How to start you own personal bar ?

A lot of people are writing to me asking : what bottles do i need to build a complete bar ? the answer is simple, it depend on you budget. I will present you a few options you can have depending on the money you want to invest and your personal taste. 

The first option is a 50 $ cocktail bar.

You will need a Boston shaker with a strainer, a bar spoon and some measuring shot glass 1oz and 0.5 oz. it will probably cost around 20 $ You will also need a couples of bottle. I suggest you a bottle of gin 750 ml + a bottle of vermouth around 350 ml. So you will be able to make  Martinis, gimlets, gin and tonics, tom collinses and gin rickeys. But you will also need to buy lime, soda water, tonic water, syrup and fresh fruits. 

The second option is a 100 $ cocktail bar.

In the second one you will have to buy a shaker set, 750 ml. bottle gin, 750 ml. bottle bourbon, 750 ml. bottle white rum, a manual squeeze citrus juicer, 4 oz. bitter bottle, 375 ml. vermouth. With this one you will be able to make a lot of the most popular and known drinks such as Cuba libre, Daiquiris, mojitos, margaritas, gin tonic ect… don’t forget to buy inexpensive things like lemons, limes, mint leaves, soda and tonic water, cola, and sugar. Cherry or green olives are a great idea to add some prestige to your drinks. 

Continually upgrade you bar

So if you’re already having a shaker and a couples of good bottles you can still add some bottles to your bar by buying bottles like citrus liqueur like Grand Marnier or blue curaçao. I will present you the few bottles you can add to you bar if you are already well installed. You will probably want to buy a good bottle of scotch, a bottle of tequila, some bottles of citrus liqueur like Cointreau, triple sec or curaçao. Don’t buy more than 2 citrus liqueurs. I personally suggest you to buy a blue curaçao bottle and a Grand Marnier bottle because they are my personal favorites.

You will also want to buy some applejack like Apfelkorn or something of that kind. It will allow you to make some sour green apple cocktails. In addition to that a good bottle of dark rum or spiced rum is a great idea.

If you don’t want to buy a lot of bottle you can go for the fab four. These are some of the most used bottles in modern cocktails. It include a good citrus liqueur like Cointreau, a bottle of Campari, a bottle of maraschino liqueur and a bottle of herb liqueur like green Chartreuse. 

This is probably all you will need to set up a good cocktail bar. you can shortcut some of the bottles by buying some ready mix cocktails but they never taste as good as real recipes one. dont forget to enjoy drinking responsibly and keep in mind that even if a cocktail is sweet as juice its not and that you sould not over drink alcohol. 

Easy Punch Cocktail Recipe

These colorful punches are easy to make and will give your party a special touch. Most of them are vodka-based punch but there will also be rum-based and gin-based punch. Please enjoy! Make sure you use the amount of alcohol you are comfortable with. 

1- The Frostbite Punch (Gin Based)

This one is sweet, a bit bitter but if you add more lime or lemon juice it will be easier to drink. 

guive : 10 drinks

- in the punch bowl pour,

- 25 oz (750 ml.) of citrus liqueur (blue curaçao guive a better visual effect)

- 15 oz (450 ml.)  of gin or dry gin (beefeater or bambay) 

-add a liter (34 oz) of tonic water,

- 10 oz (300ml.) of lime juice,

ice cubes to keep it cold then it is a good idea to drop some star-fruit slice in the punch. you can also place them on the side of the glass. 

2 - The Captain's punch (Dark rum based)

This one make about 6 drinks. i dont recommand you to make this one in a punch bowl. It will be easier to make it in a pitcher. Serving it will be way faster. 

- In a pitcher pour,

- 10 oz of dark spiced rum. (you can use white rum such as Bacardi but the taste is a bit different and its not Captain's punch anymore...)

- 7 oz of white soda ( Sprite or seven up depending on what you have),

- 5 oz of pineaple juice,

- 5 oz of lime juice,

ice cubes.

Mix gently and add 5 more oz of white soda,

- add lime slices and frozen or fresh rapsberries. 

for this one take care of not adding grenadine. 

3 - The Pavlovka (Vodka Based)

In this one its easier to use a pitcher instead of a punch bowl but you can also do it in a bowl. you will have around 6 drinks. dont forget to cool the punch before serving it. 

