Celebrate in style this season with some of these tasty, yet lesser known liqueurs.

Whether you are looking to expand your own fancy liquor palette or are looking for some liqueurs to gift this holiday season, we have got you covered. 

5 Delicious Liqueurs 

1. Suze

Suze is a French aperitif that you never knew you needed but now won’t want to live without it. Suze has an appealingly subtle citrus, yet slightly bitter and earthy taste. It’s made from the root of the gentian plant, which is an herb that grows in the Alps. It can be enjoyed straight as an after-dinner aperitif or used in cocktails. Mix it with soda and orange rind for a super simple and refreshing drink.

2. Luxardo Maraschino Cherry Liqueur

Maraschino cherry liqueur is another unknown powerhouse for the home bar. While you may think it’s made with those dyed red maraschino cherries, it is actually made from sour Marasca cherries. The taste is a mix between sweet and sour and is not necessarily ideal to drink on its own. Instead, this liqueur is the perfect addition to cocktails like the Manhattan. It can also be used to make homemade maraschino cherries with fresh cherries if you have any of this liqueur by the time summer comes around.

3. St. Germaine

St. Germaine is a liqueur made from elderberry flowers. It has a delicate floral taste that is lovely on its own or an ingredient in cocktails. Its delicate taste mixes well with Champagne and other sparkling wines. The showy bottle makes for a super impressive gift and the gentle floral taste is a decadent addition to any home bar that can make one feel the warmth of summer even in the cold of winter.

4.Licor 43

Licor 43 is a Spanish liqueur featuring a complicated flavor profile that includes layers of citrus, vanilla, and spice. This warm and sweet liqueur is a versatile addition to any liqueur collection. One of our favorite cocktails using Licor 43 is the Ginger 43 which is made with ginger ale, Licor 43, and lime. Licor 43 also makes a great addition to red or white wine sangria.

5.Green Chartreuse

There are two different types of Chartreuse–Green and Yellow. Distilled using over 130 herbs, Green Chartreuse is the only liqueur in the world with a completely natural green color. Traditionally enjoyed as an after-dinner drink, Chartreuse makes for a delicious addition to cocktails. One popular way to enjoy Chartreuse is as a substitute for gin in a gin and tonic. The complex herbal flavors of Chartreuse rival those of the most herbaceous gin.

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The home bar glassware must-haves.

Sure, you could totally serve everyone out of red SOLO cups or mismatched glasses from the thrift store, like back in college, but you are a grown up now, and grownups use real bar glassware.

Bar glassware should is a lifelong investment, just like flatware and china. If well taken care of,  you and your guest can enjoy your home bar glassware at every get together you throw. Does everyone need to own a set of sherry, Pousse-cafe, or cordial glasses? Definitely not.

So, what are the essentials? While it does depend on personal taste, there are some tried and true basics to make your bar complete.

Bar Glassware Basics

1. Pint Glass

Image: Pint Glass via Shutterstock

A pint glass is essential for serving beer. While there are other special glasses for beer, like the Weizen, Pilsner, and goblet, a pint glass will do in a pinch for all but the most particular beer drinkers. Choose between the Conical American-style, which will hold 16 ounces, or the Nonic British-style (pictured above), which holds 20 ounces. The Conical glass is nothing more than the ubiquitous standard tumbler glass. It is a good multi-purpose glass as you can serve both beer and other non-alcoholic beverages in it.

2. Wine Glasses

Image: Red and White Wine Glasses via Shutterstock

If you are really into wine you may need more glasses, but most homes have a need for only two types of wine glasses (oh and champagne glasses, but more on that later). Whether choosing stemmed or stemless, most red wines can be served in a glass with a rounded bulb, while most whites will work in a more slender glass. Of course, there’s more to it than that, but most people are not going to invest in special Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Bordeaux glasses.

3. Rocks Glass

Image: Rocks Glass via Shutterstock

Also know as an old-fashioned, or low-ball glass, the rocks glass is a short glass that is good for serving whiskey over ice. It can also be used for some cocktails, like an old-fashioned, Sazerac, or mint julep. It comes in two sizes: 6–8 ounces or 12–14 ounces.

4. Cocktail Glass

Image: Cocktail Glass via Shutterstock

Sometimes referred to as a martini glass, the cocktail glass is a stemmed glass used for serving cocktails. These glasses are used most commonly for shaken or stirred cocktails served without ice. The glass is to be held by the stem, therefore keeping the drink from getting warm.

