Starting a well-stocked bar

Having all the items listed here will enable you to make the vast majority of recipes in our database, and probably most recipes that aren't. Speaking of which, make sure you submit us recipes we don't have!

Spirits :

• Amaretto
  
• Beer
  
• Blended or Rye Whiskey
  
• Bourbon
  
• Brandy
  
• Brandy (apple)
  
• Campari
  
• Cognac
  
• Cointreau
  
• Creme de Cassis
  
• Creme de Menthe (white and green)
  
• Curacao (blue and white)
  
• Galliano
  
• Gin
  
• Irish Cream
  
• Jägermeister
  
• Kirschwasser
  
• Pernod
  
• Port (ruby, tawny)
  
• Rock and Rye
  
• Rum (Anejo, dark, gold and white)
  
• Sambuca
  
• Scotch Whiskey
  
• Sherry (fino and cream)
  
• Sloe Gin
  
• Southern Comfort
  
• Tequila (white, gold and silver)
  
• Triple Sec
  
• Vermouth (dry and sweet)
  
• Vodka
  
• Vodka (flavored - Lemon, Pepper, Currant)
  
• Wine (white and red)
  
• Whiskey (Canadian, Irish)
  

Mixers :

• Apple Cider
  
• Beef Bouillon
  
• Clamato Juice
  
• Coconut Cream
  
• Coffee
  
• Cola
  
• Cranberry Juice
  
• Ginger Ale
  
• Lemon Juice
  
• Lime Juice
  
• Orange Juice
  
• Peach Nectar
  
• Pineapple Juice
  
• Carbonated/Sparkling water (Club Soda)
  
• Tomato Juice
  
• Tonic Water
  
• Grenadine
  

Garnishes :

• Angostura Bitters
  
• Allspice
  
• Apples
  
• Bananas
  
• Bar sugar
  
• Celery
  
• Cinammon (ground and sticks)
  
• Pepper (black)
  
• Cocktail onions
  
• Cocktail olives
  
• Cucumber
  
• Eggs
  
• Honey
  
• Horseradish
  
• Lemons (at least a half dozen)
  
• Limes (same)
  
• Nutmeg
  
• Oranges
  
• Orange bitters
  
• Orgeat (almond syrup)
  
• Peaches
  
• Peychaud's bitters
  
• Raspberry Syrup
  
• Rock salt (Margarita salt)
  
• Rose's Lime Juice
  
• Strawberries
  
• Sugar (cubes and syrup)
  
• White pepper
  
• Tabasco Sauce
  
• Worchestshire sauce
  

Tools & Utensils :

• Cocktail Shaker
  
• Bottle Opener
  
• Corkscrew
  
• Measuring cup
  
• Paring knife
  
• Blender
  
• Ice bucket
  
• Ice tongs
  
• Champagne stopper
  
• Mortar & Pestle
  
• Bottle taps
  
• Zester
  

Don't forget to put out the tip jar!

Starting a small bar

To make a vast array of mixed drinks you need only a handful of ingredients. Listed below are the requirements for any good basic bar.

Spirits :

• Beer
  
• Blended or Rye Whiskey
  
• Bourbon
  
• Brandy
  
• Gin
  
• Pernod
  
• Rum (light)
  
• Scotch Whiskey
  
• Tequila (white)
  
• Triple Sec
  
• Vermouth (dry and sweet)
  
• Vodka
  
• Wine (white and red)
  

Mixers :

• Cola
  
• Cranberry Juice
  
• Ginger Ale
  
• Lemon Juice
  
• Lime Juice
  
• Orange Juice
  
• Carbonated/Sparkling water (Club Soda)
  
• Tomato Juice
  
• Tonic Water
  
• Grenadine
  

Garnishes :

• Angostura Bitters
  
• Bar sugar
  
• Pepper (black)
  
• Cocktail olives
  
• Lemons (at least a half dozen)
  
• Limes (same)
  
• Oranges
  
• Tabasco Sauce
  
• Worchestshire sauce
  

Tools & Utensils :

• Cocktail Shaker
  
• Bottle Opener
  
• Corkscrew
  
• Measuring cup
  
• Paring knife
  

If you are serious about wowing your guests with your bartending abilities (everyone loves someone who can mix delicious cocktails!) then you will need more than just the above ingredients. However, this basic list permits you to mix many well known cocktails with a little room for experimentation.
It is interesting to note that many more recipes are possible from this list with just one or two flavored liqueurs added in. Adding, say, a coffee liqueur and some peach schnapps would open up quite a few more possibilities.