How to set up a bar on a budget
Today I’m showing you what bottles I’d buy to build out my bar - on a budget! Buying alcohol for your bar can get expensive pretty quickly, and I know a lot of people can relate, so I gave myself a strict $100 budget to go out and buy some bottles I could start a home bar with.
This was trickier than it sounds because I couldn't get every bottle I wanted! In the end I came in under budget to get the bottles I needed to make some of my favorite cocktails. Of course, cater your list to the drinks you enjoy or want to explore - but here's the direction I took things. Cheers!
Whiskey
For my whiskey I went with Old Overholt which is a great value rye whiskey. I use as a base in several cocktails and it’s usually around $20.
Gin
Here I went with Gordon’s London Dry. It was on the bottom shelf of my local liquor store which you shouldn’t always be afraid of, there are bargains to be had on this shelf. Beefeater is another option but it’s hard to beat $14 for Gordan’s.
Rum
Don Q Gold would be my choice here, at just $13 dollars! I love rum! There are plenty of value options in this spirit category. The one I picked is a light Spanish-style rum.
Dry Vermouth
Noilly Pratt (don’t ask me how to pronounce it) is a great option as my first modifier on this list. Go with a smaller bottle here since vermouth doesn’t keep forever; don’t forget to refrigerate it either! At just $7 this one is very affordable for a quality bottle.
Angostura Bitters
At $13 for 4oz. this is the most expensive bottle by volume on this list. That said, its the classic cocktail bitter that helps as a crutch for the most average of cocktails to taste a bit better.
Sweet Vermouth
Here I am going with Cinzano in a 750ml size for only $10. Yes, I just told you to go smaller on dry vermouth but I typically use this more often.
Orange Bitters
Regan’s is the brand I chose here, it’s cheaper than the Angostura at just $10. A lot of old classic recipes call for these so it’s great to have on hand.
In the end I came in under budget to get the bottles I needed to make some of my favorite cocktails. Of course, cater your list to the drinks you enjoy or want to explore - but here's the direction I took things. Cheers!
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