Strocking your Bar

STOCKING YOUR BAR

Choosing the spirits, liqueurs, mixers, vermouth, and bitters to adorn your back bar can be a daunting exercise; you’ve got the tools to make great drinks, now you need the ingredients. Here are some of the drinks you can start to collect and use in your home bar. We’ve highlighted the products that have made this project possible and have supported the bartenders through the lockdown year. All quality products.

ABSINTHE

Absinthe is not your typical alcohol, and despite its use in the resurgent popularity of the Sazerac, you do not have to use absinthe in the drink. Absinthe can be enjoyed in several ways, one of which is to pour the spirit over a sugar cube and light it on fire, so it caramelises, followed by ice cold water to put it out. Not a must-have but an interesting addition none the less. Check the thujone and wormwood content.

APERITIF & DIGESTIF

Originated from service either before (aperitif) or after (digestif) a meal. These are some of the most historical of drinks, and a bartender favourite.

FERNET BRANCA

Manufactured by Fratelli Branca and formulated in Milan in 1845, it is one of the best known of Italian bitters. Made from a number of herbs and spices, with a base of grape distilled spirits, and coloured with caramel colouring. A bartender favourite call.

JAGERMISTER

Blending 56 botanicals, the highestgrade herbs, blossoms, roots and fruits from around the globe are crafted into 4 distinct macerates, then combined in modern-day alchemy into the herbal spirit.

SUZE

1889 In France Fernand Moureaux had the idea of distilling gentian roots while trying to create an original aperitif based on something other than wine. Since then, Suze has been made using the same traditional methods, with maceration and distillation being the key stages in producing its unique taste. This famous aperitif forms an ideal base for cocktails with its golden colour and hint of bitterness.

BITTERS

An essential behind all bars; you may only use it in dashes, but it imparts a key flavour to numerous drinks in this book. You can opt for the tried and tested brands, or you can look further to explore bitters from numerous producers. See page 34 for more on bitters.

BRANDY / COGNAC / CALVADOS

Brandy is the English translation of ‘brandewijn’ – the Dutch word for burnt wine, referring to the grape based distillation before aging. Cognac is specifically from the Cognac region in France and adheres to the national laws controlling production, much as Champagne is to sparkling wine. Brandy is a must-have behind the bar as it forms the base of many famous cocktails: the Sidecar for example. Calvados is similar in style but comes from apples rather than grapes, giving it a unique flavour.

AVALLEN

Avallen is a floral, fruity, and completely natural Calvados. Apples are the heart using 40 different varieties used from 300 different orchards. Produced entirely in the West of Normandy, Avallen is aged for two years in French oak before being bottled with no added sugar, caramel or boisé.

ST-RÉMY SIGNATURE BRANDY

Subtle and round palate. Virgin woody notes are enriched with honey, nut and butter flavours. Fruity aromas start fresh and then become candied. Sweet spices bring strong roundness and balance.

EAU DE VIE

“Eau De Vie” (known as “water of l ife” in France) dates back centuries. France is revered as its birthplace, but Eau De Vie also stems from Southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Northern Italy. It’s the base spirit that comes from the process of distilling grapes to create alcohol, similar to the first stages of brandy and/or cocgnac. Known for its velvety mouthfeel and exceptional blending qualities.

FEELS BOTANICAL

Feels are the newest and spirited kids to hit the space. This eau de vie drinks like a good Tequila – only much smoother and made from grapes. Less filtration for a natural, cloudy outlook.

GIN

Gin seems like a simple spirit at its most basic, taking its flavour from juniper berries. There are several ways to produce the spirit, several ways to use the spirit, and several origins of the spirit. However, as simple as it may seem, it is one of the most complex spirits you can buy and is used in a lot of classic based cocktails.

NO. 3 GIN

Bright, crisp, and fresh with an uplifting welcome of juniper. Palate: Juniper to the fore, supported by floral notes and spicy, warm cardamom. Plenty of citrus ‘zing’ complemented by the gingery spiciness of coriander. Finish: The earthy dryness of angelica kicks in.

