Stock Your Bar

There is nothing better than a good drink and there is nothing more frustrating than needing one and not having the proper ingredients to make one. That is why it is important to always have a well stocked bar, complete with all the ingredients necessary to help you forget that bad date or exam.

The Basics

There are certain ingredients every bar needs. While the shelf from which you purchase these ingredients may vary, the ingredients should not.

Keep in mind that if you live in an apartment or a dorm at college, your bar will be ransacked mercilessly by underage losers with no money. Don't expect a bottle of any liquor (even if you only paid 3 dollars for a gallon) to last through the weekend. Remember, once you supply any form of liquor to cheap college students, they will be back, expecting there to be more free liquor for them to drink at your expense. Also, your roommates will steal it and replace it with water (or urine if they are already drunk). So don't invest too much of the money you should be using for food and books on expensive liquor that you may not get a chance to enjoy.

Vodka

Simply the most overrated vodka. There is nothing more to say

For plain, unflavored Vodkas, once you get above a certain level, you are paying largely for marketing. The smoothness of the vodka largely depends on the number of distillations and filtering it goes through. While bottom of the barrel vodkas are undoubtedly less refined and more harsh tasting, once you get to the mid range, ~$20 a bottle vodkas, any further purification becomes indistinguishable. In a blind tasting of 20 super-premium vodkas, the control, Smirnoff Vodka ranked number 1.

This is not to say premium vodkas do not have their place. The perceived smoothness of a drink has more to do with the expectation of the drinker than the actual properties of the Vodka. Many people experience premium brands like Grey Goose as going down smoother because they associate the brand with prestige and high quality. These people are known as "sheep" in the hospitality industry. They will ask for a Grey Goose Bloody Mary, or a Belvedere and Red Bull, etc...Why pay all that extra money when the mixer is just going to mask the vodka? If you like Grey Goose then you must like anise because that is a distinctive taste in Grey Goose but most people drink it because they honestly still believe that it is a good vodka. Foolish foolish mortals.

If you feel so inclined, you could purchase a single bottle of Grey Goose or other premium vodka and then keep on topping it up with mid-range vodka when the bottle is empty. This way, you're friends will get the same experience of drinking premium vodka without the high cost. Yeah, sure. Do this if you want to be known as a cheapskate. How deceitful can a person get? This obviously does not work as well if you are the one drinking it. Don't be cheap! If you want to play with the big boys and serve the vastly overrated Grey Goose then be prepared to offer it to your friends without filling it with a much cheaper brand.

The difference between potato vodkas and wheat vodkas is in the after taste. People looking for a 'kick' in their drink will prefer a potato vodka which is often cheaper then premium wheat vodkas.

Rum

Rum is a pretty standard ingredient in most daiquiris and a lot of other mixed drinks. Like Vodka, it can be mixed with pretty much anything to create a tasty mixed drink. Rum, on the other hand, typically has a very distinct flavor, and comes in several varieties. Rum can come in a Clear or Amber variety, each of which can be a spiced rum. The basic rum would be a Clear rum, which is used mostly for mixed drinks. There is also a famous 151 proof rum by Bacardi (simply Bacardi 151), often called for by name mostly for its intense strength.

The two most popular rums by far are Bacardi and Captain Morgan. Both have their fans, both are equally good. Bacardi is more known for its non-spiced rums (Superior which is clear, and Gold which is Amber), whereas Captain Morgan has claimed most of the market for its spiced rums (Spiced Silver which is clear, and Original Spiced which is Amber).

For a mix of other rums without breaking the bank try: For a white (clear) rum, Wray & Nephew Overproof Rum is 63% alcohol and is extremely versatile. For a gold rum that can replace Captain Morgan, Appleton Estates is a fine Jamaican rum that is very affordable. And lastly, as far as dark rum goes, Myers's Dark rum has a unique flavor and is also a very good value for the money spent.

Whiskey

Ah Whiskey, the real man's drink. A good belt of whiskey will not only put hair on your balls, it'll put 'em on your friends too. Whiskey is definitely an acquired taste for many, however you don't want to be caught without a bottle on hand if its requested. A good Irish whiskey is Jameson.

However, if wish to flaunt your liquor know-how, it is recommended to have on hand a bottle of extremely high quality bourbon, such as a Woodford Reserve, or Maker's Mark. Also, a 100 proof bottle of Southern Comfort (SoCo, excellent for making favorites such as the Scarlett O'Hara) fills out an empty spot in a liquor cabinet quite nicely. It provides a thrilling burn, much like that of swallowing lighted dynamite, and put one under fairly quickly. To bad it isn't a whiskey! It is a Peach Liqueur. It has the flavor of whiskey (not unlike Bailey's has the flavor of Irish Whiskey BUT it isn't a whiskey) Look at the Southern Comfort website:

1874-- Working at McCauley's saloon on St. Peter Street in the French Quarter, it falls on young Heron to "rectify" the sometimes rough tasting barrel whiskey coming down the Mississippi River from Kentucky and Tennessee. Using a secret blend of flavors (peach, orange, vanilla, sugar, and cinnamon) Heron perfects his liqueur.

