# Help me assemble a simple bar **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 27, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-assemble-a-simple-bar/497848 "2009-05-27T21:35:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-assemble-a-simple-bar/497848/1 "2009-05-27T21:35:31Z")
I need to put together a simple bar - nothing full service, but enough ingredients for a basic cash bar. We have our house wines and beers, so what I am really looking for is the basics for one liquor/one mixer drinks, like rum and cola, scotch and soda, gin and tonic. I’m aiming at relatively inexpensive common brands of alcohol. Not the bottom shelf, but not the top shelf. Bacardi, Smirnoff - that sort of thing. I know its not terribly exciting - we’ll save the fun stuff for special occasions. I just need to have the basics assembled in the next couple weeks. Oh, this is for work, not home use. At home I always go top shelf. This is the sort of bar for people who think White Zinfandel is a good wine choice. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-assemble-a-simple-bar/497848/2 "2009-05-27T21:38:43Z")
Vodka - Absolut as a mixer, Grey Goose as a martini Gin - Beefeater Rum - Mount Gay Eclipse Scotch, Blended - J&B Scotch, Single Malt - The Glenlivit Bourbon - Buffalo Trace Spiced Rum - Admiral Nelson Tequila - Sauza All of these are not that expensive, but not rotgut either. ---
**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-assemble-a-simple-bar/497848/3 "2009-05-27T23:14:11Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Vodka - Absolut as a mixer, Grey Goose as a martini > Gin - Beefeater > Rum - Mount Gay Eclipse > Scotch, Blended - J&B > Scotch, Single Malt - The Glenlivit > Bourbon - Buffalo Trace > Spiced Rum - Admiral Nelson > Tequila - Sauza > > All of these are not that expensive, but not rotgut either. a lil fridge be helpful at the bar for a few perishables and a small sink, but not necessary if its close to the kitchen. Olives Pearl Onions Triple Sec Balieys Lemons, Limes and/or concentrate Cherries Mixes: Margarita, Manhatten, Mudslide, Russian, Bloody Mary ect… Cola, 7-UP ect… Tomato juice, Orange Juice, Grapefruit Juice ect… White and Red wine Salt thinghy Shaker, Strainer, Shot measure ect… Mixer Assorted Glasses ICE ICE ICE and MORE ICE All I can think off at the moment…:dubious: Get a Bartenders Guide at the Liquor store it has bunch of info in it. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-assemble-a-simple-bar/497848/4 "2009-05-28T12:25:28Z")
Thanks guys. This gives me a good direction. My only bartender friend is hugely enthusiastic and wants to really overdo it - since she has not volunteered to work it each time, and it’s only likely to be used a dozen time this year, I need to rein her in a bit, so this is very helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-assemble-a-simple-bar/497848/5 "2009-05-28T14:43:21Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Vodka - Absolut as a mixer, Grey Goose as a martini > Gin - Beefeater > Rum - Mount Gay Eclipse > Scotch, Blended - J&B > Scotch, Single Malt - The Glenlivit > Bourbon - Buffalo Trace > Spiced Rum - Admiral Nelson > Tequila - Sauza > > All of these are not that expensive, but not rotgut either. Choices are good here - I’ll also lean on the cheap but good side. Gin - Daresbury Quintessential Rum - Don Q Scotch, Blended - Johnnie Walker Red. Stay away from J&B. I broke out the Red Label at a party where some Scotsmen showed up and they drank me dry. Tennessee - Dickel Cordials - I like to keep some Drambuie, Pimms, Chambord, and Grand Marnier around. More than this doesn’t get consumed fast enough to be worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-assemble-a-simple-bar/497848/6 "2009-05-28T14:45:26Z")
A bottle of decent cognac is nice to have as well. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-assemble-a-simple-bar/497848/7 "2009-05-28T15:29:22Z")
