NINE BOTTLES YOU NEED

With these, and a few mixers, you can make virtually anything.

1. BEEFEATER GIN It has crispness to make everything from martinis to G&TS. $30 2. RITTENHOUSE RYE WHISKEY The Platonic ideal for Manhattans, and it drinks neat, too. $25 3. RON ZACAPA GRAN RESERVA SISTEMA SOLERA 23 RUM Lush and smooth on its own, and a dream in daiquiris. $60 4. W.L. WELLER SPECIAL RESERVE BOURBON Easy to find, unlike Pappy Van Winkle, but nearly as good. $18 5. BOYD & BLAIR POTATO VODKA Creamy with a hint of sweetness. It goes with everything. $25 6. VOLCAN DE MI TIERRA BLANCO TEQUILA A clean, smoky blanco, great for a tequila old-fashioned. $40 7. DOLIN DRY VERMOUTH Every cocktail bar has it because it’s perfect with gin. $16 8. CARPANO ANTICA FORMULA VERMOUTH The only sweet vermouth that should be in your Manhattan. $30 9. CAMPARI A must-have for spritzes. $29