Your Home Bar Cart Needs These Essential Liquors!
Do you have a home bar or are you trying to set one up? Need help with essential liquors to fill your bar cart? Don’t worry! We have got just what you need. We have compiled a list of our top suggestions for the perfect spirits that you will need to craft delectable cocktails at home. You may be looking to amp up your home bar with top-shelf liquors or beginning to stock up your bar cart with essentials. These alcoholic spirits will surely come in handy. From whisky to tequila, we have some premium recommendations that you will need! Explore our list now.
Essential Liquors For Home Bar
1. Whisky
Whisky comes in different varieties depending on grins, casks and region of production. The two main types of whisky are Malt whisky which is made using malted barley, and grain whisky which is made from any type of grain. Though these whiskies are further categories, here are two types of whisky that you can easily find in the market. Perfect for mixing or sipping neat or on the rocks, these whiskies are a go-to choice for any cocktail enthusiast.
Scotch Whisky: Typically made from malted barley, water and yeast. It boasts a smoky and peaty flavour. Generally, scotch whisky gets its name because it's produced in Scotland. Some top-shelf whisky brands are Johnnie Walker Scotch Whiskies, Black & White Blended Scotch Whisky, J&B Rare etc.
Single Malt: Made from single malted barley variety. Single Malt whiskies have a unique flavour profile and complex character. Some of the high-quality brands that offer enticing taste are The Singleton Single Malt Whiskies (known for its rich and fruity flavours) and Talisker Single Malt Whisky (known for its maritime character and smoky peat flavour profile).
2. Gin
It’s a distilled spirit that is made from juniper berries and other carefully chosen botanicals. These ingredients infuse the spirit with its rich, herbal, earthy and fruity flavours. Some of the botanicals used in the making of gin apart from the juniper are coriander, angelica root, citrus, etc. If you love cocktails like gin and tonic, classic martini, gimlet, Tom Collins, etc., you will need this liquor at your home bar!
London Dry Gin: The most popular style of gin. It offers a dry and crispy flavour. The top brands for this type of gin are - Tanqueray London Dry Gin and Gordon’s London Dry Gin. If you prefer gin that is flavourful and citrusy, then Tanqueray No TEN gin is your best choice. It offers fresh and a burst of citrusy goodness in every sip.
3. Tequila
Tequila is another popular distilled spirit. It’s made from the blue agave plant that is found abundantly in Mexico. It boasts a distinctive flavour profile. It has notes of spices, citrus, vanilla, and an earthy flavour that will thrill the taste buds. Whether you like a shot of this fine spirit or enjoy classics like margarita, Paloma, etc., tequila is a must-have liquor in your bar cart. Here are three types of tequila you may need:
Blanco: It’s a distilled tequila spirit that is not aged or coloured. It has a clear and pure flavour. Perfect for sipping as a shot or mixing in a wide range of cocktail recipes. For a clean and smooth taste of tequila go for the Don Julio Blanco Tequila brand!
Añejo: Interested in tequila that’s aged in oak barrels? Añejo tequila with its dark amber colour is rich and distinctive in taste. This spirit is aged for at least a year in the oak barrels that infuse the spirit with a complex character. Go for Don Julio Añejo; it's aged for eighteen months in American white-oak barrels. It’s wonderfully complex and has a perfect balance of agave, wood and vanilla.
Reposado: This is another aged tequila that has a rich golden colour. It can be aged anywhere between 2 to 12 months. Don Julio Reposado is one of the top-shelf tequila that’s aged for eight months in American white-oak barrels. It’s mellow, elegant and aromatic in flavour.
4. Vodka
Made from grains or potatoes, vodka is a distilled spirit that is clear and neutral in flavour. It’s also best sipped as a shot or mixed in cocktails like vodka martini, Moscow Mule, Bloody Mary, etc.
Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka: Why not opt for a classic brand that’s been renowned as the world’s no.1 vodka? Smirnoff No.21 vodka is known and enjoyed for over 150 years. This triple-distilled vodka has been a favourite brand for many cocktail enthusiasts worldwide. Smirnoff No.21 vodka has a clean, crisp and smooth taste. Perfect for sipping it as a shot or mixing it in classic cocktail recipes such as Moscow Mule. If you like flavoured vodka, Smirnoff offers two delectable options - Smirnoff Green Apple and Smirnoff Orange.
Ketel One Vodka: A premium spirit brand, Ketel One Vodka hails from the Netherlands. Distilled in copper stills, this modern spirit boasts an elegant flavour profile that’s made for cocktails. Ketel One Vodka has a crisp, smooth taste with a splash of citrus and a long finish.
Ciroc: Another refined and sophisticated choice, Ciroc is a truly modern vodka that’s produced at a distillery in France that is over 500 years old. Made using fine French grapes, it offers a unique flavour profile that is fresh, smooth and fruity on the palate.
5. Rum
Made from sugarcane or molasses, Rum is a distilled spirit that is aged in oak barrels. It’s sweet with a hint of spicy flavour. You can also find other notes such as vanilla, caramel, and fruity bits. Mix it with cola or soda or craft delicious cocktail recipes, Rum is an essential spirit to have in your home bar. If you drink tiki cocktails, you need to have this liquor in your bar cart!
Captain Morgan Original Dark Rum: If you want to savour great-tasting drinks, this is the rum brand you need. Mojitos, pina coladas, daiquiris, and Captain Morgan Original Dark Rum is the best choice for these cocktail recipes. It has a rich and deep flavour with hints of spices. The dark brown colour and smooth taste definitely add warmth and flair to your drinks!
