Nothing soothes the pain of a hectic day like a delicious craft cocktail. While going to a bar is fun, sometimes the stress of making plans with friends, battling traffic, finding parking, or an expensive bill negates the relaxation that the drink provides. Or sometimes leaving the house (and comfortable clothes) just isn’t appealing, even if the idea of ​​a well-made spritzer is appealing. So what do you do when you want a delicious, high-end bar experience at home? Participate: make cocktail subscription boxes!

These types of membership services can help turn any casual drinker into a master mixologist. While every company and box is different, Cocktail Subscription Boxes provide all (or nearly all) of the ingredients and tools you need to make craft booze in the comfort of your own home. Tiffanie Barrière, aka The Drinking Coach, has some helpful ideas and tips to help you navigate the booming world of cocktail subscription boxes. ? (Barriere previously served as beverage director for seven years of One Flew South and is currently co-chair of Tales of the Cocktail’s Dame Hall of Fame, and is working to become a cocktail historian. So she knows her stuff.)

While some cocktail aficionados might scoff at homemade drinks, this cocktail maven has a different take on subscription cocktail boxes. “They are so cool! said Barrier. “[They] give you the chance to make your own cocktails with your own spin.” In addition to allowing enthusiasts to better understand the art of craft cocktails and to experiment, she believes there are many additional benefits for the consumer, from the soup to the nuts.

“You can see the hard work that goes into being a bartender,” says Barrière. “Getting the right shake and garnish and you know, there’s a kind of perfectionism that goes into making a cocktail. But also, you save a bit of money by going out and sitting in a bar. When you are in a bar, you can order something because it looks interesting, but what if you don’t like it and you wasted your money there? It’s much better when you’re at home and are a little more curious to taste these ingredients before incorporating them.

Barriere is also excited that the cocktail subscription boxes give more people access to craft cocktails than they might otherwise have had. “Maybe you have kids or maybe there’s no cool bar nearby, so you can be your own craft bar at home and that’s so cool,” he reiterates. she. She also hopes the convenience of these boxes will inspire more people to make craft cocktails their drink of choice at home, especially for those who live in areas with bad winter weather. “Sometimes it’s so easy to buy a bottle of wine, but why not have a bar experience at home during the colder months? You don’t have to put on your jacket or shovel some snow.

What to Look for in a Cocktail Subscription Box

There are a variety of different subscription boxes that offer different cocktail elements, but Barriere makes no secret of the fact that she prefers subscription cocktail kits that include the star element: the spirit. “We want the full month,” she says. “Yeah, I like that alcohol is included. When looking for your perfect box, you want to look for one with maybe two different spirits. Something dark and something light that you can work with.

The master mixologist believes that sampling more liquors gives the customer the best return on investment in terms of expanding their palate and discovering new brands. ” The maid, [has] the chance to create their own cocktail with that spirit, but it also gives the brands that make those bottles a chance to be experienced at home as well,” she says. “Because when we’re in a bar, there are so many different varieties and profiles, but if you receive a certain profile at home from a brand, you can fall in love and that can be your choice.”

As for his other recommended items in the box, Barrier has a list of non-negotiables. “Some recipe cards that give you a variety of things to do with your spirits, not just said cocktail they give you [the recipe for], but other things you can change with the syrups are great fun,” she advises. “We want syrups inside or sparkling water options that can change the flavor profile with or without alcohol.”

She also likes kits that include non-drinkable items to help with the cocktail-making process. “We like to see tools. A cool spoon or coaster, maybe a glass that really adds to the aesthetic effect,” she points out.

How to Choose a Cocktail Subscription Box

Despite Barrière’s professional advice, she believes that choosing the perfect box depends on the individual and their specific needs. “They have to think about how much they drink in general. So maybe a box with a variety of blenders versus spirit would be a great way to save money,” she suggests. “That way you can buy your own bottle at home. Then you can play with these profiles with your mind.

Cocktail Subscription Boxes To Try

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Cocktail courier

If you want to try Barrière’s favorite cocktail subscription box, look no further. “I’m a sucker for Cocktail Courier,” she says. “They do it well. They were ahead of their time when they created this and now they’re on top. Cocktail Courier lets you choose your spirit preferences, ensuring you get boxes and cocktails you’ll love. If you don’t want to commit to a subscription, choose their unique boxes.

Shaker and Spoon

Got a bunch of booze at home? Shaker & Spoon boxes include everything (other than alcohol) to make three different cocktails (12 in total), including homemade bitters, mixers, citrus fruits and syrups in small batches. Each specialty box contains step-by-step recipes from award-winning mixologists, making it easy to play mixologist at home. They also have an online store to re-order any ingredients you like as well as bar items.

Artisanal taste

Talk about the full month! This box is available in three tiers to fit your budget and cocktail needs. Choose from a kit with only craft mixers or craft mixers with full-size liquor bottles. Each kit contains recipes for four craft cocktails and gives the option of purchasing a subscription or à la carte if you want to change your order each month.

SaloonBox

These select cocktail kits include ingredients and instructions for two different craft cocktails. They let you preview each month’s box and skip shipping if the drinks don’t tickle your fancy. Alcohol is shipped separately from SaloonBox alcohol retail partners.