(smooth music)
Join me, along with the LCBO and their partners,
as I mix it up with some exceptional spirits
to elevate your bar cart.
I'm gonna show you how to stock your bar cart like a pro.
Let's do it!
Every bar cart is different, but each should have sections.
There's a space for your spirits,
a space for your cocktail tools,
and a space for your glassware.
I like having special glasses that I bring out
when I have guests over, like these,
but we'll talk about these later.
The first thing that we need to talk about
is the most important thing on your bar cart, the spirits.
It can take a little bit of time,
but it is worth the investment to stock your bar
with some high-quality bottles.
Here are my bar cart essentials.
Now we're gonna start with gin,
because I am a huge gin lover, especially Citadelle gin.
I really think that it is super smooth on the palette,
and there are subtle notes of juniper and citrus.
I find this gin to be super well balanced,
and it makes an excellent gin and tonic,
which is my go-to easy welcome serve for my guests.
If you're looking for a gin with a little bit
more complexity, I totally recommend checking out
Citadelle Gin Le Jardin d'Ete the LCPO gin shop.
My next bar cart essential is tequila.
I love this Grand Mayan Ultra Aged Extra Anejo,
and you can find it at the tequila shop at the LCBO.
It is a bit more premium, but if you were looking for
a superstar bottle on your bar cart,
for me, this really is it.
Every bar deserves a statement bottle,
and this Grand Mayan Ultra Aged Extra Anejo
really is a statement.
It is aged for a minimum of four years
in ex-bourbon barrels.
It is medium-bodied, spicy, with a long finish.
Next up on my bar cart, I always have whiskey.
I am a huge scotch lover,
so I am loving this 12 year old Macallan.
It is super flavorful, yet balanced,
so you could drink it neat or mix it into
your favorite whiskey cocktail, like an old fashioned.
I love Macallan anyway, but scotch is super on trend
right now, so it's a really good time to invest
in a good bottle.
And finally, no bar cart is complete without rum,
because you're gonna want those island-inspired cocktails.
My favorite rum is absolutely Bumbu Craft.
Bumbu is a Barbados classic,
and it is made with a 400 year old recipe,
which is a great conversation starter.
For me, this is the spirit of adventure,
and whenever I'm serving this up,
I feel like I'm serving a vacation in a glass.
If you have guests that aren't drinking,
it's really nice just to make them feel welcome,
so I always stock up on sparkling or flavored tonic waters.
You can buy some that are infused with botanicals,
which are really tasty.
And now for glassware.
It depends on what type of evening you're hosting.
You could go super traditional, or you can spice things up
with some stylized vintage glasses
that you've got from a thrift store.
I know that vintage glassware is super on trend right now,
and that's the kind of thing that I love
to post on Instagram.
The one thing I will say, though, is if you are serving
cocktails that need big ice cubes, like a lovely
fall-spiced old-fashioned, they're gonna look and taste
a lot better in a rocks glass.
Like this!
Next up, we have bar tools.
Now, you're gonna need a jigger because it is important
to serve your guests a measured drink.
You'll probably want a cocktail shaker, a mixing glass,
a mixing spoon, a strainer, oh, and a muddler.
To be a good host, it is important that you have
snacks nearby, and you're going to want plenty of water
to keep your guests hydrated.
And that's it! Easy, right?
To get started on elevating your own bar cart
and to check out this season's latest drink trends,
check out lcbo.com.
Oh, and before I forget, I just want to mention
the LCBO Spirit of Inclusion initiative.
This new scholarship encourages and supports women from
diverse backgrounds to enter the beverage alcohol industry.
To learn more, visit lcbo.com/spiritofsustainability.
Also, don't forget to drink responsibly.
And have fun building your bar carts!