What should I stock my bar with?

Hello all, I'm new!

I'm planning on making a run to Beverages & More this weekend, and I'd like to stock up on some basic liquors to make tiki drinks. Can anyone give me some suggestions? The only tiki-esque things I currently have in my possession are coconut rum, Captain Morgan Tattoo, Rock Candy syrup, and some really terrible Pina Colada mix. I'm planning on buying some pineapple rum and I'm assuming creme de coconut and pineapple juice is a good idea, too. Maybe some little umbrellas if I'm feeling spendy.

Thanks in advance!

[ Edited by: nkash001 2008-12-12 14:01 ]

This article linked below, plus the comments that follow, might give you some ideas. Basically, figure out what drinks you want to make and get the ingredients to make those.

http://drinkboston.com/2007/06/23/how-to-stock-a-tiki-bar/

There are several posts out there on this topic, heres a link to one.

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=20864&forum=10&hilite=home%20bar%20stock

p.s. welcome to TC and don't be afraid of that "search tiki central" feature!

[ Edited by: Bohemiann 2008-12-12 15:19 ]

On 2008-12-12 15:17, Bohemiann wrote:
There are several posts out there on this topic, heres a link to one.

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=20864&forum=10&hilite=home%20bar%20stock

p.s. welcome to TC and don't be afraid of that "search tiki central" feature!

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[ Edited by: Bohemiann 2008-12-12 15:19 ]

Thanks! Yeah, I searched, but I wasn't really sure what terms to use. I'll be more careful about posting any duplicates in the future.

On 2008-12-12 15:16, arriano wrote:
This article linked below, plus the comments that follow, might give you some ideas. Basically, figure out what drinks you want to make and get the ingredients to make those.

http://drinkboston.com/2007/06/23/how-to-stock-a-tiki-bar/

That's PERFECT. Thank you so much!

check out the "Tiki Drinks and Food" for recipes on making some of your own mixers as well. Stuff like orgeat, hard to find and easier and Mo betta to make.

On 2008-12-12 16:13, Bohemiann wrote:
check out the "Tiki Drinks and Food" for recipes on making some of your own mixers as well. Stuff like orgeat, hard to find and easier and Mo betta to make.

Will do!

The main thing it sounds like you need is some real rum. Flavored rum is fine to use as a flavoring ingredient, but it should not be used in place actual rum in a drink.

Mai Tais and Pina Coladas should not be made with flavored rum. Make a pina colada with gold rum and coconut cream, not with coconut rum.

In terms of liquor, I would buy the following (in descending order of importance, based on my anecdotal experience with polynesian cocktails):

1. Cruzan gold
2. Cruzan white
3. Myers (or Coruba) dark Jamaican rum
4. Lemon Hart Demerara rum
5. Orange curacao
6. Appleton's V/X (or, if mai tais are your thing, 12 year-old Extra)
7. Pernod or Herbsaint
8. Martinique rum (St. James Hors d'Age or Extra Old)
9. 151 Demerara rum

Also, definitely pick up bitters, orgeat, sugar syrup, cinnamon syrup and vanilla syrup.

With that list filled, you should be able to make a wide assortment of drinks.