Tonight you’re having drinks with friends.

There’s a certain magic when the light catches those cool liquor bottles your cocktail-savvy friends have been collecting. The bottle’s color and shape almost tell you what flavors it contains. 

But if it’s your turn to entertain and you’re new to mixing drinks, it can be pretty intimidating. What will everyone want to drink? Is there a best cocktail for everyone? Are the bottles with the neatest label the best-tasting alcohol brands? 

You need a list of the top 10 liquors to stock your at-home bar. Luckily, we have a list of the top 12 liquors, so you can pick and choose. You’ll find the building blocks of the most popular cocktails here with the best liquor brands for your home bar.

1. Bombay Sapphire Gin 750 ml (94 Proof)

If you’ve ever shopped for the best liquor brands for a home bar, you’ll know this brand on sight.

The Bombay Sapphire Gin is a British liquor recognized for its bright, pale blue bottle. Infused with ten exotic botanicals, Bombay has clean, bright flavor with a vibrant, peppery finish. You might not want to use this premium spirit for something like a Long Island iced tea because you’ll miss out on the sophisticated flavors, but it’s a favorite of those who love a simple gin and tonic or for your favorite cocktail. 

$29.95

2. Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Scotch 750 ml (100 Proof)

Are you looking for an excellent single malt scotch whiskey to add to your alcohol cabinet? Then you have to try the Classic Laddie Scotch, which has hints of brown sugar and green apple. Bruichladdich Distillery is located on the southwestern tip of the remote Hebridean island of Islay where they distill four unique spirits.

It’s packaged in a bright, aqua green bottle.

$59.99

3. Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750 ml (90 Proof)

Yes, we just recommended a Scotch, but this American bourbon is another surefire hit! That’s probably because Buffalo Trace has been making bourbon the same way for more than 200 years. They’ve had the time and taken the time to perfect their bourbon. It has an alcohol content (or ABV) of 45%. The drink’s smooth, consistent flavor hints at brown sugar, toffee, and vanilla. 

$25.99

4. Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon 750 ml

You’ll want to savor the taste of this premium Single Barrel again and again. It’s complex, full-bodied and surprisingly smooth with a delicate, long finish that’s unbelievably mellow. Drink Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon straight up or on the rocks. 100 proof. 50% alcohol/volume.

Tasting Notes: On the nose, dried spice, pear, cocoa, vanilla and maple syrup. On the palate, hints of ripe plum and cherries, robust, full body, mellow. Smooth and delicately long finish.

$51.99

5. Old Forester Rye 750 ml (100 Proof)

Old fashioned cocktail enthusiasts rejoice! We’ve included the Old Forester Rye on this list. You could also pour some of this rye into a Manhattan or on the rocks for subtle notes of cinnamon sticks, baked apple, black pepper, and dill. If you’re missing a little something, you’ll know where to find it.

This whiskey has a long-brewing history to back up its credentials and is 20% malted barley, 15% corn, and 65% rye.

$27.99

6. Don Julio Blanco Tequila 750 ml (80 Proof)

Blanco tequila is a “silver” tequila that is unaged, meaning that it’s bottled soon after the distillation process. Using the finest blue agave plant and a time-honored distillation process, Don Julio® Blanco Tequila is tequila in its truest form. This smooth, citrusy drink is distilled from blue agave, and it’s perfect for mixing with your margarita or in your favorite shot recipe. 

$52.99

7. El Tesoro Paradiso Extra Anejo Tequila 750ml

No list is complete without (yet another) tequila recommendation, and fortunately, there are plenty of those to go around. “Anejo” is tequila aged for more than three years. For this option, we have to pick the El Tesoro Paradiso Extra. It received 96 points from Wine Enthusiast and Double Gold at the 2012 SF Spirits Competition. Pale yellow in color, the nose is spicy, earthy and delightfully vegetal. The body is somewhat delicate, with a long smooth finish.What makes this brand of Anejo stand out is that it’s been aged for four to five years, not three, and stored in bourbon-styled barrels. 

$149.99

8. Herradura Reposado Tequila 750 ml (80 Proof)

Reposado is a type of tequila that sits for more than two months but less than two years before it’s packaged and sold. Herradura, a tequila brand that hails from Jalisco Valley, Mexico, is the world's first reposado. Aged 11 months, for a smooth, balanced taste. This reposado tequila has hints of vanilla, caramel, pepper, and agave, and its relatively low price makes it a favorite of casual cocktail drinkers.

$47.99

9. Tito's Handmade Vodka 750 ml (80 Proof)

Tito’s Handmade Vodka is batch-distilled in Austin, Texas using old-fashioned copper pot stills. Made from naturally gluten-free corn, each sip of Tito’s goes down smooth with a subtle sweetness and an impeccably clean finish. Each batch is taste-tested to ensure our craft vodka is as good as the day it was born.

$25.99

10. Patron Silver Tequila 750 ml (80 Proof)

If you’re looking for a bit of variation in your tequila choices, don’t forget Patron’s Silver Tequila, made from blue agave. This liquor comes in a stout, beautifully clear bottle and an aesthetically pleasing package that looks equally good on the shelves of your personal liquor cabinet or as a special gift to a friend.

Try the Silver Breeze:

1.5 oz. Patrón Silver

1 oz. grapefruit juice

1 oz. cranberry juice

1 oz. lemonade

Optional garnish: lemon wedges

Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled glass & stir. Garnish with a lemon wedge & change the words of "Summer Breeze."

$49.99

11. Frapin 1270 Cognac 750ml

Cognac is a French liqueur known for its classic golden-brown color and slight vanilla taste. The Frapin 1270 follows this tradition. It has an appearance of warm golden highlights, with a bouquet of vines and lime blossoms adding a light touch of vanilla. The palate is round with finesse and balance, with slight vanilla and toast notes. The fact that it’s packaged in cool liquor bottles helps justify the price tag — you can turn it into a vase if you’re feeling creative. 

$66.99

12. Hennessy VSOP Privilege Cognac 750 ml (80 Proof)

Henessy is one of the world’s oldest cognac brands, and the Hennessy VSOP Privilege continues the brand’s reputation as a top-tier distiller. Repeating the unrepeatable. Discover the world's first and finest VSOP cognac since 1765. A natural balance of strength and smoothness with a long-lasting finish. Based out of France with its products sold worldwide, the VSOP Privilege has a slight citrus zest and is perfect for sipping on the rocks. 

$76.99

FAQs

Why keep a liquor cabinet?

You may have your favorite drink, but your friends may only drink Limoncello. If you’re going to have a party, every host knows you need different alcohol types for different types of people. Liquor is the most essential part of any home bar, so we recommend stocking up. 

What makes all of these liquors different?

Trade secret. Just kidding! Different distillations, malting processes, and grain compositions can make wildly different flavors from the same basic ingredients. Don’t even get us started about terroir. There’s no limit to how much you can experiment with mixology if you have a well stocked home bar — and you never know what your favorite would be.

Why are some alcohols more expensive than others?

Quality! If a mediocre spirit is overpriced, it won’t last long on the market. The price reflects the work that goes into making these drinks; a well-aged Scotch costs more than one aged for only a few months. And the more liquors you try, the more you’ll agree with us.