13 Essential Top-Shelf Liquors for Your Home Bar, Recommended by Experts

Curating the Ideal Bar Cart

Curating the ideal bar cart necessitates some serious thought, particularly when choosing a select few outstanding bottles to embody each spirit category. However, the at-home process mirrors the approach employed by top professional bartenders, leading us to seek insights from industry experts regarding the perfect bar setup.

Expert Advice on Spirit Selection

“My approach to selecting spirits for a bar cart is equivalent to how I choose spirits for my bars or cocktails,” explained award-winning bar expert, author, and entrepreneur Jeffrey Morgenthaler. It’s essential to note that a bottle’s price tag doesn’t necessarily equate to quality; most bartending professionals share this perspective.

“For me, ‘top shelf’ signifies best quality — not necessarily the most expensive,” added seasoned bartender and educator Lynn House. Moreover, she noted, one does not need to possess every ‘popular’ label to create a fabulous bar cart. As she emphasized, the contents of your cart should reflect personal enjoyment rather than market demand. This mindset, alongside informed purchasing decisions, is fundamental to constructing an impressive bar cart.

Top-Shelf Liquor Basics

If beginning from scratch, establishing a strong foundation across essential spirit categories and modifiers is vital. According to House, the top-shelf liquor essentials include quality bourbon, rye, tequila, gin, vodka, Scotch whisky, an amaro, and bitters (both potable and aromatic). Additionally, she recommends stocking small bottles of sweet and dry vermouth, which should be refrigerated. Lastly, House encourages thinking outside the box and investing in personal favorites.

Personal Discovery and Unique Selections

“I have personally discovered numerous fun and unique brands that I proudly showcase when entertaining guests, through tasting and experimentation,” she stated. Being able to discuss your bar cart at this level adds a personal touch. In this context, House and Morgenthaler — along with renowned bar expert Meaghan Dorman of New York City’s Raines Law Room and Dear Irving — collaborate to share recommendations for curating the ultimate premium bar cart.

Top Bottle Picks for Your Bar Cart