Building a home bar...

If anyone broke into my home, I say take the laptop, take the tv, please do not take my Louboutins and please don't touch the bar! :) My home bar is my joy. (That makes me sound a bit like a lush...its more that I like to entertain!) As a "retired" bartender, I like to have options in what I mix up for guests and even for myself depending on my mood.

My home bar in my study...

There's an appropriate cocktail for all occasions...and on the flip side, there are times when your "go to drink" is not appropriate. Think scotch neat on a 100 degree day...yuck. And since alcohol can get expensive, its important you build your bar with the right base and go from there. (PS - never ok to just have a bar stocked with hotel mini's of all kinds. Good for you, bad for your image).

So, if you had to build on a budget, here's where I'd start (in no particular order, and I do want to say that in no means do I think these are the BEST spirits out there, just a good start to a home bar, understood?):

Bacardi Light Rum ($10.99) - inevitably, your friends will want a mojito or a mai tai on a hot day. This is a go-to rum that works well in all tropical mixed drinks and allows more flexibility than if you were to get a flavored rum like, say, Malibu. If you want to spend money on a rum that is too good to be mixed with anything, try Oronoco

Maker's Mark Bourbon ($19.99) - I am fully aware that this choice will have bourbon lovers up in arms. Yes, there are much better bourbons out there. However, you'll be amazed how many of your guests will ask for a "jack and coke". And since Makers actually tastes better than Jack Daniels with mixers, I'd go with Makers. If you want to spend money on a good bourbon that is too good to be mixed with anything, try Basil Hayden

Absolut Vodka ($15.99) - You have to have a cheap vodka on hand for screwdrivers and bloody mary's. Absolut is the cheapest of the what I call "respectables" (Stoli, Skyy, Ketel) but not in the bottom-feeders (Smirnoff & other "well" brands). If you want to spend money on a good vodka that is too good to be mixed with anything, try Stoli Elit (soooo good)

Chopin Vodka ($27.99) - Chopin is my favorite vodka to go with soda, tonic, or in a martini. Its smooth and easy to drink. Don't waste your time on Grey Goose...please. Its not worth it.

Gin is a tough one for me since I really, really don't like it. But, enough of your friends will want a gin and tonic or gin martini. Don't have a lot of knowledge about the stuff, so I'd just say go with the everyday man's gin. Either Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire. And since Tanq ($18.99) is cheaper, sold.

Cazadores Reposado Tequila ($30.99) - Tequila is also a really tricky one since there is a real noticeable difference when it comes to taste and price from quality to junk. Plus, there are so many kinds (blanco, resposado, anejo) that people can become quite picky about it. I chose the Cazadores because its great in margaritas and respectable enough to take as a shot...and you won't die from it, as is the risk w/ some of your junkier tequilas out there. Though the most recognizable one is, of course, Patron Silver. Eh.

Lastly, you'll want to start your bar with a good sipping scotch. I'd like to recommend a Macallan 18, but since that's $150 a bottle, let's lower our eyes to one that's at least affordable yet drinkable. I like Oban 14 ($62.99). Smooth and buttery, it definitely makes a heart warm, without destroying the pipes along the way. If you're not a scotch drinker, you may be able to get away with a cheaper 12 yr like Glenlivet. Again, eh.

So there you have it, a perfectly respectable starter bar for $170. Of course, you'll want to stock some wines, beers, mixers, and a bottle of champagne as well...and some decent glassware...and bar tools. And as you keep building, add some seasonal "trendy" spirits like sweet tea vodka in the summer and a nice brandy in the winter. Maybe add some flavored vodkas to the collection. But, at least with these recommendations, you're on your way! Good luck!

Cheers!