Stocking your bar
Choosing the spirits, liqueurs, mixers, vermouth, and bitters to adorn your back bar can be a daunting exercise; you’ve got the tools to make great drinks, now you need the ingredients. Here are some of drinks you can start to collect and use behind your home bar, organised by category. We’ve highlighted the products that have made this project possible and have supported the bartenders. All quality products.
Brandy + Cognac
Brandy is the English translation of ‘brandewijn’ – the Dutch word for burnt wine, referring to the grape based distillation before aging. Cognac is specifically from the Cognac region on France and adheres to the national laws controlling production, much as Champagne is to sparkling wine. Brandy is a must-have behind the bar as it forms the base of many famous cocktails: the Sidecar for example. Calvados is similar in style but comes from apples rather than grapes, giving it a unique flavour.
-
Hine VSOP Cognac
Adventurous, lively & elegant. Hine distills white wines twice with the lees, light-toasted, fine grained oak barrels for rich aromas. Delicate style enhanced by selecting fine French oak casks, accentuating fruity notes over woody ones.
Beer
Beer is one of the oldest and most widely enjoyed alcoholic beverages in the world, with a history dating back thousands of years. Crafted from malted grains, hops, yeast, and water, beer comes in countless styles, from crisp lagers to rich stouts. Its balance of flavors, aromas, and carbonation makes it a versatile drink, perfect for pairing with food or enjoying on its own. Whether brewed using traditional methods or innovative techniques, beer remains a timeless staple in bars and breweries worldwide.
-
Stone and Wood
Inspired by our home on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, we brew our golden hazy Pacific Ale with all Australian barley, wheat and Galaxy hops from Tasmania, which give the beer its big tropical fruit aromas and flavours and refreshment. This is what we’ve long called ‘Byron Bay in a bottle’.
Essentials
Essentials are the backbone of every bartender’s toolkit, covering everything from high-quality mixers to innovative ingredient alternatives. Whether it's a perfectly balanced tonic water to enhance a spirit’s botanicals or an egg white alternative for achieving that signature silky foam, these essentials ensure consistency, efficiency, and creativity behind the bar. From fresh citrus and syrups to premium ice and garnish selections, the right essentials elevate cocktails from good to exceptional, allowing bartenders to craft drinks with precision and flair.
-
Fever Tree
Crafted with a blend of essential oils from herbs gathered from around the Mediterranean shores. Flavors of rosemary & lemon thyme, combined with the finest quinine from central Africa, strike the perfect balance of sweet and herbaceous. Non-GMO certified. Naturally sourced ingredients. No artificial sweeteners or colors.
-
Aquafab
The nifty and natural egg white alternative made from the power of plants. Until Aquafab, egg whites were the go-to for viscosity, mouthfeel and adding a nice foamy head when making a classic sour. Aquafab is changing the bartending game with its first-to-market packaged aquafaba that's easy and effective.
Gin
Gin seems like a simple spirit at its most basic, taking its flavour from juniper berries. There are several ways to produce the spirit, several ways to use the spirit, and several origins of the spirit. However, as simple as it may seem, it is one of the most complex spirits you can buy and is used in a lot of classic based cocktails.
-
Fords Gin
The gin, a mix of 9 botanicals, starts with a traditional base of juniper and coriander seed and is balanced by citrus (bitter orange, lemon & grapefruit peel), florals (jasmine flower & orris) and spices (angelica & cassia).
-
Roku Gin
Roku Gin is a journey through the four seasons with six unique Japanese botanicals. Sakura Flower, Sakura Leaf, Yuzu Peel, Sencha Tea (Green Tea), Gyokuro Tea (Refined Green Tea), and Sansho Pepper. Each harvested at their peak of season to extract the best flavour to fully embody The Blessings of Nature.
-
Four Pillars
A classically smooth gin that combines Asian botanicals with great Mediterranean citrus. It’s spicy but with great citrus from the whole fresh oranges and native lemon myrtle, a truly modern Australian gin.
