The Virtual Bar: Bar Stocking Tips

Stocking Your Bar

SPIRITS

As you become a more experienced drinker, or home-bartender for your friends, you'll probably figure out exactly what types of liquor to keep in stock. However, if you stock your bar with a 1 liter bottle of the following spirits you should be able to make most of the drinks in this program.

An Assortment of Liqueurs
Bourbon
Brandy
Gin
Port
Rum (Light)
Rum (Dark)
Scotch
Sherry
Tequila
Vermouth (Sweet)
Vermouth (Dry)
Vodka
Red Wine
White Wine

MIXERS

There's nothing worse than getting your tastebuds ready for a potent potable and then not having the appropriate mixer. Here is a listing of the most common mixers.

Water (or Mineral Water)
Tonic Water, Club Soda or Seltzer
Lemon/Lime Sodas
Sugar Syrup

The Juice Of The Following Fruits:

Orange
Grapefruit
Lime
Lemon
Cranberry
Tomato
Pineapple

EXOTIC ADDITONS

Some tropical drinks require exotic ingredients. Here is a list of items you may want to stock to put the finishing touch on your creation. In additon to this list, it's not a bad idea to keep plenty of salt and peper, granualted sugar, and powdered sugar on hand.

Whipping Cream
Heavy Cream
Light Cream
Coconut Milk
Orange Flower Water
Grenadine
Orgeat Syrup (almond flavor syrup)
Papaya Juice
Passion Fruit Juice
Raspberry Syrup

GARNISHING

The garnish can make the difference between

Coarse Salt
Pineapple
Cucumber
Maraschino Cherries
Horseradish
Worcestershire Sauce
Tabasco Sauce
Mint Leaves
Cinnamon Sticks
Cassis
Bitters
Celery Stalks
Strawberries
Oranges
Lemons
Limes
Olives
A Jar Of Cocktail Onions

SUGAR SYRUP

Here's how to make sugar syrup (a.k.a simple syrup). In a large saucepan, gradually stir one pound of granulated sugar into 13 oz. of hot water.

ABOUT BITTERS

What are bitters? Bitters are a drink flavoring made from various organic materials (i.e. roots, bark, berries, and herbs). They come in several varieties, including: Angostura Bitters-A secret recipe from Trinidad. Abbot's Aged Bitters- Made in Baltimore, Maryland since 1865. Orange Bitters- Made from the dried peel of Seville oranges. Peychaud's Bitters- The New Orlean's special blend.