Starting a small bar

Bartending » Starting a small bar

To make a vast array of mixed drinks you need only a handful of ingredients. Listed below are the requirements for any good basic bar.

Spirits	Mixers
Beer Blended or Rye Whiskey Bourbon Brandy Gin Pernod Rum (light) Scotch Whiskey Tequila (white) Triple Sec Vermouth (dry and sweet) Vodka Wine (white and red)	Cola Cranberry Juice Ginger Ale Lemon Juice Lime Juice Orange Juice Carbonated/Sparkling water (Club Soda) Tomato Juice Tonic Water Grenadine
Garnishes	Tools & Utensils
Angostura Bitters Bar sugar Pepper (black) Cocktail olives Lemons (at least a half dozen) Limes (same) Oranges Tabasco Sauce Worchestshire sauce	Cocktail Shaker Bottle Opener Corkscrew Measuring cup Paring knife

If you are serious about wowing your guests with your bartending abilities (everyone loves someone who can mix delicious cocktails!) then you will need more than just the above ingredients. However, this basic list permits you to mix many well known cocktails with a little room for experimentation.

It is interesting to note that many more recipes are possible from this list with just one or two flavored liqueurs added in. Adding, say, a coffee liqueur and some peach schnapps would open up quite a few more possibilities.