Q&A: Alexa Delgado On Upgrading A Home Bar

Setting up a home bar can be daunting for beginners. Beyond the bottles that represent the major liquor categories, assorted mixers, and citrus fruits for juice and garnishes, what should you consider?

Alexa Delgado, general manager of Primo Italian restaurant at Grande Lakes Orlando in Florida, has some advice. She’s passionate about demystifying mixology and helping others stock a home bar that’s both functional and inspiring. Here’s what she has to say.

If you were limited to just a handful of bottles in your home bar, what would you include and why?

1) Del Maguey Chichicapa mezcal. The family behind this artisanal mezcal has been making mezcal the same way for generations. The product is economical and is a great representation of what artisanal mezcal should be.

2) Saint Benevolence Clairin rum. This grassy, funky rum is similar to an agricole, but produced in Haiti. The brand is the only nonprofit spirit in the world, with profits being used to fund infrastructure in the village of Saint Michel de L’ Atalaye, as well as contribute to local breast cancer and ovarian cancer treatments, AND local parishes. Not to mention, it makes an incredible Daiquiri!

3) Copalli Cacao rum. This is the only single estate, certified organic rum in Belize. Add this to an Espresso Martini to really elevate your after-dinner drink. Also, the cacao is grown on the same land as the sugar cane — talk about maximizing your supply chain.

4) 18.21 Bitters. Their Havana & Hide bitters are my go-to for a unique take on an Old Fashioned. And they’re female/LGBTQ+/black-founded and owned.

What specialty spirits/ingredients do you think are worth buying?

I would always say it’s worth spending the time to juice your own citrus fresh. Products you buy in the grocery store are filled with preservatives, which alter the taste and can muddy up your cocktail.

I would also recommend having Lo-Fi vermouth — I really love their rosso. It’s a lower-ABV vermouth that brings down the alcohol content in a drink without compromising the flavor of whatever cocktail you add it to.

What are your go-to bar tools and why?

Crafthouse by Fortessa, everything. They’re crafted by Charles Joly, who is a globally awarded bartender and crafts drinks for various award shows and high-profile events every year, so he knows a thing or two about what bartenders need. They’re a little pricey, but they are sturdy and have excellent craftsmanship, so they last. Not to mention, they always look great on a bar top.

How many types of cocktail glasses do people actually need?

I drink everything out of a mug, honestly, even Champagne…I’m just kidding. If you want to just focus on the basics, I would make sure your bar is stocked with: one type of rocks glass, one all-purpose wine glass, one flute, one coupe and one Tiki mug, just for fun, because who doesn’t love sipping out of a pineapple?

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