How to Stock a Home Bar — The Essential Guide

How to Stock a Home Bar — The Essential Guide

One of the most common questions I get at masterclasses is: "What should I actually have at home to make proper cocktails?"

The answer might surprise you. You don't need a wall of bottles. With the right selection of spirits, mixers and equipment, you can make dozens of classic cocktails without spending a fortune.

Here's exactly how I'd build a home bar from scratch.

The Core Spirits (Start Here)

These five bottles cover the vast majority of classic cocktails.

1. London Dry Gin

Covers: Gin & Tonic, Negroni, Martini, Tom Collins, Gimlet, Bee's Knees, Clover Club.

2. Blended Scotch Whisky (or Bourbon)

Covers: Whisky Sour, Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Boulevardier, Rob Roy.

3. White Rum

Covers: Daiquiri, Mojito, Piña Colada, Hemingway Daiquiri.

4. Vodka

Covers: Espresso Martini, Cosmopolitan, Moscow Mule, Bloody Mary, Vodka Martini.

5. Triple Sec / Orange Liqueur

This is a modifier rather than a base spirit — it adds citrus sweetness and is used in Margaritas, Cosmopolitans, Sidecars and dozens more.

Level Two: The Supporting Cast

Once your core five are in place, these additions open up a lot more:

• Sweet Vermouth (Martini Rosso or Carpano Antica) — Negroni, Manhattan, Rob Roy
• Dry Vermouth (Noilly Prat) — Martini, 50/50 Martini
• Campari — Negroni, Americano, Spritz Campari
• Tequila — Margarita, Paloma, Tequila Sunrise
• Coffee Liqueur (Kahlúa or Mr Black) — Espresso Martini, Black Russian, White Russian

The Mixers You Actually Need

• Fresh lemons and limes — nothing replaces fresh citrus. Bottled juice is a last resort.
• Simple syrup (equal parts sugar and hot water, cooled) — make a batch weekly
• Angostura Bitters — used in tiny dashes, lasts forever
• Tonic water (Fever-Tree is worth it)
• Ginger beer (Bundaberg or Fever-Tree)
• Soda water
• Sparkling water
• Grenadine (pomegranate syrup — make it yourself or use Monin)

Essential Equipment

| Item | Why You Need It | |------|-----------------| | Cocktail shaker (Boston or cobbler) | For all shaken drinks | | Mixing glass | For stirred drinks like the Negroni and Old Fashioned | | Bar spoon | Stirring and layering | | Jigger (25ml/50ml) | Accuracy is everything | | Hawthorne strainer | Standard straining | | Fine mesh strainer | Double straining for smooth texture | | Muddler | For mint, citrus and fruits | | Peeler | For citrus twists and garnishes |

The Ice Rule

This one trips up more home bartenders than anything else: use more ice, not less. More ice keeps drinks colder and dilutes them less. A half-full shaker of ice warms up fast and makes watery cocktails. Fill it completely.

Once you've got these in place, you're ready to make over 30 classic cocktails at home. If you want to take it further, consider booking one of our at-home masterclasses — we'll come to you and show you exactly how to use your kit.