How to Stock Your Home Bar (When Starting Out)

A lot of people frequently ask what bottles I recommend when starting out in the world of home bartending. If I could go back to the beginning, knowing what I know now, this is what I would pick up. I take the approach of someone looking to learn the classic cocktails like an old fashioned, manhattan, martini, margarita, and more.
Recommendations:
Bourbon: Old Grand Dad, Bulleit, Four Roses (yellow label)
Rye Whiskey: Old Overholt, Rittenhouse Rye (100 proof)
Gin: Beefeater, Tanqueray
Tequila: Espolon, just make sure the brand is 100% agave
Sweet Vermouth: Dolin Red, Carpano Antica, Punt e Mes
Dry Vermouth: Dolin Dry, Noilly Prat
Liqueurs: Campari, Aperol, Cointreau
Bitters: Angostura bitters, Orange bitters, Peychaud's bitters
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[@Barprints]

Great video man. Years after I left the bar I started home bartending and it not only gave me a creative outlet, but let to me starting Barprints. Plus the friends and family aren't complaining. 😉 Cheers!

[@StraightOutThaBar]

This is an extremely helpful video, this is like the best time to setup a home bar! Can't wait to setup mine

[@mjscrubs9506]

Finally i found it.. Im starting to stock my diy home bar.. Salamat..

[@duck22x]

Hey man, great video, I totally agree 100%! Love the fact that you decided to forgo the vodka! An equipment guide for beginners would pair very well with this video btw!

[@ApartmentBartender]

Will do!

[@PeaceOnPurpose7]

Thanks for the video. I agree 🎉

[@johntomson5049]

This is what I’ve been looking for for a while! Under appreciated

[@justinsisson2465]

Keep these coming sir! Extremely informative!

[@ApartmentBartender]

Appreciate the feedback my dude! Let me know if there's anything else you've been wanting to know

[@nakulyadav9287]

I'd recommend an Appleton Estate over Bacardi white just because its Jamaican so its sweeter and kinder to someone who is new to the cocktail world. Just a mild differential. Awesome video! Subbed :)

[@ryanrosenkilde9387]

Love the vid man! OMG when they asked you to stop filming... the life of a blogger/vlogger. :)

[@marzzbarr5965]

OMG Thank You! You've even with 4Gets have answered more questions than some I've been regularing.. My own word! LOL A bit more on point and descriptive. Thank You Much! Marz NYC

[@marceldavis5463]

Very helpful video!! Included exactly what I needed to know❣️🤝 Love the music btw

[@joeluis2455]

I use orange bitters in old fashions

[@carolinemanuel5996]

same

[@KimberlyWorldwide]

Ok, I don't drink, and have no clue about alcohol, but I can see how this video is helpful to many. Good information.

[@bstraw76]

The type of white rum certainly *does* matter. Bacardi is produced in a modern industrial multi-column still, is over-filtered, and has little to no taste. For daiquiris and mojitos I recommend Caña Brava.

[@ApartmentBartender]

bstraw76 fair enough, I agree with you. Cana Brava is good stuff. Might as well get used to the good stuff from the start. Appreciate the recommendation. Keep mixing!

[@victorcarrillo2151]

bstraw76 Bacardi has a long history and tradition behind the brand, still the low tier of their products are highly populars but not really good imo, I will go with havana club for cocktails.

[@Quintinohthree]

@@victorcarrillo2151 Unfortunately for Americans, they can't get Havana Club. But yeah, Havana club is great and anything non age statement from Bacardi is worth leaving on the shelf.

[@victorcarrillo2151]

@@Quintinohthree wait really no Havana club? Why?

[@Quintinohthree]

@@victorcarrillo2151 Because Cuba. Bacardi does sell rum under a different Havana Club brand though, but it's nothing like the real deal. There is an ongoing trademark dispute between Bacardi and Havana Club/Pernod Ricard over use of the name in the US. As a precaution, Pernod Ricard has already launched the Havanista brand to sell the exact same rum in the US if and when the embargo on Cuban exports is lifted but the trademark dispute remains active. It is to be hoped the Biden administration begins opening up to Cuba again like the Obama administration started to do towards the end of its term.

[@stockicide]

It's worth remembering that wine-based drinks like vermouth will start to go bad after opening (like wine does). Vermouth should be kept in the refrigerator after opening and will last about 2 months before it starts to really taste bad.

[@ApartmentBartender]

If you're a home bartender, what bottles would you recommend to anyone starting out?

[@tjmperez]

not Smirnoff that's for damn sure!!!!!!!!!!!! lmfao

[@ramiriman3051]

Really helpful. Could you add a video of the basic cocktails to make with this selection of alcohol?

[@mangosalsa69]

I shop at that same Total Wine at Tempe Marketplace!!!!

[@Camp_LameOnion]

Awesome vid. This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you!

[@SAVAGE308SNIPER]

How to stock a bar? I know how. Buy what the fuck I like.

