★ “How to Stock a Home Bar”

AOM:

Vodka. An excellent liquor for doing shots with singing babushkas or for mixing into popular cocktails like Bloody Marys and Cosmopolitans. Vodka doesn’t have a strong color, taste, or aroma, so it makes for a perfect mixing liquor. The differences between vodka brands comes down to what they’re distilled from (potatoes, grains, sugar cane) and their texture in the mouth. Some (like Absolut) have an oily, silky texture while others (like Stolichnaya) have a watery, medicinal finish.

My go-to vodka is Grey Goose. Mixes nicely with just about anything.

You also have your pick between the different flavored and infused vodkas on the market. Personally, I stay away from flavored vodkas in my home bar. I can do my own infusing with garnishes, thank you very much.

Most of what’s in my home bar now is comprised of a lot of self-research as in I bought some basics and made some drinks, wanted to make more drinks so bought some more liquor. Then I started adding mixings and garnishes and cordials and then specialized tools and glass-ware. It all sort of built up. This is a great read for any home owner that loves to entertain.

Don’t do this unless you can commit at least $200 a month for a full year.