a try if you are based in the US. Note, you don’t need to purchase every item I’ve included on these lists, I’ve provided a lot of different options to cover all sorts of palettes.
American Whiskeys & Bourbons
Old Forrester Classic Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Great Jones Distilling Company Rye Whiskey
Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey
Four Roses Bourbon
Mellow Yellow Straight Corn Whiskey
Vodka
Crop Organic Meyer Lemon Vodka
Wodka Poland Select Vodka
Deep Eddy Grapefruit Vodka
Tequila
Cimarron Blanco Tequila
Cazadores Reposado Tequila
Espolon Blanco Tequila
La Gritona Reposado Tequila
Banhez Espadin & Barril Mezcal
Gin
Hayman’s Old Tom Gin
Beefeater Gin
Dorothy Parker Gin
Four Pillars Off Broadway Gin
Rum
Ron Abuelo Añejo Rum
Don Q Cristal Rum
El Dorado 3 Year White Rum
Smith & Cross Navy Strength Rum
Mount Gay Eclipse Rum
🍋 Mixers, Liqueurs, and Pantry Items
Some of these add character and different flavors to your cocktails, others you may find yourself experimenting with to taste on their own merits. You won’t find any sour mix on this list, but you may find yourself buying more limes than ever before.
Things you may already have around the house
Lemons
Limes
Tajín
Demarrara Sugar
Peychaud’s Bitters
Angostura Bitters
Cucumbers
Honey
Club Soda/Seltzer
Things you can either make or buy
Simple Syrup
Demarrara Syrup
Grenadine
Limoncello
Liqueurs for Negronis or Sazeracs
Italicus
Vermouth
Campari
Aperol
Amaro
Amaretto
Frangelico
Triple Sec
Cointreau
🥄 Bar Supplies
Just as wizards are unable to perform spells without wands or staffs, you’ll likely need some of these items to start mixing your own potions.