The Beginner’s Essential Bar Guide

Interested in becoming your own bartender? Find a helpful guide below that will outline your first steps.

It’s your bar, do what you want with it.

When you first start drinking and learn that you like alcohol, it’s hard to know what to sip. You know you like booze, but…that’s just about all you know. I can relate! When I first turned the magical age of 21, I was more than itching to go out to the bars and try out some new, fancy drinks! When I walked up to that first bartender, and they asked, “What can I get for ya?” all I could say was, “something with vodka…?” I had no idea what the names of cocktails were or what sort of drink I would actually enjoy. What a newbie! After some back and forth with the bartender asking if I liked sweet or tart, fruity or boozy, I finally settled on a “Sex on the Beach” cocktail. Upon trying it, I found that it wasn’t exactly my ‘cup of tea’ but suffered through it because they were charging $12 for the drink! I left the bar with a determination to learn how to create a drink that I could enjoy for a fraction of that cost. That was 2 years ago, and now that I am a cocktail aficionado (and know that gin is my favorite liquor), I would like to pass on my knowledge and offer some direction to you newly legal booze-drinkers! Let’s begin.

In the pages that follow, you will discover a guide designed to support you in becoming the ultimate bartender for your own taste in beverages. To start, you will need to assess what main liquors you enjoy drinking most and choose one or two. These will be: vodka, tequila, gin, rum, brandy or whisk(e)y. You may know your taste in drinks somewhat already and that will help you build the perfect, basic bar in the most efficient, cost-friendly way possible. Personally, I’m a gin, vodka, and rum person, so my bar will look different from those of you who are whisk(e)y, tequila, and brandy people, for example. Under each category of liquor, the total price for that basic stocked bar will be disclosed so that you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into! There will also be a list of cocktail recipes following each group’s ingredients section that will help to give you a running start as you practice making your first cocktails. These drinks will each have their own rating from 1 to 10; 1 being easy to drink (sweeter/weaker) and 10 being a very strong/powerful drink.

Aside from the ingredients listed within each category, you will also need the following basic tools: bar spoon with knobbed end for muddling, cocktail shaker, jigger/measuring tool, and glasses for serving. It’s time to get mixing!

Vodka. You’ll need: A base, mid-tier vodka (such as Skyy or Tito’s), lemon juice, lime juice, triple sec, melon liqueur, tonic water, cranberry juice, and orange juice. You can get these 8 ingredients for around $40.

Vodka cocktails that you will be able to create with this basic stocked bar:

Cape Coddler (2 rating): 2 oz. vodka, 4 oz. cranberry juice, and 1/2 oz. lime juice. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass. If you want to get fancy, squeeze a lime wedge over the drink and drop it in.
Cosmopolitan (7 rating): 1 1/2 oz. vodka, 1 1/2 oz. triple sec, 1 oz. lime juice, and 2 dashes cranberry juice. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass. If you want to get fancy, garnish with a lemon twist.
Kamikaze (8 rating): 2 oz. vodka, 1/2 triple sec, and 1/4 oz. lime juice. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass and drink up!
Lemon Drop (6 rating): 1 1/2 oz. vodka, 1 oz. triple sec, 1 1/2 oz. lemon juice, and 1/2 oz. orange juice. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass. If you’re looking for a little flare, rub the rim of your cocktail glass with a lemon wedge and rim with sugar. Garnish with a lemon peel spiral.
Melon Ball (2 rating): 1 oz. vodka, 1 oz. melon liquor, and 4 oz. orange juice. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled wine glass. To make it extra-special, garnish with an orange slice.
Screwdriver (2 rating): 2 oz. vodka and 4-5 oz. orange juice. Pour the ingredients into an ice-filled highball glass and stir. If you’re looking to spice it up, garnish with an orange slice.
Vodka Gimlet (8 rating): 2 oz. vodka, 1 1/2 oz. lime juice. Stir the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. Ta-da!
Vodka Tonic (3 rating): 2 oz. vodka and 3-4 oz. tonic water. Pour vodka into an ice-filled glass and top with tonic water. To take it up a notch, squeeze a lime wedge over your drink and drop it in.
Watermelon (3 rating): 1 oz. vodka, 1 oz. melon liquor, and 2 oz. cranberry juice. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass.

