You do not need a wall of bottles. A handful of well-chosen basics will make dozens of drinks, and they fit in an RV cupboard. Buy in stages and only add what you will actually use.
Stage one: the starter shelf
- Vodka. The most flexible bottle you can own.
- One more spirit you enjoy. Gin, white rum, or bourbon. Pick the one your household likes best.
- An orange liqueur. Triple sec is the budget choice; Cointreau is stronger and cleaner tasting. It shows up in Margaritas, Cosmopolitans, Sidecars, and more.
- Angostura bitters. One small bottle lasts for ages.
In the fridge
- Fresh lemons and limes
- Homemade simple syrup (equal parts sugar and hot water)
- Club soda and tonic water, in small cans or bottles so they stay fizzy
- Plenty of ice
Stage two: when you are ready to expand
- Sweet and dry vermouth for Manhattans and Martinis. Buy small bottles and refrigerate them after opening.
- Blanco tequila for Margaritas and Palomas.
- Coffee liqueur for Black and White Russians and after-dinner drinks.
- A whiskey if you started with gin or rum, or a gin if you started with whiskey.
Shopping tips
- Middle of the shelf is usually the sweet spot. The cheapest bottles can be harsh, and the priciest ones are wasted under a pile of mixers.
- Skip the novelty flavors at first. One flavored vodka for a single recipe tends to gather dust. Buy it when you have a plan for the whole bottle.
- Try before you buy. Many stores sell 50 ml “airplane” bottles. They are perfect for tasting something new or for a one-time recipe.
How long things keep
| Bottle | After opening |
|---|---|
| Spirits (vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey, brandy) | Years, stored upright, capped, out of sunlight |
| Most liqueurs | A year or more; flavors slowly fade |
| Cream liqueurs | Check the label; many recommend refrigeration and using within months |
| Vermouth and other fortified wines | Refrigerate; best within about a month or two |
| Simple syrup | About a month in the fridge |
| Fresh citrus juice | Best the same day; a day or two at most |