Stocking a home bar can be confusing and expensive. It is nearly impossible to match the selection offered by commercial bars, so it is important to focus on priorities so you can stay within your budget. Keep in mind the common basics, as well as the individual preferences of your family or frequent visitors. The following tips will help you get your bar stocked and ready to go for under $200.
MIXERS AND SOFT DRINKS
While most people think of alcohol first when they are stocking a bar, the non-alcoholic beverages are actually very important. Soft drinks are popular for those who do not drink or are driving and are commonly used for mixers. Soft drinks are fairly inexpensive and can be purchased in individual cans and bottles so it is easy to stock this portion of your bar with great variety. If you are planning a party, consider large bottles of sodas and carbonated beverages. Otherwise, it is usually more cost effective to purchase individual servings so leftovers do not go flat and end up being wasted.
The following basic mixers and soft drinks will get you started with the bare basics for about $15.
Club soda – several one liter bottles
Tonic water – several one liter bottles
Cola – a 12-pack
Diet cola – a 12-pack
Lemon-lime soda – a 6-pack
For a broader selection, consider adding these mixers and soft drinks for about $20 more.
Margarita mix
Orange juice
Cranberry juice
Tomato juice
WINE AND BEER
Many guests will prefer wine or beer to drinks with hard liquor. It is wise to keep these items on hand; adjust amounts according to what your guests seem to drink most. You can purchase decent wines and beer in these amounts for a total of about $40.
Beer – a 6-pack
White wine – 2 bottles
Red wine – 2 bottles
LIQUOR BASICS
The following items are the alcohol backbone of a good bar. Liquor prices vary widely and there are a number of brands available. If you have time to get your bar stocked, save money by watching for specials. It is not important to purchase the most expensive liquors to have a solid bar; pick brand names that fall in the mid-range of the price spectrum for a quality level that will please most guests. You can stock a 750 ml bottle of each of the following for a total of around $80.
Rum
Vodka
Whiskey
Tequila
Gin
LIQUEURS
Liqueurs are available in nearly every flavor imaginable, so it is impossible to have every possible option on hand. Think about your favorite drinks and those of your friends and regular guests and choose a couple that are among the most popular. Choose two small bottles of liqueur for the remaining $35 in your $200 budget. Alternately, you may want to substitute a sipping spirit like brandy or cognac for these liqueurs.
Some of the most commonly consumed liqueurs are:
Triple sec: a citrus liqueur commonly used in margaritas
Kahlua: a popular coffee flavored liqueur
Crème de menthe: a sweet, mint liqueur
Irish Cream: a popular after dinner liqueur
Chocolate liqueur: chocolate flavored alcohol is commonly used in coffee and dessert drinks
