It's Five O'Clock Somewhere: Stocking the Bar (Part 2)

Let's start today's post with a tidbit of trivia: Can you guess F. Scott Fitzgerald's drink of choice? Why The Gin Rickey of course! While many people adore a bubbling flute of champagne or a crisp glass of wine, others might also covet a highball brimming with a customized cocktail. So you're prepared to endlessly mix, pour, and create, I give you part 2 of how to stock your bar. Settle in, grab a cocktail or mocktail, and enjoy! Cheers!

BARWARE

1. Decanter; 2. Ice Bucket; 3. Cocktail Shaker; 4. Highball and lowball glasses; 5. Champagne Flute; 6. Pitcher; 7. Bar Tools; 8. Martini Glass; 9. Wine Glass; 10. Beer Mug 

In my most humble opinion, if you plan on entertaining, it behooves you to have a bar that accommodates various drink needs - i.e., wine drinkers, champagne drinkers, martini drinkers, cocktail drinkers, beer drinkers, and don't forget mocktail drinkers! So stock your bar (carts and tables too), with the glasses, serving pieces, and tools that you'll need to be a mixologist friends and family will envy. Looking to make your mark? Many retailers such as Williams-Sonoma and Neiman Marcus allow you to monogram your barware - a chocolate-covered dream come true for us monogram-lovers! Regarding quantities, 1 of each tool/serving piece and 6-12 of each glass are ideal. In addition to the essentials so elegantly displayed above, don't forget these other gems:  

• Corkscrew
• Bottle opener 
• Cocktail skewers
• Tongs (for the ice)
• Cocktail napkins
• Coasters 

LIBATIONS

1. Champagne; 2. White Wine; 3. Red Wine; 4. Scotch-Whisky; 5. Vodka; 6. Rum; 7. Tequila; 8. Gin; 9. Beer; 10. Bourbon 

Stock your bar with a variety of potent potables so you can whip up juleps, swizzles, and fizzes to your hearts content. No need to spring for five different vodkas though, one of each of the above will suffice - unless of course you're a vodka aficionado, in which case buy away! In terms of speciality spirits, add those to your collection as you see fit. For instance, if your family relishes a salt-rimmed margarita, then purchase triple sec so you can create delectable south of the border drinks for them. 

Equally as important, stock your bar with classic mixers and garnishes including (*you can tailor the mixers to your taste as well, so if you love mimosas, keep freshly squeezed orange juice on hand.):

• Ginger ale
• Seven-Up
• Coca Cola
• Club Soda 
• Tonic 
• Sparkling water 
• Still water 
• Lemons
• Limes
• Olives 

That's all for now, and happy bar stocking!