The dream of owning your own well-stocked bar, where you can make a classic drink after a hard day or surprise your guests with an elegant cocktail, is closer than you think. However, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed at the beginning of the journey – hundreds of bottles on store shelves can discourage anyone. The key is not quantity, but quality and versatility. In this guide, we’ll show you how to complete the perfect home bar, starting with just five key bottles.
The foundation of every bar – versatile premium vodka
We start with the absolute basics. Pure, high-quality vodka is the backbone of countless cocktails. Its neutral character makes it an ideal base that blends perfectly with other flavors. It’s worth investing in a bottle that is not only versatile, but smooth enough to drink in minimalist combinations.
Our choice: Roberto Cavalli Vodka. Why go. It’s synonymous with Italian craftsmanship. Made from the finest quality wheat and crystal clear water, then filtered through flakes of Italian Carrara marble. The result is an incredibly smooth and clean taste that will elevate any drink, from a simple Vodka & Tonic to a dry Martini.
King of cocktails – aromatic gin
If vodka is the foundation, then gin is the soul of the modern bar. Its botanical, complex character opens the door to the world of the most iconic cocktails. A good gin should be flavorful and balanced, offering more than just a juniper taste.
Our choice: Portofino Dry Gin. This gin is a trip to the Italian Riviera. It features as many as 21 botanical ingredients, many of which are hand-picked in the hills of Portofino. Notes of juniper, lemon, lavender and rosemary create an incredibly fresh and Mediterranean profile. It’s the perfect choice for a classic Gin and Tonic, which, garnished with a sprig of rosemary, will transport you straight to sunny Italy.
Something for refreshment – an elegant aperitif
Your home bar needs something perfect to welcome guests or as a base for light, refreshing drinks on a sunny afternoon. This is where aperitifs come to the rescue – a category of spirits designed to stimulate the appetite and set the mood.
Our choice: Pampelle Grapefruit Aperitif. This is a modern alternative to the popular Italian classics. This French aperitif owes its unique, bittersweet flavor to Star Ruby red grapefruit, hand-picked in Corsica. Its beautiful ruby color and citrus character make it the perfect base for the simple and trendy Pampelle Spritz cocktail.
A moment of respite – cognac for tasting
Every complete home bar should have a bottle that is not meant for mixing, but for slow, relaxed tasting. Something that can be poured into a glass after dinner to enjoy the richness of flavor and aroma in peace. Cognac is made for that.
Our choice: Château de Montifaud VSOP. It’s a great start into the world of high-quality cognacs. Produced for generations by the Vallet family, it offers everything you’d expect from a good Cognac: notes of ripe fruit, vanilla and oak. Served at room temperature in an appropriate glass, it makes a perfect, elegant finale to an evening.
Bubbly for every occasion – dry prosecco
Nothing emphasizes the uniqueness of the moment like a bottle of good sparkling wine. Irreplaceable for toasts, but also extremely versatile as an ingredient in cocktails. Prosecco Extra Dry is an absolute “must have”.
Our choice: Lamborghini Extra Dry Prosecco D.O.C. Treviso. A prestigious brand and excellent quality in one. This prosecco is crisp, with pleasant notes of fruit and flowers. It’s ideal for drinking solo, as an aperitif, but also essential for making the aforementioned Pampelle Spritz. This shows how a well thought out five-bottle set allows for many combinations.
Your home bar is ready – what’s next?
Congratulations! These five bottles are a solid and versatile base on which you will build your dream home bar. With this set you will easily prepare a dozen different classic drinks and cocktails. What’s next. Be sure to complement your bar with a few key accessories: fresh citrus (lemons and limes are a must), good quality ice, several types of glassware, and a simple bartender’s kit (shaker, jigger, strainer).
Start your adventure with homemade cocktails, you can find all these unique drinks in our store. Cheers!