Stocking Your Bar

By the foodtv.ca Editorial Team
When setting up a home bar, the first question to ask is what types of alcohol you want to serve and how much you want to spend. The best bet is to stock your bar with tried-and-true classics that can be consumed in a variety of ways, from mixed drinks to shooters.

When purchasing alcohol, a 750 ml bottle is usually enough to create just about any drink combination your guests may request.

If you’re not sure which brand of alcohol to buy, pick up some mini-bottles (usually 50 ml) as samplers. Mini-bottles allow you to try a variety of brands without investing a lot of money, and without the risk of being left with opened bottles you didn’t enjoy.
The Basics: Hard Alcohol
Vodka
Vodka has a variety of purposes in a bar. It can be mixed with anything from liqueurs to juice and is a great way to liven up watermelon and other fruit during the summer. It’s the key ingredient in: Sex on the Beach, Fuzzy Navel, Screwdriver, Bloody Mary and Martinis.
*Average price: $17.25 to $55.00.

Gin
More than a card game, Gin is a classic ingredient used in a Martini, Singapore Sling and the popular Gin and Tonic.
*Average price: $18.00 to $65.00.

Rum
If you’re going all out, you can stock your bar with three different kinds of Rum: a dark, a light and a spiced rum. Rum mixes well with Coke and is also used in a Long Island Iced Tea, Hurricane and Daiquiri.
*Average price: $18.95 to $60.

Whisky (or Bourbon)
A good Whisky can run into the thousands of dollars, but luckily several brands are offered at a variety of price points. Ideal “on the rocks” or mixed in drinks like Irish Coffee, Seven and Seven, Bourbon Cobbler or added to eggnog for a holiday pick-me-up.
*Average price: $22.95 to $80.00.

Scotch
This is another alcohol that can run into the thousands. Scotch is used in many popular drinks including a Godfather, Rusty Nail and Rob Roy. It’s also popular “on the rocks.”
*Average price: $24.00 to $85.00.

Tequila
The classic shooter drink, Tequila is a staple in Margaritas (one of the most popular alcoholic beverages consumed at home), Texas Tea and Tequila Sunrise.
*Average price: $22.00 to $60.00.

Flavoured, Sweetened Spirits: Liqueurs
Schnapps
Schnapps is the generic term for clear alcoholic beverages distilled from cereals, roots or fruits. The most popular flavour of schnapps is peach. Schnapps can be used in a Red Devil, Sex on the Beach, Billini and Fuzzy Navel.
*Average price: $19.50 to $30.00

Brandy
Brandies flavoured with fruits like cherries and blackberries are often a party favourite. Brandy is commonly consumed as an after dinner drink, but is also used in a Hot Toddy, Zombie, Tom and Jerry or added to eggnog.
*Average price: $21.95 to $85.00

Flavoured Liqueurs
Flavoured liqueurs include Amaretto, Irish Cream and Creme de Menthe. Popular flavours include apricot, banana, blackberry, cherry, strawberry and coffee. Flavoured liqueurs can spice up Sangria and are used to create drinks like a Cherry Bomb, Pink Lady and spiked root beer floats.
*Average price: $19.00 to $45.00
Wine
From the connoisseur to the amateur, almost everyone drinks wine. Traditionally, red wine is paired with red meat and white wine is paired with white meat and fish. But the truth is, you can mix whichever wine you like with whatever you’re serving. The key is to ensure the flavours of the wine don’t overpower the food. To play it safe stock you bar with:

Red Wine
Start with a Merlot or Pinot Noir (often refereed to a starter wines) for a lighter taste. Opt for a Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon if you’re looking for something more complex.
*Average price: $12.75 and up

White Wine
Go for a Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc if you prefer something light and refreshing. Dry white wines include Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay.
*Average price: $10.95 and up

When serving wine, red wines are served at cooler room temperatures (10-18 °C) and white wines are best served chilled (7-10 °C).
Mixing it up
Along with the alcohol, you’ll need some kitchen basics to mix popular drinks. Be sure your bar includes:

* Coke or Pepsi
* Sprite or 7-Up
* Ginger ale, tonic water and club soda
* Pineapple juice
* Orange juice
* Cranberry juice
* Grapefruit juice
* Tomato juice
* Bottled water (sparkling and still)
* Ice



Mixed drinks are nothing without a little flourish, so keep these popular garnishes handy to serve a drink that looks as good as it tastes:

* Celery
* Cucumber
* Lemons
* Limes
* Maraschino cherries
* Olives
* Oranges



* Average prices are based on 750 ml bottles.