Help with Cocktails

[Soybomb]

Vodka is a must have, its neutral taste will let you mix it with cranberry juice, oj, punch, 7up, tonic, whatever your guests like. Buy some dry vermouth and you could make vodka martinis (the half bottle is like $5 and should be all you need). Add roses sweetened lime juice and you have a vodka gimlet. Rum and coke or dr pepper is also a popular combination. Buy some ginger beer and lime juice and you could make dark and stormys. Add lime juice and simple syrup and you have a daiquiri. A little more complicated and you can make mojitos. I love gin but its one of the least popular liquors so if you're on a budget, I wouldn't buy it. Whiskey is a good choice too, lots of people like it with coke, on the rocks, or neat. Add a bottle of sweet vermouth and some bitters and you can make an approximation of a manhattan. You could get tequila, triple sec, and lime juice and make margaritas on the rocks. Get some frozen limeade and you could make frozen margaritas too.

Overall I'd go with vodka as a positive and then try to get something else based on any knowledge you have on what your friends usually drink.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'd make a pitcher or 2 of something easy to whip up like a margarita on the rocks, or something like that.

No, don't do this. The ice melts and then you end up with a pitcher of watered down shitty tasting drinks.

Drinks should always be made to order.

Vodka:
Martini-couple ounces of vodka plus a few drops of vermouth, add olive juice if they want it dirty and shake with lots of ice then strain into a cocktail glass with 1 or 2 olives.
Screwdriver-shot of vodka (or two) in a rocks glass filled with ice then add vodka and stir can garnish with orange wedge.
Bloody Mary-shot of vodka (or two) in a rocks glass filled with ice then add bloody mary mix or tomato juice with a few drops of tobasco and a couple dashes of worchestershire sauce and garnish with celery.
Appletini-Mix equal parts vodka and sour apple martini mix. Garnish with apple slice. These are great because you can get different mixes and make other types of flavored martinis and you don't need to have a bunch of different glasses on hand.
Cosmopolitan-1 oz vodka, 1/2 oz triple sec, 1/2 oz Rose's® lime juice, 1/2 oz cranberry juice. Serve in a cocktail glass.
Kamikazi-1 1/2 oz. Vodka, 1/4 oz. Triple Sec, 1/4 oz. Roses Lime Juice. Shake over ice and strain into a large shot glass. This is a great drink to make after everyone has had something to drink and wants to try something different. They are tasty but be careful not to get crazy with these or you'll regret it in the morning.

Rum:
Rum and Coke-shot of rum in glass filled with ice then fill with coke. Garnish with lime to make a Cuba Libra.

A ton of rum drinks can be found here:

http://www.drinkoftheweek.com/category/drink-recipes/rum-drink-recipes/#axzz0sXF5hqwx

You can go crazy with mixers though which can add up quickly.

A cooler full of beer and a couple bottles of wine are always good to have on hand too.

 

[dank69]

No, don't do this. The ice melts and then you end up with a pitcher of watered down shitty tasting drinks.

Drinks should always be made to order.

Vodka:
Martini-couple ounces of vodka plus a few drops of vermouth, add olive juice if they want it dirty and shake with lots of ice then strain into a cocktail glass with 1 or 2 olives.
Screwdriver-shot of vodka (or two) in a rocks glass filled with ice then add vodka and stir can garnish with orange wedge.
Bloody Mary-shot of vodka (or two) in a rocks glass filled with ice then add bloody mary mix or tomato juice with a few drops of tobasco and a couple dashes of worchestershire sauce and garnish with celery.
Appletini-Mix equal parts vodka and sour apple martini mix. Garnish with apple slice. These are great because you can get different mixes and make other types of flavored martinis and you don't need to have a bunch of different glasses on hand.
Cosmopolitan-1 oz vodka, 1/2 oz triple sec, 1/2 oz Rose's® lime juice, 1/2 oz cranberry juice. Serve in a cocktail glass.
Kamikazi-1 1/2 oz. Vodka, 1/4 oz. Triple Sec, 1/4 oz. Roses Lime Juice. Shake over ice and strain into a large shot glass. This is a great drink to make after everyone has had something to drink and wants to try something different. They are tasty but be careful not to get crazy with these or you'll regret it in the morning.

Rum:
Rum and Coke-shot of rum in glass filled with ice then fill with coke. Garnish with lime to make a Cuba Libra.

A ton of rum drinks can be found here:

http://www.drinkoftheweek.com/category/drink-recipes/rum-drink-recipes/#axzz0sXF5hqwx

You can go crazy with mixers though which can add up quickly.

A cooler full of beer and a couple bottles of wine are always good to have on hand too.