5. Champagne Flute

Image: Champagne Flute via Shutterstock

Champagne and sparkling wines do not need to be served in champagne flutes (or the more retro coupe glass), but it adds a bit of elegance to the occasion. If you choose not to invest in Champagne flutes, don’t worry, it is perfectly acceptable to serve sparkling wines in white wine glasses.

6. Highball Glass (or a Collins Glass)

Image: Highball Glass via Shutterstock

You can choose between a Highball glass (smaller at 8-12 ounces) or a Collins glass (larger at 12-16 ounces) for serving mixed drinks that are served over ice and often with a straw like the gin and tonic, gimlet, and most drinks you mix with soda.  There are exceptions to every bar glassware rule, but choosing either the Highball or Collins glass is a good investment.

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Image: Glasses via Shutterstock

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What are the necessary components of a well-stocked home bar?

I blame cheap beer commercials, wine coolers, and “Sex in the City.” Somewhere along the way, Americans got away from the home bar and mixing complex and grown-up cocktails and started drinking fruity, watered-down, syrupy sweet concoctions and light beer. I believe it was a slow process that began with the rise of “lite” beer, the invention and propagation of wine coolers, and the Cosmo swilling that took place on “Sex and the City.”

Whatever the cause of the downfall of classic cocktail making, that’s all in the past. There is a new era of mixology and craft cocktails afoot as more people are eschewing the ubiquitous Cosmos, Margaritas, and anything made with Red Bull.

While you could go out to any number of trendy mixology-minded bars and spend upwards of $15 for a carefully crafted cocktail, you can also learn to make them at home.  The key is to pick a few basic cocktails and keep the ingredients needed for those on hand. Don’t feel like you need to have components for every possible cocktail. Instead, you can add liquors and mixers as you want to try something new. You can work your way up to a well-stocked home bar.

The Mixologist’s Home Bar Mixer Must Haves

1. Vermouth – Sweet and Dry

Vermouth is a fortified wine, but not one that you would want to drink alone. It works as a partner with other flavors. Dry vermouth is essential in a gin martini, and sweet vermouth is used in a Manhattan.

2. Cointreau

Cointreau is an orange liqueur. There are other types of orange liqueurs, but Cointreau is the best if you are serious about crafted cocktails. It’s used in a plethora of cocktails, but some of the classics include the Sidecar, Singapore Sling, and the Kamikaze. It’s also the key ingredient in Cosmo and Margaritas.

3. Maraschino Liqueur

Luxardo’s Maraschino Cherry Liqueur is a delightful mixer. One ingenious use for Luxardo is to make homemade drunken Maraschino cherries using fresh cherries. That’s a real crowd-pleaser, let me tell you. It can also be to concoct the Hemingway Daiquiri and the Aviation cocktail.

4. Bitters

Bitters are not used to make cocktails bitter but are a way to impart a lot of flavor in a little punch. There are many kinds of bitters out there, but there are two must-haves for your home bar. The first is Angostura Bitters, which are necessary for making the Manhattan, Old-Fashioned, Rob Roy, and the Pisco Sour. The second is Peychaud’s Bitters, which is a key component to the Sazerac and the Mint Julep. You will find Angostura bitters to be more herbaceous in flavor while Peychaud’s bitters are more floral.

5. Campari

Campari is an apéritif, a liqueur served before a meal, which also serves as a cocktail mixer. Made from fruits and herbs infused in alcohol, it imparts a sweet, spicy and somewhat bitter flavor. It is an essential ingredient in the Negroni and the Americano cocktails.

6. St. Germain

St Germain is a French liqueur that takes its flavor from elderflowers. While relatively new on the scene, it is a wonderful specialty liqueur. It has a delicate flavor that lends itself to lighter cocktails. Mix it with Champagne (or other sparkling wine) for a lovely bubbly cocktail.

7. Galliano

Galliano has flavors of anise, vanilla, juniper, citrus, and herbs. It has a complicated flavor profile, and that makes it the perfect mixer. It is a necessary ingredient in the Harvey Wallbanger and can even be served as a digestif, or a liqueur that is served after a meal.

What are your favorite home bar ingredients?

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Image: Old Fashioned Cocktail via Shutterstock

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What are the 5 must-have home bar tools?

Among the perks of being a grownup is drinking sophisticated cocktails you have carefully crafted for your guests at your very own home bar–at least that is what I tell myself while watching “Mad Men” alone while drinking wine from a box.

But seriously folks, we aren’t in college anymore, so let’s drink like grownups and not college kids. That means being prepared, because that is how as “adults” you plan ahead. But what if you aren’t sure how to make fancy cocktails, just what accessories you need, or how to stock a home bar? Well, you better figure it out fast because you probably aren’t getting any younger.

And whether you have a built-in bar (lucky), a bar cart, use a tray on the kitchen counter, or need some home bar ideas, we can help you figure out what tools and accessories you need to stock your space.

5 Must-Have Home Bar Tools Every Grown Up House Should Have

1. Shaker – A shaker is simply a must have to make certain cocktails, like martinis. A metal shaker, not only mixes the ingredients just right, but when ice is added a most delightful chill is achieved as well. We like this stylish gold version, but honestly any shaker will do!

2. Cocktail Spoon – A cocktail spoon is used for mixed drinks that don’t require shaking, but a gentle mixing instead. Manhattans don’t need to be shaken, but only require the swish of a cocktail spoon. And no, it is not okay to mix cocktails with your finger!

3. Muddler – Every home mixologist really does “need” a muddler. A muddler is used to crush herbs and other ingredients in drinks like the Mint Julep. A gentle crushing releases the oils or flavors in a much more satisfying way than chopping does.

4. Strainer – And if you are going to be making cocktails like the Mint Julep, you will need a strainer to strain out the bits before serving. There are two different types of strainers. One that you hold over a glass to pour over, and one that fits over the mixing cup or shaker and you pour through. Buy both if you can, for versatility.

5. Jigger – A jigger is a necessary tool to make sure you are not making your cocktails too strong, but keeping the correct ratio. Using a jigger, as opposed to just eyeballing it, is ideal to make sure your drinks taste great and your guests don’t get hammered.
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Image: Bar Accessories via Shutterstock

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Get ready for your next party with these suggestions for setting up your own home bar. Having a bar cart or other beverage station is in.

With the resurgence in entertaining at home, the increased popularity of historical and designer cocktails (and, let’s admit it, the influence of Mad Men), lots of people are setting up their own home bars. And we’re not talking about some tacky built-in at a fraternity or an over-the-top Real Housewives of New Jersey situation. Imagine a tasteful beverage station in your home from which you can serve drinks or at which your guests can serve themselves. 

If you think that you don’t have the space to incorporate a bar cart or beverage station in your home, fear not. There are tons of creative ways to add a cool and functional home bar just in time for your next dinner party or get together. And for those who don’t imbibe, a home bar isn’t just for adult beverages either. Gone are the days of just buying a couple of bottles of soda for parties—it’s so much more chic to offer a homemade concoction instead! Mocktails, homemade raspberry lemonade or even warm apple cider for those upcoming autumn holidays.

Here are 3 easy and functional ways to add a home bar without spending a lot of money or having to build anything!

Bar Cart

Image: Style Archaeology

Growing up, my grandparents had a bar cart that they kept in a corner with plants on it when not in use, but when they had a party it was wheeled out and outfitted with all the trappings. You can buy a brand new bar cart or look for a cool vintage one on Etsy, at estate and yards sales or at thrift shops. A cart can be kept stocked in the corner, or converted for parties like my grandparents did, and best of all, it moves, so it’s flexible for parties of various sizes.

Serving Tray

Image: Lake Tahoe Creations

Another option is to simply just use a serving tray that you can station on a coffee table, end table, dining room table or even on a kitchen counter. Using a tray is a little more chic than just putting some bottles out and it can also help protect your furniture from the inevitable spills. You could use three trays of varying sizes for liquors, glasses and accessories (wine opener, garnish, and the ice bucket).

Cabinet

Image: Urban Reclaimer

The final option is to outfit an existing cabinet or purchase one for use as a beverage station. One that is taller and is outfitted with shelves would be ideal. Again, there is no need to purchase one brand new, but instead look at yard sales and furniture thrift shops for something that will work.

Feeling crafty? You can turn almost any sturdy bookcase into a bar (just repaint and vary shelf heights, keeping tall bottles in the middle, short glasses at the top, etc.); even an Ikea bookcase could be transformed. Or try this DIY project for a bar-bookcase.

Top Image: MnMGlamping

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