Essential Ingredients for a Home Bar

We live in a sophisticated age. It feels pretty good to go out to a fancy local bar and order up some cool, obscure cocktail and know they'll be able to make it for you. Now, take that feeling of satisfaction and multiply it by a factor of ten, and that's what it's like to make that same drink from your home bar. In fact, you could fix up a cocktail for yourself every night, provided you have the right ingredients. Before you head over to your favorite liquor shop in Winder, GA, here are the basic ingredients you'll need to build your own home bar.

Gin

Well, duh. Gin's basically the oldest clear liquor in the world, and it is the crucial ingredient in thousands of classic cocktails, not the least of which include the Martini, the Gin and tonic, and many of the classic cocktails like the French 75, the Corpse Reviver #2, the Last Word, and the Negroni.

Vodka

Vodka has gone out of fashion in recent years, but is poised to make a comeback because you can do anything with it. At the very least, it's a must for Moscow mules, martinis, and bloody Marys.

Bourbon Whiskey

You're not going to impress anybody unless you can make a Manhattan. Bourbon is a perfect drink for sipping or mixing, and while not everyone likes brown liquors, it goes great with sugar, so cocktails like mint juleps, whiskey sours, and Brooklyns will satisfy even those who don't take to the brown stuff.

Scotch Whisky

Scotch is the beverage you have when you want to commemorate a big business deal. Also Tuesdays are good. Basically, anytime you want to relax, stare out the window and contemplate your failures and successes. It goes with a few great cocktails, but it's ideal when drunk on its own. Be a show-off, and get those Scotch stones you can freeze. They cool the drink without diluting it.

Tequila

Because it's not a happy bar without tequila. You could really have two bottles of tequila: an añejo or reposado for sipping, and a blanco or plata for margaritas. Or get one of each. Then get more so you can make your own flights - you can see how habit forming a bar can be.

These are the basic liquors, though you should also have sweet and dry vermouths, Angostura and Peychaud's bitters, tonic and soda water, and limes, lemons, and olives for garnish. What are you waiting for? Hit the liquor shop in Winder, GA, and get crackin'!