Entertaining at home is a devastatingly multilayered affair. From making sure the food is tweaked to suit all preferences and restrictions, to ensuring everyone is kept engaged, the host is typically left drained by the end of the night.
One aspect that’s often overlooked till the last minute is the beverage menu. The default is getting whatever bottles are available in the nearest shop, but having a well-stocked, well-prepared home bar can level up your hosting game. We caught up with some bartenders to find out what makes a good setup, and what you should get ready before your next gathering.
Essential sips
The first step, they say, is to make sure you have your ingredients in order. “Some essentials you should have include a range of spirits and liqueurs as your foundation,” explains Riot Gurvinder, bar manager at El Chido in Pullman Singapore Hill Street.
Vodka, gin, tequila, whiskey and rum are essential spirits to have on hand; these form the base of many classic cocktails, and should give you enough breadth to begin with. Once you’ve got these basics and how to mix them down, you can expand your repertoire.
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The variety of liqueurs is massive, so you’ll have lots to choose from, based on what suits your tastes. Unlike spirits, liqueurs are typically sweetened, with a lower alcohol content of about 20% or less. The most common flavours include orange (such as in triple sec), almond (amaretto, which is actually made with apricot kernels) and more herbal notes (seen in aperol and campari).
Most importantly, pick what suits your personal personal preferences — or those of the friends you intend to have over —when stocking your home bar. “Your most preferred spirit should always be your top priority,” says Ron Aransay, head bartender at Las Palmas in Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena. “Choose something you’ll truly enjoy, whether neat, on the rocks or with a refreshing mixer.”
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Tools of the trade
The tools you mix your drinks with are just as important. “Invest in a shaker,” Aransay suggests. “It’s a versatile tool that works like magic, perfect for shaking or even stirring your beloved creations.” Full sets of bar tools are readily available on the market, with most comprising everything from jiggers to barspoons.
Bartenders also agree that ice is crucial for getting a good cocktail out. After all, nobody likes a lukewarm drink, or one that’s tainted with freezer burn.
“Never underestimate the importance of good ice, whether it’s for mixing, shaking or simply keeping your drinks ice-cold,” says Aransay. Concurring, Gurvinder notes that ice is “the most important element” in a drink. “It’s the key ingredient in a cocktail, and can truly make or break the final outcome,” he adds.
Yugnes Susela, co-founder of The Elephant Room, recommends larger, clear ice cubes, which “not only look stunning but also melt slowly, preventing dilution”. Changing things up by freezing juices or other ingredients can add a new dimension to your drinks, he adds. “Flavoured ice cubes can add a tropical twist to cocktails at home.”
Beyond the basics, there are also little flourishes you can add to make your drinks both flashier and tastier. For instance, Gurvinder points out that ingredients like bitters are a small touch that can seriously enhance the flavours of your drink.
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Making infusions by leaving fruits, herbs and other additions in a spirit can also be a good way to make something uniquely your own, he adds.
“Experiment with … fresh and creative garnishes, too, such as herbs, fruits, or even edible flowers. These small touches can elevate the presentation while adding a burst of flavour, and make a big difference in the overall experience.”
Check out Gurvinder, Aransay and Susela's recommendations for drinks to serve at your next dinner party here.
