How to perfectly stock your home bar
You know what you like to drink. Build your home bar accordingly. Because you deserve it, queen/king.
There are a lot of generic ways you can build up your bar. This offering by MasterClass is as generic as it gets, but it’s helpful as a base to answer this question. So, I’m going to deep dive and identify every single thing you might need, and a few things you can save your money on. You’re welcome in advance.
Cost, Space and Cocktails: Your budget and your taste matter most
Don’t be overwhelmed by this process. Take baby steps and we’ll walk and eventually run together. Right now, let’s focus on your budget, location and preferences.
Cost: This is the perfect time to be a budget baller. Costco is your friend here. If you’re making cocktails, you’re not pouring top-shelf whiskey into an old fashioned or high-level tequila for a margarita. Four Roses (yellow label) Bourbon is $20. El Jimador Tequila is $20. This is your lane. Stay there.
Space: This is a bit more obvious, but don’t buy more than you need. Also, understand there is a difference in having a “bar” which is your stock to pull from for drink making. Maybe you have a drink-making area. Cool. If you have a bar cabinet or bar shelf, I’d consider putting out my A-/B+ stuff for public viewing. I put my best stuff somewhere that’s for my eyes only.
Cocktails: Your bar is for you and yours, first. Write down 3 to 5 cocktails you enjoy most and add those ingredients to your shopping list. Your bar build is already in motion.
Essentials for a generic bar vs. my home bar
Again, no need to go overboard here. Just get what you need for what you like. You know your friends and family too, so be mindful. Remember the last bullet from above? Here’s why what you like matters here and why you might waste some money.
Generic bar build: Vodka, Gin, Rum, Whiskey, Tequila and Liqueurs
Ed’s bar build: Whiskey, Bourbon, Rye Whiskey, Scotch, Tequila, Mezcal, Cognac, Liqueurs
Generic bar cocktails: Cosmopolitan, Negroni, Rum and Coke, Old Fashioned, Margarita
Ed’s bar cocktails: Difford’s Old Fashioned (Rye and Bourbon), Mezcal Old Fashioned, Negroni (made with Gin, Scotch or Mezcal), Paper Plane, Margarita
So, your homework for today is the following: Write out your 3-5 favorite cocktails, sort out the ingredients and go shopping. 80% of your bar requirements will likely be complete.
Bitters, syrups and produce
That list of 3-5 favorite cocktails will get some of these boxes checked, but having some staples in your bar will allow you room for experimentation and flexibility. In order of importance, here’s how I would go about a build.
(Fruit) Juice: So some folks will sneer at this, but pay them no mind. Go to the store and get yourself some lemon juice and some lime juice in a bottle. There will be times when you are entertaining others and you want to show off, that’s when you go get fresh lemons and limes. Yes, they make your drink 20-25% better, but sometimes I don’t have the time or energy. Use the bottled juice…and hardly any of your guests will know the difference.
Bitters: Honestly, a bottle of Angostura bitters will go a long way and has enough to work across a bevy of drinks. You can’t old fashioned without bitters. Anything beyond Angostura is grounds for more exploration and experimentation. Some drinks will ask for Peychaud’s, others Mole. I keep some Orange bitters around for Mezcal Old Fashioneds. Start with Angostura, go from there.
Syrups: Okay, this is a bit of a curveball here. Most recipes will call for simple syrup, which is something you can make at home as it’s equal parts sugar and water boiled in a skillet for a minute. However, I’ll encourage you to expand a bit. Buy an agave syrup, as it works well in margaritas plus works well in old fashioneds. Go make honey syrup, the same concept as simple syrup, just with a 3-to-1 honey-to-water ratio. You can get wild with syrups and infusions, check out Kurt Maitland’s “Infused” book for inspiration, but the three mentioned above will help you go far.
Sodas: Ginger Ale and Coca-Cola are my go-tos. Club Soda and Tonic Water for specific occasions. That’ll cover about 95% of what you’ll need that’s soda-based.
Garnish: Fresh produce and a peeler will get you far for lemon and orange peels. For good margaritas, I’d recommend keeping some margarita salt and/or some Tajin around for a flavor boost.
