Stocking Your New Bar on a Budget

I offer a lot of information on how to get the right condo or home, but what about once you get that perfect spot? It’s time to sit back and drink it all in- figuratively and literally. Manhattan is a cocktail city- there’s even one named after us. You want to make sure when you entertain you do it in style, but also keep it within your budget. You know you need vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey and some good liqueurs. Here is a roundup of LeNell Smothers’ Kitchen Daily guide to help you create a great bar for yourself and your new home- no matter what your budget!

The $100 Bar: Solid Choices that keep your wallet stocked, too.

Vodka: Stick with a classic and reliable bottle of Burnett’s or Stoli.  

Gin: Again, Burnett’s makes a fantastic bottle for the price. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try Broker’s for a more spicy, traditional London Dry style.

Rum: You may not know it, but Brugal is an inexpensive, reliable white rum from the Dominican Republic. It’s in the well at cocktail clubs across the city who know what they’re doing. LeNell also recommends Barbancourt 3 Star for a mellower dark rum from Haiti.

Tequila: El Jimador is the choice for the best bottle for your money. Or try Cazadores, which does brisk business in Mexico.

Whiskey: Easy. Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon. Maybe try Rittenhouse Rye.

Liqueurs: You can’t have a bar without Noilly Dry Vermouth 375ml and Martini & Rossi Sweet Vermouth 375ml. And 375ml Hiram Walker Triple Sec 375ml is good to have on hand.

The $200 Bar: For the special flair.

Vodka: Feeling green? Rain is an organic, sweet white corn-based choice with no potato in it. Another solid choice is Vertical from the Chartreuse monks in France, bless them.

Gin: You want Plymouth. To be called “Plymouth,” it has to come from Plymouth, England, and they only have one distillery left. Beefeater is another good choice for a classic London Dry.

Rum: Try Sagatiba Cachaca, made from sugar cane juice in Brazil. Add anything you want with lime and you’ll be happy. If you’ve got ginger beer, try pairing it with Gosling’s Dark Rum from Bermuda.

Tequila:. Milagro Blanco is clean and crisp. And Herradura Reposado (reposado = rested) is aged for under one year in oak barrels, giving it a smooth edge.

Whiskey: No need to go too far- Jim Beam Black Label is ideal neat or in cocktails. For a full flavor without the smoky taste, try Clontarf Black Label.

Liqueurs: Spend the money on a bottle of Cointreau. If you want something different, go for Punt e Mes, a red vermouth with rich, full flavor.

The $500 Bar: When you want the best.

Vodka: Charbay is made by a small family producer with all copper pot distillation spirits in California- three types of grain and unfiltered production gives it an extra full mouth feel. Another small distillery choice is Tuthilltown Spirits Apple Vodka, made from New York apples with no other flavoring. For a double-distilled bottle, grab the “Heart of the Hudson.” Or, for triple-distilled, get “Spirit of the Hudson” bottling.

Gin: Junipero is made by San Francisco’s Anchor Steam Beer brewers. They know what they’re doing, and create a bold and spicy gin. For the more adventurous, Hans Reisetbauer distills Blue from wheat and corn spirit base, plus over 20 botanicals.

Rum: Want an amazing cachaca with no hangover? Mae de Ouro Cachaca is your choice. Slightly aged in Scotch barrels and very pure. Or try Rhum JM from Martinique, made from sugar cane juice instead of molasses.

Tequila: Casa Noble Reposado is a great choice aged just under a year, when it would be an anejo. Most tequilas are made from agave cooked in clay ovens. Partida Blanco uses stainless steel ovens resulting in a very clean, elegant spirit. The blue ceramic bottle is an elegant addition to your liquor cabinet.

Whiskey: Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon is your choice if you like a lot of rye in your bourbon. For a bottle from the tiniest distillery in Scotland, choose Edradour 10 year Scotch.

Liqueurs: Prunier Orange Liqueur- cognac based and sure to satisfy with an orange peel finish. Also, Vya Dry and Sweet Vermouths are solid choices from Quady winery in California. For the adventurous, Fee Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters are aged in American whiskey barrels for extra depth, and Regan’s Orange Bitters carries a hint of cardamom.

Shopping List

For a quick take, sip on these budgeted lists:

THE $100 BAR SHOPPING LIST:

VODKA: Burnett’s or Stoli
GIN: Burnett’s or Broker’s
RUM: Brugal or Barbancourt 3 Star
TEQUILA: El Jimador or Cazadores
WHISKEY: Rittenhouse Rye or Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon
LIQUEUR: Hiram Walker Triple Sec 375ml, Noilly Dry Vermouth 375ml, Martini & Rossi Sweet Vermouth 375ml

THE $200 BAR SHOPPING LIST:

VODKA: Rain or Vertical
GIN: Plymouth or Beefeater
RUM: Gosling’s Dark or Barbancourt 3 Star
TEQUILA: Herradura Reposado or Milagro Blanco
WHISKEY: Clontarf Black Label or Jim Beam Black Label
LIQUEUR: Cointreau and Punt e Mes

THE $500 BAR SHOPPING LIST:

VODKA: Charbay or Tuthilltown Spirits Apple Vodka
GIN: Blue or Junipero
RUM: Mae de Ouro or Rhum JM
TEQUILA: Casa Noble Reposado or Partida Blanco
WHISKEY: Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon or Edradour 10 year Scotch
LIQUEUR: Prunier Orange Liqueur, Vya Dry and Sweet Vermouths, Regan’s Orange Bitters and Fee Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters

Photo Credit: :: Wendy ::

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