Guide

Classic cocktails you can make with a basic home bar

A well-stocked home bar doesn't need many bottles. These 6 classics use overlapping ingredients, so a few bottles and mixers unlock a whole menu of drinks.

Please enjoy responsibly. 21+ / legal drinking age only.

Mix what you already have

Pantry Kaki finds drinks and recipes that match your real shelf, including smart swaps when you're missing a bottle or mixer. Search by ingredients to see what you can make right now.

The 6 bottles and mixers to keep on hand

Each entry covers why it earns its shelf space and a few cocktails it opens up.

Gin

Botanical and versatile — the backbone of some of the most refreshing classics.

Unlocks cocktails like

  • Gin and tonic
  • Negroni
  • Gimlet

White rum

Light and slightly sweet — the base of tropical and citrus-forward drinks.

Unlocks cocktails like

  • Mojito
  • Daiquiri
  • Rum and coke

Whiskey/bourbon

Warm and rich — works in sours, stirred classics, and simple highballs.

Unlocks cocktails like

  • Whiskey sour
  • Old fashioned
  • Whiskey and ginger

Vodka

Neutral and flexible — it lets mixers and fresh ingredients take the lead.

Unlocks cocktails like

  • Vodka soda
  • Moscow mule
  • Screwdriver

Triple sec/orange liqueur

Sweet orange flavor that turns plain spirits into proper cocktails.

Unlocks cocktails like

  • Margarita
  • Cosmopolitan
  • Sidecar

Sweet and dry vermouth

Fortified wine that adds depth — keep it in the fridge once opened.

Unlocks cocktails like

  • Negroni
  • Manhattan
  • Martini

Three fast cocktails to put your home bar to work

These classics use the bottles above plus simple mixers you probably already have.

  1. 1. Classic Gin and Tonic

    Ready in 3 min

    Ingredients: gin, tonic water, lime, ice

    Fill a glass with ice, pour in a measure of gin, top with tonic water, and garnish with a wedge of lime.

  2. 2. Whiskey Sour

    Ready in 5 min

    Ingredients: whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, ice

    Shake whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice, then strain into a glass over fresh ice.

  3. 3. Negroni

    Ready in 4 min

    Ingredients: gin, sweet vermouth, Campari, orange peel

    Stir equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari with ice, strain into a glass, and garnish with orange peel.

Turn your shelf into a home bar

Pantry Kaki matches your real pantry and bar shelf against drinks and recipes — with substitution suggestions when you're one ingredient short. Add what you have and discover what you can mix tonight.

Search by ingredientsRefreshing drinks from your fridge

Have a bottle or cocktail we should cover? These guides evolve based on what real home bartenders are searching for.