homebarstock

The Home Bar
What to Stock

There are thousands of recipes for cocktails and many different and sometimes exotic ingredients go into them. It is not generally a good idea to try and stock everything you may need but instead decide what cocktails you want to make and by the less common ingredients as and when needed.

There are a few ingredients however (the "core" ingredients) which are used in a great many cocktails and can be purchased and kept on hand, in the home bar.

Vodka An essential ingredient in many cocktails as it adds strength without masking some of the more delicate flavours. Most of the well known vodkas are suitable quality. e.g.. Smirnoff, Vladivar, Absolute, Virgin (among others).

Vermouth Dry (French) and sweet (Italian) varieties available in white, red and rose, as well as the extra drys etc.
I tend to use Martini Extra Dry and Martini Rosso.

Rum White is a 'core ingredient'. You may also find dark and gold varieties useful. Again there are many good quality products. My favourite would have to be Bacardi White and Gold and Lamb's Navy dark.

Grenadine There do not seem to be any set rules as to what exactly Grenadine is - so watch the label, it could have anything in it. Some are a mix of fruits and herbs, others will be predominantly one fruit, like raspberry. My favourite is pomegranate grenadine from Cyprus. Grenadine is usually only used to add colour, but it can add flavour, depending on what you mix it with.

Gin

Angostura Bitters

Cola

Lemonade

Cocktail Cherries

Cocktail Olives

Drinking Straws Yes, usually tacky. But, occasionally essential.

Ice Always keep plenty of ready-made ice cubes in the freezer.

Vodka	An essential ingredient in many cocktails as it adds strength without masking some of the more delicate flavours. Most of the well known vodkas are suitable quality. e.g.. Smirnoff, Vladivar, Absolute, Virgin (among others).
Vermouth	Dry (French) and sweet (Italian) varieties available in white, red and rose, as well as the extra drys etc. I tend to use Martini Extra Dry and Martini Rosso.
Rum	White is a 'core ingredient'. You may also find dark and gold varieties useful. Again there are many good quality products. My favourite would have to be Bacardi White and Gold and Lamb's Navy dark.
Grenadine	There do not seem to be any set rules as to what exactly Grenadine is - so watch the label, it could have anything in it. Some are a mix of fruits and herbs, others will be predominantly one fruit, like raspberry. My favourite is pomegranate grenadine from Cyprus. Grenadine is usually only used to add colour, but it can add flavour, depending on what you mix it with.
Gin
Angostura Bitters
Cola
Lemonade
Cocktail Cherries
Cocktail Olives
Drinking Straws	Yes, usually tacky. But, occasionally essential.
Ice	Always keep plenty of ready-made ice cubes in the freezer.