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How to Properly Stock a BarKeep Your Parties Hoppin' with the Right Liquor Essentials
A well-stocked bar can mean the difference between keeping your guests happy all night and losing them right after dinner.
No one's going to die if you don't have a fully-stocked bar, but as a guest it is one of the more refreshing hospitable touches. Being able to order drinks you would at an actual bar in someone's home will make you a hit host or hostess. Follow these instructions to get going. Scope out a spot Liquor cabinets are great, but if they're cumbersome to access, they're not going to work for playing bartender in your own home. Some great options are a wood secretary or hutch that opens up to reveal your stash, or a console unit or rolling unit with some storage below. Keep this in a low-traffic area that's still close enough for conversation. Stock the essentials Of course, the main component to a great bar is the alcohol. Any well-stocked bar should have a bottle of each vodka, rum, gin and whiskey. Tequila is another good one to have, although you don't need it to be completely stocked. Try to keep an extra bottle of each of these classic alcohols nearby so you never pull a party foul by pouring the last of it. In addition to these hard alcohols, you should always stock a good bottle of red and white wine for those who would rather sip. Beer is a nice touch too, although you probably want to keep that in the fridge. Make sure of your mixersMixers are the other total essential for your home bar. Many people mix alcohol with many different things. The classics are Coke, orange juice, tonic water, sour mix, tomato juice and cranberry juice. Try interesting combinations like grapefruit juice, seltzer water or ginger beer to make a splash or even invent a signature cocktail for your home bar. The more options you have to mix, the better. Secure the accoutrementsThey say that sometimes, it's all in the details, and in the case of having a home bar, that couldn't be more true. A gin and tonic is delightful, but with a twist of lemon it's totally over the top. Making sure you have these essential garnishes and touches will make your home bar a total hit. Maraschino cherries, lemon twists, lime slices and martini olives are classics. Make sure you stock up on those right away. But why not get creative and try frozen grapes, pickled green beans, pearl onions or pineapple wedges? The imagination rules when it comes to garnishes, but either way your guests will feel taken care of. Some other essentials for your bar include small cocktail napkins and a tray. With a tray, you can make a round of drinks and then easily pass them around the room at your next cocktail party. Invest in pour spouts for your alcohol bottles with a metal bead inside the neck (they shut off after one shot, so you know how much you're pouring). They also prevent messes as you try to pour. Lastly, you'll want a set of bar tools which will usually include a martini shaker, a stirrer, a muddler and a strainer, among others. These will help you make each drink right. Run that thingThe most thoughtful touch (that is also self-preservational) is to run the bar yourself or designate a spouse or friend to be in charge of it. That way, you don't get everyone pouring their own drinks or creating a free-for-all. Be the hostess with the most-ess and get to partying with your fabulous new bar!
The copyright of the article How to Properly Stock a Bar in Cocktail Parties is owned by Sara Gray. Permission to republish How to Properly Stock a Bar in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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