Essential alcohol for your home bar
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Date Posted:
April-13-2010 16:11
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By Sabrina Rogers
I've already helped you stock your home bar with essential bar tools and glassware. Now comes the fun part: the booze.
Although there are hundreds of other alcohols you can add to your bar over time, these essential spirits, liqueurs, mixers and garnishes will allow you to mix most popular cocktails.
SPIRITS
Vodka
A clear spirit with no distinct aroma or taste, vodka is an absolute necessity for your home bar. Popular brands include Smirnoff, Absolut, Belvedere, Finlandia, Grey Goose, Stolichnaya and Ketel One. The range of vodka cocktails is seemingly endless, including classics like the Cosmopolitan and the Screwdriver.
Gin
A light-bodied spirit flavoured with juniper berries, gin is the main ingredient in a classic martini. Try Beefeater, Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray, Gordon’s or Hendrick’s.
Light rum
A clear spirit from the Caribbean, light or white rum has a subtle flavour and is used in a range of cocktails such as the daiquiri. Bacardi, Appleton and Mount Gay are all great choices.
Dark rum
Aged in charred oak casks, dark rum is more full-bodied than its light cousin and is perfect for rum punches and tropical cocktails. Try Havana Club, Bacardi Dark or Appleton Dark.
There are more spirits you need before you can start mixing...