1 reply to this topic

[Fat Guy]

Dale, I suck at making cocktails. I didn't grow up in a house where they were a part of life, I don't drink a lot of them, and my liquor cabinet is full of top-shelf stuff mostly unopened. When people come over and I offer them mixed drinks, I secretly hope they'll say no because I don't actually know how to make any mixed drinks and I don't actually have any mixers around. Can you help me devise a strategy for elevating my level of bartending? What's the bare minimum level of inventory and knowledge I need in order to be a good host?

[Kingcocktail]

Dear Fat Guy,

Become famous for a drink at you house…I suggest you choose a drink with wide appeal like the margarita, people drink it all year round and it is only three ingredients. Practice the drink until you have it down cold and can make it in your sleep. Forever more parties at your house will be famous for that drink.

I don’t mean to imply that you should not stock a bar…you should have a regular bar especially of you entertain on a regular basis…here is a regular bar:HOME BAR

Liquor (one of each)
Rum
Vodka- hot brands: Belvedere, Kettle One
Gin- Beefeater, Tanqueray
Scotch- one blended, one malt
Bourbon
Sweet Vermouth- Italian
Dry Vermouth- French
Brandy/Cognac

Choose two:
Dubonnet
Lillet
Sherry
Campari
Cynar
Cinzano Bianco

Simple syrup
Equal parts sugar and water by volume. Shake ingredients vigorously in a cork bottle until all the sugar dissolves
White wine • Red wine

Flavorings and Condiments
Angostura Bitters
Grenadine
Tabasco
Worcestershire Sauce
Cocktail Olives
Cocktail onions
Cherries

Juices
Orange juice
Grapefruit juice
Cranberry juice
Tomato juice

Tools
Muddler
Cocktail spoon
Two part Boston Shaker Set (glass & metal)
Cocktail Strainer
Funnel
Wine opener
Bottle/can opener

Glassware
All purpose wine glass
Stem cocktail glass
Rocks glass
Highball glass
Brandy snifter

Fruits & Garnish
Lemons
Lime
Oranges
Mint