A fully stocked bar

One of the principle maxims of Buddhism is that desire, once fulfilled, is immediately replaced by another desire. So it is with buying bottles for the bar. One can never have too many bottles of quality spirits and liqueurs in the bar, every addition just opens up your cocktail mixing options.

This is my idea of a 'stocked' bar at the moment:

2 x Gin: one basic (Gordon's, Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire) One premium Gin (Hendrick's, West Winds, Botanist...)

2 x Vodka: one basic (e.g. Absolut) one premium vodka (e.g. Belvedere)

1 x White Rum: Bacardi

1 x Dark Rum: Appleton Estate, Mount Gay, or good ol' Bundy (menlikeuslikerum...)

1 x Spiced Rum: Sailor Jerry or The Kraken

1 x Bourbon Whiskey: Jim or Jack will do the trick

1 x Rye Whiskey: Wild Turkey Rye is my current choice

1 x Scotch Whisky: Chivas Regal, or Johnny Walker

1 x Tequila: 1800 Reposado ($$$) or Jose Cuervo

Grenadine
Lime Juice Cordial
Angostura Bitters
Dolin Dry Vermouth, Dolin Red Vermouth
maraschino cherries
olives

one of each: Chambord, Pernod, Pimms, Amaretto, Cointreau, Benedictine, Drambuie, Creme de Cassis, Cherry Heering, Maraschino, Campari, Frangelico, Kahlua, Baileys, Limoncello, Midori, Champagne/sparkling white wine

Negroni Lungo

glass: highball
garnish: orange slice

30mls Gin
60mls Sweet Vermouth
30mls Campari
Tonic water to taste

build all ingredients over ice, stir, and add the tonic. Sweet, dry, refreshing, and tart all at the same time. Perfect for sunny afternoons.

Fruity Fresh

Garnish: lemon wedge
Glass: old fashioned

30mls Bacardi white rum
10mls cointreau
15 mls strawberry liqueur
5mls elderflower syrup
60mls Ocean Spray cranberry drink
dash of bitters

I asked if she wanted a drink and she said yes. I asked what she wanted and she said "I dunno, something fresh and fruity". Hence, the fruity fresh. It is winter, so I thought strawberries might be appropriate.

Shake all ingredients over ice, strain, garnish, serve.

Apple and Elderflower Martini

glass: Martini
garnish: apple slice

45ml absolut vodka
15ml gordon's gin
5ml elderflower cordial
45ml cloudy apple juice

shake all ingredients over ice. pour into a martini glass and garnish with an apple slice.

Caribbean Pirate

glass: martini
garnish: a pinch of cinnamon

30ml dark rum
30ml spiced rum
30ml white rum
30ml cloudy apple juice
10ml spiced simple syrup
pinch of ground cinnamon

pour all ingredients into a shaker and shake vigorously over ice.