Home Bar Basics

Whether your going out for a night on town or staying in for night with friends, knowing how to prepare a good cocktail is key in sipping a drink that tastes as it should. I recently hosted a cocktail party for some close friends, and while preparing for the soiree I ultimately created my own at home mini bar which made entertaining a little bit easier and a lot more fun. I started with a perfect little place in mind, a corner of my condo with floor to ceiling windows. The main idea is creating a bar that suites your personal comfort, style, and tastes. Smaller places such as studio apartments and lofts can also provide the ultimate space to entertain in. For the perfect cocktail party, a cabinet can easily be transformed into a minibar and stocked with a few simple basics.

Liquor & Liqueurs 

Gin

Vodka

Rum (light and dark)

Whiskey (bourbon, scotch, and Irish cream)

Cognac or Brandy

Tequila

Wine (red, white and champagne)

Beer (domestic, import, and micro)

Amaretto (almond)

Chamord (raspberry)

Cointreau (orange)

Godiva (chocolate)

Schnapps (various flavors)    

               

Depending on your budget you can purchase more or less, but these staples provide a nice basis for an adequate mini bar.  Add bottles of wine or fancier liqueurs you may have accumulated as gifts and be on the look out for supreme sales at the market. Ultimately you can build up, re-stock, and replenish your at home mini bar as time goes.

 

Mixers & Garnishes:

cola                                                                                          

sprite

club soda                                                                                       

grenadine                                                                                  

lemonade                                                                      

cranberry juice                                                                 

orange juice                                                                             

simple syrup                                                                        

lemon                                                                            

lime                                                                             

sugar                                                                                   

maraschino cherries                                                            

martini olives                                                                          

                                                                                       

Forbidden Love at Zeffirino's

On a journey to find the most fantastic setting for the ultimate in luxury and lifestyle, I found myself swept into a Venetian experience which had literally been transported through time, and in an essence even space.  The award winning dinning experience known as Zeffirino's. One might expect an arduous adventure across the pond to find such a place. But the loveliest thing about this immaculate dining experience was that one doesn't have to journey far to find it. On the contrary a short flight to Vegas and a straight shoot to the Venetian will get you closer to this special gem of a hide away quicker than ever. Perfectly suited for the lovebirds trying to escape it all or those searching for a relaxing place to unwind for a weekend. So leave the passports at home and head to one of the most romantic places in Vegas. The Venetian Resort. While there be sure to visit Zeffirino's, a fabulous award winning eatery established in 1939 and transported from Italy sixty years later. This lovely bi-level Venetian style restaurant overlooks The Grand Canal  from the second story balcony. Stirring the senses and sweeping guests away to the dreamiest of places. While there with a lover or perhaps looking to find love, something to be experienced when you walk up to the handcrafted imported Italian bar, is the exquisite cocktail called the Amore Veitato or more familiarly known as the Forbidden Love. A most memorable drink designed by Wendy Verdel.

The Amore Veitato 

 

  2 oz. Hendricks gin

 1 oz. blood orange juice 
 Dash simple syrup, 2 strawberries 
4 slices of cucumber

 

Muddle fruit with simple syrup, add gin and blood orange juice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with strawberry, cucumber spiral and orange peel hearts.

So memorable was my experience at Zeffirino's that I made an attempt replicate the drink at home for friends. Still, nothing beats the real deal which is well worth the trip next time you're in Vegas.