Stock Your First Home Bar With These Essential Liquors

When you're getting ready to stock your first home bar, you may have questions. How do you know the best types of spirits to have on hand when it's time to make cocktails for yourself or your guests? With so many options, it's a good idea to get guidance from an expert.

We asked Lexi Parker, lead bartender at Denver's Poka Lola Social Club, for advice on what she considers essential liquors for people putting together their first home bar. According to Parker, "some essentials for a home bar that give someone a decent range of cocktails to play around with" include gin, light and aged rum, whiskey, tequila, mezcal, and a Highland Scotch. These versatile spirits are the basis for many classic cocktails and are a great place to start.

If you've got a little extra space in your cabinet and budget, Parker also recommends some lesser-known spirits that can further boost the potential of your mixed drinks. Liqueurs like the elderflower-flavored St-Germaine, orange-infused Cointreau (or another orange liqueur), the herbal-forward Bénédictine, and green or yellow Chartreuse all made her list of essentials. Parker also recommends including the sweet but potent Laird's Straight Apple Brandy Bottle in Bond which could be perfect for enjoying on chilly winter nights — perhaps as just the right aged spirit for your spiked apple cider.

Ultimately, you will want to choose your lineup of spirits based on your preferences and budget. If you don't have a clue what mezcal is and know you'll never use it, just swap it out for something you enjoy (though you ought to give this unique smoky liquor a chance). Can you put down some money on a vodka like Grey Goose or is the affordable Tito's (which is still a favorite vodka of bar managers) more your speed? If you're a fan of Manhattans, you'll definitely want to keep a bottle of sweet vermouth (a component of many other cocktails) and bitters on hand. Parker suggests Angostura or orange bitters in particular.

You should also consider adding some non-alcoholic staples, such as a set of cocktail glasses, to your shopping list. Accessories like a cocktail shaker, a strainer, and a long spoon for stirring your drink will come in handy, too. Grenadine, simple syrup, and some good Luxardo maraschino cherries (specifically recommended by Parker) will round out your new home bar nicely.

Of course, don't feel as if you need to buy everything on Parker's list at once. Choose from her recommendations, look at your budget, and go from there. With a bit of patience and careful consideration of your specific needs, your home bar will soon be the envy of your guests.