5 Ways to Keep a Stocked Liquor Cabinet for Cheap

While I’m not sure many of us are having formal cocktail parties these days, many friendly get-togethers can include a bit of imbibing. And though most folks I know are pretty flexible about their beverages, I always try to keep a well-stocked liquor cabinet so everyone can sip something they enjoy.

But boy, can that get pricey. There are just so many different types of liquors out there. Even if you keep just the “basics” around, you’re talking about:

• Vodka
• Gin
• Rum
• Tequila
• Whisky
• Wine
• Beer

And that’s not considering all the varieties. Do you keep light rum or dark rum? White wine or red? IPAs or lagers? And what about all the mixers?!

You don’t need to break the bank to make everyone happy. If you’re looking to stock up the liquor cabinet for some spring and summer entertaining, here are a few ways to do it on a budget.

1. Buy lesser-known or store brands

There’s a fine line between paying more for better-quality liquor and paying more for a fancy bottle or well-known name. (If you’ve ever watched those blind taste test videos of supposed liquor experts, it’s eye-opening.)

Don’t be afraid to try out lesser-known brands, or even some store brands, that could offer good taste at a reasonable cost. This is especially true if you typically make mixed drinks where you may not necessarily notice top-shelf liquor anyway.

For example, if you’re going to mix your whisky with cola anyway, you probably don’t need an 18-year-old single malt. A tasty blended whisky would do just fine (and cost a fraction of the price).

2. Shop wholesale clubs

Speaking of store brands, I have to give a shout-out to everyone’s favorite wholesale clubs here. These places can be great when you’re stocking up on all the basics.

Costco has Kirkland Signature–branded liquors (and wines) that are considered pretty darn good in terms of quality — and excellent in terms of price. Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark house brand is also known for having good quality in its line of liquors. Indeed, there are a ton of rumors that both clubs may get their liquor from the same distilleries as some very well-known brands.

3. Look for manufacturer coupons

As with pretty much any other product, liquor manufacturers often put out coupons for their products. Unlike other products, these coupons aren’t typically showing up in a flyer in the mail.

Instead, keep your eyes peeled while you’re browsing the liquor store. A lot of coupons will be hung around the neck of the eligible bottles. (Some liquor stores may also, or instead, display coupons on a board or display somewhere in the store. My local liquor store has a bulletin board full of coupons.)

You could also try visiting the manufacturer’s website. Some brands will offer coupons you can print out, especially around new product launches.

Although it can be hit-and-miss for liquor, you can find some excellent wine deals in most credit card issuer portals. For example, I have frequent deals for various online wine sellers in my Amex Offers portal. (Not for nothing, some of those sites also sell liquor, so it could work for both.)

While we’re talking about credit cards, I do want to point out that purchase rewards can also help cut the cost some. However, liquor stores won’t typically be included in any bonus categories (even ones attached to grocery stores tend to code separately), so you’ll need a good flat-rate card to make the most of these purchases.

5. Stock up during holiday sales

Some types of liquor will go on sale around certain holidays. For example, if you like Irish whisky, then a St. Patrick’s Day special could help you stock up for cheap. Similarly, Cinco de Mayo can be a great time to pick up tequila.

The winter holidays can also see a lot of great deals on liquor (both for gifts and for, you know, all that family togetherness). At the very least, you may find some good-value gift sets that include a larger bottle with a few smaller freebies, which can be a good way to try out new varieties.

Bonus tip: Fresh mixers can make the drink

Even if you’re stuck with less-quality liquor, you can make a great cocktail by paying extra attention to the quality of your mixers. Anything you can make fresh, you should make fresh. Freshly squeezed juices will always taste better than anything from a bottle or concentrate.

And don’t forget the garnish. Even a cheap cocktail somehow tastes better when it has a decorative umbrella, spiral of orange peel, and yummy maraschino cherry on top.

It doesn’t take a ton of money to keep your guests well lubricated. Try out these tips and see how much you can save on your next liquor run.

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