You don’t need a trust fund or a basement speakeasy to impress friends (and yourself) at home.
With £150–£350 you can create a seriously respectable home bar that covers 90% of classic cocktails – and yes… we’ll deliver almost everything same-day in London or next-day UK-wide.
Let’s break it down step by step – beginner friendly, wallet friendly, and fun.
These 6 bottles cover ~95% of popular cocktails. Start here – don’t overbuy yet.
| Spirit | Why You Need It | Best Budget Pick (2026) | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gin | Gin & Tonic, Martini, Negroni, Gimlet | Beefeater or Tanqueray London Dry | £20–£28 |
| Vodka | Moscow Mule, Espresso Martini, Bloody Mary | Smirnoff Red or Absolut | £18–£25 |
| Whisky | Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, Manhattan | Jameson or Jack Daniel’s | £22–£32 |
| Rum | Mojito, Daiquiri, Dark & Stormy | Captain Morgan or Bacardi Gold | £18–£26 |
| Tequila | Margarita, Paloma, Tequila Sunrise | Jose Cuervo or Espolòn Blanco | £22–£35 |
| Vermouth | Martini, Negroni, Manhattan | Martini Rosso & Extra Dry (mini bottles OK) | £10–£15 |
Pro move: Start with 70cl bottles for the first 5, and get 35cl vermouth – it lasts ages once opened.
Skip fancy crystal for now – good quality IKEA or Argos glasses work brilliantly.
Pro tip: Buy mixers in bulk – they’re cheaper and last longer than spirits!
Master these 5 – they cover 90% of guest requests:
Want the full recipes? We’ve got you covered inside the gift sets section.
You now have the blueprint. All that’s missing is the bottles.
Start with Whisky
Go Bold with Tequila
Get a Ready-to-Start Gift Set