Liqueur
The magical category of the drinks cabinet, with secret recipes dating back centuries to monks and herbal medicines. Blends of oils, extracts, creams, fruits and herbs: liqueurs are usually lower in alcohol but full of flavour.
-
Giffards Pineapple Liqueur
Originally from South America, the pineapple was quickly domesticated by the Amerindian peoples. It was not until 1493 that Christopher Columbus discovered the pineapple for the first time, on the island of Guadeloupe. A symbol of friendship and hospitality for the peoples of the Caribbean, the pineapple brought this symbolism with it to Europe, where it was often carved above the front doors of homes in Spain and England. The French word for pineapple, 'ananas', comes from the Amerindian language naná naná, meaning "fragrance of fragrances". An evocative name, a beautiful tribute to this delicious fruit.
-
Joseph Cartron
Joseph Cartron has been and remains a family business since 1882, with strong roots in the town of Nuits-Saint-Georges in the heart of Burgundy’s cru vineyards. The soil of this region has been producing high quality fruit for centuries.
Rum
At the end of the 15th century, sugar cane made its way to the Caribbean – the world’s prime rum-producing region. Widely planted around the European travels, sugar cane flourished best in the warm climes of the Caribbean. Mill workers discovered that when mixed with water and left in the sun, cane-extracted molasses would ferment. And the rest is history…as they say.
-
Diplomatico Rum
A refined and elegant blend of exclusive rum reserves masterfully crafted. It boast aromas of orange peel, toffee and licorice, giving this refined rum a signature smooth taste.
-
Bumbu Rum
Flagship Bumbu is an exquisite all-natural craft rum made with native Caribbean ingredients and aged for up to 15 years in Grade A oak bourbon barrels to create an effortlessly smooth and balanced rum with complexity and depth.
The heritage of the product dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries, when sailors and merchants of the West Indies added Caribbean fruits and spices to their rum to enhance its flavour, calling it "Bumbu". -
Ron Santiago de Cuba
Ron Santiago de Cuba Extra Añejo 11 Years Old is a magical blend of the sweetness of sugarcane molasses and the subtle touch of the Maestros. Delicate aromas with vanilla, coconut and dry almond notes.
Tequila + Mezcal
The hottest of spirits right now with a resurgence in popularity of drinks such as the margarita. Lockdown saw ‘walking margaritas’ secreted in sport drinks bottles and a new appreciation of the different styles of Tequila that contribute to the cocktail experience. Well made, not overly extracted, Tequila can be appreciated like a fine whisky.
-
Espolòn Tequila
Prepare your senses for the aroma of sweet agave, tropical fruit and lemon zest. Now add a hint of pepper to discover a soft, light-to-medium bodied palate.
-
Lost Explorer Mezcal
The most herbaceous expression of all, offering a sweet and spicy profile with hints of green chili, grapefruit and fresh agave.
-
Cazcabel Reposado
THE ULTIMATE 100% AGAVE REPOSADO TEQUILA. Dry, earthy agave balanced with vanilla and toasted oak. Agave notes with a touch of eucalyptus and hints of white pepper, caramel and toasted oak.
-
1800 Tequila
1800 Cristalino is a crystal clear añejo tequila with deceptive depth, presented in a stunning crystalline bottle. 100% Weber blue agave is handpicked at its peak of maturity, aged in French and American oak barrels, married together, then finished in port wine casks.
-
Fortaleza Tequila
100% Stone Crushed Agave. Aromas of citrus, and rich cooked agave fill your nose in this unique and very special blanco tequila. Also present: butter, olive, earth, black pepper, and a deep inviting vegetal complexity.
Flavors include citrus, cooked agave, vanilla, basil, olive, and lime. The finish is long and deep, complex yet easy to drink.
Fortaleza Blanco is a true aficionado’s tequila.
