Ok, if you’ve picked up everything I’ve recommended in the previous posts in this Home Bar Basics series and are looking for some guidance on the next step to expand your bar beyond at least one of each of the other bottle categories, here are some extra recommended spirits to help you build a strong core collection for the classics. After these, you should have the ingredients to keep you busy with most of the classic cocktails, and for any missing ingredients, you can use them to drive the evolution of your home bar.

Additional Spirits

• Scotch

The Famous Grouse, Monkey Shoulders

• Brandy

Remy Martin, Pierre Ferrand, Courvoisier

• Tequila

Espolon, Cimarron, Siembra Azul

• Mezcal

Del Maguey Vida, Fidencio Classico

• Anise-based spirit

Absinthe, Pernod, Ricard

Additional Liqueurs

• Benedictine

French herbal liqueur

• Green Chartreuse

French herbal liqueur

• Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
• Luxardo brandied cherries

Pricy but totally worth it

• Falernum

Lime&Clove&Spices, a Tiki necessity. John D. Taylor, BG Reynolds

Additional Cocktails to Make

• Martinez | gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino, bitters
• Margarita | tequila, orange liqueur, lime
• The Last Word | gin, green Chartruse, maraschino, lime
• Vieux Carre | rye, cognac, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, bitters
• Sazerac | rye/cognac, anise spirit, bitters
• Brandy Old Fashioned | brandy, oranges, brandied cherry
• De La Louisiane | rye, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, anise spirit, bitters
• Corn n Oil | rum, falernum, nutmeg
• Hemingway Daiquiri | light rum, grapefruit, lime, maraschino