[@lovelyek8187]

Gonna try n get these, thx

[@dexterhard]

for rum, I like to go for Havana club dark 3 years old.

[@eranozsarfati7970]

Love it. Can you also make a home bar toolkit video for shakers strainers etc.

[@alicesimpkins]

Thank you! This was so helpful!

[@brianalshae2564]

Hi, new to this channel. Other than attending bartending school are you/do you have to be licensed to sell from home? (which i would believe) but I get different answers every time I ask someone

[@vietnam2norway]

Thanks man, love the vid

[@JonBaileyImages]

YOO! This was super helpful as far as the liqueurs go. Right now I have the $7 bottle of triple-sec, is Cointreau really worth the extra $13 and I'm getting less ounces? Love to hear your response!

[@ApartmentBartender]

Appreciate it brudda! And yeah man, it's definitely worth the extra $13. I'll put it this way because I know you'd get it... be like me asking if MadCap coffee beans were really worth the extra money to Keurig pods lol

[@JonBaileyImages]

Apartment Bartender so true man! thanks for the tip!

[@clayr9833]

Try DeKuyper O3. It does the job nicely without breaking one's balls.

[@merchantman3955]

With NO A.A. Meetings Now from Covid Line Me Up With those Classic Drinks Sir!

[@carolinemanuel5996]

awesome vid hell yeah!!!

[@gojo197zero]

So...judging from your very much appreciated video I have totally screwed up. I started collecting glass, mostly hand blown. I'm not a big drinker anymore neither is the wife. The glass collection has turned into one of the biggest bars around. We go out to a restaurant and we are both like comparing bottles and we have much more. Question is what's some more things to make cocktails or most versatile I guess is a better way of putting it? To break it down briefly 13 bottles tequila..my favorite, 5 vodka, 8 bourbon, 6 rums, 5 cognac, 2 brandy, Cabo Uno, Milagro reserve anejo. The last two deserve their own I couldn't bare to just throw them under tequila. Ninety percent of bottles are unopened.

[@ApartmentBartender]

Hey man! Sorry for the delay in reply. It sounds like you have a solid collection to work with. Just to clarify, are you asking what are some things that you could pick up to be more versatile and make some cocktails at home with the stuff you already have?

[@roberthuttle]

What about a top shelf whiskey bar to include Cognac's, ps; nothing over $500 per bottle. no beers, vodkas, liqueurs, gins, rums, tequilas. Perhaps some wines, but not right now. I have been browsing the comment sections of all the wine and spirit stores in my area. Using this as a template.

[@jacobrawleigh6410]

I'm going to bartend for my friends mother's birthday and summer cookout because I make some decent cocktails, but I'm not sure what ingredients I should bring and what cocktails I should learn to make. Any thoughts?

[@falkenbergstrandbad2892]

Lookin good! (it's Julio btw)

[@ApartmentBartender]

Falkenberg Strandbad appreciate it my man! Hope all is well on your end

[@XOblivion97]

do you use the yellow label for old fashioned, some people use the small batch idk which one will be better ?

[@musicbox2466]

Good content. Thank you! I think you should introduce the brands in more detail and more slowly, maybe zoom in on the labels as well while you are at it. Surely you can mention the beginners' options, like you did with Bacardi, but try suggesting up to 3 more that are globally available. I will follow your guidance. :)

[@OoOitzkristan]

Looks like Arizona. Tempe?

[@theyolofanarmy4380]

Can you make a video for how much those bottles cost or just reply it in the comments

[@bigdawgz3058]

Did I miss it, or did you not include a bottle of Vodka? ...Also, it wouldn't hurt to have a bottle of blended scotch like Monkey Shoulder...and a higher quality Whiskey like Jack Daniels no.7 or Jameson would be nice for call type drinks. Otherwise good video for people starting out.

[@ApartmentBartender]

Big Dawgz you’re right! It’s time for me to update this video.

[@tyrael1983]

I disagree that Jack Daniels is higher quality than 4 roses. Price doesn't equal quality and Jack has a very distinct flavor that takes drinks over due to the sugar maple

[@robertwolinski7294]

Holy crap that's Tempe Marketplace!

[@ApartmentBartender]

Robert Wolinski yep!

[@kazior6521]

Apartment Bartender I was going to ask if you were in Florida. Looks exactly the same as a plaza here in the Tampa Bay Area.

[@nathanlepiller]

Such a good video ! Just a question : do you think Bombay Sapphire is a good gin for mixing ?

[@ApartmentBartender]

Appreciate it man! I like Bombay Sapphire. It's a little more juniper forward so I think starting it might be a bit strong for some people, but I think it's a really quality spirit

[@nathanlepiller]

Ok thank you ! last question bro : I love Gin but I'm a little bit bored by Tom Collins or Gin Tonic, do you have a gin cocktail to recommend me ? Cheers from your only french fan :)

[@ApartmentBartender]

Happy to answer any questions you have my man. It depends on what you have in your home bar, but I just made a Last Word the other day and it's amazing. It's 3/4 oz gin, 3/4 oz green chartreuse, 3/4 oz maraschino liqueur, 3/4 oz lime juice. Shake and strain into a coupe glass. Give that a go. Otherwise, check out my website apartmentbartender.com for other gin cocktails. Cheers!

