When you offer someone a drink from your home bar, you’re offering a piece of yourself: your hospitality, your taste, your generosity. Your liquor cabinet says something about you and the kind of individual, friend, and host you are.
However, stocking a liquor cabinet for the first time can seem daunting, especially if you didn’t grow up around alcohol or are new to hosting events where there will be drinking. How do you know if you have everything you and your guests will need?
The good news is that stocking a liquor cabinet is not all that complicated. The even better news is that we’re here to show you how.
Welcome to your step-by-step guide to building a quality liquor cabinet that will let you host like a pro.
Note: In this article, we’ll only cover what spirits and other ingredients to buy. We’ll leave other aspects like glassware and drink-making tools for a different article.
Photo credits Grey Giraffe Collective
Step 1: Know Your Audience and Purpose
Before you buy a single bottle for your new liquor cabinet, decide exactly what you want to use your cabinet for.
Are you planning large events for a wide variety of drinkers, or will you simply be hosting private parties with a few friends? Are you a new drinker experimenting to find your groove, or do you already have a clear sense of what you like? Do you want to stick to classic cocktails like martinis and Old Fashioneds, or do you prefer to mix it up with fruity margaritas or warming whiskey sips? And are you committed to keeping your cabinet freshly stocked, or are you a “set it and forget it” kind of person?
The more you know about your guests and what they want (even if the “guests” are just you and your significant someone), the better you can craft your liquor cabinet to accomplish exactly what you want.
Photo credits Gabriella Santos
Step 2: Start with the Core Five
Unless you need to gear up to host a big boozy bash, we suggest starting small.
The following core spirits may be all you need to get you started. These five alcohols are the backbone of most classic cocktails, and with them, you can mix literally hundreds of different drinks.
We’ll explain each of the five core alcohols and list some standard brands that your guests probably already know. It’s a safe bet to keep at least one of these standard brands for each alcohol on hand. But if you want to show your guests a little extra love, we’ve also listed a few lesser-known favorite brands too. It’s great to offer guests a choice between something they know and something intriguing and new.
Vodka
Vodka is the chameleon of spirits. Made from potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, corn, rye, or other grains, vodka tastes essentially neutral compared to other types of alcohol, which means it can match the flavor profile of countless cocktails. Its versatility and ability to hide under the other flavors in a drink make vodka a great beginner’s alcohol and a key component of any liquor cabinet.
Bear in mind that vodka contains about 40 percent alcohol (80 proof), so it definitely brings the burn and bite of alcohol, especially in lower quality brands. If you’re just making mixed drinks, you probably don’t need to splurge for the highest-quality brand, but don’t cheap out either. Choose a solid mid-range brand that’s fairly smooth and clean.
Standards
Belvedere (our favorite), Grey Goose, Tito’s, Ketal One, Stoli, Absolut. Smirnoff. Deep Eddy
Local Utah Favorites
Photo credits Kristine Porter
Gin
Like vodka, gin is a very popular spirit and an essential in any liquor cabinet, but for different reasons.
Infused with juniper and a wide range of other botanicals such as orange peel, caraway, cocoa, almonds, or anise, gin is definitely not a neutral taste that you can easily hide. Instead, gin’s unique and complex flavors are precisely what make it such a great base to build on. No spirit beats gin at bringing interesting complexity to a drink. On the other hand, you can also simply add tonic water and a lime wedge and voila! Classic gin and tonic.
Standards
Drumshanbo, Hendrick’s, Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray, Beefeater, The Botanist
Local Utah Favorites
Madame Pattirini, Beehive Jackrabbit, Holystone, Alpine, Oomaw, Temple of the Moon
Photo credits Mika Miller
Whiskey (Bourbon or Rye)
Whiskey (spelled “whisky” in Canada and Scotland) is an acquired taste. Sure, there are the rare drinkers who fell in love with the deep, smoky flavors of an American rye the first time they tried it, but most of us had to come to our appreciation gradually.
There are several styles of whiskey, and their tastes depend on where they’re made, the grains they’re made from, and the barrels they’re aged in. Instead of buying a bottle of every style, here’s what we recommend for a host who’s building their liquor stores.
1. Include a bottle of bourbon. Bourbons are generally a bit sweeter and more accessible than other whiskeys, and they can be great for making an old fashioned, Whiskey Sour, or highball cocktail.
2. If you know that one of your guests loves a specific type of whiskey (e.g. rye, Scotch, Irish, or Japanese), find out exactly what that guest prefers, and have a bottle of it on hand. Whiskey lovers tend to have very particular tastes, so there’s no sense in spending $50 for a bottle that’s just “sort of close” to what they like.
Standards
Maker’s Mark, Buffalo Trace, Elijah Craig
Local Utah favorites
Photo credits Jake Anderson
Rum
Standing in front of the rums at the liquor store, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. There are so many to choose from! But we’re going to keep this simple.
Rums are made from sugar cane or sugar cane byproducts (most often molasses). They come in any number of flavors and styles, but you really only need two for your basic liquor cabinet:
White rum (also called silver rum or light rum)
White rums are fantastic in cocktails like Mojitos and Daiquiris, though they can also be enjoyed neat or over ice.