Grenadine and sour mix: I never use this stuff, but it is behind my bar. You can make a Shirley Temple with Grenadine. Sour mix? Are you still drinking Long Island Iced Teas or Hurricanes? You savage. Come get my sour mix and help yourself.
Glassware: You’ll know when it’s time to upgrade
I’m going to assume you have glasses. I know my demographic here, as I can guess y’all shop at Target and occasionally hit Big Lots/Home Goods/Bed Bath and Beyond and come up on properly fancy glasses to adorn your kitchen/bar area. However, some glasses actually have a purpose, but you’ll know when it’s time to upgrade. Let’s go from least to most important:
Beer glass: I mean, won’t the can or bottle suffice?
Champagne glass: For my fellow husbands out there, you’ll get these once you’re married. Don’t worry, she’ll get them. Thanks babe.
Collins glass: That tall and skinny glass you drink water out of all the time? It’s called a Collins glass. A “Collins” cocktail usually just means it’s carbonated. This is your go-to for Jameson and Ginger Ales.
Martini glass: If you like Martinis, you’ll have this glass.
Wine glass: The wider bowled wine glasses are for red wine. The slightly narrow ones are for white whine. Red wine needs more space to open up versus white wine which does not.
Rocks glass: This is your money glass. Your old fashioneds will live here. Your margaritas will live here. Spend some good money on these, because this is actually where you can show off. Heavier the better, in my opinion.
Glencairn glass and brandy snifter: Not for cocktails, instead for sipping neat. If you like brown liquor, get yourself a four-pack of these glasses and allow your scotch and cognac to open up for proper enjoyment. These aren’t cheap glasses, but they’re the best upgrade for sipping.
Bar equipment: The essentials, the time savers and the upgraders
Half of this stuff, I know you have it. Some of the other stuff, go get it and make your life easier. You know…work smarter, not harder.
Things I know you have: Bottle opener, cutting board
The beer and wine opener is obvious, but the cutting board is the focus here. I actually like making drinks on a big cutting board on my counter. Good for making lemon or orange wedges and also making drinks. Easier cleanup.
Things you probably have: Grater, peeler
Is that garnish calling for a lemon peel? Boom.
Things you need to have: Cocktail shaker, stirrer, jigger and mixing glass
Buy a nice kit and call it a day. I still have the same cocktail shaker from about seven years ago. I’ve gone through 3-4 mixing glasses because I’m clumsy and occasionally drop things. Add as needed.
Things you want to have: Ice molds and cocktail books
You want that beautiful big ass block cube or perfect ice sphere in your drink. It looks fantastic and it actually has a benefit! Loose cubed ice isn’t a bad option, but it melts faster than the bigger molded ice. Less melt means less dilution. This means you don’t have to rush in to enjoy the peak of your cocktail. Also, read up on cocktail books and learn a few more things. Maybe I’ll write one someday.
Things you don’t need to waste money on: Smoked cocktail kits, whiskey stones and decanters
I almost didn’t put smoked cocktail kits on here because they are very cool, but until you’re comfortable making good drinks, don’t reach for this. You’ll know when it’s time. Whiskey stones are basically no-melt ice cubes, but save your money. I’ve never met a person that actually uses them. Decanters look great, but unless you’re an actor on Mad Men or are ready to journey into infinity bottles, just wait on this one.
In conclusion
If you’ve read this far, then bookmark this article and come back to it once you start building. You will not build your bar out in one day. It’ll take time, and some things will seem like obvious needs and others will not. This list is all about saving you time, but ultimately you’ve got to put it into practice. Note your favorite cocktails and go forward from there.
Is there anything I forgot? Is there something that’s a mainstay on your bar that you swear by? Let us know in the comments section and I’ll add it to this list! If you don’t, that’s fine. Just remember that you owe me a drink or two whenever I come to visit your dope ass bar. You’re welcome.
Thanks for the tips, Ed! I’m still shopping for a sideboard for my living room that’ll double as a bar cabinet, but I have most of these things 😆
I’ll be sure to add what I don’t have!