Do-It-Yourself Bar

The folks over at Delish.com at MSN give some pointers on the things you need for your at-home and advice on being a good host.

You'll definitely need your standard alcohol and mixers to cover everyone's basic preferences:

There's also a full list of garnishes and equipment that you should probably have too (like a blender and a cocktail shaker). And once you have that set there are some general rules for serving drinks.

Bar needs vary greatly according to the party's size and budget. The general rule is 1 1/2 ounces (1 jigger) hard liquor and 3 or 4 ounces of wine equal 1 cocktail serving. Most liquor stores allow returns of unopened bottles providing that the wine has not been refrigerated. Every bar should have a supply of soft drinks, bottled water, and fruit and vegetable juices.

If you are serving only wine, offer red, white, and perhaps even sparkling. If wine is part of a more complete bar setup, white wine is the most commonly requested. Don't serve red wine if you are concerned about spills.

For a meal, tradition says that white wine goes with white meats, fish, and seafood; that red wine accompanies meats and richly sauced dishes; and that blush and sparkling wines go with anything. Today, the rules are less strict. The best guide is your own taste.

For that full list of other must-haves and some great bar tips, check out the full article over at Delish.com.