I enjoy the occasional bourbon, usually in an Old Fashioned. Jim Beam or Maker's Mark are pretty good (and affordable) brands.
As for beer, I like mine on the hoppy side, IPAs. I know that's trendy but it's what I enjoy. There are thousands of breweries North America, so go to a store with a good selection and start trying different things.
Same for wine. I would spend US $12 and up on a bottle. You don't have to go nuts on price but have a price floor so you don't get crap. Make sure the label has no ferocious animals on it - that's a bad sign. :crackup: Easy-to-drink wines include reds like Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, and Chianti. They're light and not too dry usually. Whites like Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio can be good too. I'm no expert, just telling you what I like. Of course there are sweet/desert wines like Moscato and Port. Not my cup of tea though. The occasional sparkling wine is good - sparkling rose, Prosecco, and of course Champagne. Women love those so keep a bottle chilled.
For a simple bar, get the following basics:
- 1 bottle of Angostura bitters
- 1 shaker
- 1 muddler
- 1 small ice bucket with tongs
- Set of wine, champagne, and highball glasses. You can get things like this cheap at stores like Burlington Coat Factory (in the US anyway) or Target.
- Some beer pint glasses.
- Bottles of: Bourbon, tequila, vodka, and rum.
- A copy of
Mr. Boston.
- Miscellany like orange peeler, small sugar bowl, mixing straws, jar of maraschino cherries, a couple of small things of orange juice, etc.
If you want a simple "bar," look on sites like O.co for baker's racks. I bought a faux wrought iron baker's rack for around $100 there. It has a wine rack, and plenty of space for everything described above, but takes up very little space overall.
Bottoms up! Have fun.
