THE BAR

The bar should be easily accessible to the kitchen. Choose a long table that is large enough to hold the liquor, ice bucket, glasses,garnishes, mixers, mixes and bar tools*
*which should include the following:

• drink measure, (a jigger) 
• bottle opener, 
• corkscrew, 
• shaker, 
• mixing glass and stirrer, 
• a small strainer, 
• knife, 
• cutting board 
• and a lemon squeezer

If you want to save trips to the kitchen keep extra ice handy in a big insulated ice chest. Place the table at the side of the room with about three feet behind it for manuevering, and away from the food to prevent congestion.

MIXES AND GARNISHES AND CUBES...OH MY!

You'll need mixers for whatever liquor you choose.
these first three are essential

1. club soda
2. gingerale
3. a pitcher of ice water

also popular are:

1. quinine water
2. bitter lemon
3. coke 
4. orange juice
5. tomatoe juice
6. and of course there are the prepared cocktail mixers you can buy at the grocery store

Only one or two bottles of each and your list should be complete.

Garnishes are needed for the party include:

1. olives always pitted
2. maraschino cherries with a stem
3. limes for wedges
4. lemons for peel
5. some orange slices in case someone wants an old fashioned
6. and perhaps a bottle of cocktail onions

Be sure to have enough ice on hand. Figure on 4 ice cubes per drink or a dozen per person. Always have extra. If you store the supply in the refrigerator cover it, as ice will pick up food odors, and Scothch that tastes of broccoli will bother even the most understanding of your friends. When you mix your drinks add the ice first to avoid splashing. Drinks also chill faster when the liqud is poured over the ice cubes.

HELP FOR THE HOME BARTENDER

YOU CAN SET UP A SMOOTH RUNNING DRINKS DEPT WITH THE HELP OF THIS NO NONSENSE GUIDE

Before I start I must admit I have been procrastinating posting this as it is quite lengthy. It may take a couple of posts but I promise it to be informative.
In the mild hysteria that usually precedes an important party, a problem that benumbs and befuddles most normally clear-thinking hosts is how to stock a bar. It can be fairly easy with these helpful calculations gleaned from professionals.

1.  A fifth of liquor will make 16 generous drinks.
2. A quart will make 20
3. you can expect your guests to average 2 drinks each before a dinner party and 3 to 4 at a cocktail party.
4. therefore 15 people for a cocktail party means you'll need about 3 quarts.

Those guests that tend to overdo, will be balanced out by the near tee-totaler who will nurse a single drink all night.

WHAT TO ORDER

If you are entertaining old friends it will be easy to know what to stock up on. However if you have invited some new faces, you may have to deal with new preferences. your best bet is to start with the basics:

1. Scotch
2. vodka
3. gin
4. rye
5. bourbon
6. dry vermouth

Your local liquor store can can give helpful advice as to your particular region. then add a few extras like

1. rum
2. brandy
3. dry sherry
4. sweet vermouth
5. bitters

A word of caution,,,don't underestimate your guests or yourself by serving the cheapest on the theory that people don't notice. They will, but on the other hand there is no reason to fracture your budget either. A good respectable mid priced choice is your best bet.


to be continued on the next post, also coming soon are two of the most bizarre party drinks imaginable...so stay tuned.