• A variety of bottles are needed for a well-stocked cocktail bar.Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
  
  A variety of different bottles are needed for a well-stocked cocktail bar, but it is possible to limit the number of bottles of spirits and liqueurs needed if you only serve cocktails from a cocktail menu. Choosing popular cocktails to add to the menu can be difficult, as there are literally thousands of cocktail recipes available. Bottles and cartons of cordials, freshly squeezed juices, fruit slices and supplies of ice are also necessities for the cocktail bar.
  
  

Vodka

• Bottles of vodka are necessary for the cocktail bar.vodka citron 2 image by yannik LABBE from Fotolia.com
  
  Vodka is definitely an essential bottle to stock behind the cocktail bar, as it is the staple for literally hundreds of popular cocktails. Cocktails incorporating vodka include Harvey Wallbanger, Bloody Mary, Campari Cocktail, Death by Chocolate, Sex on the Beach, Cosmopolitan, and Vodka Martini.
  
  

Whiskey, Scotch and Bourbon

• Whiskey, scotch and bourbon are all essential bottles to keep behind a well-stocked cocktail bar, as they are all used in different cocktails. Examples of cocktails using whiskey, scotch or bourbon are Blue Blazer, Highball, Manhattan, Mint Julep and Smoky Martini.
  
  

Tequila

• Tequila Sunrise is a very popular cocktail.Tequila Sunrise image by Hotshot472 from Fotolia.com
  
  Tequila Sunrise and Margarita are two of the most popular cocktails, so tequila is another essential bottle for the cocktail bar. Some further cocktails using tequila include Paloma, Agave Kiss and Cantarito.
  
  

Gin

• Popular Martini drinks are a mixture of gin and dry vermouth.martini image by cherie from Fotolia.com
  
  It is essential to stock gin in the cocktail bar as it is the base for the ever-popular Martini cocktail and its derivatives. Some other examples of drinks incorporating gin include Gin Fizz, Negroni, New Orleans Fizz and of course, gin and tonic, a favored drink for many people.
  
  

Rum

• Mojitos are well-known rum cocktails.Mojito cocktail with mint leaves image by Vladimir Melnik from Fotolia.com
  
  White and dark rums form the basis of many popular cocktails, including fruit daiquiris and long, cool drinks for sunny days. Popular rum cocktails are Bacardi cocktails, Pina Colada, Cuba Libre, Mojitos and Planters Punch.
  
  

Liqueurs and Champagne

• Champagne is an ideal choice for behind the cocktail bar.champagne image by yannik LABBE from Fotolia.com
  
  Liqueurs are common additions to cocktails. Some popular liqueurs are Bols, Cointreau, Baileys, Triple Sec, Grand Marnier, Kahlua and Chartreuse. Champagne is also a staple behind cocktail bars, although expensive or vintage champagnes are not necessary for mixing champagne cocktails.
  
  

Cordials and Fruit Juices

• Mocktails are becoming increasingly popular drinks in cocktail bars.cocktail de fruits au image by margouillat photo from Fotolia.com
  
  Fruit cordials and fresh fruit juices are essential items for cocktail bars as they are used to create many of the long, cooling cocktail drinks beloved of vacationers. Essentials cordials to stock are blackcurrant, lime and orange. A variety of fresh fruit juices will need to be stored in a chiller behind the cocktail bar. Mocktails are becoming increasingly popular drinks and are cocktail mixes of fruit juices only.