What is essential to have at your home bar?
- Thread starter Rob.
- Start date
10 Canes rum
Zaya rum
whatever dark rum catches my eye
Buffalo Trace bourbon
Russian Standard vodka
Damrak gin
Hendrick's gin
Old Raj 110 proof gin
Macallan 12 year scotch
Lagavulin scotch
Old Overholt rye
Courvoisier VSOP cognac
Kaluha
Cointreau
Dolin Rouge vermouth
Dolin Dry vermouth
Q tonic
club soda
Angostura bitters
Peychaud's bitters
Reagan's Orange bitters
Star spanish olives
Silver Palette marischino cherries
Fresh limes
Superfine sugar
mint leaves
milk/cream
Ice
Boston shaker
Cocktail spoon
Double jigger
Bar strainer
Waiter's key/wine bottle opener
Picks
Mr. Boston bar guide
glassware - wine, cocktail, highball, shot, pint
friends
(yes, I like martinis, Manhattans, White Russians, G&T, mojitos, and sipping rums)
Zaya rum
whatever dark rum catches my eye
Buffalo Trace bourbon
Russian Standard vodka
Damrak gin
Hendrick's gin
Old Raj 110 proof gin
Macallan 12 year scotch
Lagavulin scotch
Old Overholt rye
Courvoisier VSOP cognac
Kaluha
Cointreau
Dolin Rouge vermouth
Dolin Dry vermouth
Q tonic
club soda
Angostura bitters
Peychaud's bitters
Reagan's Orange bitters
Star spanish olives
Silver Palette marischino cherries
Fresh limes
Superfine sugar
mint leaves
milk/cream
Ice
Boston shaker
Cocktail spoon
Double jigger
Bar strainer
Waiter's key/wine bottle opener
Picks
Mr. Boston bar guide
glassware - wine, cocktail, highball, shot, pint
friends
(yes, I like martinis, Manhattans, White Russians, G&T, mojitos, and sipping rums)
A cocktail waitress in a short skirt.
A good single malt and a tumbler
I permanently have two essential things :
- Crême de Cassis, to make Kir
- Pastis
I try to have Tequila and Cointreau, because I'm a Margarita lover, and one or two Colombian Rums and Aguardiente that I bring back to remember holidays.
- Crême de Cassis, to make Kir
- Pastis
I try to have Tequila and Cointreau, because I'm a Margarita lover, and one or two Colombian Rums and Aguardiente that I bring back to remember holidays.
+1
and...
Single Malt
Vodka
Port Wine
Rum
Vermouth (to make a shaken or stirred)
Port Wine
Gin
Tonic
Port Wine
Cola
Ice cubes
...Oh, did I mention: Port Wine
I agree, you need a good bottle of tequila. Or better yet, two, an inexpensive silver for mixing with and a good anejo for sipping straight.
Sadly I have a better selection than BevMo as my "must haves". I dedicated a whole room to "the bar" with bottles along the wall and a few "extras" on the floor.
Alcohol
That is some setup for a home bar. I would say that it is better than some low key restaurants
Bourbon, ice and reasonably clean glasses. Everything else is just lagniappe.
I am no connoisseur, but I enjoy Bombay Sapphire Gin. A staple in my bar.
At least one decent Vodka, Rum, Gin, Whisk(e)y, Ice and assorted size glasses should be a good starting point.
Currently in my personal bar i'm adding 1 single malt scotch per month, its my new years resolution to try some different stuff.
Currently in my personal bar i'm adding 1 single malt scotch per month, its my new years resolution to try some different stuff.
That is some setup for a home bar. I would say that it is better than some low key restaurants
We can quibble about the name brands, but that's a pretty good list. I'd add Absinthe, just because I like Sazeracs, and a Johnny Walker blended scotch in case someone wanted a scotch mixed, or on the rocks.
I'm not a big fan of 10 Canes. A little overpriced in my opinion. May I suggest Pyrat Rum. Excellent sipping rum. Darker, sweeter, less expensive than 10 Canes.
10 Canes is what I use for a light rum in mixers, like mojitos. It's stupidly overpriced, normally ($34.99 or something at BevMo), but every once in a while they have it on Club Bev member sale price at either $24.99 or $19.99. $20, well worth it, and I stock up with three or four bottles.
Not a big fan of Pyrat. It's ok, but seems a little overdone, IMO. It just has too many things going on flavorwise that come off as artifical to me. I get a really heavy hint of banana and vanilla. For sippers, I really like Zaya, Flor de Cana 18 yo, Appleton Estate 12 yo, Ron Matuzalem 15 yo, and a couple of others.
Okay, $20 makes more sense. I paid the $35. Your criticism of Pyrat is right on the mark, heavy banana and vanilla. But that is why I like it. I drink a fair amount of black strap rums, too. The curse of and unsophisticated palate, I guess. 
Of the other sippers you list I've only had the Appleton 12.
For mixing, I stick with Cruzan. Just a perfect standby for parties and guests and blenders. I did their factory tour in St. Croix and have been hooked since. The Cruzan single barrel 12 is good too.
I don't know many people that enjoy sipping rum. But I sure do.
Of the other sippers you list I've only had the Appleton 12. For mixing, I stick with Cruzan. Just a perfect standby for parties and guests and blenders. I did their factory tour in St. Croix and have been hooked since. The Cruzan single barrel 12 is good too.
I don't know many people that enjoy sipping rum. But I sure do.
