Buyers guides

home bar photo

Buying liquor to set up your own home bar? Here are some good starter lists:

$50 Home Bar

  • 1 bottle of gin (spend about $15 on this)
  • 1 bottle of vodka (spend about $10 on this)
  • 1 bottle of dry vermouth (spend about $7 on this)
  • 1 bottle of triple sec (spend about $10 on this)
  • 1 bottle of cocktail bitters (Angostura recommended)
  • 5 Lemons
  • 5 Limes
  • A jar of olives

$100 Home Bar

  • 1 bottle of gin (spend about $15 on this)
  • 1 bottle of vodka (spend about $10 on this)
  • 1 bottle of dry vermouth (spend about $7 on this)
  • 1 bottle of sweet vermouth (spend about $7 on this)
  • 1 bottle of triple sec (spend about $10 on this)
  • 1 bottle of bourbon (spend about $10 on this)
  • 1 bottle of brandy (spend about $15 on this)
  • 1 bottle of rum (spend about $10 on this)
  • 1 bottle of cocktail bitters (Angostura recommended)
  • 1 bottle of orange bitters (Angostura recommended)
  • 10 Lemons
  • 10 Limes
  • 3 Oranges
  • A jar of olives
  • A jar of cherries
  • Tonic Water
  • Club Soda
  • Soda (Coke, Pepsi, etc)

$250 Home Bar

At this point, quality becomes more important.

  • 1 bottle of gin (spend about $30 on this)
  • 1 bottle of vodka (spend about $20 on this)
  • 1 bottle of dry vermouth (spend about $10 on this)
  • 1 bottle of sweet vermouth (spend about $10 on this)
  • 1 bottle of triple sec (spend about $20 on this)
  • 1 bottle of bourbon (spend about $30 on this)
  • 1 bottle of brandy (spend about $20 on this)
  • 1 bottle of rum (spend about $20 on this)
  • 1 bottle of scotch (spend about $50 on this)
  • 1 bottle of 100% agave tequila (spend about $25 on this)
  • 1 bottle of cocktail bitters (Angostura recommended)
  • 1 bottle of orange bitters (Angostura recommended)
  • 10 Lemons
  • 10 Limes
  • 5 Oranges
  • A jar of olives
  • A jar of cherries
  • Tonic Water
  • Club Soda
  • Soda (Coke, Pepsi, etc)

$500 Home Bar

  • 1 bottle of gin (spend about $30 on this)
  • 1 bottle of vodka (spend about $30 on this)
  • 1 bottle of dry vermouth (spend about $10 on this)
  • 1 bottle of sweet vermouth (spend about $10 on this)
  • 1 bottle of triple sec (spend about $20 on this)
  • 1 bottle of bourbon (spend about $30 on this)
  • 1 bottle of rye whiskey (spend about $40 on this)
  • 1 bottle of tennessee whiskey (spend about $30 on this)
  • 1 bottle of scotch (spend about $75 on this)
  • 1 bottle of brandy (spend about $25 on this)
  • 1 bottle of rum (spend about $20 on this)
  • 1 bottle of spiced rum (spend about $20 on this)
  • 1 bottle of 100% agave tequila (spend about $25 on this)
  • 1 bottle of Campari (spend about $20 on this)
  • 1 bottle of coffee liqueur (spend about $20 on this)
  • 1 bottle of Irish cream (spend about $30 on this)
  • 1 bottle of absinthe (spend about $60 on this)
  • 1 bottle of cocktail bitters (Angostura recommended)
  • 1 bottle of orange bitters (Angostura recommended)
  • 25 Lemons
  • 25 Limes
  • 10 Oranges
  • Sugar cubes
  • A jar of olives
  • A jar of cherries
  • A jar of cocktail onions
  • Tonic Water
  • Club Soda
  • Soda (Coke, Pepsi, etc)

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