Tequila. You’ll need: A silver tequila (such as Jose Cuervo or Hornitos), a gold tequila (such as Jose Cuervo or Margaritaville), simple syrup, triple sec, lime juice, lemon juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, club soda, grenadine, and bitters. You can get these 11 ingredients for around $60.

Tequila drinks you will be able to create with this basic stocked bar:

Chapala (7 rating): 1 1/2 oz. silver tequila, 1/4 oz. triple sec, 1 oz. orange juice, 1/2 oz. lemon juice, and 1/4 oz. grenadine. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass. If it’s class you want, garnish with an orange slice.
La Bomba (6 rating): 1 oz. gold tequila, 1/2 triple sec, 1/2 oz. pineapple juice, 1/2 oz. orange juice, and 2 dashes grenadine. Shake the tequila, triple sec, pineapple juice, and orange juice together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass. Float the grenadine on top.
La Conga (6 rating): 2 oz. silver tequila, 1/4 oz. pineapple juice, 3 dashes bitters, and 3-4 oz. club soda. Pour the tequila, pineapple juice, and bitters into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass. Top with club soda and stir. If you have it on hand, add a lemon slice to the rim of your glass.
Matador (6 rating): 1 1/2 oz. gold tequila, 3 oz. pineapple juice, and 1/2 oz. lime juice. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass.
Margarita (7 rating): 1 1/2 oz. silver tequila, 1 1/2 oz. lime juice, and 1 oz. triple sec (optional: 1/2 oz. simple syrup). Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled margarita or old-fashioned glass. If you’re wanting a more traditional look, rub a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and salt the rim. Squeeze the lime over your finished drink and drop it in.
Tequila Fizz (6 rating): 2 oz. silver tequila, 1 oz. lime juice, 1/4 oz. simple syrup, and 2-3 oz. club soda. Shake the tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass and top with club soda. Stir gently. Enjoy!
Tequila Sour (8 rating): 1 1/2 oz. tequila (silver or gold), 1 oz. lemon juice, and 1/2 oz. simple syrup. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a sour glass or champagne flute. If you want to be fancy, add a cherry.
Tequila Sunrise (2 rating): 1 1/2 oz. silver tequila, 6 oz. orange juice, and 1/2 oz. grenadine (optional: 2-3 oz. club soda). Pour tequila and orange juice into an ice-filled highball glass and stir. Float the grenadine on top and let it descend into the drink. Top with club soda, if desired.
Tijuana Taxi (7 rating): 2 oz. tequila (silver or gold), 1 oz. lemon juice, 1 oz. orange juice, 1 oz. triple sec, and 1/2 oz. simple syrup. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass. To take it up a notch, rub the rim of your glass with a lemon wedge and rim with sugar. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Gin (This is my liquor of choice so if you don’t trust me elsewhere, trust me in this category). You’ll need: A base, mid-tier gin (such as Seagram’s, Beefeater, or Greenalls), simple syrup, triple sec, dry vermouth, lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, club soda, tonic water, and grenadine. You can get these 10 ingredients for around $50.

Gin drinks you will be able to create with this basic stocked bar:

