White rum
Clean, lightly sweet base for Daiquiris, Mojitos and tall rum drinks.
Inside the bottle
Know what each ingredient does.
A practical index of what each spirit, liqueur, citrus, syrup and mixer contributes—and where to taste it.
104ingredients6useful groups
22 ingredients
Base spirits
The main alcoholic structure of a drink. Different bottles within one style can change aroma, proof and texture, so taste before making large batches.
Dark rum
Adds molasses, spice and deeper barrel notes to tropical and ginger drinks.
Gin
Juniper-led spirit that pairs naturally with citrus, tonic and herbs.
Vodka
Neutral base that lets ginger, citrus and fruit stay in focus.
Tequila (blanco)
Blanco tequila brings peppery agave brightness to citrus drinks.
Bourbon
Round oak, vanilla and spice support lemon and sugar.
Gold rum
A base spirit that supplies structure, aroma and alcoholic strength.
Overproof rum
A base spirit that supplies structure, aroma and alcoholic strength.
Spiced rum
A base spirit that supplies structure, aroma and alcoholic strength.
Catalogue staple
Tequila (reposado)
A base spirit that supplies structure, aroma and alcoholic strength.
Find it inOaxaca Old Fashioned
Mezcal
A base spirit that supplies structure, aroma and alcoholic strength.
Rye whiskey
A base spirit that supplies structure, aroma and alcoholic strength.
Scotch whisky
A base spirit that supplies structure, aroma and alcoholic strength.
Irish whiskey
A base spirit that supplies structure, aroma and alcoholic strength.
Brandy
A base spirit that supplies structure, aroma and alcoholic strength.
Cognac
A base spirit that supplies structure, aroma and alcoholic strength.
Pisco
A base spirit that supplies structure, aroma and alcoholic strength.
Apple brandy
A base spirit that supplies structure, aroma and alcoholic strength.
Absinthe
A base spirit that supplies structure, aroma and alcoholic strength.
Islay single malt
A base spirit that supplies structure, aroma and alcoholic strength.
Find it inPenicillin
38 ingredients
Liqueurs
Sweetened, flavored spirits used for aroma, color and complexity. Measure carefully: they often contribute both alcohol and sugar.
Triple sec / Cointreau
Orange liqueur that adds citrus aroma, sweetness and alcohol.
Aperol
Low-proof bittersweet orange aperitivo for bright, bubbly serves.
Sweet vermouth
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Dry vermouth
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Blanc vermouth
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Campari
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Grand Marnier
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Green Chartreuse
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Yellow Chartreuse
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Bénédictine
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Amaretto
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Coffee liqueur
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Irish cream
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Find it inMudslide
Elderflower liqueur
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Find it inHugo Spritz
Crème de cassis
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Crème de menthe
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Crème de violette
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Blue curaçao
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Melon liqueur
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Peach schnapps
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Raspberry liqueur
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Sloe gin
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Amaro
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Fernet
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Drambuie
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Find it inRusty Nail
Galliano
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Southern Comfort
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Ruby port
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Dry sherry
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Cream sherry
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Find it inFog Cutter
Cherry liqueur (Cherry Heering)
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Apricot brandy liqueur
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Find it inHotel Nacional
Crème de mûre (blackberry)
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Find it inBramble
Banana liqueur
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Catalogue staple
Falernum
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Find it inTest Pilot
Coconut rum
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Catalogue staple
Dry red wine
A sweetened modifier used in measured amounts for flavor, aroma and color.
Find it inNew York Sour
05 ingredients
Fresh citrus
Lime and lemon supply acid and aroma. Juice on the day of service, taste each batch and buy extra because fruit yields vary.
Fresh lime juice
Sharp, fragrant acid. Best squeezed close to serving.
Fresh lemon juice
Rounder citrus acidity common in whiskey and gin sours.
Lime
Provides juice, peel oils and a small amount of pleasant bitterness.
Orange
Fresh fruit used for acidity, fragrant peel oils or a finishing garnish.
