Best Inexpensive Liquor

Rich dark garnet color. Aromas of black cassis, hints of peppermint, toast, and citronella with a bright, sweet fat body and a sleek, massive, medium-long smoked peppercorns and fine syrah finish. An intense, complex and generous Creme de Cassis with bold, pure flavors; the go-to choice for a Kir Royale, an El Diablo, and many other classic cocktails.

Clear color. Aroma of funky cane with a satiny, vibrant, fruity light-to-medium body and a seamless, complex, medium-long key lime, apricot, grilled fruits and vegetables, coconut, lychee, and guanabana finish. A delicious, perfectly funky caipirinha in a can.

Tasted as a Moscow Mule cocktail. Golden straw color. Attractive, spicy aromas and flavors of fresh sliced ginger, freshly ground nutmeg, galangal, and hint of egg nog with a supple, racy, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, complex, endless finish that shows notes of honeyed ginger root, ginger tea with lemon, and white peppercorn finish. A fabulously fresh and commanding ginger-forward Moscow Mule that warmly stimulates the senses.

Clear color. Pure aromas and flavors of freshly sliced cucumber and hints of basil with a round, crisp, dry light-to-medium body and a smooth, appealing, medium-length finish with nuances of lime and melon. A stellar Flavored Vodka that sings with pure, natural cucumber flavor and an easy-to-mix dry palate.

Clear color. Aromas and flavors of roasted coconut with mar, cherries in vanilla extract, magic marker, and carob almond bar with a supple, crisp, dryish medium-to-full body and a tingling, refreshing, medium-long finish with nuances of minerals, copper, peppered figs, and egg nog finish. A lightly funky, cane-y, pot still influenced rum that will be great for tiki cocktails and daiquiris.

Clear color. Aromas of sweet tea, gunpowder, grilled green apple, rubber, bacon, orange peel, and pineapple chutney with a supple, crisp, dry medium body and a warming, interesting, long latex and spiced parsnips finish. A curious and concentrated Blanco Mezcal for celebrating and cocktailing.

Golden straw color. Aromas and flavors of ginger, lime rind, horseradish, and marjoram with a supple, crisp, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, breezy finish revealing nuances of pickled cucumber, chalk, and white pepper finish. This ginger beer makes a spicy, balanced Moscow Mule with silky texture.

Clear color. Citrusy, herbal aromas and flavors of delicate quinine, grapefruit and orange peel, and cucumber with a supple, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, intricate, long finish imparting notes of grapefruit granita, floral pear, lychee nut, and aloe drink with gentian finish. A delicate savory tonic that will bring out a lot of fruity complexity in a vodka tonic with just enough bitterness to balance.

Awards: 2018 Best Other Cocktail Mixer

Creamy taupe color. Aromas of chocolate milk, cocoa powder, and graham crackers with a creamy, crisp, sweet fat body and a smooth, delightful, medium-length hot fudge on chocolate gelato and chocolate mousse finish. Giant chocolate flavors for your inner child; luxuriate with this over ice.

Golden straw color. Aromas and flavors of ripe cantaloupe, golden apple, and honeydew with a satiny, crisp, sweet medium body and a smooth, interesting, medium-length finish with impressions of watermelon finish. A light and outgoing melon liqueur with an excellent sense of freshness and purity.