2018Q4SpiritedVA - 21

N

o need to juggle shaker tins, pour three shots simultaneously or
flip a bottle-you can still be the master of your own home bar.
Whether you're entertaining or just want to be prepared for relaxing
evenings at home, here are a few tips to equip your home bar for
success, from spirits and mixers to bartenders' tools.

THE SPIRITS

Rum

With a little planning, you can
stock a bar that serves a variety
of drinks. In making your list and
checking it twice, it's helpful to
remember:
* Drinks are no better than the
ingredients used to make them,
so choose the liquors (and mixers)
wisely.
* At the same time, mixers can
overshadow the taste of a liquor,
so don't use your 18 year Scotch
for cocktails-save that gem for
sipping!
* Stock your bar for a variety of
tastes. Start with the ingredients
for your favorite cocktails, and then
purchase the additional ingredients
needed for specialty cocktails on a
future shopping trip.
* Consider the "good, better,
best" approach. If you're on a
tight budget, no worries-there
are plenty of "good" options on
your Virginia ABC store shelves
that can please your palate for
liquors! If money's no object, fix
your sights on the "best," those
premium and limited-release
spirits. And in the middle are the
just-right, "better" options for a
happy compromise.
* And if supporting local
business is your thing, look for
Virginia spirits that tickle the
taste buds and warm the cockles
of your heart.

GOOD: Havana Club Anejo Blanco
White Rum, $19.99
BETTER: Bacardi 8 Rum, $24.99
BEST: Ron Zacapa 23 Year Rum,
$48.99
VIRGINIA PRODUCT: Tidewater Rum,
$24.99

Bourbon
Jim Beam Bourbon, $14.99
Bourbon, $33.99
BEST: Jefferson's Reserve Bourbon,
$52.99
VIRGINIA PRODUCT: John J. Bowman,
$49.99
GOOD:

BETTER: Bulleit

Vodka
GOOD: New

Amsterdam Vodka,

$13.99
BETTER: Absolut

Vodka, $17.99
BEST: Ciroc Vodka, $29.99
VIRGINIA PRODUCT: Cirrus Vodka,
$24.99

Tequila
GOOD: Sauza

Silver Tequila, $14.99
Silver Tequila,

BETTER: Camarena

$22.99
BEST: Avion Silver Tequila, $49.99
VIRGINIA PRODUCT: Dr. Stoner's,
$32.99

Gin
GOOD: Seagram's

Extra Dry Gin,

$9.99
BETTER: Bombay

Sapphire Gin,

$26.99
BEST: Hendrick's Gin, $39.99

SPIRITED VIRGINIA | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2018 21
2018Q4SpiritedVA

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