So you’ve made it through move-in day, unpacked most of your things, and managed to get your place looking pretty good. During the strenuous process, there was one thing that kept you excited about moving to an apartment- the fantastic party you were going to throw as soon as you got settled in. Well, the time has come, but your bar is empty…better yet, non-existent.
Don’t fret! We’ve got you covered in this complete guide for beginners. In no time your bar will be stocked, the essential glassware purchased and you’ll have a few classic, but impressive recipes in your mixology arsenal.
First Things First: Barware and Accessories
To make a good drink you’ll need the right tools. This includes anything and everything you need to prepare and serve alcoholic beverages.
To start with, you’ll want a decent cocktail shaker and double jigger. The jigger is the perfect tool for measuring alcohol in recipes. Typically, one side measures 1.5 ounces (43 mL) and the other 1 ounce (30 mL). Use the shaker to mix and cool drinks just before pouring. If you plan on serving frozen drinks a quality blender is a must.
Other items that will come in handy are an ice bucket with a scoop or tongs, a small cutting board and knife, stirrers, and coasters.
Moving on to the Glassware
Depending on what beverages you’ll be serving your guest, here’s a list of basic glassware that you can find from economical to expensive prices.
- Flutes- Narrow and more slender than the white wine glass, this design keeps drinks bubbly. Common for champagnes.
- Cocktail glasses- Glasses with a cone-shaped bowl used for martinis and margaritas.
- Pilsners, Pints, Steins- Various glasses for serving beer.
- Stemware -Red wine and white wine are served in glasses that stand on a slender stem. The stem is where the glass should be held so heat from your hand doesn’t warm your drink. Since the shape of the glass concentrates the flavor and aroma of the wine, red wine is served in a glass with a round, wide bowl; white wine in a smaller and narrower one.
Classics With a Twist: Manhattans, Martinis, and Margaritas
Keeping in mind the types of drinks you and your guests like, stock up on a few essential liquors, mixers, juices, beers and wines. If you ever want to make a signature drink or have a special wine on hand you’ll have to run out and get it when the time comes. But you can probably manage to crank out these classic drink recipes and you’re allowed to improvise!
Chocolate Martini
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 1/2 oz creme de cacao, white
- Hershey Hug or Kiss for garnish
- powdered cocoa for rimming
Pour the ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes. Shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass rimmed with cocoa. Colleen Graham
Apple Manhattan
- 2 oz Apple Brandy
- 1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
- 1 dash Orange Bitters
Pour the Apple brandy, vermouth and orange bitters into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Shake well, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry, and serve. DrinksMixer.com
Pomegranate Margarita Recipe
- 2 cups pomegranate juice
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur (triple sec or Grand Marnier)
- 1/2 cup tequila
- Margarita salt
Pour pomegranate juice into an ice cube tray; Freeze until solid, about 2 hours. Pop cubes from tray. In a blender, combine lime juice, liqueur and tequila. Turn Blender to highest speed and gradually drop in all but 2 juice cubes, whirling until slushy. Dampen rim of serving glass and coat with salt. Place a pomegranate cube in bottom of each glass. Pour margarita mixture over cube and serve. CDKitchen
Tips and Tricks Mean You’re No Longer a Novice
- How to Rim a Cocktail Glass
- How to Chill Glassware
- How to Cut Lime Garnishes
- Great Cocktail Serving Hints
- Create a signature drink by modifying one of your favorites and coming up with a creative name like “INSERT YOUR NAME HERE”-tini!
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