1885-1898-- To dress up his concoction for the event, Heron changes the name of his liqueur Southern Comfort, The Grand Old Drink of the South, is well received and thoroughly enjoyed at the exposition. Smoother and tastier then mere whiskey, Heron's liqueur is saluted as a gentleman's drink of sophistication and refinement.

However, do not allow novice drinkers to attempt to take on this full-bodied whiskey (again it is NOT a whiskey, it is a liqueur!) - it takes a real drinker to handle SoCo. A true connoisseur never allows these fine specimens to be mixed. So, if one of your guests requests a bit of whiskey, make sure to serve them a few fingers straight to sip on. Bourbon is not meant to be guzzled like a cheap vodka, it is meant to be savoured and appreciated. Respect it, and it will serve you well.

Don't forget -- single malt scotch is for sipping, blended whiskey is for mixing.

If you're drinking Gin, accept no substitutes unless it is Hendricks

Gin

Shaken, not stirred. Take it from 007, this is the only way to make a fine martini (well, 007 preferred vodka martini's, but let's not quibble). For those who want to make a martini, Gin is the juice of choice - it is always good to have a bottle behind the bar. Gin on the whole is more expensive than other types of booze, so keep that in mind when buying, although the difference between good gin and top quality is only a few bucks. Top quality only runs about 25 dollars (for a small bottle) compared to the price you would pay for top quality Vodka and such. The standard price you would normally pay for a decent bottle of vodka or rum will get you a lower quality of gin, something which is not recommended. Shop more on name recognition than on price.

Unlike many other kinds of alcohol, Gin has distinct taste differences among brands. A good mid level gin is Beefeater; some even consider it a favorite, while the price is reasonable. Many people consider Tanqueray to be the standard good gin. If you are looking for top shelf, then you're probably going to want to get the gin in the pretty blue bottle, Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray 10, or Hendricks. When it comes down to it, choosing a top shelf gin is a very personal decision. When you want to choose the very best, you will have to experiment with the many excellent brands available.

Tequila

Tequila is a drink where opinions differ greatly. Some will say that Tequila is their drink of choice. Throw back a bottle with a pack of smokes and you have a great night ahead of you. Others will not go near the stuff. However, one thing everyone will agree on is that Tequila is not something a respectable bar can be without. As the primary component in a lot of drinks, Margaritas included, Tequila is a must have for any bar.

Ah Tequila, nothing will get you drunk faster.

• Mixer Tequilas - Sauza Hornitos, El Jimador (by Herradura) - Both work well in a Margarita or Sunrise
• Shot Tequilas - Patron Silver (best tequila in the world, for people who don't like the taste of good tequila), Cazadores or Cabo Wabo
• Sipping Tequilas - Patron Anejo or Reposado. Miramontes. Herradura. Don Julio. Casta. Corazon.

I make it a habit to NEVER buy tequila that is NOT 100% Blue Agave - anything else can be up to 49% cane spirits... Can be a bad combination. These are called Mixto tequilas. The only exception: I allow El Jimador in my bar, which is a Mixto, but is made by a premium tequila manufacturer and has a low content of raw cane spirit.

Also, stay away from anything less than about $20 for a mixer, less than $35-40 for a sipping tequila.

Other Assorted Bottles

Assorted Bottles

Keep building your collection of booze. If you are fully stocked and have money for another bottle, then get a different brand of whiskey or vodka. Give people a choice in what they want in their drink. Some people really like Absolut while others [1] Stoli or Ketel 1.

Coffee Liqueurs

No respectable wet bar or cabinet is complete without at least a bottle or two of some sort of coffee-derived spirit. These are perfect for any occassion - whether it be relaxing by yourself, winding down a romantic evening, or serving after-dinner drinks. Bailey's Irish Cream and Kahlua are musts. They run about $20 a bottle and are well worth the investment. Bailey's is best served on the rocks, however, if one must, it can be mixed with Chambord (another excellent item to have, a raspberry liqueur in quite a lovely little decanter with a golden crown atop it) or a good strong, freshly brewed cup of coffee. Kahlua, on the other hand, should not be served straight but mixed with other liquors, such as a flavored vodka or more commonly, cream (or both, if you're daring, for a White Russian). These two liqueurs are also delightful mixed together, or together with Chambord (Raspberry Kiss). Despite how they are served, these two are flawless choices, sure to please the palates of even the most choosy of drinkers.

