Cocktail Recipes

15 Bottles to Build your Bar!

Bottles

• RYE WHISKEY
  • My choice: Rittenhouse 100 Proof
  • Lower proof alternative: Old Overholt
• BOURBON
  • My choice: Buffalo Trace
  • Cheaper alternative: Evan Williams Black Label
• SCOTCH
  • My choice: Monkey Shoulder
  • Smokier single malt alternative: Laphroaig 10 Year
• GIN
  • My choice: Plymouth
  • London dry alternative: Broker’s
• LIGHT RUM
  • My choice: El Dorado 3 Year
  • Cheaper alternative: Don Q Gold
• DARK RUM
  • My choice: Hamilton Jamaican Pot Still Black
  • Less assertive alternative: Appleton Estate V/X
• BRANDY
  • My choice: Maison Rouge V.S.O.P.
  • Lighter, cheaper alternative (for a Wisconsin old fashioned): Korbel
• TEQUILA/MEZCAL
  • My choice for tequila: Siete Lequas Blanco
  • Mezcal alternative: Vida de San Luis del Rio
• VODKA
  • My choice: Rider Vodka from Union Horse Distilling Co.
  • Traditional alternative: Russian Standard
• SWEET VERMOUTH
  • My choice: Cochi Vermouth di Torino
  • Adventurous alternative: an amontillado sherry by Alvear or Lustau
• DRY VERMOUTH
  • My choice: Dolin Vermouth de Chambery Dry
  • Adventurous alternative: Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano
• ORANGE LIQUEUR
  • My choice: Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao
  • Drier alternative: Luxardo Triplum Triple Sec
  • Sweeter alternative: Marie Brizard Orange Curaçao
• APéRITIF/DIGESTIF
  • My choice: Campari
  • Sweeter alternative: Aperol
• ABSINTHE/PASTIS
  • My choice: La Clandestine
  • Pastis alternative: Ricard or Pernod
• BITTERS
  • My choice: Angostura Aromatic Bitters
  • Orange bitters alternative: Regan’s Orange Bitters no. 6
  • New Orleans alternative: Peychaud’s Bitters
• HONORABLE MENTIONS
  • Green Chartreuse
  • Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur