When you purchase products or services through our links we and our partners earn a small commission. Thank you.

What Are The Five Spirits You Should Buy For Your Home Bar?

Today we talk about the five spirits you should buy for your homer bar. Whether you are new to cocktails or not, building your first home bar is always daunting.This spirits video will help you get going.

Vodka

About Vodka

Vodka is a distilled spirit made from fermented grains or potatoes. It is typically made by distilling the liquid multiple times to increase its alcohol content. The result is a clear, colorless liquid with a relatively neutral taste, although some vodkas may be flavored. The origins of vodka can be traced back to Eastern Europe in the 9th century, and it has been a popular spirit in that region ever since. The name “vodka” comes from the Slavic word “voda,” which means “water.”

Vodka is one of the most versatile spirits and can be enjoyed on its own or as a base for cocktails. It is also a popular ingredient in cooking and can be used to make a variety of dishes. Some of the most popular cocktails that use vodka include martinis, Bloody Marys, and cosmos.

Vodka can be made from a wide variety of ingredients, including wheat, barley, rye, corn, and potatoes. The specific ingredients used will affect the flavor of the vodka. For example, vodka made from wheat will have a smoother taste than vodka made from potatoes.

Vodka is often distilled to a high proof, usually between 80 and 95 proof. This is done to give the spirit a stronger alcohol content and to ensure that it has a long shelf life. In most countries, Vodka is regulated and must be at least 40% ABV, However in some countries like Poland, legal minimum is set to be at least 37.5% ABV.

Overall, Vodka is a clear, crisp spirit with a long history of popularity around the world. It is the base for many cocktails, but it can also be enjoyed on its own, and have a diverse range of flavors available.

Methods & Recommendations

Screwdrivers, Cape Codders

Rum

About Rum

Rum is a distilled spirit made from sugarcane by-products, such as molasses or juice. The by-products are fermented and then distilled to produce the final product. The origins of rum can be traced back to the 17th century in the Caribbean, where sugarcane was first cultivated. From there it spread to other parts of the world including the Americas, Europe, and Africa.

Rum is traditionally aged in oak barrels, which gives the spirit its characteristic color and flavor. The aging process can vary from a few months to several years, and the longer the rum is aged, the more complex its flavor becomes. Dark rum, for example, is aged for a longer period than light rum, and has a stronger, more robust flavor.

There are different styles of rum available, depending on the region it is produced. For example, Jamaican rum is known for its full-bodied and fruity flavor, while Cuban rum is considered to be light and dry. There are also different kinds of rum like white rum which is aged for a short period, and spiced rum which is infused with spices like cinnamon and vanilla.

Rum is a popular spirit and can be enjoyed on its own, on the rocks or with mixer. It is also a key ingredient in many cocktails, such as Mai Tais, Daiquiris, and Mojitos.

Rum is a versatile spirit that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways and have a unique character depending on its origin and aging process. It also have a rich history and cultural significance, linked to the sugar trade, pirates and naval history.

Methods & Recommendations

Bacardi, Fortress

Gin

About Gin

Gin is a clear, distilled spirit made from juniper berries and other botanicals. It is typically made by macerating the botanicals in a neutral spirit, such as grain alcohol, and then redistilling the liquid to extract the flavors and aromas. The origins of gin can be traced back to the Netherlands in the 17th century, where it was first created as a medicinal spirit.

Gin is known for its distinct juniper flavor, which is the key characteristic that defines it as a gin. Other botanicals like coriander, angelica root, citrus peel, and Orris root are used to create different gin styles. London Dry gin is one of the most popular styles of gin and it is defined by its minimal sweetness and prominent juniper flavor.

Gin is often served as a base for cocktails, the most famous one is the Gin Martini. It is also used in other classic cocktails like the Tom Collins and Gin & Tonic. Additionally, Gin has seen a resurgence in recent years with the popularity of “New Western” gin styles, which feature a wider range of botanicals, resulting in more complex, nuanced flavors. These gins are often enjoyed neat or on the rocks, rather than in cocktails.

In most countries, there are legal definitions on the production and ingredients of gin, the EU law states that gin must have a predominant juniper flavor and be made from neutral spirit of agricultural origin.

Overall, gin is a distinctive spirit that is known for its juniper flavor and versatility in cocktails. With the wide range of styles and new trends emerging, gin is a dynamic spirit that continues to evolve and delight gin enthusiasts.

Methods & Recommendations

Dixon’s Wicked Berry, Gimlet, Bramble

Tequila

About Tequila

Tequila is a spirit made from the blue agave plant, primarily grown in the Jalisco state of Mexico. It is made by cooking the agave plant to break down the starches, then crushing the cooked plant to extract the juice (called “agave juice” or “agave wine”), which is then fermented and distilled. The finished product must contain at least 51% of agave juice, the remaining percentage can come from other sugars.

Tequila is typically aged in oak barrels before bottling, and the aging process is what determines the color and flavor of the spirit. Tequila can be divided into different categories based on the aging process:

Blanco (white) tequila is clear, unaged tequila and it has a strong, straight-forward agave flavor.
Reposado (rested) tequila is aged for 2 to 11 months in oak barrels, it is a bit smoother and it develops light wood and vanilla notes.
Añejo (aged) tequila is aged for at least 1 year, but less than 3 years in oak barrels. It has a richer, more complex flavor and it can develop notes of caramel, vanilla and chocolate.

Tequila is a popular spirit, particularly in Mexico, and is traditionally enjoyed as a sipping spirit, often with a side of salt and lime. It is also a key ingredient in several cocktails like Margaritas, Tequila Sunrises, and Palomas.

Tequila is protected by the Mexican government by the Norma Oficial Mexicana, this ensures that Tequila production is regulated and only Tequila produced in certain regions of Mexico can be considered true Tequila.

Overall, Tequila is a distinct and versatile spirit that offers a range of flavors and styles depending on the aging process. The use of blue agave and the aging process give Tequila a unique character and cultural significance, making it a popular spirit around the world.

Whiskey

About Whiskey

Whiskey (or whisky) is a spirit made from fermented grains, such as barley, corn, rye, or wheat, and then distilled. The grains are usually malted, which means they are allowed to sprout before being dried, in order to release enzymes that convert starches into sugars. The grains are then mashed, fermented and distilled before being aged in oak barrels. The aging process is what gives whiskey its distinct color and flavor.

Different types of whiskey are produced around the world, but the most well-known are:

Scotch whisky, which is made in Scotland and is typically aged for at least 3 years. It can be further divided into single malt (made from 100% malted barley) and blended (made from a combination of single malts and grains whiskies).
Irish whiskey, which is made in Ireland and is typically aged for at least 3 years. It is known for its smooth and light flavor.
Bourbon whiskey, which is made in the United States, primarily in Kentucky, and is aged for a minimum of 2 years. It must be made with at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels.
Rye whiskey, which is made from at least 51% Rye, also aged in new charred oak barrels for at least 2 years.

Whiskey can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, it is traditionally sipped neat, on the rocks, or diluted with water. It is also used in many cocktails like Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Whiskey Sour.

Whiskey is a spirit that has a rich history, cultural significance, and a wide range of styles and flavors depending on the type and origin of the whiskey, how the grains were treated and the aging process used. Each type of whiskey has its own unique characteristics that make it distinct and special.