Creating a well-stocked home bar is like curating a personal collection of liquid treasures, each with the potential to turn an ordinary evening into a memorable occasion. Whether you’re a seasoned mixologist or a social sipper, having the right ingredients at hand is key to crafting the perfect drink. Use the list below to get started.
BAR TOOLS
- Bottle opener
- Corkscrew; cork puller
- Long cocktail spoon or stirring rod
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger w/ ounce measure marks
- Sharp pairing knife & cutting board
- Strainer (coil rim) & slotted spoon
- Peeler; Zester
- Pour spouts
- Wine preserver, vacuum pump & stoppers
- Muddler
- Stainless steel measuring spoons
- Ice bucket & tongs
- Citrus fruit juicer/reamer
- Wine aerator
- Whiskey chilling stones
- Wine decanter w/ funnel & filter screen
- Water pitcher
- Blender
- Bartender recipe book
- Glassware (8 to 12 each)
- Wine stemware (red, white, flute)
- Old-Fashioned/”Rock” glasses
- Highball glasses
- Y-shaped cocktail/Martini glasses
- Beer mugs & Pilsner glasses
- Shot glasses
- Cordial glasses
- Plenty of ice, toothpicks/ swizzle sticks, napkins & mini straws
ALCOHOL & LIQUEURS, BITTERS
- Wine (red, white, & rosé; dry & sweet vermouth, dry/medium/sweet sherry, tawny & ruby port, sparkling wine/champagne)
- Beer (Ales & Lagers)
- Ciders
- Hard Liquors/Spirits
- Vodka, gin, whiskey (bourbon, scotch), white & dark rum, sake, white (silver) & gold tequila, brandy/cognac
- Liqueurs
- Amaretto, orange (Grand Marnier, Cointreau, Triple Sec), limoncello, Blue Curaçao , Sambuca, coffee (Kahlua), chocolate (Godiva), raspberry (Chambord), melon (Midori), herbal (Galliano), crème de cacao, crème de menthe, cream (Bailey’s), amaro (Aperol, Campari)
- Bitters
- Angostura, Peychaud’s bitters
INGREDIENTS
- Mixers
- Club soda, ginger ale, cola, mineral water, tonic water
- Juices
- Lemon, lime, cranberry, pineapple, tomato, orange, olive, mango, grapefruit
- Fresh & Bottled garnishes
- Mint, lemons, limes; maraschino cherries, olives, cocktail onions
- Syrups
- Mint, vanilla, grenadine, Orgeat (almond), simple syrup/gomme
- Sauces, & Extras
- Tabasco & Worcestershire sauces, heavy cream, rimming sugars, black pepper & salt, egg white (for safety: egg white powder)