Much like a well-stocked pantry, every home needs a well-rounded bar equipped with the basics to craft a few classic cocktails. Stock the bar with all the essentials needed to create a few favorite cocktails that you enjoy and know how to make like a pro. Think classics such as the Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Martini, Margarita, Daiquiri, Whiskey Soda, Mint Julep, Bloody Mary, Whiskey Sour, Gin & Tonic or Tom Collins.
Stock the Bar 101: Liquor Recommendations
Jose Medina Camacho, co-founder and beverage director of Adios, shares his choice liquor recommendations:
Bourbon
- Old Forester 1920 or Old Forester 100 proof (budget choice)
“Old Forester as a brand has something for everyone, hits all price points and all palates.”
Scotch
- The Balvenie Caribbean Cask or Monkey Shoulders Blended Scotch (on a budget)
“Monkey Shoulders is great for your everyday drinking and mixing and Balvenie is good when you want to treat yourself.”
Rye Whiskey
- Pikesville straight rye or George Dickel Rye (on a budget)
“Again Dickel Rye is great for cocktails and Pikesville for when you want something neat.”
Gin
- Beefeater gin (on a budget) or Plymouth gin
“Plymouth Martinis are my jam. I don’t always drink cocktails, but when I do it’s a 50/50 martini equal parts dry Vermouth and Plymouth.”
Rum
- Don Q Cristal (on a budget) or Plantation 3 star
“These are best for Daiquiris.”
Vodka
- Cathead Vodka (on a budget) or Absolut Elyx
“Cathead is a great choice for the everyday drinker. Absolut Elyx is just clean, almost like water.”
Mezcal/Tequila
- Vida Mezcal (on a budget) or Ilegal Joven
- Lunazul Blanco (on a budget) or Siete Leguas Tequila Blanco
“Mezcal and tequila, both made from agave varieties, are some of my favorite libations. I love vegetal notes, funk and smoke, making agave my go to choice.”
Vermouth
- Punt E Mes Italian Vermouth (for the Manhattan, Negroni, Americano)
- Dolin Dry French Vermouth (for the Martini, Vermouth and Soda)
Amaro/Amari
- Campari
- Aperol
Bitters For the Home Bar
- Angostura
- Peychaud’s Bitters
Mixers for the Bar
- Fever Tree Tonic
- Fever Tree Ginger Beer
- Topo Chico Mineral Water
- Charleston Bloody Mary mix
“Santa Cruz Lemon and Lime juice are great when you don’t have time to juice. When it comes to syrups, I like to go by weight: Simple Syrup 1:1, Demerara Syrup 2:1”
If this list seems overwhelming, just start small and buy those items needed to make a few of your favorite drinks and then you can expand if you’d like to experiment with more trendy libations. Cheers!
