Set up a Home Bar to Entertain Your Friends

Women love it when you invite them to an 'after party' when you're out at a club. Especially when you have a proper home bar set up.

If you want to be able to entertain guests at your home, you should at least have some beer and wine on hand to get a bit of a party started. However, to be a great host you should offer your friends (and any ladies who come over) a wider range of beverage choices.

There are literally thousands of drink recipes online and in books, but first you need to get the right ingredients. Here’s a list of the booze you’ll use to make the majority of mixed drinks, cocktails and shots.

Thanks, I’ll Have a Shot of Whiskey
Whiskey is made up of an assortment of grains, flavors and distillation techniques that vary greatly by location. In the United States whiskey could be bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, rye or an American blend and if you simply ask for a shot of whiskey, your bartender would likely ask you to be more specific.

In Ireland (or an Irish pub), you would immediately get an Irish whiskey, while a bartender in Canada would automatically serve you Canadian whiskey. In Scotland, whiskey means Scotch but in America and other parts of the world, if you want a Scotch, you actually have to ask for a Scotch. In Australia, they just say, “Which one?” or give you the house Scotch or Whiskey.

For your bar purposes, you’ll want to have a bottle each of bourbon, rye and Scotch. Add Irish whiskey and Canadian whiskey when your budget allows it.

In general, if you’re drinking your whiskey straight or with ice (a.k.a. on the rocks), you’ll want to go with a single malt whiskey for the best flavor. If you’re mixing whiskey with water, soda or with other cocktail ingredients, you’ll do well to use a blended (and less expensive) whiskey.

Versatile Vodka
Whether you purchase a brand of Russian vodka or one made in any number of other countries, vodka is one of the most versatile liquors you can own and should definitely be included in your home bar. It mixes well with tonic, most liquors and fruit juice.

Since it’s one of the most pure liquors because it doesn’t have any additives, clear, straight vodka is the least likely to give you a hangover if you accidentally overindulge.

You’ll Win with Gin
Gin is an English favorite (and much liked in other parts of the world) and, like vodka, is a pure, clear alcohol. It’s light and refreshing and in the past was the main liquor used in a martini before vodka martinis became more popular. Gin works well with tonic, bitters and fruit juice.

For a Tropical Punch Just Add Rum
Rum, both light and dark, are essential ingredients in most tropical drinks from Mai Tai’s to Rum Runners, so if you’re looking for a Caribbean or Polynesian type of drink, you’ll want to have rum in your well-stocked bar assortment. Rum mixes well with several liquors, cola and most fruit juices.

Down Mexico Way
Tequila drinkers tend to come in three types. There are those who like to slam back shots preceded by licking salt off the back of their hand, chugging down a shot and following up by sucking on a wedge of lime (or lemon). Then there are the sippers who prefer to savor it. Finally there are the tequila lovers who prefer their traditional Latin liquor mixed into a Margarita or other cocktail.

Likeable Liqueurs
If you want to be a great host and are looking to add a level of sophistication to you bar offerings, you’ll want to be sure to have some liqueurs on hand as well.

Peppermint schnapps works well as an after-dinner drink because it helps to settle the stomach. Other popular schnapps flavors are peach (especially in the United States) and melon. The crème drinks, such as green or white Crème De Menthe, Cacao and banana-flavored crème liqueurs are also much-liked. However, crème drinks tend to have a shorter shelf life than most liqueurs so don’t buy too many.

As a traditional after-dinner drink, straight brandy is for the more sophisticated palate while flavored brandies have more widespread appeal. If you’re stocking brandy, you might also want to get a nice pack of cigars and set them aside for special occasions. Over time, your friends will come to know that your place is a great location to have a private celebration.

Orange-flavored liqueurs are also very popular with varieties such as Grand Marnier, Triple Sec, Cointreau and Blue Curacao. Sweet and dry vermouth are also essential ingredients for many much-loved drinks. Finally your liqueur selections should be rounded out with Amaretto, Frangelico, Kahlua, Jagermeister, Benedictine, and Chambord.

Mix It Up
While some of your guests will want their booze served straight or on the rocks, many people, especially women, prefer to have it served mixed into a cocktail. If you can offer to serve up cocktails back at your place, most women will gladly accept an invitation to party back at your pad the same night.

The good news about mixes is that it also allows you to stretch your liquor supply. The most popular mixes are colas (regular and diet varieties), ginger ale, tonic water, club soda, and juices (tomato, orange, pineapple, cranberry and grapefruit). If you’re from a British-based colony, you might want to keep some bitters on hand.

Small bottles and cans of soda and juice will help you to use only what you need and save storage space.

No Guesswork
It’s often helpful to have pre-made drink mixes on hand. Not only does it eliminate having to look up or guess how to make a drink, you also won’t need to keep as many ingredients on hand. So when you’re shopping for your alcohol needs, you also may want to purchase pre-made mixes to make a Bloody Mary, Whiskey Sour, Rum Runner, and Margarita.

A Little at a Time
Don’t be overwhelmed by the number of liquors you’ll need to properly stock your home bar. Most liquor will last for years if properly stored in a cool, dark space. Never store your liquor in direct sunlight.

The best indicator of the type of liquor you’ll immediately use is by noting what your friends and dates order when they’re out. You can always expand your offerings over time. Once you have the booze you’ll use on hand, you can be confident that when you ask your guests, “What will you have?” you’ll be able to offer them the drink they desire and make them feel welcome in your home.