Stocking your home (wet) bar

For those of you who are throw backs to an earlier time when adults enjoyed cocktails (ref AMC's Mad Men) this is the post for you.

This is a guide for people who think a cocktail is more than canned light beer or or shots of vodka from a plastic handle (half gallon container). You have to start with the basic tools first:


Shaker - it just needs to be stainless steel, beyond that is your choice. If you got for the 3 piece shaker (cup/base, strainer, lid) you can avoid getting a separate strainer

Muddler - This is a tool to mash things like citrus zest, mint leaves, sugar, etc. it is essential in the preparation of the currently popular Mojito. You want something 8-10" long and wood.

Jiggers (optional) - These are a useful tool for beginners (or people who like elaborate/exact recipies) because they help you measure your liquids. These should be stainless steel and you want 2; one that is 1oz/2oz and one that is 1.5oz/0.75oz. so you have your basic measurements covered



Now time to move onto the basic booze and mixers. We'll start with mixers because they are easy.


Tonic Water, Club Soda, Ginger Ale, 7-Up, Coke - These are all the basic carbonated mixers that you should by in cans. The 7-up and Coke you can get in the nice new 8oz cans and the rest, go to Safeway (or it's local equivalent) and get the 6-pack of 12oz cans for a dollar a pack. This covers all your most basic and classic cocktails.

Orange and Cranberry Juice - You want to look for individual bottles/cans of juice so a big jug does not spoil. Keeping them in the fridge (even when unopened) will make them last longer flavor wise. Keeping 2-4 bottles of each on hand is ideal. Additionally, these are the most common juices in recipes. If you want to add others Pineapple and Apple would be the next 2. Both come in cans in supermarkets.

Sweet and Sour Mix - Finest Call makes the best sweet and sour and the bottle has a built in pourer (sp?). You can find this at most supermarkets

Grenadine and Lime Juice - Rosie's is the maker, they will be in any liquor store, supermarket, bar, etc. Get the small bottles because the lime juice will mold after time.



Now onto the hard stuff. Please remember these are recommendations to satisfy the masses and allow you to make numerous cocktail recipes. If you have a favorite or must have that is not listed please feel free to add/substitute it.


Vodka - An essential neutral grail spirit (meaning has no flavor). I'm old school and HATE all the flavored Vodkas currently popular and I also believe it has no place in a Martini (Sorry James Bond). Vodka is used in tons of cocktails and is a must have. Skyy or Stoli (Stolichnaya) are the recommended varieties for smoothness, purity, and price point.

Rum - This is an easy one, get a bottle of Bacardi light rum and we're done

Gin - This is where you'll get into arguments with people. It seems like everybody has an opinion and a favorite. What is funny is that when people start drinking gin they just go to the most expensive major labels: Tanqueray and Bombay Sapphire. These are not bad Gins and nothing is wrong with them, but they will cost you more. I recommend either Gordon's Gin (worlds #1 selling gin and great price) or regular Bombay Gin. I personally keep Beefeater in the bar at home because that is my proven favorite and isn't terrible on price.

Tequila - STAY AWAY FROM JOSE CUERVO! And stay away from cheap tequila, you get what you pay for and it is very important with tequila. For starters you want a Reposado tequila, this means rested (in oak barrels), this is a good middle ground, doesn't kill you to mix and is good and smooth in shots. In order of cost (lowest to highest) I recommend El Jimador, Sauza Hornitos, Cazadores. Any of the 3 would be solid additions to your bar and not induce your gag reflex.

Whisk(e)y - It's spelled with the "e" if it is NOT Scotch. This area has the most options because of all the varieties available (bourbon, rye, canadian, japanese, irish, single malt scotch, blended scotch, tennesse, straight, blended). I'm going to recommend a bourbon that is found nationally and in stores of all levels: Jim Beam Black. This is a bourbon that is aged 8 years, mixes well and shoots well.

Triple Sec - Hiram Walker or DeKuyper - Done.


I hope this is helpful and leads to lots of fun parties and good drinks.

Filling up your toolbox (part 3/conclusion)

For the next installment of the necessary tools we feature the following (remember, recommended brands looks like this)

- Drill Accessories - this is stuff like drill bits, screw/nut driver bits, etc. This is essential stuff and you want to buy the best you can afford. DeWalt has a few kits that are great, you want to look for an assortment of screw and nut driving bits, a 1/4" and 3/8" socket driver and drill bits up to at least 3/16". This will cover you for most projects.

Especially handy is if you get a quick change adapter with the kit - this prevents you from having to loosen and tighten for every change (great when piloting and driving multiple screws)

- Socket Set - A socket wrench is what you will use to when it comes to bolts and nuts. Their compact design and ratcheting action allows them to fit in small places, apply a lot of torque, and tighten/loosen bolts/nuts with minimal movement.

Quality is important in a socket wrench, you will need to spend a little money and get a Husky, Kobalt, or Craftsman set. These all have lifetime guarantees and are quality products.

The next step is the size/composition of the kit. You'll want to look in the 50-60 piece range. And the kit should include a 1/4" drive wrench and a 3/8" drive wrench and have sockets up to 3/4 - 7/8". Bonus items to look for are deep sockets (approx 2-2.5" long vs. .75-1" standard), extensions (at least a 3" extension to get to hard to reach places), and spark plug sockets (2 universal sizes that have rubber to prevent electrical issues).



I hope this is/was helpful. Always remember, you get what you pay for and buy the best you can afford.