Stock Core Spirits and Modifiers
1 shopping tripAcquire gin, whiskey, rum, tequila, and vermouth as base spirits; add triple sec, bitters, and one quality amaro to cover 80% of classic recipes.
Field context
This workflow is part of 3 niche fields
Complete guide for home bar setup — step-by-step workflow, tools, checklist, and expert tips to get started.
Acquire gin, whiskey, rum, tequila, and vermouth as base spirits; add triple sec, bitters, and one quality amaro to cover 80% of classic recipes.
Make 1:1 simple syrup, squeeze fresh citrus into labeled bottles, and freeze excess juice in ice cube trays.
Set up double jigger (1 oz / 2 oz), tin-on-tin shaker, Hawthorne strainer, fine mesh, and Japanese bar spoon.
Master Daiquiri, Old Fashioned, Martini, Negroni, and Whiskey Sour with spec sheet; dial ratios to personal taste.
Calculate sugar and water weights for 1:1 and 2:1 simple syrups stocked in the home bar fridge.
Estimate how many cocktails each 750 ml spirit bottle yields for party planning and reorder timing.
Convert jigger measurements between oz and ml when following international recipe specifications.
Evaluate spirit-sweet-acid ratios when adapting the five core cocktails to personal taste.
Minimum spirits and modifiers for classic cocktail coverage.
| Category | Bottle | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit | London dry gin | Martini, G&T, Negroni |
| Spirit | Bourbon | Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour |
| Spirit | White rum | Daiquiri, Mojito |
| Modifier | Sweet vermouth | Manhattan, Negroni |
| Modifier | Angostura bitters | Most stirred classics |
Buy clear cube trays or freezer molds — cloudy ice melts fast and dilutes drinks unevenly.
Free pour drifts 20% over time — jigger every drink until ratios are automatic.
Open vermouth at room temp oxidizes in days — fridge and 6-week max.