Juice, Cranberry Juice, Orange Zest

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Bloody Mary

Bloody Mary

Absolut Vodka, Tomato Juice, Hot Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, Lemon Juice, Ground Black Pepper, Garlic Salt, Lemon, Celery

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Mojito

Mojito

Mint Leaf, Sugar, Superfine, Lime Juice, Light Rum, Soda Water, Mint Leaf

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White Russian

White Russian

Absolut Vodka, Kahlúa, Cream

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Appletini

Appletini

Absolut Vodka, Lemon Juice, Apple Liqueur, Apple Juice, Simple Syrup

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Long Island Iced Tea

Long Island Iced Tea

Absolut Vodka, Light Rum, Gin, Tequila Blanco, Triple Sec, Lemon Juice, Cola, Lemon

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Amaretto Sour

Amaretto Sour

Amaretto, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Egg White, Cherry, Orange

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Moscow Mule

Moscow Mule

Absolut Vodka, Lime Juice, Ginger Beer, Lime