FORDS GIN

The gin, a mix of 9 botanicals, starts with a traditional base of juniper and coriander seed and is balanced by citrus (bitter orange, lemon & grapefruit peel), florals (jasmine flower & orris) and spices (angelica & cassia).

THE WEST WINDS GIN (PLUM)

The flavours in this bright, aromatic gin are led by an undercurrent of citrus with a dominance of juniper, followed by the classic coriander seed. The addition of wattle seed adds a depth to the mid palate and introduces a creamy texture to the gin. Perfect as a classic G&T with lemon to release the intricacies of this uniquely styled gin. Look out for the Plum variant as a unique take on the overall style.

HENDRICKS GIN

The iconic medicine bottle shape of Hendrick’s Gin lets you know that you’re in for a quality gin experience. It is an unexpected infusion of cucumber and rose petals that results in a most iconic gin. Mix with Indian tonic water for the classic G&T or use it in your next martini.

ROKU GIN

Roku Gin is a journey through the four seasons with six unique Japanese botanicals. Sakura Flower, Sakura Leaf, Yuzu Peel, Sencha Tea (Green Tea), Gyokuro Tea (Refined Green Tea), and Sansho Pepper. Each harvested at their peak of season to extract the best flavour to fully embody The Blessings of Nature.

LIQUEURS

The magical category of the drinks cabinet, with secret recipes dating back centuries to monks and herbal medicines. Blends of oils, extracts, creams, fruits and herbs: liqueurs are usually lower in alcohol but full of flavour.

DISARONNO

Disaronno Originale is a type of amaretto—an amber-colored liqueur with a characteristic almond taste. Flavoured by a combination of herbs and spices that are then soaked in apricot kernel oil, the final product is delightfully rich yet delicate.

CHARTREUSE

Chartreuse is an aromatic French liqueur flavoured with 130 herbs. Naturally green colour, it can be served cold or as a fragrant base to cocktails. Possibly the most-famous liqueur with a tightly held secret recipe and still to this day made in

a monastery in the mountains of France by the order of monks that own it.

TIA MARIA

Tia Maria is a Premium Coffee Liqueur made with 100% Arabica Coffee Beans, Madagascar Vanilla and Jamaican Rum. This combination gives Tia Maria a strong coffee flavour and a complex aromatic structure. Tia Maria is best enjoyed on ice or in any coffee cocktail, such as the iconic Espresso Martini.

RUM

At the end of the 15th century, sugar cane made its way to the Caribbean – the world’s prime rum producing region. Widely planted around the European travels, sugar cane flourished best in the warm climes of the Caribbean. Mill workers discovered that when mixed with water and left in the sun, cane-extracted molasses would ferment. And the rest is history…as they say.

MOUNT GAY BLACK BARREL RUM

Aged in charred, American oak barrels for a minimum of two years, producing a marvellous, semi-sweet Rum that has flavours of apricot, banana and vanilla. The barrel ageing gives the Rum a lightly smoked, long lasting finish.

TEQUILA & MEZCAL

The hottest of spirits right now with a resurgence in popularity of drinks such as the margarita. Lockdown saw ‘walking margaritas’ secreted in sport drinks bottles and a new appreciation of the different styles of Tequila that contribute to the cocktail experience. Well made, not overly extracted, Tequila can be appreciated like a fine whisky.

PATRÓN

Patrón Tequila is produced in Mexico from the “maguey” of the blue agave plant. Everything including the barrels, corks, and bottles are handcrafted at their distilleries.Herradurra

HERRADURA

Herradura was founded by Feliciano Roma in 1870, and is the Spanish word for horseshoe; which Roma saw as good luck when setting up the distillery. Since that time Herradura has built a reputation as a Premium Tequila that is said to have introduced ‘rested Tequila’s’ to the world.

