Dry and Sweet Vermouth: Technically, these are fortified wines, but they're essential for martinis.

Coffee Liqueur: White Russians and countless other cocktails rely on a bottle like Kahlúa.

Amaretto: The almond-flavored liqueur is used in both fancy and casual cocktails.

Start with the basics and gradually add to your stock as you see fit.Īs you explore cocktail recipes, you will quickly realize that some liqueurs make an appearance more often than others. Liqueurs come in every flavor you could want and a bottle can last quite a long time. On occasion, they are the only distilled spirits in a drink. Liqueurs are often used as flavoring agents that define a cocktail. Some people simply will not drink or mix with it, but if you want to explore classic cocktails, you'll find brandy very useful. While they make excellent cocktails, they're not as common or as versatile as the other styles.Ī bottle of brandy rounds off a well-stocked bar, but it's not necessarily essential.

A bottle of Irish whiskey and a decent blended scotch are good complements to any bar.

If you enjoy classic cocktails, give rye a try for an authentic taste. Though some drinkers find it too spicy, rye is excellent in almost any cocktail that calls for a generic whiskey.

Rye whiskey is another excellent choice for everyday mixed drinks.The bourbon will give you that robust whiskey flavor, while the Canadian blends tend to be very smooth. For the most versatility and mixability, stock a bourbon and Canadian whisky.Ideally, a bar should have one bottle of each style. In general, two bottles are good to start, and you can always add more. This category is definitely going to be adapted to your personal style.

Things get complicated when it comes to stocking whiskey because each style has its own characteristics and uses. If you really like tropical cocktails, dark rum is essential. Each has its own purpose, and which you choose will depend on your taste and the drinks you enjoy. As a secondary rum, take your pick of aged, dark, or spiced rum.A light rum will be your workhorse for most cocktails, from the daiquiri to the mojito.You can spend as little or as much as you like, though rum tends to be one of the more affordable liquors.

For a little upgrade, add a slightly aged reposado as well.Ī well-stocked bar has at least two bottles of rum.The most versatile style is blanco (or silver) tequila, and it's the best option for a one-tequila bar.Generally, you'll want to stock at least one nice tequila. Tequila is key to margaritas, though there are other fascinating tequila cocktails to explore. Every brand is different, and you can customize your bar with a fascinating array of botanicals. From there, explore the gin's versatility.This is the most versatile and can work in everything from a dry martini to a gin and tonic. In the least, a good bottle of a London dry gin is recommended.However, it is nice to have at least one bottle in every bar. In a traditional bar, citrus and vanilla vodkas are the trusted standbys. If you fancy a vodka martini, spend a little extra for a top-shelf bottle as well.A good budget-friendly bottle is ideal for tall drinks like the screwdriver and bloody mary.Some people like vodka more than others, so stock according to your preference. Vodka has a clean, transparent flavor, and it is used for more cocktails than any other distilled spirit. When brandy, gin, rum, tequila, or vodka sound good, you're also prepared to grab the shaker and mix up a drink. If you feel like a whiskey cocktail tonight, you'll be ready. Stocking a good selection of these will ensure you can mix up almost any cocktail on a whim. The foundation for the majority of cocktails, a well-rounded bar should include at least one bottle of each of the six base liquors.

Ten types of spirits