Catalogue staple
Lemon
Fresh fruit used for acidity, fragrant peel oils or a finishing garnish.
Find it inWhiskey Smash
09 ingredients
Syrups
Liquid sweeteners bring balance and texture. Syrup concentration matters, so label homemade bottles with the ratio and date.
Simple syrup
Neutral liquid sweetener; standard syrup is equal weights sugar and water.
Orgeat syrup
A liquid sweetener used to balance acidity and shape the drink’s texture.
Honey syrup
A liquid sweetener used to balance acidity and shape the drink’s texture.
Agave syrup
A liquid sweetener used to balance acidity and shape the drink’s texture.
Ginger syrup
A liquid sweetener used to balance acidity and shape the drink’s texture.
Find it inPenicillin
Raspberry syrup
A liquid sweetener used to balance acidity and shape the drink’s texture.
Vanilla syrup
A liquid sweetener used to balance acidity and shape the drink’s texture.
Catalogue staple
Maple syrup
A liquid sweetener used to balance acidity and shape the drink’s texture.
Catalogue staple
19 ingredients
Mixers & lengtheners
Juice, soda and bubbles lengthen a cocktail. Keep carbonated mixers cold and add them last to preserve fizz.
Prosecco
Dry sparkling wine; chill well and add gently to preserve bubbles.
Soda water
Neutral carbonation that opens and lengthens a drink.
Tonic water
Carbonated mixer with quinine bitterness and its own sweetness.
Cola
Sweet, spiced carbonation with citrus-friendly acidity.
Ginger beer
Spicy carbonated mixer; brands vary widely in sweetness and heat.
Orange juice
Sweet citrus with soft acidity; freshness keeps it from tasting flat.
Pineapple juice
Tropical juice that foams beautifully when shaken.
Coconut cream
Rich, sweet coconut product; mix thoroughly before measuring.
Champagne
A juice or lengthener that changes flavor, dilution, texture or carbonation.
Grapefruit juice
A juice or lengthener that changes flavor, dilution, texture or carbonation.
Cranberry juice
A juice or lengthener that changes flavor, dilution, texture or carbonation.
Tomato juice
A juice or lengthener that changes flavor, dilution, texture or carbonation.
Apple juice
A juice or lengthener that changes flavor, dilution, texture or carbonation.
Catalogue staple
Passion fruit purée
A juice or lengthener that changes flavor, dilution, texture or carbonation.
Heavy cream
A juice or lengthener that changes flavor, dilution, texture or carbonation.
Milk
A juice or lengthener that changes flavor, dilution, texture or carbonation.
Ginger ale
A juice or lengthener that changes flavor, dilution, texture or carbonation.
Lemon-lime soda
A juice or lengthener that changes flavor, dilution, texture or carbonation.
11 ingredients
Fresh additions
Herbs and sugar look simple but technique changes their flavor. Press herbs gently and measure even small additions.
Fresh mint
Aromatic herb that needs only gentle pressing to release its oils.
White sugar
Granulated sweetness and light abrasion for muddled lime drinks.
Angostura bitters
A fresh or pantry ingredient used for seasoning, aroma, texture or garnish.
Orange bitters
A fresh or pantry ingredient used for seasoning, aroma, texture or garnish.
Peychaud's bitters
A fresh or pantry ingredient used for seasoning, aroma, texture or garnish.
Orange flower water
A fresh or pantry ingredient used for seasoning, aroma, texture or garnish.
Find it inRamos Gin Fizz
Egg white
A fresh or pantry ingredient used for seasoning, aroma, texture or garnish.
Fresh espresso
A fresh or pantry ingredient used for seasoning, aroma, texture or garnish.
Find it inEspresso Martini
Cucumber
A fresh or pantry ingredient used for seasoning, aroma, texture or garnish.
Catalogue staple
Fresh basil
A fresh or pantry ingredient used for seasoning, aroma, texture or garnish.
Catalogue staple
Salt
A fresh or pantry ingredient used for seasoning, aroma, texture or garnish.
Catalogue staple