Building a home bar is one of the few luxuries in life - a place to enjoy good spirits, good people and good taste. It doesn't need to be daunting, whether you are a light drinker, cocktail specialist or connoisseur of exquisite liquor, to create an all-purpose home bar. The trick is in careful choosing, that is, the bottles should be versatile, tasting and long-lasting. Being a liquor master and proprietor of Harry's Liquor, I have assisted in the development of the most ideal home bar among numerous consumers. This is your final list of how to stock your house bar with must-have bottles.
1. Start with the Foundation: The Essential Spirits
Any home bar must start with the classics the spirits that create the baseline of most cocktails and sipping experience. You do not have to have dozens of bottles to begin with. Rather than quantity, emphasize on quality.
Vodka: Select a neutral vodka such as Belvedere or Grey Goose which is clean. Vodka is your most versatile spirit - perfect in martinis, Bloody Marys or mixed.
Gin: Get something in the middle ground such as Bombay Sapphire or The Botanist. It goes well with gin and tonics or negronis.
Whisky / Scotch: A necessity of those who are fond of deep and warm. Single malt Scotch like Glenfiddich or blended whiskey like Monkey Shoulder, no matter which type of whisky you prefer, will make your bar high style.
Rum: Instead take a light rum (in mojitos and daiquiris) and a dark rum (in sipping or tiki cocktails).
Tequila: A good quality blanco or reposado tequila like Don Julio or Espolon can be used as a versatile product both as a shot and as a margarita.
These main spirits are a guarantee that you can blend or sip without any complications and your guests get as many options as possible.
2. Liqueurs and Mixers: The Flavor Enhancers
When you have the necessities, then it is high time to put in the bottles to make cocktails complex. Consider these as the supporting cast.
Vermouth: Martinis, negronis, and manhattans all need both sweet and dry vermouth.
Triple Sec or Cointreau: Brings citrusy flavor to the classics such as the Margarita or Cosmopolitan.
Amaretto or Baileys: Wonderful as an after-dinner drink or as a dessert cocktail.
Bitters: Angostura bitters are a must-have ingredient, a few drops of which can turn a cocktail into a new one.
And do you want to leave out your mixers; tonic water, soda water, cola, ginger beer, and fresh fruit juices. Having some fresh garnishes such as limes, oranges and mint may not make you go wrong in keeping something special in your pocket at all times.
3. Build Around Your Personal Taste
Although the classics are also useful in every bar, you should also be a reflection of your bar. Love whiskey? You should think of adding to your bourbon and Scotch collection. Prefer tropical flavors? Add flavored coconut liqueurs or rums.
We tend to lead the customer to construct their bar at Harry's wine and liquor around their favorite beverage. For example:
When you are a whiskey drinker, begin to experiment on the new sources, American bourbon, Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky. You can even order Scotch whisky online in Australia for rare finds and gift-worthy bottles.
As a cocktail drinker, it is important to pay attention to those spirits that can be mixed gin, vodka, and tequila.
If you prefer easy, refreshing drinks, stock up on ready-to-drink options or buy beer online to complement your spirits collection.
The process of constructing your own home bar is a subjective experience and in the long run, you will automatically develop your choice according to what you like most.
4. Don’t Forget the Tools and Glassware
It is not just the drinks that make a great home bar but the presentation is also important. Invest in the following basic tools:
Cocktail shaker for mixing.
Strainer and jigger to be fine.
Craft-style cocktails will require a bar spoon and a muddler.
Large, slow-melting ice cube molds (the best with whiskey or rum).
With regard to glasswares, you will not need a complete collection, only a few types:
Whiskey or bourbon rocks glasses.
Gin and tonic highball glasses.
Cocktail martini glasses.
Red and white wine glasses.
5. Storage and Display
Home bars should be well-designed and attractive at the same time. Spirits should be placed erectly and not directly into the sunlight to maintain their taste. A special bar cart, floating shelf, or a backlighting cabinet can also be used to be elegant.
Pro tip: Store your high-end bottles (say aged Scotch, rare rum) on eye level - they are not only a great way to start a conversation but also a status symbol of your sophisticated taste.
Build Your Perfect Bar with Harry’s Liquor
A home bar is all about balance, a combination of necessities, favorites and some show-stoppers. It is easy and convenient to find all you need in one place to stock a good supply of spirits, mixers and bar accessories needed to make a drink, be it a cocktail, martini, or whatever you may choose, at Harry's Liquor.
From Harry's Liquor Store you can explore top picks, buy beer online, or even order Scotch whisky online in Australia for your collection. Every bottle you will purchase should evoke a creative and fun experience and make your house the best possible place to have a drink and celebrate.
Therefore, grab a drink, raise a toast, and make Harry's Liquor build a home bar as sophisticated and hospitable as you do.