Stocking the Home Bar

Plenty of at-home entertainers choose to try their skills as amateur mixologists at cocktail parties and other social occasions. The key to honing one's skills is having the right tools on hand -- and that includes the staples of any home bar.

A person can choose to have a limited bar, where he or she only mixes a few favorite drinks, or something that is sure to have the ingredients for an array of cocktails friends will enjoy.

When outfitting the home bar, here are the essentials to have on hand to make most of the common drinks a person can find in bars and restaurants.

Liqueurs

Amaretto, various Schnapps (apple, peppermint, etc.), vermouth, triple sec, and Irish cream

Liquors

Light rum, gin, brandy, bourbon, vodka, tequila, and whiskey

Mixers

Sour mix, water, club soda, cola, lemon-lime soda, orange juice, tomato juice, tonic water, ginger ale, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice

Garnishes

Bitters, black pepper, cocktail olives, limes, lemons, oranges, grenadine, maraschino cherries, salt, sugar, and tabasco sauce