How you assemble your bar depends on two things: your wallet and your temperament. Got a lot of money and no restraint? Pick up every bottle here and go nuts. (Also: Let’s hang out.) But the other end of the spectrum—not much money, tons of restraint—isn’t all that bad, either. We call that collection the Core, because it’s those seven liquors that should be the base of your bar. Rye whiskey, gin, vodka, and rum give you a totally unassailable selection of drinks. Then you’ll need sweet and dry vermouth, for Manhattans and martinis; a bottle of bitters; and always, always fresh citrus. All that together? A hundred and fifty bucks.

From there, start growing—but be selective. Gosling’s rum (and a bottle of ginger beer) will help you quench your Dark ’n’ Stormy craving. A good bourbon like Hillrock’s and any Islay scotch will satisfy the people in your life who like to drink things neat. Tequila and triple sec are necessary if you’re a margarita man—Ilegal mezcal and Dry Curaçao if you expect a lot from your margaritas. Most bar nerds will insist on Campari, but we think Gran Classico—a Swiss-made variation—makes for a better Negroni. Whether you want absinthe is up to you, but how are you supposed to rinse a Sazerac glass without it?

(Click here for a complete shopping list— and more on what to do with it)

Bar carts, glassware, and the only six tools you’ll ever need

Five cocktails that’ll please any crowd

Yes, it’s OK to hide the good stuff

*Secret Weapons: How to mix with bitters, red wine, egg white, and a cucumber (but not all at once)

Carve Out a Space for Your Permanent Collection

Building a home bar isn’t a onetime affair—you’ve got to commit to restocking when something gets low. Which means you need a permanent place to keep your supply. A section of your bookshelf will do just fine, but if you’re serious about your nightcaps, or if your friends tend to use your house as their own private corner bar, it’s not a bad idea to invest in a bar cart. You can buy one ready-made (this one, at left, is from West Elm), or you can repurpose anything with a surface and legs, like an old desk. Either way, this isn’t the time to indulge your Downton Abbey fetish: A bar cart doesn’t need wheels, unless you’re planning to roll it out from a butler’s pantry.

Pick up Your Glassware in the Singles Section

It’s time to stand up to the Williams-Sonoma Industrial Complex. In the world of cocktails, all that matters is volume; mid liquor doesn’t need to swirl or breathe. So you should have some four-ounce glasses, for sipping; some four-to-eight-ounce short glasses, for lowball cocktails; and some tall eight-ounce glasses, for ice-loaded highballs. Best practice: If you see a glass you like, buy one. Just one. Then repeat until your cupboard’s full.

Lighten Your Tool Belt

There are about six tools you need to make drinks, and none should come with batteries. (Easily avoided if you don’t buy cocktail supplies from SkyMall.) Start with a Parisian shaker (1) and a mixing glass (2), for shaking and stirring, respectively. You’ll need a strainer (3), too, for seeds and pulp. Get a jigger (4) with one-ounce and two-ounce sides and a stirring spoon (5) with some weight to it. (It’ll be easier to twirl.) And then settle on a paring knife (6) that feels good in your hand. This one—with a squared-off edge—is specifically designed for dealing with citrus. You will be dealing with a lot of citrus. (Want more items to upgrade your bar kit? Click here.)

Six Items That Shouldn’t End Up in Your Shopping Cart

Pre-packaged lemon or lime juice Honey-flavored whiskey Marshmallow-flavored vodka Anything over 140 proof Ron Burgundy-brand blended scotch Any type of ice that is not actual ice