-In a pitcher pour,

- 10 oz of vodka,

- 3 oz of citrus liqueur (blue curaçao or grand marnier),

- 12 oz of orange juice

- 12 oz of grape fruit juice (if you dont want you can put only one kind of juice) 

- mix then add a bit of grenadine for the color effect,

- add ice and fruit slice like lemon, lime, star-fruit or even grapefruit.

serve in some tall glass with cherry and straw. Enjoy !

The Best Vodka ?

Smirnoff, Kettel One, Absolut Vodka ... The list is long when it comes time to choose what vodka is best suited for the use that you want to do . In fact, there is the global market more than 4000 different brands of vodka. In this short note we only interested in the best known. Here is a simple little guide that will help you find your way in terms of vodka.

Originally from Poland , vodka has changed since its first release . most of the time it is a water- life potato and grain vodka but some are creative in using other ingredients.

There in the first place , premium and non- premium vodkas

These are super-premium vodka . The manufacturers of these vodkas use the best ingredients to concoct pure vodka . it is not uncommon for these vodkas are made ​​up with water from glaciers. These vodkas are not a priority for making cocktails for their purity will be lost.

Good examples of this type of vodka are , Grey Goose
                                                                         Kamouraska Vodka
                                                                         Stolichnaya
                                                                         Zyr
                                                                         hangar One

Then there are the so-called standard vodkas

These vodkas are much more affordable than the premium and non -premium vodkas . They are made with less care for the purity of the product and have more raw flavors . Without fear they may be used to make a variety of cocktails but they can still be consumed pure .

The best of this range of vodka are: Russian Standard Vodka
                                                                                      Moskovskaya
                                                                                      Smirnoff

He finally has infused or flavored vodkas

These vodkas have been a brewing process to give them the taste of a very specific aromatic. vodka can thus offer rich flavors of orange , mint , coffee where any other flavors you want.

Some bartender will infuse them even small amount of vodka to offer their exceptional cocktails keys.

These vodkas are often homemade but some large company to offer products quite popular raspberry. These commercial flavored vodkas are targeted at a young audience unfamiliar with the sweet aroma of vodkas better.


In short,

The shelves of your favorite merchant is certainly rife with different vodka. Now that you are more familiar with the different types of Polish water spirits will help you enjoy this guilty pleasure . Remember, drink responsibly!

Red Voivod Cocktail

Serve this one in a typical martini glass. a good idea of cocktail for your halloween party !

In a shaker,

- pour 1 oz of vodka
- 1 oz of dry gin
- 1/2 oz of anise liqueur (sambuca)
- 1 oz of grenadine
- 2 or 3 ice cubes

shake vigourously for 8 to 10 seconds then,

pour in a martini glass and,
-add a blood orange slice on the side of the glass,

Happy halloween everybody and remember to drink responsibly !

Amaretto shadow

All the flavour of amaretto with a touch of fruity bubbles. enjoy !

In a regular glass,

- pour 2 oz of Amaretto,

- 2 oz of soda,

- 1 oz of lemon or lime juice, (taste better with lemon)

- add ice and lemon slices, 

- (optional) add citrus liqueur like grand marnier or cointreau

Strawberry Margarita

If you want to try something different than the traditionnal margarita i suggest you to try this version of the drink. Its a sweet and sour cocktail. 

In a shaker filled with ice,

- pour 3 oz oz of tequila,
- 1 oz of cointreau
- about 2 oz of lime juice,
- 2 oz of strawberry syrup.

shake it then remove the ice,

- pour in a glass,
- add a strawberry.

Cross-over Drink

So here is a unique one. 

- In a shaker

- 1 1/2 oz of you favorite herbal liqueur, 

- 1/2 oz of peach juice,

- 3 oz of red berry juice,

- 2-3 ice cubes

Shake vigourously for 5 to 10 seconds then,

- pour un a glass and add 3 fresh raspberries

 

La meilleure Vodka ?

Smirnoff, Kettel One, Absolut Vodka... La liste est longue quand vient le temps de choisir quelle vodka est la mieux adaptés a l'usage que l'on souhaite en faire. En fait, il y a sur le marché mondial plus de 4000 marques distinctes de vodka. dans ce court billet nous nous intéresseront seulement aux plus connues.  Voici donc un petit guide simple qui vous aidera a vous y retrouver en terme de vodka. 

Originaire de Pologne, la vodka a bien changé depuis sa première version. la plupart du temps elle consiste en une eau-de-vie de pomme de terre et de céréales mais certaines vodka font preuve de créativité en utilisant d'autres ingrédients.

