The Basics for Stocking a Small Bar

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By Lara Shriftman
Celebrations Expert

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Basic Bar Essentials

An excerpt from Fete Accompli! Workbook - The Ultimate Party Planning Guide by Lara Shriftman and Elizabeth Harrison.

If you have a bar in your home and entertain often, its a good idea to always keep your bar stocked with the basic necessities. But what are the basic necessities? In addition to having your own favorites on hand, here is a list of the liquors, garnishes and mixers every at home bar should never be without.

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Basic At Home Bar Necessities

Stock your bar with these staples so that you never have to worry about not having what you need to make the next cocktail you crave.

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Liquor:

Vodka: 1-3 bottles, including flavored ones. Vodka is always a safe bet because you can serve it on the rocks and it mixes well with any kind of juice, soda, or tonic.
Gin: 1 bottle for old-school martini lovers and tonic drinkers will do the trick.
Tequila: It’s the prime ingredient of margarita - not to mention a great shot - and 1 bottle will do the trick.
Rum: 1 bottle to make delicious mojitos or spice up sodas, fruit salads, and fruity flavored mixers.
Whiskey: I consider this a broader category that includes bourbons and scotches and an at home bar is complete with 1 bottle.
Beer, red and white wine, and champagne: Having all three on hand is best, but not a must. And if you're strapped for funds, it’s okay to have only enough champagne for one glass per guest for a group toast.

Mixers:

Soda: Tonic, Coke, or Pepsi and diet versions, club soda, and fancy flavors, like cream vanilla flavored soda.
Juices: Orange, cranberry and grapefruit juices as well as vegetable juices like cucumber or tomato. Also remember lemon and lime juice.
Fruit Purees: Melon, watermelon, pear, raspberry, etc. Keep your preferences and those most often requested by friends on hand and display them in labeled containers so people can grab their choice or sample something new.
Herb Infusions: Be sure to stock herbs like rosemary, mint, or cilantro, to make any cocktail novel.
Flavored Mixes: Liquor is always enjoyable when you had a tasty flavor to it and store brought mixes (like pina colada, daquiri, margarita, etc.) are a relatively inexpensive and easy thing to keep on hand.

Garnishes: