I Just Bought a... (Wine, Spirit, or Beer)

[edinatlanta]

Originally Posted by Huntsman

First question: What do you want to do with your bar? Do you have a focus, or just an all-around bar to start?

Gin, bourbon, rum and scotch is a good start. I'd say the most serious thing you're missing is a brandy and a cognac ( I usually like to have one 'mixing' and one 'drinking' of every spirit to start), for which I'd recommend Christian Brothers ($20) and Pierre Ferrand Ambre ($50). I also note no tequila, which is an area I am not too familiar, though I use Tres Generations silver fon my margaritas and such. I really enjoy rye, so I'd have a classic American rye like Sazerac 6 ($26) or Wild Turkey ($22). Many would also note that you are missing a Canadian rye, like Crown Royal

Mixers: the single most important mixer is a good triple sec. I only use Cointreau. It is neccessary for an infinity of cocktails; will give you a lot of options. Easily half the time my drink is a base spirit, a citrus, Cointreau -- Sidecar, Pegu Club, Margarita, Alabazam, etc; or with a modifier also -- Avaiation, Corpse Reviver, etc.

Choice of other mixers depends on where you want to go: Classic herbal cocktails: yellow and green chartreuse, Benedictine (not B&B). After dinner cocktails, creme de cacao, Kahlua, Amaretto.

The other question is if you want some cordials/liquers to drink/mix. St. Germain is my favorite modern one, but I use it rarely. Grand Marnier is great neat, but I mix it rarely. Creme de violette, mostly for aviations. Amaretto, good to drink and mix.

So, my immediate rec: Cointreau, Brandy, and a jar of Amarena Fabbri honest-to-goodness Maraschino cherries from Amazon or Williams-Sonoma. The regular red things are vile.

~ H

Well I guess since its being discussed... I have cointreau and luxardo maraschino cherries. I have a bottle of Tres Copas tequila but only for sipping. Don't ever make tequila cocktails. I have creme de violette, green chartreuese...did I mention Luxardo?

I think that covers what I have.

Not sure what I'm looking for, I guess what else do I need to round that out and then how to tie it all together. I find I have to look up recipes then I forget them. And I always just buy random parts at the booze store or just stuff for specific drinks.

Make me as knowledgeable as you Huntsman!

Originally Posted by Piobaire

Don't forget about bitters, Edina. Very important for many cocktails. Try a manhattan with and one without, side by side. Will totally convince you of the importance of bitters.

I forgot, I have several bottles of bitters. Angostura, Peychaud's, Fee's orange, peach, lemon, old fashioned, and I think one other.

 

[edinatlanta]

Also, I bought a Zaya gift set with two nice spirits glasses for less than the price of a bottle of Zaya (don't ask me how the math works) that is already about 60% gone.

And some Lillet. That's some good ****.

 

[Szeph el raton]

Originally Posted by edinatlanta

Also, I bought a Zaya gift set with two nice spirits glasses for less than the price of a bottle of Zaya (don't ask me how the math works) that is already about 60% gone.

And some Lillet. That's some good ****.
Lillet Blanc new or old recipe? I was standing in front of a bottle some days ago and was contemplating to buy but was shooed away by the fact that it's nothing like "back in the days".

 

[runner-guy]

Brought a 6 pack of this to a party last weekend:

 

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by edinatlanta

Well I guess since its being discussed... I have cointreau and luxardo maraschino cherries. I have a bottle of Tres Copas tequila but only for sipping. Don't ever make tequila cocktails. I have creme de violette, green chartreuese...did I mention Luxardo? I think that covers what I have. Not sure what I'm looking for, I guess what else do I need to round that out and then how to tie it all together. I find I have to look up recipes then I forget them. And I always just buy random parts at the booze store or just stuff for specific drinks. Make me as knowledgeable as you Huntsman! I forgot, I have several bottles of bitters. Angostura, Peychaud's, Fee's orange, peach, lemon, old fashioned, and I think one other.
Whew. Ok. Will reply after finals.

 

[edinatlanta]

Just bough this book, highly recommend it.

http://www.amazon.com/Boozehound-Tra.../dp/1580082882

 

[Szeph el raton]

Picked up a bottle Rhum Clement VSOP and a bottle Lillet Blanc.

 

[ama]

Originally Posted by Szeph el ratón

Picked up a bottle Rhum Clement VSOP and a bottle Lillet Blanc.

 

[Rambo]

Originally Posted by edinatlanta

Also, I bought a Zaya gift set with two nice spirits glasses for less than the price of a bottle of Zaya (don't ask me how the math works) that is already about 60% gone. And some Lillet. That's some good ****.
Ed, you have a pic of that Zaya gift set by any chance? That would make a great gift for a friend of mine but I couldn't come up with anything via Google.

Originally Posted by Szeph el ratón

Picked up a bottle Rhum Clement VSOP and a bottle Lillet Blanc.

Is your bottle tall and skinny or fat at the top and skinny at the bottom?

Originally Posted by ama

+1

 

[Szeph el raton]

Originally Posted by Rambo

Is your bottle tall and skinny or fat at the top and skinny at the bottom?
Are you talking of the Lillet or the Clement? They are these bottles: http://www.problempresents.com/cms_images/lillet.jpg http://thefloatingrumshack.com/main/...ement-vsop.jpg (New form factor, afaik)

 

[edinatlanta]

Originally Posted by Rambo

Ed, you have a pic of that Zaya gift set by any chance? That would make a great gift for a friend of mine but I couldn't come up with anything via Google.

No but it was a nice looking gift set. Sorry .

 

[Szeph el raton]

Oh, I forgot, I also picked up a bottle RÃ

my Martin Coeur de Cognac.

 

[lenny1jz]

jack + coke

 

[Rambo]

Originally Posted by Szeph el ratón

Are you talking of the Lillet or the Clement? They are these bottles: http://www.problempresents.com/cms_images/lillet.jpg http://thefloatingrumshack.com/main/...ement-vsop.jpg (New form factor, afaik)
The Clement. When I googled it after you posted it I saw the (new?) fat shape. That's what I'm used to seeing but apparently there is a standard looking bottle with the little net on top.

 

[Szeph el raton]

Originally Posted by Rambo

The Clement. When I googled it after you posted it I saw the (new?) fat shape. That's what I'm used to seeing but apparently there is a standard looking bottle with the little net on top.
My quick check of teh interwebz said that the "regular" bottle with the fibers around was the old one and was discontinued because the old women who did it all died and there was no new staff acquired to replace them, so they moved to a different packaging. Take it with a grain of salt but that's what Al Gore has put in the internet for us.