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Spirits
If this is your first home bar, there’s no need to break the bank buying all kinds of liquor. A few well-chosen spirits that suit your tastes and budget are enough to get your bar going so that you can whip up some great seasonal cocktails.
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Preparation techniques
It's easy to get into cocktail preparation. All you need is to learn a few basic techniques, as shown in these videos. Want to learn how to use a shaker or how to rim a glass? Watch the video!
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Mixes
Essential for the preparation of long drinks, mixes allow you to dilute the alcohol and add a refreshing and tasty note to your cocktails.
- Soft drinks
- Fruit juice
- Teas and herbal teas
- Coffee and expresso
- Tomato juice
- Clam juice
- Coconut milk
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Utensils
Mix, stir, measure-the things you do at a bar are easier when you have the right tools. This list tells you the basic utensils you need. It’s up to you to add extras if you feel like it or once you’ve gained more experience.
- Shaker
- Ice strainer
- Ice bucket
- Jigger
- Mixing spoon
- Electric blender
- Sieve
- Ice scoop
- Muddler or pestle
- Manual or electric citrus squeezer
- Mixing glass
- Zester
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Glasses
Tall, flared, or rounded, glasses help you bring out the aromas, flavours, and subtleties of your cocktails. One more reason to learn what goes with what!
- Tulip glass
- Margarita glass
- Martini glass
- Flute
- INAO wine glass
- Highball glass
- Shooter glass
- Old-fashioned glass
- Toddy glass
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Garnishes and decorations
Garnishes and decorations are not optional! They give style to your cocktails and intensify the plethora of flavours. Let your imagination go wild!
- Fresh and canned fruit (oranges, lemons, limes, cranberries, pineapple, lychee fruit, maraschino cherries, olives)
- Fresh vegetables (celery sticks, Lebanese cucumbers)
- Fresh herbs (basil, mint, rosemary)
- Straws
- Martini picks and swizzle sticks
- Coasters
- Plenty of ice cubes
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Fun in moderation
Want to join in the cocktail craze without exceeding your—or your guests’—limits?
Offer non-alcoholic drinks to your non-drinking guests and those who really enjoyed your mojitos.
Serve alcohol-free drinks (mineral water, juice, coffee, tea, herbal tea) throughout the evening.
Prepare and serve cocktails yourself—it’s a good way to make sure your guests don’t serve themselves too much.
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The essentials
Already in your pantry, these essentials are great for expanding your repertoire.
- Salt, pepper and sugar
- Tabasco sauce
- Grenadine
- Angostura Bitters
- Lime and/or lemon juice
- Ice cubes
- Cane syrup or simple syrup
