Essentials to Stock in Your Home Bar

This list include the essentials ingredients needed for the most common cocktails. Once you have the essentials you may start to expand based on others drinks you may want to try.
Look through the cocktail list on our site for ideas and specific recipes you may want to experiment with.
Add or remove any spirits or mixers from the list that don't fit your individual taste and budget.

Spirits:
Bourbon, Brandy, Canadian Whiskey, Dark or Spiced Rum, Gin, Light Rum, Scotch, Tequila, Vodka, Rye Whiskey.

Liqueurs and Cordials:
Amaretto, Irish Cream (ie. Bailey's), Creme de Cacao, Coffee Liqueur (ie. Kahlua), Dry Vermouth, Sweet Vermouth, Orange Liqueur (ie. Triple Sec, Cointreau, Curaçao).

Mixers:
Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Pineapple Juice, Grapefruit Juice, Tomato Juice, Sour Mix, Bitters, Lime Juice, Grenadine, Simple Syrup, Worcestershire Sauce, Tabasco Sauce, Club soda, Tonic, Cola and/or Diet Cola, Lemon-Lime Soda, Ginger Ale, Half & Half, Milk, Coffee, Water.

Garnishes:
Lemons, Limes, Oranges, Celery, Maraschino Cherries, Olives, Cocktail Onions, Whipped Cream, Salt, Sugar, Nutmeg.

Keep in mind that different cocktails ask for different brands of spirits because of the characteristics of each distiller, and using a different brand may alter the taste of the drink.