The "perfectly" stocked bar...

Hi everyone--newbie here. I've been making a few drinks here and there, and am finally starting on my very own tiki bar. I was wondering if you all had any recommendations on what items to include in my stock--all the ingredients needed to make favorite tiki drinks. Ive been trying to compile a list by going through the recipes, but I thought that asking you guys with all your experience would be faster and easier. I'd appreciate any and all advice. Thanks!

It really depends upon the drinks you want to make. Everyone has their favorite cocktails so no two people are likely to have the same list. I think the rule of thumb is to have ingredients on hand to make 5 or 6 of your fave cocktails, and then add to them as you become more experienced. That said, here's an article that may help (make sure to read the comments after it as they are also helpful, I think):

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

Thanks!! Appreciate the link--some good stuff on there! Def gave me some things to think about

Lilchef, I too am a tiki drink newbie and here's the approach I'm taking;

Read everything you can, TC is a great resource. You can find recipes on the internet but who knows who modified them, Beachbum Berry's books are a more trusted resouce.

Get a few rums within your price range, this link can help. Some people will tell you that you must start with the finest (read "most expensive") ingredients to get the best drinks. And while this is true to a certain extent, there is a reason that student artists don't start with the most expensive paints. As you read though, you will find there are some ingredients that are just NOT acceptable - like bottled lime juice or any Bacardi product :)

Start with some simple drinks, here is a list of some drinks with 5 or less fairly common ingredients. Get comfortable with the recipes and the ingredients.

Sign up with the Grogolizer (it's free!) Here is a TC discussion of the Grogolizer and how to use it. One tip I saw recently by Arriano was to go to the My Bar tab and check off ALL the rums. The Grogolizer will tell you what drinks you can make, then you can think about substituting a different rum that you already have instead of buying 40 different rums that may be similar. I also check off all the fruit juices that I know are readily available, I don't have to have them on hand at all times but can pick them up easily if needed.

Buy lots of cool mugs from the tiki artists on TC (shameless plug :D ), tiki drinks taste SO much better in an awesome tiki mug!

Most of all, HAVE FUN - this is not brain surgery - no one will die if you mess up :lol:

Edited for spelling

Ranked in the top 5 by people who say I'm their favorite artist

[ Edited by: MadDogMike 2010-12-23 09:29 ]