If you’re planning on doing a lot of entertaining, then having a home bar is essential. You don’t necessarily need a “bar” in your home, you just need the stuff that goes in the bar. I store my spirits in the pantry until party time and then set up a bar on one of my kitchen counters. Some items can be bought the day of the party such as garnishes and alcohol you don’t drink on a regular basis and which might not have a long shelf life like beer and wine.

You also might want to keep other spirits that you like and might not necessarily be “basic.” I have Bailey’s Irish Crème, Kahlua and Chambord on hand because I like to drink these occasionally. I also have dry sherry in my cupboard mostly because I use it for cooking.

The lists below are just basic recommendations. Your home bar should reflect you and your frequent guests likes and dislikes.

Spirits

750 ml bourbon
750 ml gin
750 ml rum
750 ml scotch
750 ml tequila
1 liter triple sec
750 ml vodka

Liqueurs

Brandy
Cognac
Grand Marnier

Beer and wine

2 six-packs beer either in cans or bottles
1 six-pack non-alcoholic beer
1 bottle dry vermouth
1 bottle red wine
1 bottle white wine

Mixers

Club soda
Cola/diet cola
Lemon-lime soda
Ginger ale
Tonic water
Cranberry juice
Grapefruit juice
Tomato juice
Orange juice
Angostura bitters
Grenadine

Garnishes

Celery stalks
Cocktail onions
Lemons
Limes
Olives
Coarse salt
Very fine sugar
Tabasco sauce
Worcestershire sauce
Maraschino cherries

Tools

Jigger
Blender
Shaker
Tongs
Stirrer
Cutting board
Shaker
Pitcher
Corkscrew
Cocktail napkins
Strainer
Ice bucket
Bottle opener
Knife