Chelsea Sidecar (8 rating): 2 oz. gin, 1 oz. triple sec, and 1/2 oz. lemon juice. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass. If you want to impress yourself, rub the rim of your glass with a lemon peel and garnish with a lemon twist.
Gin and Sin (8 rating): 2 oz. gin, 1/4 oz. orange juice, 1/4 oz. lemon juice, and 2 dashes of grenadine. Stir all ingredients together in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass.
Gin and Tonic (3 rating): 2 oz. gin and 4 oz. tonic water. Pour the gin into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass and top with the tonic water. Stir well. To make this drink extra special, squeeze a lime wedge over the drink and drop in.
Classic Gimlet (8 rating): 1 1/4 oz. gin and 1 1/4 oz. lime juice. Stir the ingredients together in a mixing glass wtih ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. To spice it up a bit, squeeze a lime wedge into the drink.
Gin Fizz (3 rating): 2 oz. gin, 1 oz. lemon juice, 1/4 oz. simple syrup, and 2-3 oz. club soda. Shake the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Top with club soda and stir gently. For a special twist on this drink, substitute champagne in place of the club soda.
Gin Sling (3 rating): 2 oz. gin, 1/2 triple sec, 1/2 oz. lemon juice, and 3-4 oz. club soda. Shake the gin, triple sec, and lemon juice together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass and top with club soda. Stir gently. To add some shine, squeeze a lemon wedge over the drink and drop it in.
Imperial Gin (4 rating): 2 oz. gin, 1 oz. lemon juice, 1 oz. lime juice, and 2-3 oz. club soda. Shake the gin, lemon and lime juices together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass and top with club soda. Stir gently. If you want to impress someone, garnish with a lemon peel spiral.
Classic Martini (9 rating): 2 oz. gin and 1/2 oz. dry vermouth. Stir the gin and vermouth in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. To get fancy, add an olive. For a Dry Martini, use 1/4 oz. of vermouth instead of 1/2 oz and no olive.
Maiden’s Prayer (7 rating): 1 oz. gin, 1 oz. triple sec, 1/2 oz. lemon juice, 1/2 oz. orange juice. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass. To get on another level, twist an orange peel over the drink and drop it in.
Tom Collins (3 rating): 2 oz. gin, 1 oz. lemon juice, 1/2 oz. simple syrup, and 3 oz. club soda. Pour the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup into an ice-filled collins glass. Top with club soda and stir gently. If you have them on hand, add a lemon slice and cherry.

Rum. You’ll need: A light rum (Captain Morgan or Bacardi), a dark rum (Captain Morgan or Sailor Jerry), simple syrup, maraschino liqueur, triple sec, lime juice, orange juice, lemon juice, club soda, cola, grenadine, and mint leaves. You can get these 12 ingredients for around $60.

Rum drinks you will be able to create with this basic stocked bar:

Acapulco (7 rating): 1 1/2 oz. light rum, 1/2 oz. triple sec, 1/2 oz. lime juice, and 1/2 oz. simple syrup. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass or over ice in an old-fashioned glass. If you’re trying to get serious, add a mint sprig.
Casablanca (8 rating): 2 1/2 oz. light rum, 1/2 oz. triple sec, 1/2 oz. maraschino liqueur, and 1/2 oz. lime juice. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass.
Rum & Coke/Cuba Libre (2 rating): 2 oz. rum (light or dark) and 4-6 oz. cola. Pour rum into an ice-filled highball glass and top with cola. For a traditional Cuba Libre, squeeze a lime half over the ice in your glass before adding the rum.
Cuban Sidecar (8 rating): 1 oz. light rum, 1 oz. triple sec, and 1 oz. lime juice. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass. To add some pizazz, twist a lime peel over the drink and drop it in.
Classic Daiquiri (7 rating): 2 oz. light rum, 1 oz. lime juice, and 1/2 oz. simple syrup. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass. To impress your friends, garnish wtih a lime slice.
Florida Special (6 rating): 1 1/2 oz. gold rum, 1/4 oz. triple sec, 1/4 oz. maraschino liqueur, and 3/4 oz. orange juice. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass.
Havana Sidecar (8 rating): 1 1/2 oz. gold rum, 3/4 oz. triple sec, and 3/4 oz. lemon juice. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass.
Mojito (4 rating): 1 oz. lime juice, 1 tablespoon sugar, 6-8 fresh mint leaves, 2 oz. light rum, and 3 oz. club soda. In the bottom of a highball glass, muddle together the lime juice, sugar, and mint leaves until sugar is dissolved. Fill the glass with ice and add the rum. Top with club soda and stir gently. Serve with a straw.
Pedro Collins (2 rating): 2 oz. light rum, 1 oz. lime juice, 1 tablespoon sugar/1 oz. simple syrup, and 3-4 oz. club soda. Pour the rum, lime juice, and sugar/simple syrup into an ice-filled collins glass. Top with club soda and stir gently. If you want to make it really shine, garnish with a lime slice and cherry.

