Build your bar like a pro with this checklist. Print it out and take it to the liquor store (just don’t buy everything all at once).

Click here to download the PDF file

the basics

liquor

• Bourbon
• Cointreau
• Dry vermouth
• Gin
• Kahlua
• Rum
• Scotch
• Sweet vermouth
• Tequila
• Vodka

wine

• Red wine
• White wine

the advanced touch

SIPPIN’ WHISKEY

• Single malt scotch (like The Glenlivet 12 Year Old)
• Irish whiskey (like Black Bush)

SPECIALTY LIQUORS

• Midori
• Chambord
• Crème de Cassis

mixers and garnishes: the basics

JUICE

• Cranberry
• Grapefruit
• Orange
• Rose’s Lime Juice
• Tomato

GARNISHES

• Celery
• Cocktail onions
• Green stuffed pitted olives

SODA

• Cola
• Ginger ale
• Seltzer
• Tonic
• 7-Up
• Lemons
• Limes
• Maraschino cherries
• Mint

the advanced touch

EXTRAS

• Angostura bitters
• Bitters
• Coarse salt
• Coconut milk
• Cream
• Crystallized and granulated sugar
• Grenadine
• Sour mix
• Sugarcane
• Tabasco sauce
• Worcestershire sauce

accessories: the basics

GLASSES

• Highball
• Lowball
• Martini
• Red wine
• Shot
• White wine

TOOLS

• Blender
• Boston cocktail shaker
• Cocktail napkins
• Corkscrew
• Hawthorne strainer
• Ice bucket
• Plastic cocktail swords
• Stirrers
• Tongs
• Bar spoons
• Bar towels
• Jiggers
• Lemon zester
• Multipurpose opener
• Wood muddler (for crushing herbs, sugar, and so on—mojito, anyone?)

-- The Nest Editors

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