Spirit Types & Brands Recommended For Your Home Bar

As someone who enjoys hosting parties or simply unwinding after a long day, it's important to have a well-stocked bar at home. With the right mix of spirits and mixers, you'll be able to make a wide range of delicious cocktails that will impress your guests and help you relax.

Here are some of the basic types of liquor that you should consider adding to your home bar:

1. Vodka: Vodka is a versatile spirit that is essential for any home bar. It's a neutral spirit that doesn't have much flavor, which makes it a great base for cocktails that rely on other ingredients to provide flavor.

2. Gin: Gin is another essential spirit for your home bar. It's a distilled spirit that is flavored with a blend of botanicals, including juniper berries, which gives it a unique flavor. Gin is a popular ingredient in many classic cocktails, such as the Martini and Gin and Tonic.

3. Whiskey: Whiskey is a popular spirit that comes in many different forms, including bourbon, rye, and Scotch. Each type of whiskey has its own unique flavor profile, and it's a great spirit to have on hand for sipping neat or mixing into cocktails.

4. Tequila: Tequila is a Mexican spirit that is made from the blue agave plant. It has a distinctive flavor that is perfect for making Margaritas and other cocktails. It's also a popular spirit for sipping neat, especially if you opt for a high-quality, aged tequila.

5. Rum: Rum is a sweet and flavorful spirit that is made from sugarcane. It's a popular ingredient in tropical cocktails, such as the Mai Tai and Daiquiri, and it's also great for sipping neat or on the rocks.

6. Brandy: Brandy is a distilled spirit that is made from wine. It has a smooth and rich flavor that makes it a great spirit for sipping after dinner. Brandy is also a popular ingredient in cocktails, such as the classic Cognac and brandy Alexander.

7. Vermouth: Vermouth is a fortified wine that is flavored with botanicals. It's an essential ingredient in many classic cocktails, such as the Martini and Manhattan. Vermouth comes in two main styles, sweet and dry, and it's important to have both on hand so you can make a wide range of cocktails.

Here are some popular and highly-regarded brands for each type of liquor:

1. Vodka: Grey Goose, Absolut, Stolichnaya, Belvedere 

2. Gin: Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Hendrick's, Martin Miller's 

3. Whiskey: Bourbon: Maker's Mark, Buffalo Trace, Knob Creek. Rye: Bulleit Rye, Sazerac Rye, Old Overholt. Scotch: Johnnie Walker Black Label, Glenlivet, Macallan, Lagavulin 

4. Tequila: Patron, Don Julio, Herradura, Casamigos 

5. Rum: Captain Morgan, Bacardi, Mount Gay, Kraken 

6. Brandy: Courvoisier, Hennessy, Remy Martin, Christian Brothers 

7. Vermouth: Martini & Rossi (sweet and dry), Noilly Prat (dry), Carpano Antica (sweet) 

These are just a few examples, and there are many other great brands available, depending on your budget and personal preferences. When choosing a brand, consider factors such as price, flavor, and the intended use of the spirit (sipping neat, mixing in cocktails, etc.). It's also a good idea to try different brands and find the ones that work best for you.

Having these basic types of liquor on hand will allow you to make a wide range of delicious cocktails, whether you're entertaining guests or simply unwinding after a long day. And as you become more confident in your bartending skills, you can start to expand your collection to include more specialized spirits and liqueurs.

So, stock up your bar with these essential spirits, and get ready to impress your guests with your cocktail-making skills!

Cheers!