Drinks

Stocking up on your liquor cabinet after the Holidays? Or just planning to prepare for this year's Celebrations?

The Liquor: Clear

VODKA Triple-distilled vodka ensures a smooth drink with
good flavor balance.

Buy: Grey Goose or Smirnoff

GIN It's a great base for spring and summer drinks. The best
have a heady, floral aroma.

Buy: Anchor Genevieve

The Liquor: Dark

RUM Opt for a sugarcane rum. It's well-balanced, but not
too sweet.

Buy: Appleton Estate Reserve

WHISKEY Use a smooth American brand to make
manhattans and old fashioneds.

Buy: Jack Daniel's

The Extras

ANGOSTURA BITTERS Add a few dashes of this
aromatic concentration to drinks to add a layer of flavor.

VERMOUTH Use the red variety in bourbon, whiskey, or
scotch cocktails, and white with vodka or gin.

Try either from Dolin Vermouth de Chambery.

MIXERS Opt for fresh juices when possible, but canned
ones work too.

The Hardware

JIGGER For accurate measuring, pick up an Oxo double
jigger ($8).

PARING KNIFE Use it for garnishes. Try the Global 3.5"
GS-38 ($60).

WINE KEY The Victorinox lever corkscrew is simple and
dependable ($16).

(Source: Steven Chiang from SEI Restaurant &
Lounge in D.C; photo: Travis Rathbone)