Turn Your Living Room into a Cocktail Lounge—on a Budget

What Kind of Liquor Do I Need?

Jonathan Pogash, a former Russian Tea Room barback who now runs his own beverage consulting company, says all home bars should have vodka, gin, rum (go with a darker, aged variety for holiday cocktails), tequila and whiskey (bourbon or rye). Splurge on whiskey, since people drink it straight or on the rocks, but don't bother going premium with vodka, gin, rum and tequila, because partygoers will mix them with something else. If your crowd will likely have some martini or Manhattan drinkers, stock dry and sweet vermouth and bitters (Angostura is most common).