The Summer Bar
While it may not be 100% warm yet I have begun to gear up to summer. And to me, summer means restocking a home bar that has been heavily depleted over winter. I have also been testing out some of the newer products on the kiwi market, most notably Seven Tiki White Rum, a new product made by 42 Below (review to follow).

Here are my essentials for a summer bar:
Amaro - I like Amaro Motenegro (served 1:1 with dark rum and an orange wedge)
Bitters - Angostura is the bare minimum but Orange Bitters are also pretty essential
Bourbon - Makers Mark (for mint juleps)
Brandy/Cognac/Armagnac - for brandy and sodas (simple but delicious in the late evening)
Campari
Dark Rum - Usually Appletons (with mint and apple juice) but I will be trying Tahiti Dark (Seven Tiki’s brother)
Gin - Tanqueray 10 for Martinis, Bombay Sapphire for G&Ts
Limoncello
Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth - Mainly for cooking risotto but also for those who need a martini (I tend to drink them in bars)
Pimms No. 1 Cup
Vodka - It pays to buy decent vodka such as Absolut but there is no point dropping a ton (unless you can afford it - in which case go for it) on Grey Goose or 42 Below
White Rum - Preferably Havana Club or (now) Seven Tiki

And all the non-booze essentials:
Soda, tonic, lemonade, Coke, oranges, lemons, limes, cucumbers, mint and sugar syrup.