Essential Tips for Stocking a Home Bar

A home bar can provide great versatility for entertaining or enjoying your weekend; and when looking for a drink to mix for your guests or to enjoy yourself, a good Moscow Mule recipe can be exactly the drink you need. No matter your goal, configuring a home bar that can meet your needs can be easier by keeping a list of the things you need. Consider some of the items you'll need to stock your home bar.

Preparation Considerations

Your Budget
A home bar can range greatly in terms of costs. The best alcohols and fanciest drinks can cost you a good deal of money. However, there are more affordable options available that are quite enjoyable. Setting a budget based on your preferences and overall tastes means the money you spend will go towards drinks you enjoy.

Your Space
A practical consideration is how much room you have in your home to build a home bar. You may be able to devote a great deal of room to your bar and make use of the wall of a large room or a basement. If space is an issue, a bar cart may be more practical. Knowing in advance how much practical space you have gives you a realistic idea of how much you can buy.

Your Favorite Drinks
The drinks you enjoy should be an important spect of stocking your bar. While home bar components should allow you to be able to mix several drinks, your favorites should always be the focus. Also, focusing on what you like makes stocking the bar far easier and gives you a good starting point.

Inventory Items

Once you have all the fundamentals down regarding budget, space, and the types of drinks you'll want, the next step is collecting the items you need to have a well-stocked home bar.

Spirits
Liquors come in many styles, flavorings, and various origins. A blend of different types of spirits such as gin, whiskey, rum, vodka, and others can make your bar suitable for any occasion. You can also buy several types of the same spirit, each with its unique traits, so don't be afraid to focus on your favorites.

Mixers
Unless you like your spirits straight or on the rocks, you'll want to have mixers to make more complex drinks. Mixers such as carbonated mixers, bitters, syrups, fruit juices, and vegetable juices can allow you to make a wide assortment of drinks.

Glasses
Drink glasses can be a bit more complex than they first appear. There are numerous types of glasses you can use to pour drinks in. When you're first stocking your bar, starting with basic glasses such as rock glasses, beer glasses, Collins glasses, and coupe glasses gives you a strong starting point.

Bar Tools
You'll need the right tools to make the right drinks. Having corkscrews and bottle openers can help you open your spirits if they are not easily opened. Shakers, strainers, and jiggers make measuring, mixing, and blending your ingredients a snap. Mixing spoons and glasses allows you to put the finishing touch on your drinks before pouring. Also, having an ice maker and buckets for ice can make keeping your ingredients cool far easier. You may also need tools such as juicers and peelers if you make use of fruit in your favorite drinks.

A well-stocked and equipped home bar makes entertaining guests more fun; and when you want a drink, you don't have to leave the home. It also allows you to try out new drink recipes, new ideas, and the fun of learning and perfecting a unique skill. A home bar is both practical and enjoyable.