If you’re going to be doing a fair bit of celebrating these holidays, now is the time to start stocking up the bar. Take advantage of two-for deals in the supermarket chains such as Woolworths Liqour and Liquorland where you can get two spirits (usually from a select few so you can choose two different ones) for a good price. Also look out for Christmas specials and bonus freebies at this time of year where you might score glasses or bar equipment. Here’s what to look out for to stock up.

Vodka

Don’t buy the cheapest, but no need to splurge on the most expensive either. The mid-range brands are best. Try Smirnoff, Absolut and Finlandia.

Gin

Buy a reliable brand such as Gordon’s or Gilbeys.

Bourbon

Jack Daniels or Jim Beam.

Scotch Whisky

Johnnie Walker Red, Grants — anything around the $30 mark.

Tequila

You’ll need this for margaritas - Cuervo gold tequila is a good one.

Rum

Bacardi white rum is good as is Bundaberg.

Brandy

If it’s for mixing, Chatelle Napoleon should be fine. Also good for cooking!

Vermouth

A bottle of Noilly Prat (a dry vermouth) and sweet Cinzano vermouth for martinis.

Cointreau or triple sec

Sweet, citrus-flavour liquers that are part of many a cocktail.

And don’t forget your equipment. A good bar should have a cocktail shaker and strainer, ice bucket, spirit measure, corkscrew, bottle opener, and range of glasses - martini, highball and small tumblers, champagne flutes and wine glasses. Of course, these aren’t absolutely necessary - a few different sized tumblers should have you covered for most cocktails.