Whisk(e)y + Bourbon
The hero of so many well-known cocktails, it’s important to know your Bourbon’s from your Rye and your Scotch from your Irish. The flavour profile and mouthfeel, spice and wood finish all contribute to the overall drink and in the end, contribute a lot more to the character of our cocktail than you may think. Consider if the whisky is blended and the base grain to determine the flavour profile fit for your cocktail.
-
Four Roses Bourbon
For a new or casual bourbon drinker who wants an elevated yet everyday whiskey, Four Roses Bourbon is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that can easily open you up to the world of bourbon.
-
Monkey Shoulder
Meet Monkey Shoulder, The Original. A blend of the finest single malt whiskies. Selected in small batches then married together to consistently achieve Monkey Shoulder’s signature flavour, in every bottle.
-
Maker's Mark
Maker's Mark is a unique and full-flavoured, hand-made bourbon, made using the old-style sour-mash method and sealed with the iconic red wax.
-
Basil Hayden Bourbon
Charred oak flavour that is complemented with sweet brown sugar, a touch of black pepper, and dried fruit to round it out.
-
Jack Daniels Bonded Whisky
Born from Jack’s time-honored recipe, aged in select barrels and bottled at 100 proof. It’s a big, bold Tennessee Whiskey.
-
Starward Two Fold Whisky
VERSATILE, APPROACHABLE AND BURSTING WITH FLAVOUR. Two-Fold is a wheat and single malt whisky folded together and matured in Australian red wine barrels. Balanced with notes of juicy red fruit, oak spice and sweet vanilla, you'll find Two-Fold is outrageously delicious neat, on ice or shaken in any classic cocktail.
-
Johnnie Walker
A vibrant new blend delivering an indulgently sweet flavour experience, Johnnie Walker Black Ruby is the latest interpretation of our iconic blended Scotch Whisky, Johnnie Walker Black Label. Elevate cocktails with its deliciously sweet and smooth fruity flavours.
-
Angel's Envy
With a Gold color laced with reddish amber hues, nearly copper in tone. The bourbon is finished in port wine barrels which adds subtly distinct flavor nuances that enhance the whiskey without challenging it.
Bar Ware
A poor worker blames their tools but a great bartender is prepared - with the right tools for the job. Key tools like shakers, jiggers, strainers and bar spoons can elevate drink mixing into an art form, blending precision and flair into every cocktail.
-
Bar Geek
BG Barware offers premium barware products that are designed with the expertise of professional bartenders. Our products are made from high-quality materials and are built to last. Each item is crafted with attention to detail and designed to make bartending easier and more efficient. This is why barGEEK is the bartenders choice!
Bitters
A potent infusion of herbs, fruit and spices, steeped in alcohol, this infusion is critical in mixology imparting a distinctive flavour to some of the world’s most popular cocktails. With just a few dashes, bitters bring complexity and balance, elevating drinks like the Manhattan and Old Fashioned from ordinary to exceptional. Their role in cocktail crafting is both an art and a science, embodying the subtlety and power of well-chosen ingredients.
-
Campari Bitters
An unmistakable, vibrantly red Italian bitter, Campari’s iconicity could only be born of true Red Passion. It is a contemporary classic, lying at the heart of some of the world’s most famous and well-loved cocktails, stimulating the senses through a captivating visual and flavor experience.
-
Fernet Branca
Colours, aromas, flavours and … properties! The Fernet-Branca recipe is a special journey through the 27 herbs, roots and spices that make up its secret and unique special formula.
Every single herb is a distinct universe, experience and discovery.
Vodka
This clear, distilled spirit is traditionally made from Poland, Russia and Sweden - from cereal grains or potato, however some brands are using grapes, corn, fruits honey and maple sap as the base. The water source is prized when creating the world’s best vodkas and the purity is often traced back to a combination of the distillation methods and the source of the water.
-
Haku Vodka
Made with 100% Japanese white rice, the name Haku® means “white” in Japanese. The word can also be read as “brilliant” – a tribute to the craft of mastering a clear, clean tasting, and luminous vodka. Filtered through bamboo charcoal, Haku Vodka has an unparalleled soft, round, and subtly sweet taste.