> [@Mrs.Cake](#): > > I need to put together a simple bar D - A - B - F# - G - D - G - A… Well, actually, that’s more of a chord. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-assemble-a-simple-bar/497848/8 "2009-05-28T15:48:13Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > A bottle of decent cognac is nice to have as well. Not in a work bar. Better to go with a decent domestic brandy, I think. E&J make a pretty decent one - goes great in coffee, for example. People who drink blended scotch tend to be very divided over Johnnie Walker. Famous Grouse is a good middle-of-the-pack choice that likely won’t offend anybody. I personally won’t have a blend in the house, but a college room-mate was very fond of J&B. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-assemble-a-simple-bar/497848/9 "2009-05-28T15:58:28Z")
Funny, I’ve found people to be divided over J&B, which is why I was recommending Johnnie. In this case Dewar’s might be a “safe” choice for a blend. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-assemble-a-simple-bar/497848/10 "2009-05-28T16:07:03Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Vodka - Absolut as a mixer, Grey Goose as a martini > Gin - Beefeater > Rum - Mount Gay Eclipse > Scotch, Blended - J&B > Scotch, Single Malt - The Glenlivit > **Bourbon - Buffalo Trace > Spiced Rum - Admiral Nelson** > Tequila - Sauza > > All of these are not that expensive, but not rotgut either. Very good, but the bolded selections are incorrect. They should be revised as follows: Bourbon - Jim Beam Black Spiced Rum - Sailor Jerry My personal favorite bourbon is Elijah Craig, but Beam Black is perfectly acceptable if you’re looking for a good bourbon that isn’t going to cost too much. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-assemble-a-simple-bar/497848/11 "2009-05-28T16:38:39Z")
Admiral Nelson is a couple of bucks cheaper, and indistinguishable in a rum & coke. Elijah Craig is a better choice than Beam. Buffalo Trace goes with anything, and is a delightful sipper as well. BT and EC have also kept their proof where is should be, while Beam has dropped theirs 7%. As you can see, **Mrs. Cake** , there are a number of choices you can make and still have a good bar done cheap. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-assemble-a-simple-bar/497848/12 "2009-05-28T16:54:37Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Admiral Nelson is a couple of bucks cheaper… And it tastes like the Admiral pissed in it. > [@](#): > > …and indistinguishable in a rum & coke. This may be true. I typically drink spiced rum on the rocks. > [@](#): > > Elijah Craig is a better choice than Beam. Buffalo Trace goes with anything, and is a delightful sipper as well. BT and EC have also kept their proof where is should be, while Beam has dropped theirs 7%. This reminds me of the horror that is Jack Daniels, surreptitiously lowering their proof, while hiking up the prices. Fortunately, I’ve never cared for their Tennessee whiskey nonsense anyway. Beam Black is still a respectable 86 proof, is better than Beam White, is not as good as Elijah Craig, but I believe will go down more smoothly for non bourbon drinkers. Elijah Craig may be a bit much. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-assemble-a-simple-bar/497848/13 "2009-05-28T17:15:48Z")
Actually for the Vodka, get an empty Grey Goose Bottle and fill it with Smirnoff and then laugh as folks proclaim how smooth it is and take your SO to the movies with the money you save… ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-assemble-a-simple-bar/497848/14 "2009-05-28T17:16:53Z")
BTW, if you belong to CostCo or something similar, get your alcohol there. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-assemble-a-simple-bar/497848/15 "2009-05-28T17:18:59Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > Actually for the Vodka, get an empty Grey Goose Bottle and fill it with Smirnoff and then laugh as folks proclaim how smooth it is and take your SO to the movies with the money you save.. This too. The real difference in vodkas kicks in when you get down to stuff like Kamchatka, which gives you explosive bowels the next day. This thread is making me thirsty. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-assemble-a-simple-bar/497848/16 "2009-05-28T18:26:27Z")
Not if you makes martinis out of it. The differences when drunk straight, or nearly so, are reasonably evident. If you are mixing it, all bets are off (unless you use the aforementioned Kamchatka). A quick survey of work will let you know if people are going to be mixing with these spirits, or drinking them straight.