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Well , let ’ s talk home bars . Taking a break from whiskey history , to set up your home bar . This is usually a task most people dread . There are a few rules of thumb that I have used , and its about personal choice . I ’ ll end with a list of things to keep in your bar and you can take it from there .
I start with what I like to drink , like martinis and margaritas . Classic cocktails are extremely popular and I have a few of those I like to make at different times of the year . Seasonal liquors used at different times of the year like whiskey in the fall and rum in the summer . Then there is friends and family , what they like to drink . Knowing favorites of friends is fun and impressing them is a feather in your cap .
Now for the side liquors , like triple sec . Midori ( a melon liquor ), Kahula , Baileys , Chartruse , Amaretto , St . Germaine , Pernod , Chambord , and Gran Marnier . There are very good but less expensive versions of all these essential liquors . You will need them to have a successful bar . One that is hard to find but keep it when I find it is Creme de Cassis . Kir ’ s and Kir Royals are made with this and the French version is better than a cheap version anytime , so invest in a bottle .
Now the tools , a cocktail shaker , jigger , bar spoon , muddler , and strainer , these are essential to the cocktail making task . If you watch a good bartender at a restaurant you like you can pick up a flair for making them . Appropriate glass ware is also essential to enjoying a cocktail , so martini , old fashion , highball , and a footed wine glass are all you might need . spirit
Let ’ s talk home bars
I go a step further and have margarita , whiskey , and liquor glasses . The copper mugs for Moscow mules is the latest trend in cocktails , and they are easily found at most shops around town .
For recipes just go online and there are many web sites that have several versions of the cocktails you are wanting . I don ’ t have a favorite site but like to compare as many
M . Kevin Brooks Manager The Corkscrew Wine & Spirits
versions as possible before making the concoction . List of liquors : vodka , rum , gin , whiskey ( Bourbon , Tennessee , Rye , blended Scotch , Irish ) and tequila . Get your favorites to stock your
Mixers are the last step in the bar : Coke , Sprite , club soda , tonic water , ginger ale , ginger beer , Grenadine and bitters . Angostura bitters are the easiest to find in town , without this a Manhattan or Old Fashion are not finished . There are all types of bitters and can be made from many bitter plants and fruits . Lemons and Limes are also essential to making cocktails , fresh are better than just juice . Olives for the martini and queen stuffed is best . Also , look for cocktail onions , they are great in gimlets .
Now have a great time with your bar and invite friends over and experiment with the concoctions that sound good to you .