Now that's my kinda screwdriver! :thumbsup:

 

[AMCRambler]

When it comes to the most mixable you want light rum and vodka. Whiskey as a close third. Depending how many people you're having you might want the 1 or 1.5 liter bottles. I know a couple weeks ago I was making pitchers of daquiris' and pina coladas for about 7 people and burned up a 750 ml bottle of rum quick.

 

[eits]

Yeah none of these suggestions is really what I was looking for...

A bucket of margarita mix isn't really in fitting with the mood I'm aiming for.

also, margaritas are a summer drink. might want to go with something else...

get vodka and gin. tons of drinks you can make with those for people (gimlets, screwdrivers, gin and juice, cosmos/martinis, gin punch, vodka punch, hooch/jungle juice, vodka mojitos, russians, 7 and 7, etc). just make sure you also get various juices and some cheapo liquors, too (orange juice, cranberry juice, lemonade, triple sec alternative, tonic, curacao, vermouth, 7up, etc.). you'll have a well-stocked bar for basic entertaining for months... just build to it as you go.

it's pointless to get just two things of alcohol (one spirit, one liquor, etc). your ability to make different drinks would be seriously limited. people enjoy parties when there's a variety of drinks you can make at the bar. two great spirits to have for versitility = gin and vodka. later, you can add a bottle of whiskey and rum (white or spiced, not gold... white goes with more drinks than gold and spiced provides a completely different flavor than regular rum). just add to your bar in time.

if you are strapped for cash and aren't looking to entertain to any certain degree, i'd just make a pitcher drink (i made this for the float trip i had a couple weeks ago... it was a great). it's cheap and easy to make and it's different than jungle juice or sangria. plus, it's more of an all-year-round drink rather than a summer drink (sangria, margarita, long island, etc).

 

[eits]

When it comes to the most mixable you want light rum and vodka. Whiskey as a close third. Depending how many people you're having you might want the 1 or 1.5 liter bottles. I know a couple weeks ago I was making pitchers of daquiris' and pina coladas for about 7 people and burned up a 750 ml bottle of rum quick.

you'd need a blender. assume he doesn't have one good enough to make decent frozen drinks.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

you'd need a blender. assume he doesn't have one good enough to make decent frozen drinks.

He actually does own a remarkably good one. Good call on summer/winter drinks, it's the middle of winter here,

 

[ElFenix]

also, margaritas are a summer drink. might want to go with something else...

get vodka and gin. tons of drinks you can make with those for people (gimlets, screwdrivers, gin and juice, cosmos/martinis, gin punch, vodka punch, hooch/jungle juice, vodka mojitos, russians, 7 and 7, etc). just make sure you also get various juices and some cheapo liquors, too (orange juice, cranberry juice, lemonade, triple sec alternative, tonic, curacao, vermouth, 7up, etc.). you'll have a well-stocked bar for basic entertaining for months... just build to it as you go.

i think you're missing something.

 

[TallBill]

Drink fail all around.

 

[alkemyst]

most don't really want gin unless it's a dude party.

rum would be much better, but even then....

Do a keg, some $5-15 wines, and then whatever spirits you drink. If none, depending on your friends pick a cognac, vodka, rum, tequila, etc or two. Do invitations with BYOB. Serve up some food (goes further) and have a nice party. If you aren't a drinker to begin with you will be lacking a ton of mixers and shit. It's not going to be cheap to get it all together spot-on, but at the same time with like-minded friends it can be done economically.

With the internut you can even send out survey type invitations to gather the crowds drink tastes. Being in the outback, maybe just post a note on the local 'roo and write 'sign below' on it.

 

[IronWing]

No booze = save money

If you can't afford booze, don't buy any. Just put BYOB on the invitation and the heavy hitters in the bunch will bring plenty for everybody.

 

[TallBill]

most don't really want gin unless it's a dude party.

rum would be much better, but even then....

Do a keg, some $5-15 wines, and then whatever spirits you drink. If none, depending on your friends pick a cognac, vodka, rum, tequila, etc or two. Do invitations with BYOB. Serve up some food (goes further) and have a nice party. If you aren't a drinker to begin with you will be lacking a ton of mixers and shit. It's not going to be cheap to get it all together spot-on, but at the same time with like-minded friends it can be done economically.

With the internut you can even send out survey type invitations to gather the crowds drink tastes. Being in the outback, maybe just post a note on the local 'roo and write 'sign below' on it.

Fuck asking people. If you don't like my free booze, don't drink it. But I agree with most of the rest minus the keg. Some beer, some cheap wine, bottle of rum, and a bottle of vodka + mixers. Could probably get a serious amount for $150.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Now that's my kinda screwdriver! :thumbsup:

LOL! Mine too actually.

