Jess' Home Bar Necessities
During our time stuck at home during COVID, our bar has significantly grown. This is a list of all the things that make the drinks that make us happy right now!
Base Spirits
The building blocks for any cocktail
Our preferred Whiskey for mixed drinks
The gin that we always keep on hand… does not taste like xmas trees!
Whiskey for Sippin’
Whiskey is the most popular spirit to serve on the rocks - and these are our favorites.
Daily sipper, and excellent in bourbon cocktails. Great price point, so I never feel bad about using this as a mixer either.
Another NC local!
My special occasion drink
Christmas spices :D
Christmas spices :D
Liqueurs
Also considered as "modifiers", these are sweetened spirits with specific flavors like herbs, nuts, and fruits.
We use instead of Campari because it’s sweeter
Used in margaritas to give orange flavoring. Technically considered a triple sec.
A raspberry liqeur.
Made in NC!
Ingredients
Syrups, bitters, sodas, and vermouth add complexity and balance sweetness in most drinks
YUM
Non alcoholic almond syrup, used in Mai Tais and tiki drinks
Glassware
We ideally love to serve our cocktails in the glasses they are designed to go in. Did you know: The shape of the cocktail glass dictates how the glass is held in the hand, which affects the temperature of the drink?
Rocks Glass: Old Fashioned, Negroni, Sazerac
Highball Glass/Collins Glass: Mojito, Paloma, Tom Collins
Coupe Glass: Manhattan, Boulevardier, Gimlet
For tasting whiskey
Tools
These bar tools help make the process easier and fun, but aren't all necessary to make a great cocktail.
Recipes
My go-tos - I usually have all ingredients to make any one of these at any given time
Whiskey-based, spirit forward
Gin-based, light and refreshing for summer nights
Tequila-based
Gin-based, spirit forward, but we make ours sweet with Aperol instead of Campari
Rum-based, citrus shaken drink, one of the best ways to show off your rum.