Madeira, Marsala, and Port
Beer
Once you’ve got a foundation, it’s much more approachable to start mixing up great homemade cocktails. Ready to get started?
Base liquors (gin, vodka, whiskey, tequila, rum, brandy) Liqueurs (amaretto, Kahlua, Campari, Baileys, and more) Wines and fortified wines (vermouth, sherry, marsala) Beer
Gin
Gin is a distilled liquor that gets its flavor from juniper berries.
Popular brand names: Tanqueray Gin, London Dry Gin, Old Tom Gin Top cocktails: Gin Fizz, Gin and Tonic, Tom Collins, and Best Gin Cocktails
Vodka
Vodka is a clear distilled liquor from Europe with a neutral flavor.
Popular brand names: Tito’s Vodka, Skyy Vodka, Absolut Vodka Top cocktails: Moscow Mule, Bloody Mary, Cosmo, Espresso Martini, and Best Vodka Cocktails
Info: Types of Whiskey, Rye Whiskey Guide, Irish Whiskey Guide, Bourbon vs Whiskey, Scotch vs Whiskey, Fireball Whisky Guide, and Peanut Butter Whiskey Guide Popular brand names: Maker’s Mark (Bourbon), Woodford Reserve (Bourbon), Jameson (Irish Whiskey), Crown Royal (Canadian Whisky), Jack Daniels (Tennessee Whiskey), Skrewball (Peanut Butter Whiskey) Top cocktails: Whiskey Sour, Old Fashioned, and Best Whiskey Cocktails See also: Top Whiskey Cocktails, Bourbon Cocktails, Rye Whiskey Cocktails, Irish Whiskey Cocktails, Scotch Cocktails, Crown Royal Cocktails, Fireball Drinks, and Peanut Butter Whiskey Cocktails
Info: Types of Tequila: Blanco vs Reposado vs Añejo, Mezcal vs Tequila Popular brand names: Patrón Silver Tequila, Jose Cuervo Tequila Top cocktails: Margarita, Paloma and Best Tequila Cocktails See also: Top Mezcal Cocktails
Popular brand names: Bacardi Rum, Capitan Morgan Rum, Goslings Black Seal Rum, Malibu Coconut Rum (considered a coconut liqueur) Top cocktails: Mojito, Daiquiri, Best Rum Cocktails, Dark Rum Cocktails, or White Rum Cocktails
Popular brand names: Hennessy Cognac, Rémy Martin Cognac Top cocktails: Sidecar, Brandy Alexander, 10 Cognac Cocktails or 15 Best Brandy Cocktails
See Creme de Cacao, Creme de Cassis, Creme de Menthe, Creme de Mure, and Creme de Cacao Drinks. Curaçao is the original orange flavored liqueur invented in the 19th century by Dutch settlers. This category includes the popular Blue Curacao that has spawned a list of Blue Drinks. Triple Sec is the more popular category in modern cocktails: it’s a dryer style of orange liqueur that includes Cointreau and Triple Sec. See Cointreau Drinks and Triple Sec Cocktails. Grand Marnier is a mixture of Triple Sec and Cognac. See Quick Guide to Grand Marnier.
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage made with fermented grape juice. It’s consumed all over the world, both straight and mixed into drinks. See 15 Best Wine Cocktails and 13 Easy Champagne Cocktails. The main types of wine are:
Red wine White wine Rosé wine Sparkling wine like Champagne (French), Prosecco (Italian), and Cava (Spanish) Fortified wine (see below)
Port is a sweet fortified wine from Portugal, usually served as a dessert wine. See White Port and Tonic.
Ales: Blonde Ale, Brown Ale, Pale Ale, and India Pale Ale (IPA), Sour Ale, Porter, Stout Lager: American Lager, Lite Lager, Pilsner, Wheat Beer, Amber, Dark