My bad, should have been orange juice.

 

[alkemyst]

I don't ask my invites myself, I just put up a nice selection from hard shit to bottled water. He is trying to do it cheap. As a 'bouncer', I'd think you were lacking coin too. Maybe you have a deal with work or the bar manager stocking parties on the side for kickbacks. Saying $150 for a good bar setup would throw a decent house warming is a bit insane though. I can drink that myself in a night on the town. Just a keg is close to that figure and that's one beer.

I think your parties are much different than mine.

In the end though it's really what your friends expect. I lived at times when just a few cases of mixed beer and boones wine was a fuckfest.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I don't ask my invites myself, I just put up a nice selection from hard shit to bottled water. He is trying to do it cheap. As a 'bouncer', I'd think you were lacking coin too. Maybe you have a deal with work or the bar manager stocking parties on the side for kickbacks. Saying $150 for a good bar setup would throw a decent house warming is a bit insane though. I can drink that myself in a night on the town. Just a keg is close to that figure and that's one beer.

I think your parties are much different than mine.

In the end though it's really what your friends expect. I lived at times when just a few cases of mixed beer and boones wine was a fuckfest.

You're a legend in your own mind. Rock on Mr. Middle Aged Alcoholic Man!

Edit-I can't help but wonder what a player like you is doing posting on a computer geek forum at 12:30AM on a Friday night on the 4th of July weekend actually. BTW-It's only 9:30PM here right now.

 

[Paladin3]

Buy cheaper liquor? There are a lot of good bargain brands around.

 

[eits]

i think you're missing something.

yeah, wow... dunno how i typed that. my mistake.

 

[alkemyst]

You're a legend in your own mind. Rock on Mr. Middle Aged Alcoholic Man!

Edit-I can't help but wonder what a player like you is doing posting on a computer geek forum at 12:30AM on a Friday night on the 4th of July weekend actually. BTW-It's only 9:30PM here right now.

dude you act older than me and are close to my same age. You are also posting on that same forum. With your kids you seem to never spend time with, does anyone think that since it's only 9:30pm for you that you have anything actually going on later?

I was posting on a Friday night because I just picked up a new dog and we are staying in with her. Plus this is my on-call week.

You think you are still a co-ed?

 

[TallBill]

I don't ask my invites myself, I just put up a nice selection from hard shit to bottled water. He is trying to do it cheap. As a 'bouncer', I'd think you were lacking coin too. Maybe you have a deal with work or the bar manager stocking parties on the side for kickbacks. Saying $150 for a good bar setup would throw a decent house warming is a bit insane though. I can drink that myself in a night on the town. Just a keg is close to that figure and that's one beer.

I think your parties are much different than mine.

In the end though it's really what your friends expect. I lived at times when just a few cases of mixed beer and boones wine was a fuckfest.

Actually I've been serving for a while now so I make cash. And I don't throw parties. Spending $150 on a night on the town is hardly comparable to spending $150 on alcohol at home. Plus you completely ignored what the OP asked, this isn't a frat party, its a handful of people over.

 

[alkemyst]

I was saying it in comparison

A case of decent beer $20-25
a half dozen wines $40-70
That's only about 48 servings above

A few 750mL bottles of stuff $15-20 a pop....

You will want coke/diet coke/7up/ginger ale/some fruit juices/etc $20-30

I'd consider than a warmup or just enough to cover 6-10 people if they are drinkers

 

[TallBill]

You can get a 1.75 of skyy and 1.75 of bacardi for $50 total. That'll get 6 heavy drinkers pretty trashed and more than entertain 10 people for an entire night.

 

[alkemyst]

not everyone likes liquor though. That was my point earlier.

Without knowing his crowd, I am just guessing.

In my circle we have wine and beer only drinkers.

 

[TallBill]

Right, which is why I said for $150 the OP could easily accomplish his goals. $80 for mixed drinks, $70 for beer/wine. You could more than easily entertain 20 people for that amount, which is what he wanted. Will it get 20 heavy drinkers absolutely shitfaced, no. But thats clearly not what he is going for.

And in your circle you drink a 6 pack of Ultra alone.

 

[alkemyst]

I do drink alone at times and with groups. While you are slaving away at night in a bar, I am out drinking and eating at one.

kthx.

 

[TallBill]

I do drink alone at times and with groups. While you are slaving away at night in a bar, I am out drinking and eating at one.

kthx.

And while normal people are at work, I'm laying by the pool. I prefer going out during the week anyways, less knuckleheads. But yes, there are pros and cons to working in a bar.