SESIÓN

Sesión is produced by Mexico’s most revered Tequila distilleries, providing authentic flavour, premium taste, and a luxury experience to those who enjoy it. Produced from 100% blue agave from the fields of Jalisco, Mexico

VODKA

The term vodka derives from the Slavic word for water ‘voda’. Like any spirit, vodka is produced to suit varying palates across all corners of the globe, so choose your spirits widely. Famously Russian, Polish, Swedish and French – big brands dominate the vodka market.

WHISK(E)Y & BOURBON

The hero of so many well-known cocktails, it’s important to know your Bourbon’s from your Rye and your Scotch from your Irish. The flavour profile and mouthfeel, spice and wood finish all contribute to the overall drink and in the end, contribute a lot more to the character of our cocktail than you may think. Consider if the whisky is blended and the base grain to determine the flavour profile fit for your cocktail.

American Whiskey

GENTLEMAN JACK

Created in 1987 as a tribute Mr Jack Daniel himself, Gentleman Jack is known as “the smoother side of Jack”. Gentleman Jack is charcoal mellowed not once, but twice for ultimate smoothness. Our hand-crafted barrels are matured exclusively on the lower floors of the barrel house where the climate is less intense for a softer, lighter flavour.

American Rye

MICHTERS

Made with select American rye, and flavours of spice with peppery notes, citrus, butterscotch and oak. At 42.4% each bottle comes from a single barrel and is excellent for cocktails.

Bourbon

MAKERS MARK

Maker’s Mark is a unique and fullflavoured, hand-made Bourbon, made using the old-style sour-mash method and sealed with the iconic red wax.

OLD FORESTER

Old Forester delivers a genuine bourbon experience, with rich full flavour and a smooth character that is ideal for sipping neat, on the rocks, with a splash of water or in a classic cocktail. Old Forester - The authentic bourbon without a drop of hype.

Irish

TULLAMORE DEW

First blended in 1829 in the small Irish town of Tullamore in County Offaly, Tullamore DEW takes its name from one of the earliest influencers of the newly established distillery, Daniel E Williams (DEW). It is still one of the most famous Irish whiskeys due to its light and elegant flavours that are best savoured over ice.

SLANE

Smooth, complex and robust. Slane Irish Whiskey marries toasted grain and malt whiskeys with the distinctive flavours of each cask. It is aged in three varieties of casks: Virgin and Seasoned casks raised by hand at the venerated BrownForman Cooperages – and Oloroso sherry casks by way of Jerez in Spain. Once the liquid has been aged to perfection, it is masterfully blended to create an exceptional Irish whiskey.

WATERS & MIXERS

Waters and mixers are just as important as the quality spirit you base your drink around, and the last few years have seen more and more quality products to choose from. Recipes through the book give you the option to make your own purees and syrups, but it’s always nice to have an option where others have done the hard work for you.

MONIN

Monin Gourmet Flavoured Syrups add exceptional flavour to any beverage and is made with premium ingredients. They are available in more than 150 flavours and in nineteen different formats.

VERMOUTH

Possibly the best ‘supporting actor’ on the backbar. This fortified wine is prevalent in numerous classic cocktails as it adds body and complexity to the drink. Rarely the star of the show, but essential when creating quality cocktails, most noteably in a Negroni or a Manhatten. Churchill famously would glance at a bottle of vermouth as his nod to its role in a classic martini.

HOTEL STARLINO

The Starlino range evokes the simple, relaxed elegance of Italian aperitivo hour. Each product is light, fresh, low ABV, mixable and sessionable. A rich red vermouth aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels, with notes of warm fig and dried cherries, and faint hints of spiced gingerbread and bitter orange peel.

GRAPES

INGREDIENTS:

• 45ml Hotel Starlino Rosso Vermouth • 10ml Pisco • 10ml Blanco Verjuice

METHOD: Build all ingredients in mixing glass over ice, stir to dilute and chill. Strain into cold rocks glass.

GARNISH: Dried orange wheel

ICE: Cubed for stirring

GLASS: Rocks