[@krejzidukson]

nathanlepiller google : Geraldines ginger fizz You're welcome :)

[@johnwallace2319]

Felt like a Whiskey Tribe episode

[@nathanhunt9105]

The music definitely reminded me of that, but that's about it. Cheers, you MB.

[@bradyhubbard1039]

You should face the bottles toward the camera, I kept pausing trying to read the names

[@joeluis2455]

Brady Hubbard or u could read the description its all in there

[@huntergregory6851]

Hey men. Top whiskey brands? incredibly helpful!!! although campari and aperol are huge liqueurs, Im not a huge fan but i am stuck wanting to stock them for my guests?

[@ApartmentBartender]

hunter gregory appreciate the feedback my man. As far as top whiskey brands that I use for mixing, I’d go Four Roses, Buffalo Trace, 1792 Bourbon, rittenhouse rye, Old Overholt rye, eagle rare bourbon, etc. I can provide more recommendations if need be. Cheers!

[@huntergregory6851]

Apartment Bartender thanks for the reply man, really wasn’t expecting it on a 11 month old video. Is there a type of whisky best for mixing. E.g. single malt. Similarly, is there a low priced whisky that is incredibly versatile, such as the espolon rep tequila?

[@ApartmentBartender]

When it comes to the best whiskey for mixing, I'm a big fan of Four Roses (yellow lable), Buffalo Trace, Makers 46, 1792 bourbon, Old Grand Dad (bonded) is a solid one too for the price. Buffalo Trace and Four roses is the most heavily used in my bar. For Rye, check out Rittenhouse, Old Overholt, Redemption rye, Bulleit Rye..I could def. shoot over a bigger list, but you can't go wrong with those. Generally speaking, if you're going to use a whiskey to mix, stay within the $15 - $40 range. I feel like the higher priced bourbons are best enjoyed neat more than for mixing. For Scotch whisky, I'd check out Monkey Shoulder or Auchentoshan American Oak, or even Famous Grouse. I use those the most if I'm mixing with Scotch.

[@huntergregory6851]

Thanks man, this has really helped!!! Glad to see a dedicated youtuber to their fans!

[@nathanhunt9105]

@@ApartmentBartender Usually Scotch isn't for mixing, but it is used in some cocktails. And Monkey Shoulder is a great one to drink neat, too.

[@airatakhsaka]

"if you wanna BRUNCH AF"

[@nathanhunt9105]

Aren't Campari and Aperol basically interchangeable?

[@Quintinohthree]

Not really. They are similar, and in many ways Aperol is a less intense Campari, but it's far from exact. I'd get a different second amaro besides Campari though, because they are similar enough.

[@williammiddleton2515]

Are you in tempe?

[@Watergox]

Super nice channel, but you definitely need to get a new mic ;)

[@TemoDidit]

On another note what kind of watch is that cool it's looking !!!

[@joeluis2455]

What liquor store was this?

[@harrylane4]

Total wine. He had a whole thing about how he wasnt allowed to film in there.

[@paullaviera4747]

u got vodka?

[@wolfinwool3]

Your vid auto played, it’s unfortunate that it did

[@mombalabamba]

Where's the St. Germain?

[@aaronbeddome4281]

Why Dolin red vermouth but (shitty) martini brand dry vermouth? There's such a difference

[@ApartmentBartender]

Great question/feedback my man. Usually recommend Noilly Prat dry vermouth or Dolin Dry. It's what I would have grabbed at total wine before I got the boot lol Martini brand was what I had in my fridge at the moment. What's your go to?

[@ljay7166]

What about Dolin white? Have never tried it, mainlly because I am broke, but whadyathink? And Aaron, Martini & Rossi is not shit, just common. Believe me there are worse. As far as white goes, I like Noilly Prat but the change the formula a while back and that leaves me searching. Also, please put in a good work for a standby brandy/Cognac and if you say Hennessey I will start saying things like Aaron did above.

[@matthewhammond4167]

Lol should have watched this video about 4 weeks ago before this Pandemic.

[@elliottclark2151]

for real lol i think A bottle of whiskey works just as well nowadays haha

[@johnwallace2319]

Just say you are facetiming

[@rocklujano3729]

Vodka?

[@ApartmentBartender]

Yeah Vodka is always a good one to start with too.

[@chfivan7871]

I hate more talking rather than showing the stocks

[@noahkreyenhagen8937]

Bro stop driving and filming, that's legit so dangerous

[@pooptar]

No, you shiould not VLOG and drive. No buts...

[@redburban1394]

Was total snooze fest and lame.

[@touaregbebe]

Should we take adivce from someone that lives in a apartment.