Neat. On the rocks. Up. Shot. Digestif. There are many ways to drink liquor without any other additions to your glass. Being able to drink alcohol without mixers to mask the antiseptic flavor is viewed as being an adult. 

But achieving a certain level of refinement doesn’t mean resigning yourself to the bitter, burning sensation often associated with drinking a drink straight. In fact, the best-tasting liquors will go down smooth and easy without causing you to cough. You simply need to be selective about the types of liquor you drink.

As the best online liquor store around, Gopuff is uniquely qualified to advise you on these matters. So, grab a tumbler or your favorite shot glass, prep your tasting notes, and look at our picks for the best liquors to usher you into your next stage as a sophisticated drinker. Ready, set, CHEERS!

1. Jagermeister Liqueur 750 ml (70 Proof)

Take a walk on the wild side. Jagermeister’s recipe is a closely guarded secret blend of 56 botanicals aged in German oak casks for a year or longer. A balance of sweet and bitter, it blends citrus, spice, and a touch of heat to keep things interesting.

$19.99

2. Yokaichi Mugi Shochu 750ml

Japan's traditional distilled spirit. Made from barley, Shochu is a versatile beverage customarily drunk in cocktails, straight, or over ice. It also makes an ideal accompaniment to meals. It has a light, refreshing flavor profile that includes toasted bread, bananas, and berries.

$19.99

3. Jameson Irish Whiskey 750 ml (80 proof)

When looking for a silky smooth whiskey, turn to Jameson Original. This liquor is immensely versatile, thanks to the balance of light floral fragrances, rich vanilla, and spice notes. Jameson is perfect for drinking straight up, served neat, or on the rocks.

$31.99

4. Hennessy Vs Cognac 750 ml (80 proof)

Let’s get fancy and enjoy the finer things in life with world-class Hennessy Cognac. Its intense, full-bodied flavor captures notes of toasted almonds, fresh grapes, and citrus zest. This exceptional liquor is one of the best spirits to sip straight up in your fanciest snifter.

$49.99

5. Tequila Ocho Anejo 750ml

Tequila Ocho Añejo is a single estate tequila that’s brewed in Jalisco. The spice, cream, and toffee flavors come from a slow distillation using copper pot stills and an aging process in American White Oak Whisky barrels. The sweet notes infuse the aromas and palate, leading to a complex finish.

$79.99

6. Svedka Vodka 1.75 L (80 Proof)

Open a bottle of Svedka Vodka and raise your glass to an evening well spent. This iconic spirit is distilled from Swedish winter wheat to deliver a mouthwatering freshness whether it's served neat or chilled over ice.

$24.99

7. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum 1.75L (70 Proof)

Step outside the ordinary and into the Caribbean with the exotic mixed flavors of spice, fruit, vanilla, and rich Captain Morgan Rum. This spirit is balanced, starting strong with rich spiciness that mellows to a smooth finish.

$29.99

8. Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch 750 ml (80 Proof)

Thanks to a blend of forty or more whiskies, Black Label Scotch Whisky is one of the best liquors to drink straight. It combines rich malt and smoky peat with hints of fruit and cedar, then balances the mix with the addition of dark chocolate and sweet vanilla notes. Sip this dark liquor neat.

$41.99

9. Jack Daniels Black Tennessee Whiskey 750 ml (80 Proof)

Jack Daniels is the world's best-selling whiskey. Jack is made from the finest corn, rye, and barley, mixed with iron-free water before mellowing through 10 feet of burnt sugar charcoal. Finally, it’s matured in white oak barrels for a distinctive flavor that’s the pride of Tennessee Whiskey.

$24.99

10. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750 ml (90.4 Proof)

Woodford Reserve has mastered the art of making bourbon. The balanced taste of their Kentucky Straight Bourbon comprises more than 200 detectable flavor notes, from bold grain and wood to brown sugar, spice, and fruit and floral notes. Every sip is an experience.

$69.99

11. Macallan 12 Year Sherry Cask Scotch 750 ml

This Macallan single malt Scotch is matured exclusively in hand-picked, sherry-seasoned oak casks to impart a distinctive richness and complexity. The infusion speaks of rich wood spice and dried fruit flavors that balance honey, citrus, and ginger notes into a well-rounded Scotch.

$77.99

12. Bacardi Superior White Rum 750 ml (80 Proof)

This is the ideal summer sipper. Subtle flavors of citrus, vanilla, and herbs combine in charred American oak barrels for at least a year to create Bacardi’s Superior White Rum. Pepper and spice strike the right balance to create a delicate, light-bodied, and versatile spirit.

