Finally, you understand that your kitchen counter is not a bar. It is time to improve your hosting skills. Creating a home bar is a quite natural step for everyone who came to an understanding that the time of living on the ramen has passed. This action will demonstrate your taste preferences regardless the fact that your bank account may have some other opinion on this matter.
Forget those cheesy neon signs and plastic shakers. You have to create a place which whispers sophistication rather than screams dorm room. Your task is to create such a bar that would give your guests an impression of visiting some secret speakeasy.
The creation of your bar should start with furnishing. You can choose a mid-century credenza that will provide you with storage possibilities along with sophistication. However, it is better to look at the examples from West Elm and CB2, while you can find the best prices in Facebook Marketplace.
Glassware tells a lot about your education. Forget about pouring your bourbon into a jam jar. Instead, what you need is a heavy-bottomed rocks glass and collins glass. You can purchase Riedel and Waterford, but you can also use vintage glasses from Etsy to give additional charm to the situation.
It is time to talk about beverages now. Obviously, there is no need for fifty different bottles of flavored vodkas. You need classics which are worthy to drink. For example, a bottle of Tanqueray gin, Bulleit bourbon, and good reposado tequila will meet requirements of almost all your guests.
However, do not forget about bitters and vermouth. You will need Angostura and Dolin dry vermouth that has to be kept in the fridge because it is wine and it becomes sour in any other conditions.
Ice will ruin the taste of your beverage in case if it was not high-quality ice cubes. Tiny cubes of your freezer tray taste like old fish. Silicone molds creating 2 inches ice cubes will help you to preserve the temperature of your drinks.
You will also need presentation skills. You can use a bar cart from Article or floating shelves. All you have to do is just to add a little plant and proper lamp. Your apartment will become a place where adults live.
Actually, the most important thing you need is a jigger. Only professional bartender is able to pour freely when he or she has prepared ten thousand cocktails. In order to prevent making a drink tasting like gasoline, you should measure your pours.
Creating your collection will take time. Buying one bottle per month is enough. Learning how to prepare three drinks will amaze your dates and annoy your landlord with the noise that is your main goal in these years.