Before running out of your house to begin stocking up on liquer and bar supplies, it is important that you realize two important things:

That you need to-
1. Be a warm host.
2. Only buy the necessary liquers, beer, and supplies.

Guide to Setting Up the Space
1. Find a good space for your supplies. Keep in mind that you are going to need access to ice, water, and space to store your liquors, juices, garnishes and glassware.
2. Stock it with your basic bar equipment. We’re talking glasses, mixers, stainless steel cocktail shakers, etcetera.
3. Stock your liquor. For most functions, the top four are basic enough for your high-balls: These are rum, vodka, gin and rye. If you are looking to provide a better selection, consider adding dark and spiced rum, brandy, tequila, dry and sweet vermouth (for martinis and manhattans), and cognac. For larger crowds, consider having all three types of rum (dark, white and spiced), as well as brandy, tequila, and dry and sweet vermouth.
4. On top of your selection of liquors, you will need a basic selection of common liquers such as Baileys, Kahlua, Triple Sec, Crème de Cacao, and Bols.
5. Fill with wines. At the very minimum you will want to keep a red and a white wine on hand. Merlot and cabernet sauvignons are common favorites for red wine lovers, as is pinot noir more recently thanks to the movie Sideways. For white wine drinkers, stock a chardonnay and a pinot grigo, serving both ends of the dryness spectrum.
6. Stock with Beer. Most beer drinkers prefer the light stuff; Corona, Coors Light, Bud Light (Bud Light Lime as well), but stock about ten percent of your beer supply with something a little darker, like a Sleemans Honey Brown or even Guiness.

Just having these basics will go a long way to making your guests feel more comfortable and welcome when they come over. Just remember that the easiest thing you can do to make a guests night is to be a good host.

Filed under: General Posts

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