Bar basics

Designing your bar For your next at-home shindig, how about pretending you're on the set of Cocktail and twirling bottles with the flip of a wrist, like Tom Cruise? Here's how to set up your own at-home bar. If you've got cash and space to spare, a built-in bar may be for you. Is there a corner of your finished basement that's just crying out for attention? You can buy online blueprints for your own home bar (barplan.com). This handy site offers seven 3-D plans for US$20. Will it be an “L-shaped monster wet bar” or a simple beer bar? In mahogany, with a granite counter or a mirrored backsplash, perhaps? If you're not a do-it-yourselfer, you'll need a contractor to follow the instructions for you, but the designs will get your creative juices flowing.(You can also find built-ins at many home stores ranging in price from a few hundred to thousands of dollars.)Wall-mounted options (we like what Pottery Barn's got on offer) are less expensive and take up less room than some free-standing models. The shelves and cabinets -- fronted by frosted glass, pressed particle board or real wood -- all hang from the wall, leaving your collection of stemware and drinks visible. Both of these choices are permanent fixtures and require an investment -- and you haven't even bought the booze yet! So if that's not in your budget, consider converting any number of free-standing pieces of furniture into your own wet bar.A narrow upright antique cabinet with glass doors is ideal. Keep attractive bottles of spirits, liqueurs and wine behind the glass; use the shelves underneath for bottles of mix (they're not generally as decorative as the hard stuff). Can't be bothered with even that? Convert a portable kitchen island into an intimate, practical bar space. Choose one with shelves underneath (many come with grooves for wine bottles). The top can hold a selection of bottles (plus glasses and napkins) for your guests to peruse and examine while you get things done in the kitchen. If your guest list is short, a small bistro table can serve the same function well. Remember, your bar doesn't need to be a room unto itself; it's a focal point that in its most basic form just needs some storage and a small surface area for display and serving. Stemware, alcohol, mix and garnishes Once you've decided on the bar, move on to the fun stuff -- stocking it up. Oh, the places you'll shop…The stemwareWhat you need depends on what you have to offer. If that's mostly wine and beer, get glasses to match. But if you have the room and desire for specialty drinks, you'll need to expand your options. Some basics:• Martini glasses • High rollers (for Tom Collins, Long Island Iced Tea) • Small tumblers (for the uncomplicated visitors who need a Scotch on the rocks, say) • Champagne flutes (if you're celebrating with serious toasts)The equipmentA corkscrew and bottle opener, measuring cup, measuring spoons and a jigger are necessary, of course, but you can step it up a notch with a few extras: A martini shaker; a blender for cold, frothy drinks; paring knives for garnishes; a cutting board; an ice bucket; and a salt or sugar rimmer.The alcoholAh, let the games begin! Depending on your taste, stocking up all at once could put a dent in your pocket. So as with your imbibing, take it slow -- a well-stocked bar can take years to build and only gets better with age. Here's what you should consider working toward: • Keep a selection of beer, some standard domestic varieties and a few imported options, as well as some white and red wine. • Vodka (for a Bloody Mary, martini, Salty Dog), gin (gimlets, gin and tonic), Scotch (Rob Roy, Rusty Nail) and rum (daiquiris, mai tais) are basics of many drinks -- for a selection of easy-to-follow recipes, visit cocktailtimes.com.• For the end of the night, have a sweet liqueur on hand (Grand Marnier and flavoured brandy go down smooth).The mixCola and soda, sparkling and tonic water are staples. Fruit juice (lemon, lime, orange, pineapple, cranberry) and some tomato juice or V8 will help, too.GarnishLemons, limes, olives and mint should get you through any event nicely (and throw in a bottle of maraschino cherries just for the kitsch factor).