Standards
Diplomático Planas, Flor de Caña white, El Dorado, Captain Morgan, Bacardi
Local Utah favorites
Distillery 36 Brigham Rum, Salty Beach Silver
Spiced, Gold/Aged, or Dark/Heavy rums
These rums have so much more flavor than white rum that it’s worth including one in your initial liquor cabinet. Darker styles are great for sipping neat or for adding depth to cocktails like a Mai Tai, Dark ‘n Stormy, or Rum Old Fashioned.
Standards
Appleton Estate 8, Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva, Gosling’s Black Seal, Captain Morgan
Local Utah Favorites
Tequila
That brings us to tequila, the “newcomer” among the core spirits. Of course, tequila has been produced in Mexico for centuries, but it didn’t begin to gain global appeal until the late 1900s. Today, it belongs in your alcohol collection because of its growing popularity as a sipping experience and as a key ingredient in cocktails like margaritas, Palomas, Tequila Sunrise, Ranch Water, El Diablo, and Tequila Mojito
Stay away from anything that’s not a true tequila. If it says something like “agave spirits” or “mixto,” or if it isn’t made with 100 percent blue agave, steer clear!
Similar to our advice on whiskey, if you know that one of your guests likes sipping a reposado or añejo tequila, find out what brand they like and have that specific bottle on hand. Otherwise, go with a white tequila (also called blanco, plata, or platinum). The following brands are good values. They’re not all your highest quality sipping tequilas, but you don’t need to splurge for the highest quality if you’re just mixing cocktails.
Standards
Don Julio, Casamigos, Patron Silver, Olmeca Altos Plata, Cazadores
Step 3: Add a Few Liqueurs
Liqueurs are essentially liquors that have had sweetener and flavors added. They are the secret ingredients that turn many simple spirits into delicious cocktails. Adding just a few to your cabinet can dramatically expand your options.
Standards
Triple Sec (or Cointreau, which is even better) – a sweet and tangy orange-flavored liqueur essential for margaritas, cosmopolitans, Mai Tais, Corpse Revivers, White Ladies, Long Island Ice Teas, and lots of other popular drinks.
Vermouth (sweet and dry) – fortified wine flavored with botanicals, required for martinis, Manhattans, and Negronis. Store both kinds (an Italian sweet and a French dry) in the fridge.
Amaretto – a sweet, almond-flavored Italian liquor that can go into lots of fruity cocktails and even coffee.
Irish Cream – a creamy liqueur made from Irish whiskey, rich cream, and other ingredients like chocolate and vanilla. Delicious on its own over ice, Irish cream also makes a great base for many dessert cocktails.
Campari or Aperol – Two similar Italian bitter liqueurs; you’ll have to try them both to see which you prefer. Very popular as aperitifs, they are also used in spritzes, Negronis, Enzonis, Americanos, or other slightly bitter drinks.
Photo credits Angela Howard
Local Utah Favorites
· Wasatch Blossom Utah Tart Cherry Liqueur is a lot of fun to experiment with.
· Alpine Preserve Liqueur blends blood orange, black tea, raspberry, lemon balm, and ginger.
· Fruita Triple Sec is Utah’s version of the classic orange liqueur.
· Perky Cowgirl Coffee Liqueur can be sipped neat or enjoyed in cocktails.
· Paradox Amaro brings a balanced bitterness with herbal complexity.
Pick a few liqueurs to start with and have fun experimenting.
Step 4: Don’t Forget the Mixers
Every well-stocked liquor cabinet needs a few non-alcoholic mixers. Keep these essentials on hand:
Tonic water
Club soda or sparkling water
Cola
Ginger ale
Simple Syrup
Fruit juices (cranberry, orange, pineapple, and grapefruit are the most requested)
Grenadine (used in lots of fun, fruity cocktails as well as non-alcoholic drinks like the Shirley Temple)
Bitters (Angostura is the go-to)
Fresh citrus (lemons and limes especially are great as an ingredient and a garnish)
Ice. Never, never forget the ice.
Pro tip: Fruit juices and garnishes won’t keep indefinitely, so buy these on an as-needed basis. Simple syrup and grenadine will keep for several months refrigerated. Bitters will keep pretty much indefinitely as long as you keep the bottle closed.
Step 5: Stock Slowly, with Intention
Don’t feel rushed to buy everything at once, especially if you’re building your liquor cabinet mostly for yourself. Start with what you need to make your favorite cocktail or two, then expand based on what you enjoy, what you’re curious to try, and how you entertain.
Focus on what you’ll actually use and don’t overspend—$25 to $40 per bottle is a good average for quality spirits. If you’re unsure about a liqueur or other ingredient, try it at a bar first before committing to a full bottle.
Photo credits Demi Rose Photographers
Step 6: Personalize Your Collection
While it’s good to have the classic standbys ready to offer your guests, it’s even more enjoyable when you can share something you’ve discovered and love.
Anxious to introduce your friends to a chocolate negroni or the G&T you’ve been perfecting? Care to treat your sober guests to a sparkling water with a twist of lime? If you’ve personalized your liquor cabinet, you’ll be able to share a small part of yourself with those you love.
Contact Us
For answers to all your beverage-related questions, or to discuss your next event with Utah’s top high-end caterer and bar service experts, contact us at (801) 225-6575.
Salut!