$17.99

13. Quintessentia Amaro Nonino 750ml

Amaro is a unique Italian liqueur that infuses grape distillate with bitter herbs before aging in the barrique. Quintessentia Amaro has a fragrant, verdant aroma and a bittersweet flavor of spices, caramel, allspice, and vanilla. It’s delicious when served with a slice of orange or all on its own.

$48.99

14. Frangelico 750 ml

Frangelico is a delicious hazelnut liqueur native to the Piedmont region of northern Italy. This golden elixir is distilled from hazelnuts blended with coffee, cocoa, and vanilla extracts. Consume Frangelico on the rocks and delight in its rich, sweet taste.

$29.99

15. Villa Massa Limoncello 750ml

It's sunshine in a bottle. Villa Massa has a fantastic, crisp lemon taste that comes from the exclusive use of juicy Sorrento PGI Lemons. Hand-harvesting and artisanal processes guarantee a superior flavor. Serve well chilled before or after meals.

$29.99

16. Aperol Aperitivo Liqueur 750 ml (22 Proof)

Enjoy a daytime aperitivo with Aperol Liqueur. This fruity liqueur has an intense aroma of tangerine combined with herbal and spicy notes. Its flavor’s like none other, richly refreshing, with a medium body and smooth, sweet tangerine taste to balance the taste of bitter herbs.

$25.99

17. Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge Liqueur 750 ml (80 Proof)

Trust the French to develop a liqueur that breaks the rules. Combining the heady flavors of rich cognac with juicy, tropical oranges from the Caribbean, this liqueur encapsulates the joie de vivre of both regions. Enjoy it after a meal as the perfect digestif.

$49.99

18. 818 Tequila Anejo 750 ml

Elegant and velvety, this award-winning añejo tequila is hand-crafted in small batches using fresh agave. It’s aged for 14 months in French and American oak barrels. The result is a dark amber liquor with crisp and verdant herbal notes that lead to a warm, vanilla finish.

$79.99

FAQ

What is the best liquor to drink straight?

We’ll be direct here: The best liquor to drink straight is the one you enjoy. However, we’re not above giving you some guidance in these matters. So here are our choices for the best liquor brands to try.

Best liquor for shots. This is no surprise, but we’re recommending tequila for shots, just not the blanco version you’ve been drinking since college. Premium Tequila Ocho Añejo is our choice here.

Best liquor to drink neat. When you’re drinking alcohol without any ice, you want a liquor that’ll go down smooth as silk, in which case, Johnnie Walker is your man.

Best liquor to drink on the rocks. Bacardi Superior is a popular rum that usually makes its way into mixed drinks. But it's equally delicious when lightly chilled. Take small sips so you discern all the subtle flavor notes. You’ll be surprised by what you taste.

Best liquor to drink chilled. Hot days call for something light, cool, and refreshing. In that case, pour yourself a cordial glass of sweet limoncello and contemplate the sunset.

Best liquor when you want something out of the ordinary. There’s nothing worse than being stuck in a rut. Why not shake things up with some exotic spirits? The distinctive tastes of Yokaichi Mugi Shochu or Aperol Aperitivo Liqueur are bound to shake up a tired routine.

Best sweet liquor. If we had to choose, we’d land on sweet Frangelico. Try it with espresso poured over ice cream for a delectable dessert.

What is the healthiest hard liquor?

Let’s face it; alcohol’s never an entirely healthy choice. It’s an indulgence and should be enjoyed as such. 

If you’re looking for a healthier indulgence, some alcohols are considered healthier than others. Clear liquor like vodka and gin are lower in sugar and carbs and are easier for our liver to metabolize, reducing the effects on your head, stomach, and waistline.

The real surprise here is whiskey. Your good old-fashioned single malt has been shown to have the same antioxidant effect as red wine. It goes for all brands, whether you’re drinking an American whiskey or one from Scotland or Japan.

What liquor gives the least hangover?

If there’s one thing we hate about drinking, it’s the hangover. For some of us, it doesn’t matter what we do; we’re waking up with a headache and a wooly mouth. 

The most significant contributing factor to a hangover is the amount of alcohol by volume (ABV) contained in your drink. The more alcohol, the more likely you’ll wake up to a boatload of regret in the morning. But are there any other factors?

The general rule of thumb is to avoid dark liquors to spare yourself a morning-after headache. The darker the booze, the worse off you’ll feel come sunrise. You might want to reconsider drinking your fourth rye in a row and switch to water.

So, you’re switching from dark liquor to clear. Is there one that’s less likely to start jackhammers in your skull? The answer to that is yes. Of all the clear spirits you could drink, premium vodka is the least likely to give you a hangover. 

Remember, nothing will totally save you from the ill effects of a night of hard partying. Still, by being selective about what you drink, you can make the morning after a little more tolerable — just keep the water and pain killers handy.