Flavored Vodkas and Rums

A recent trend in the Vodka and rum market is to add flavoring to them. On the Vodka side, the big seller is the Smirnoff Twists. These come in flavors such as Orange, Lemon, Raspberry, Vanilla and Pepper. On the rum side, the big seller is Bacardi. They have been pushing their brand of flavored rums which include Bacardi Limon, Bacardi Razz and Bacardi O. All of these offer a very tasty drinking experience and can create a marked difference in a drink. As such, it is a good idea to keep a couple of bottles with different flavors in your bar, varying based on your tastes.

Coconut Rum

Coconut Rum is a wonderful way to experience alcohol without a harsh bite. This mixes well with a variety of beverages, especially milk-based liquids such as Starbucks Frappuccinos and Chai. The leading labels, Malibu and Captain Morgan's Parrot Bay, both have produced rums flavored with mango and pineapple. These are also excellent alternatives to a stronger alcohol and suit less experienced/lighter drinkers quite well. Cocktails containing these are smooth and sweet but it is necessary to keep a close eye on consumption for it is quite easy to forget one is consuming alcohol rather than a little glass of tropical paradise.

Schnaps

Various Schnapps are always fun to have around. They can be good for adding flavor to an otherwise dull drink. Or, if you want to slow down your drinking in order to avoid making friends with the porcelain god, a good bottle of Schnapps is great to have around. Peach or Peppermint Schnapps are the perfect complement to any bar.

GoldSchläger

For a special treat, invest in a bottle of Goldschläger. This is a cinnamon flavored-schnaps that has 'flakes of gold floating in it,' about $1.50 worth of 23K pieces. For many people, it is their favorite drink. It tastes like candy because it's pretty sweet; it's 87 proof, yet it goes down extremely smoothly. A bottle will run between $18 and $25 depending on size. Make sure you shake the bottle up a bit before pouring out shots, so that the flakes are evenly distributed.

Though it has a German name, it is made in Switzerland. The gold flakes are placed in the liqueur in order to enhance the aesthetic appeal, as well as offer another dimension to the consumption of this epicurean delight. However, one should note that despite its pleasant aroma and fairly dainty palate, this gaudy spirit may force one to befriend the tile for a prolonged period of time.

Pucker

These are a common schnaps-like drink, rather low in alcohol content, though. They are common in todays 'flashy' martinis, such as appletini's and such. Lots of flavors are available: Raspberry, apple, watermelon, Island blue, and others. Try 3 parts Sweet and Sour, 2 parts Watermelon Pucker, and 1 part Vodka (or Smirnoff's Watermelon Twist) for a drink that tastes like watermelon jolly ranchers...

Bitters

As their name suggests, these spirits possess a rather bitter taste. They are made from roots, herbs, and plants and add a zesty dryness to cocktails (such as the Manhattan, the Rolls Royce, the Highland Fling). Beyond providing a new dimension to a mixed drink, bitters have quite interesting effects on the digestive system, in both increasing appetite and aiding the processing of food. For this reason, bitters are commonly used in aperitifs (before dinner drinks) and digestifs (after dinner drinks). Note: Be extremely cautious when adding bitters to a cocktail for even the slightest overestimation can prove fatal to a recipe.

Perhaps the most well-known of the bitters is Jägermeister, an herbal liqueur that, contrary to its categorization, tastes quite sweet. Jägermeister is a good addition to any bar. It is a total classic that you can be proud to drink, but can also usually be stomached by lesser drinkers. Jäger can be chased by (and mixes well with) sweet drinks such as soda, and a favorite for college-types are "Jäger bombs," or a shot of Jägermeister dropped into a cup of Red Bull. Delicious!

Non-Alcoholic Ingredients

Sweet and Sour Mix

Sweet and Sour mix is an essential component of any good bar. A ton of drinks call for it, everything from a Kamikaze to a Long Island ice tea. Bottles of sweet and sour mix are available in any liquor store.

Lime Juice

Lime juice is a necessity. Though it would be ideal to squeeze your own fresh lime juice each and every time a cocktail called for it, it is best to keep a bottle of sweetened lime juice in your bar. The only acceptable brand is Rose's Lime Juice. This is the best. No question. Its taste blends beautifully with gin and vodka. Important Note: Once a bottle is opened, it is necessary to keep it refrigerated. Do not make the mistake of leaving it out to warm.

Exotic Fruit Nectars

There is nothing more delightful than a rum infused fusion of ice and the sweet, tangy flavour of a fresh fruit. Of course everyone is quite familiar with the prosaic strawberry daquiris and pina coladas. But if you are wanting to take a bit of a vacation from the ordinary, try substituting those strawberries for a more alien fruit, such as passion fruit, mango, or apricot, which will provide for a little sexy twist. All of these offer a new twist on a trusted favorite. The brand Looza offers a wide variety of these juices that come in quite attractive and slender glass bottles.