Il y a en premier lieu, les vodkas premium et extra-premium

Ce sont des vodkas de qualité supérieure. Les fabricants de ces vodkas utilisent les meilleurs ingrédients pour concocter des vodkas pures. il n'est pas rare que ces vodkas soient confectionnées avec l'eau de glaciers. Ces vodkas ne sont pas a privilégier pour la confection de cocktails car leur pureté serai perdue. 

De bons exemples de ce  type de vodka sont ; Grey Goose

                                                                         Kamouraska Vodka

                                                                         Stolichnaya

                                                                         Zyr

                                                                         Hangar One

Viennent ensuite les vodkas dites standard

Ces vodkas sont bien plus abordables que les vodkas premium et extra-premium. Elles sont fabriqués avec moins de soin pour la pureté du produit et ont des arômes plus brut. On peut sans crainte les utiliser pour fabriquer une foule de cocktails toutefois elles peuvent tout de même être consommée pure. 

Les meilleurs produits de cette gamme de vodka sont : Russian standard Vodka

                                                                                      Moskovskaya 

                                                                                      Smirnoff

Il y a finalement les vodkas infusés ou aromatisés

Ces vodkas ont fait l'objet d'un procédé d'infusion visant à leur donner la saveur d'un aromate bien spécifique. une vodka peut ainsi offrir de riches saveurs d'orange, de menthe, de café où de tout autre autres saveurs voulu. 

Certains barman vont infuser eux même de petite quantité de vodka afin d'offrir a leurs cocktails des touches exceptionnelles. 

Ces vodkas sont souvent de fabrication artisanale mais certaines grandes société offrent des produits à la framboise assez populaire. Ces vodkas aromatisés commerciales s'adressent principalement à un public jeune et peu familiarisé avec les doux arômes des vodkas de meilleure qualité. 

En bref,

Les étalages de votre marchand favoris sont certainement truffés de différentes vodka. Maintenant que vous êtes mieux familiarisé avec les différents type d'eau-de-vie polonaise vous pourrez mieux apprécier ce plaisir coupable. N'oubliez pas, Buvez avec modération !

           

Sour Green Apple Cocktail

Here is a special one, take care of  dipping your apple alices in lemon juice quickly after you cut them. 

- In a shaker,
- 2 oz of vodka
- 5 oz of filtered apple juice
- 2 oz of apfel korn,
- ice and, lime juice

shake it then,

- pour in a high glass
- add a green apple slice on the side of the glass

enjoy !

MARTINIS

For the first post on this blog i will guive you a couple of recipes for differents kind of martinis. These recipes have been selected for their taste, look and how simple they are to produce. They will guive your party a different touch.

1 - The Maple 

- In a shaker,
- 1 oz of your favorite irish cream liquor, I generaly use Bailey's by the way,
- 1/2 oz of maple syrup,
- 1/2 oz of Canadian Club Premium Whisky, don't use american whiskey !
- Ice.

shake,

- Use a filter to remove the ice,
- Pour in a martini glass and add some cocoa powder,
- Enjoy ! you can also prepare it with coffee, keep it hot (no ice) and put it in a regular size coffee cup. 

                   
2 - The Blues

- Directly in the glass pour,
- 1 oz of Grand Marnier
- 1/2 oz of cassis cream

Then,

- Fill the rest of the glass with Club Soda,
- Add two or three blue berries

3 - Martini Blanc

- In a shaker,
- 1 oz of your favorite vodka,
- 1 oz of lychee liqueur, I personally use Soho,
- squeeze 1 lime wedge and add 2 or 3 ice cubes,

Shake it then remove the ice and pour in a martini glass

- Add one fresh or canned whole lychee for the look,

4 - The Green wizard

- In a shaker, pour 1/2 oz of dry gin,
- Add 1 oz of green absinthe or of Chartreuse (taste stronger with Chartreuse)
- 1 oz of white cranberry juice
- Ice cubes and a green minth leaf

Shake it then remove the ice and pour in a martini glass,

- Add a slice of kiwi or a green olive on a tooth pick

5 -  Silver red martini

- in a shaker pour,
- 1oz of white rum (Bacardi for example)
- 1/2 oz of almond liqueur,
- 1 oz of grapefruit juice in wich you add sugar,
- Ice and strawberry syrup,

shake then remove ice,

- pour in the glass,
- add a slice of pink grape fruit or frozen strawberries,

I hope this easy guide helped you, guive me your comments and see you soon for another top five cocktail guide.