Brandy. You’ll need: A classic brandy (such as Korbel or Hennessy VS Cognac), simple syrup, triple sec, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, lime juice, lemon juice, orange juice, club soda, bitters, and grenadine. You can get these 11 ingredients for around $60.

Brandy drinks you will be able to create with this basic stocked bar:

Alabama (7 rating): 1 oz. brandy, 1 oz. triple sec, 1/2 oz. lime juice, and 1/2 teaspon sugar. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass. For a special touch, twist an orange peel over the drink and drop it in.
Brandy Cobbler (4 rating): 2 oz. brandy, 1/2 oz. simple syrup, and 2 oz. club soda. Pour the brandy and simple syrup into an ice-filled wine-glass. Top with club soda and stir gently. To make it ideal, garnish with a cherry and orange slice.
Brandy Rickey (3 rating): 2 oz. brandy, 1/2 oz. lime juice, and 3-5 oz. club soda. Pour the brandy and lime juice into an ice-filled highball glass. Top with club soda and stir gently. To take it up a notch, squeeze a lime wedge over the drink and drop it in.
Brandy Sour (5 rating): 2 oz. brandy, 3/4 oz. orange juice, and 1/2 oz. simple syrup. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a sour glass or wine-glass. To make it fit for royalty, garnish with a cherry and orange slice.
Chicago Cocktail (9 rating): 1 1/2 oz. brandy, 1/4 oz. triple sec, 1 dash bitters. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass. For a major upgrade, rub the rim of your cocktail glass with a lemon wedge and rim with sugar.
Harvard Cocktail (7 rating): 1 1/2 oz. brandy, 3/4 oz. sweet vermouth, 1/2 oz. lemon juice, 1/4 oz. grenadine, and 1 dash of bitters. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass.
Metropolitan (7 rating): 1 1/2 oz. brandy, 1 1/2 oz. sweet vermouth, 1/2 oz. simple syrup, and 2 dashes of bitters. Stir all ingredients together in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. To make a good impression, garnish with a cherry.
Olympic (6 rating): 1 oz. brandy, 1 oz. triple sec, 1 oz. orange juice, and 1/4 oz. lemon juice. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass. To make a statement, twist an orange peel over the drink and drop it in.
Sidecar (8 rating): 1 1/2 oz. brandy, 3/4 oz. triple sec, 3/4 oz. lemon juice. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass. For a special treat, rub the rim of your cocktail glass with a lemon wedge and rim with sugar. Twist a lemon peel over the top of the drink and drop it in.

Whisk(e)y. You’ll need: A bourbon (such as Evan Williams or Jim Beam) or a base whisk(e)y (such as Jack Daniels), simple syrup, triple sec, Southern Comfort, sweet vermouth, lemon juice, lime juice, cranberry juice, ginger ale, club soda, bitters, and grenadine. You can get these 12 ingredients for around $60.

Whisk(e)y drinks you will be able to create with this basic stocked bar:

Bourbon Crusta (9 rating): 2 oz. bourbon, 1/2 oz. triple sec, and 1/2 oz. lemon juice. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a sour glass or wine-glass. To get on another level, rub the rim of your glass with a lemon wedge and rim with sugar.
Blizzard (5 rating): 3 oz. bourbon/whisk(e)y 1 oz. cranberry juice, 1/2 oz. lemon juice, and 1 oz. simple syrup. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass. If you have it on hand, garnish with a lemon slice.
Bourbon Sling (2 rating): 2 1/2 oz. bourbon, 1/2 oz. Southern Comfort, 1/2 oz. lemon juice, and 5 oz. club soda. Shake the bourbon, Southern Comfort, and lemon juice together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Top with club soda and stir gently. To make it special, squeeze a lemon wedge over the drink and drop it in.
Canadian Cocktail (8 rating): 2 oz. blended whisk(e)y, 1/2 oz. triple sec, 1/4 oz. simple syrup, and 2 dashes of bitters. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass or cockail glass.
Delta (6 rating): 1 1/2 oz. blended whisk(e)y, 1/2 oz. Southern Comfort, 1/2 oz. lime juice, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass. If you have it on hand, garnish with an orange and/or peach slice.
Derby (8 rating): 1 1/2 oz. blended whisk(e)y, 1/2 oz. sweet vermouth, 1/2 oz. triple sec, and 1/2 oz. lime juice. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass.
Horse’s Neck/Whisk(e)y-Ginger (3 rating): 2 1/2 oz. whisk(e)y/bourbon and 3-5 oz. ginger ale. Fill a highball glass with ice and pour the whisk(e)y over it. Top with ginger ale and stir briefly. To elevate this drink, place a lemon peel spiral in the glass before adding the ice.
John Collins (2 rating): 2 oz. bourbon, 1 oz. lemon juice, 1/2 oz. simple syrup, and 5 oz. club soda. Shake the bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled collins glass. Top with club soda and stir gently. If you have it on hand, garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.
Manhattan (8 rating): 2 oz. bourbon/whisk(e)y 3/4 oz. sweet vermouth, 2-3 dashes of bitters. Stir all the ingredients together in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry if you have it on hand. For a Southern Comfort Manhattan, substitute the bourbon/whisk(e)y for Southern Comfort (2 rating).
Mississippi Mist (5 rating): 1 1/2 oz. bourbon/whisk(e)y and 1 1/2 oz. Southern Comfort. Pour both ingredients into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass and stir well.
New Yorker (6 rating): 1 1/2 oz. bourbon, 3/4 oz. lime juice, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 dash of grenadine. Pour the bourbon and lime juice into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass. Add the sugar and grenadine, stir well. To make a glamourous move, twist a lemon and orange peel over the drink and drop them in.
Old Fashioned (5 rating): 2 teaspoons sugar, 3 dashes of bitters, and 2 1/2 oz. bourbon/whisk(e)y (2-3 oz. club soda optional). In the bottom of an old-fashioned glass, saturate the sugar with the bitters. Fill the glass with ice, add the bourbon and stir well. Top with club soda, if desired. To make this drink more traditionally, add a bit of lemon zest and an orange peel to the bottom of the glass with the sugar and bitters, muddle, then add the ice.
Scarlett O’Hara (2 rating): 2 oz. Southern Comfort, 2 oz. cranberry juice, 1/2 oz. lime juice, 1/2 oz. lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass.
Whisk(e)y Sour (7 rating): 2 oz. bourbon/whisk(e)y), 3/4 oz. lemon juice, and 1/2 oz. simple syrup. Shake all ingredients together with ice in your shaker. Strain into a sour glass or wine-glass. Garnish with a lemon slice and cherry if you have them on hand.
Whisk(e)y Fizz (3 rating): 2 oz. blended whisk(e)y, 1 oz. lemon juice, 1/2 oz. simple syrup, and 3-5 oz. club soda. Shake the whisk(e)y, lemon juice, and simple syrup together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Top with club soda and stir gently. To make it extra special, squeeze a lemon wedge over the drink and drop it in.
Whisk(e)y Rickey (4 rating): 2 oz. blended whisk(e)y, 1/2 oz. lime juice, 1/4 oz. simple syrup, and 3-5 oz. club soda. Shake the whisk(e)y, lime juice, and simple syrup together with ice in your shaker. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass and top with club soda. Stir gently. Squeeze a lime wedge over the drink and drop it in if you have it available.

I hope this guide helped you explore new drinks, let loose a little, and save some moola while mixing like a skillful bartender at home. If you enjoy making your own cocktails from home, I recommend using an app called Highball by Studio Neat. This application can be downloaded on any Apple device and acts as an easy-to-use, portable drink recipe book! They also provide a library of cocktail recipes within the app that you can import into your saved recipes list, giving you many more drinks to create! I hope you are able to find it helpful as you continue on your at-home bartender journey.

My inspiration for writing this guide comes from a love for mixing and hosting, a calling to share what I know, a book written by Mittie Hellmich called “Ultimate Bar Book” (given as a gift from a good friend), and my friend Xandra, who is always up for creating something interesting to drink! Special thanks to my husband who supports me in every quest I start and my friends and family who are constantly by my side, enjoying time and drinks together. Cheers!