Buzz
One of the best parts of having your own space is the ability to host gatherings. Whether it’s a lively or a classy dinner with a few close friends, hosting parties is a perfect way to stay connected, meet new people, and show off your hosting skills.
Of course, parties can also come with their share of stress. You might worry that the food won’t be a hit, or that the conversation might fizzle out. And if you’re not much of a drinker, you might stress about disappointing your cocktail-loving friends because you’re not a pro behind the bar. Setting up a home bar can feel overwhelming and costly, but by adopting a simple method used by real bars, you can make it much more manageable: the well.
How to Set Up a Home 'Well' Bar
In a bar, the 'well' refers to a small section behind the bar where basic liquors and mixers are kept. It’s easily accessible to the bartender for quickly preparing a list of standard cocktails. Since these drinks tend to use inexpensive alcohols, 'well drinks' are the more affordable options. If you order a straightforward cocktail, like a “rum and coke,” without specifying a liquor brand, you’re likely being served a well drink.
And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that! While well drinks in real bars can vary, most of them are simple to make and don’t require any advanced bartending skills. In fact, using this method, you can create a wide range of tasty two-ingredient cocktails that are both easy and budget-friendly. This means you can set up a functional home bar without breaking the bank and still satisfy almost anyone’s tastes.
No, you won’t be creating a Commonwealth with a basic home well bar (honestly, if a guest asks for a drink with 71 ingredients, we’d suggest asking them to leave immediately), but you’ll be able to serve all the essentials. No matter what kind of liquor your guests prefer, you’ll be able to whip up something they’ll enjoy with your well setup.
What Goes in a Well
Begin with the core of every cocktail: the liquor itself. You’ll need five basic bottles to start: whiskey, rum, gin, vodka, and tequila. Of course, you could expand with various styles and types (such as bourbon, rye, and scotch), but if you’re keeping it simple and cost-effective, stick to the essentials.
Liquor: When purchasing your bottles, do some research into affordable yet versatile liquors. A great way to figure this out is by visiting a bar during a quiet time and checking what’s in their well (or asking the bartender for recommendations). If that’s not possible, choose popular, well-known brands. Since everything will be mixed, you don't need top-tier liquors with delicate flavors. Standard, mass-market brands will work just fine.
Mixers: To make a successful home bar, flexibility is key, and that starts with the mixers. You only need a few essentials:
Juices. Cranberry and orange juice (for Screwdrivers) are must-haves. Adding grapefruit juice lets you mix up Greyhounds for a fancier option. Lime juice allows you to make a basic Gimlet (although you could skip the simple syrup if needed).
Sodas. Always have cola on hand for classics like whiskey and cola, or even a quick Cuba Libre (just mix any rum with cola). Ginger ale works well with many drinks and adds variety.
Club soda and tonic water, for drinks like scotch and soda, vodka sodas, and gin or vodka tonics.
Vermouth. For a classic Martini, dry vermouth is necessary.
Liqueurs. For a more advanced well, add some liqueurs (spirits flavored with sugar, fruit, or herbs):
Kahlua for a quick Black Russian. You can also have milk available for a White Russian.
Orange liqueur (Triple Sec or Curaçao) to make a simple Margarita. This requires lime juice as well, but it’s still an easy and crowd-pleasing option.
Garnishes. Garnishes add both visual appeal and flavor to cocktails (albeit often subtly). You can use a wide range of garnishes, and having them all is great. However, you can easily get by with just a few: Olives, lemons, and limes are essential for most cocktails. Throw in cocktail onions and Maraschino cherries for some extra variety.
With these essentials in place, you'll be able to mix up a wide array of two-ingredient cocktails. No matter what your guests prefer, you’ll have something to offer them, and you won’t need to be a pro—just follow a few simple rules for mixing drinks (especially if you use more liquor and less mixer).
