Stocking your home bar often feels like an epic battle of good versus evil. On the "good" side, you want to avoid blowing your budget on bottles of top-shelf booze. But the (not so) "evil" side refuses to let you compromise on quality.
Well, you're in luck. INSIDER surveyed a highly qualified troupe of bartenders and beverage industry pros to find out which bottles of liquor priced under $30 are ready to square off against the booze world's heavy hitters. Note: prices may vary depending on the retailer. Here are some of their affordable faves.
Tito’s Handmade Vodka has a smooth taste.
When many people think of high-end vodka, they imagine bottles imported from the chilly climates of Northern Europe. In truth, however, you can find fantastic versions of this clear liquor made right here in the USA. Texas' capital city of Austin boasts a number of top-rated vodka distilleries, including nationally-popular hometown hero Tito's Handmade Vodka ($19.99).
Beverage director Jessica Norris of Del Frisco's Grille loves Tito's for its cocktail-perfect smoothness.
"Due to its smooth taste and punchy flavor, this reasonably priced, gluten-free liquor can also be mixed with a variety of bitters, juices, and infusions while still retaining its aromatic simplicity and taste," Norris told INSIDER.
Deep Eddy Vodka has an impressive selection of flavored vodkas.
Tito's isn't the only Austin vodka that delivers amazing quality for a low price. Deep Eddy Vodka ($16.99) earns high marks from bartenders for its cocktail readiness, and it's particularly celebrated for its impressive flavored vodkas, all made in small batches and infused with natural fruit juices.
Laurie Harvey, the beverage director for Cherry Pie Hospitality in Houston, Texas, chooses Deep Eddy's flavored versions as a base for fresh and seasonal cocktails.
"[Deep Eddy] makes excellent flavored vodkas in small batches using all-natural, farm fresh juices including Ruby Red Grapefruit, Lemon, and Orange. These make great bases for fancier cocktails, especially because the natural flavors pair more smoothly with other ingredients than some of the more expensive brands which use artificial flavoring," Harvey explained.
Tequila Cazadores Blanco tastes well-made.
Cheap tequila doesn't have the best reputation, reminding too many of us of college shot bars and overly sweet frozen margs at chain restaurants. We have good news for you, though: Well-made tequilas made of 100% agave can indeed be found for $30 or less.
One prime example? Tequila Cazadores Blanco ($24.99), a white tequila that's a particular favorite of David Kaplan, owner of famed NYC cocktail den Death & Co. Kaplan considers Tequila Cazadores Blanco a great all-purpose option for your liquor cabinet.
"If I'm stocking up my home bar for versatile, mixable spirits, I'll grab Tequila Cazadores Blanco over something that's a bit more expensive because it's got a great depth of flavor at a price point that's amazing for a 100% agave [spirit]," Kaplan said. "It's the perfect tequila for a margarita and is also really fun [in a beer-and-shot pairing]."
El Dorado 3-Year Rum is perfect for any cocktail.
With Tiki cocktails popping up at bars all over the country, rum's definitely having a moment right now. High-quality imported rums can get pretty pricey, but if you want something smooth, flavorful, and ideal for your pina colada, go ahead and grab a bottle of El Dorado 3-Year Rum ($24.99).
This award-winning libation works perfectly in tropical-inspired poolside cocktails, according to lead bartender Devin Childress of Avalon Beverly Hills.
"At around $18, this rum is about as solid as it gets for the price. It's a white rum [with a] combination of citrus and vanilla [notes which] create the nose and balance the flavor, [finishing off with an] almost fruity feel. Super ideal for mixing into anything from mojitos to swizzles, [and] I use it as the base of my Mai Tai accompanied by a float of aged island rum," Childress told INSIDER.
Fords Gin makes any martini taste expensive.
If you want to make a martini that'd do James Bond proud, you need a classic London Dry gin, known for its crisp profile and pronounced hints of juniper. If you want to save some dough without compromising on quality, go for Fords Gin ($24.99).
Simon Ford, the distiller behind his namesake bottles, collaborated with dozens of pro bartenders to develop his gin, and their input makes this spirit beautifully suited for cocktails. Thea Engst and Lauren Vigdor, authors of "Drink Like a Bartender," fully agree, telling INSIDER that "Fords Gin is a London Dry, just like Beefeater, [but it costs a few bucks less than Beefeater's version]. Fords is made to be mixed with and can be shaken or stirred into something truly fabulous. [But] honestly, if you sip gin on its own or on the rocks, Fords won't let you down there either."
Old Grand Dad Bourbon has a high-quality taste.
Perhaps more than any other spirit, whiskey appeals to collectors who want to dissect every single nuance and flavor attribute … and who are more than willing to pay ridiculous amounts for the privilege. But there's no need to empty your bank account in order to enjoy an impressive bottle of brown booze. Because they're generally made in the US, bourbons are pretty easy to find affordable, and if you're in the mood for an Old Fashioned or a bourbon Manhattan, a bottle of Old Grand Dad Bourbon ($18.99) will do you right.
Old Grand Dad comes from the same distillery group behind the pricier Basil Hayden bourbon, so the same quality standards apply. As a result, you end up with a complex but easy-to-drink bourbon that's on the preferred list of many a bartender, including Cody Frederickson of Scotch 80 Prime at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
"This is one of my favorite value-pour whiskeys. It's a full-proof, high rye bourbon with so much complexity. Deep vanilla and caramel [flavors] are backed up by a balancing citrus spice with lingering tobacco notes," raved Frederickson.
Kentucky Gentleman Bourbon is made by a high-end bourbon manufacturer.
Speaking of inexpensive bourbons made by super-fancy producers … Pappy Van Winkle, one of the most exclusive and collectible bourbons on the planet, sells for well over $100 a bottle. Little rich for your blood? Well, as it turns out, the distillery group responsible for Pappy also makes a much cheaper bourbon that still drinks beautifully: Kentucky Gentleman ($13.99).
Industry folks, like beverage director Paul Williams of Metropolitan Hospitality Group in Washington, DC, gravitate to Kentucky Gentleman because of its similarities to Pappy and its overall drinkability.
"When it comes to finding a bargain, most people in the beverage industry look for a proper bourbon or rye since the price of both continue to rise," Williams said. "[But] an expensive bourbon or rye is not always a high-quality bourbon or rye. Kentucky Gentleman has an average retail price of $10, and it's made by The Sazerac Company, the same distillery that makes Pappy Van Winkle. Kentucky Gentleman drinks smooth with a single cube or just neat."
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