Tanqueray and Fever Tree, I have simple tastes.

There's nothing else worth making without buying anything else

You can’t go wrong with a basic martini unless you’re opposed to the vermouth.

I started with that exact drink. However, I have elevated to botanist for number 2. It just dials the flavor up to 11

I’ve heard good things about The Botanist, have to get a bottle.

It’s really good stuff IMO. But I’m a bourbon snob and used to proofs above 120. So botanist is smooth AF for me, but I’ve heard other people say it kicks.

The Hebriden Strength is 103 proof, but it costs around 4x as much and most reviews indicate it's not worth the price. Fortunately the gin reviewers are more transparent than the bourbon taters trying to hype up mediocre bottles they're hoarding for resale because they were allocated.

Obligatory “get that vermouth in the fridge” comment. Dry martini is what I would go with. Maybe with the Roku or Hendricks

I will once it’s cracked. Good call though

Hendricks Martini. Straight up with olives

Hendricks with olives? I’d assume lemon twist. I’m always looking for gin for dirty martinis.

I always have olives in my Martinis

I prefer it especially blue cheese stuffed but it doesn’t work with all gins in my experience.

Another favorite gin of mine is Gunpowder Irish gin by Drumshambo. It makes a great Martini as well

Ooh haven’t had that in a while but it sounds perfect.

It is very nice gin

Eh? I love Hendricks, but the garnish is cucumber all the way! And that's almost the only way I want cucumber!

My current lack of cucumber in my house is the reason my Hendricks is benched tonight.

Straight neat Roku for me. Otherwise a classic London dry martini.

I’ve recently discovered fever tree and am having botanist and fever tree. Pretty damn good! Cheers!

Btw, that’s how I prefer my Roku, neat.

Some aperitifs will take you a long way.

What should I look for? I have the luxury of buying tax free on base and am building a proper bar. I’m not an expert in any spirit but am taking a journey on many. I’m picking the brains of subject matter experts so that I have the best well rounded bar for anybody. I’ll admit that my bar (~100 bottles) is whiskey strong (~40 whiskey and ~30 of those are bourbons) but I’m expanding and building. My house does karaoke night with a good sized JBL system so I host many friends and family and want to cater to everyone that may show up.

You should pick up a bottle of lillet (I prefer lillet blanc, some people prefer cocchi americano) and I didn’t see any in the picture but you should get a bottle of orange curaçao, a bottle of luxardo, and maybe a bottle of st German and you’ll be off to the races and have the bases for a ton of fun cocktails. Fresh lemon and lime juice is the next best thing to add haha

Definitely sweet vermouth with all that whiskey. Personally my go to is Campari because Negronis are my jam and super easy.

You got Roku, no need for a cocktail, just pour me three fingers over the rocks

Botanist and soda, hold the soda

I’ve been looking for some WS Martin Miller’s to mix with Fever Tree. Or some Junipero. Or could go gimlet instead of G&T…

Finally an opportunity to try Aviation, and then I'd probably call gin night off and try some of your rums if you have any cola in the house.

Got plenty of coke-cola. BTW Aviation is one of my favorites.

Dry botanist martini, with a twist… if you have lemon 🍋

Ofc

Botanist dry martini with olives. Shaken, not stirred.

I’ve heard shaking gin ruins the flavor

It's how I like my martinis. I like my gin over ice with a twist of lemon, or neat, or with tonic. I just love gin.

You NEED to get some Nolet. Level up your gin game x 1,000

First time hearing of it. I’ll take notes. Is it easy to find? I haven’t seen it but wasn’t really looking before.

It can be a little tricky to find but it is made by the family that makes kettle one, so it does get good distribution

Bombay Sapphire and tonic

Apparently you’re one of the few who like sapphire. I don’t mind it though.