Explore the World of Liquors

What Is Liquor and Why It Matters

Liquor, also known as distilled spirits or hard alcohol, is a key element in nearly every event bar setup—from signature cocktails to neat pours. It’s created by distilling fermented grains, fruits, or other plants to increase alcohol concentration and refine flavor. Liquors typically range from 20% to 80% ABV, making them more potent than wine or beer, and more versatile in both classic and creative cocktails.

Understanding the characteristics of each major type of liquor helps hosts, event planners, and bartenders build menus that balance flavor, cost, and guest preference. Whether you’re curating an open bar for a wedding or setting up a tasting station for a corporate celebration, liquor education adds confidence to your planning.

Explore how our bar catering service integrates spirits into seamless, licensed, and guest-friendly experiences.

Vodka: The Neutral Crowd-Pleaser

Vodka is known for its clean, neutral profile, making it the go-to spirit for mixing. It’s typically distilled from grains like wheat, rye, or corn, though potato-based vodkas remain popular. Because of its light flavor and high purity, vodka is a base for everything from brunch mimosas to martini variations.

• Popular Vodka Cocktails: Moscow Mule, Bloody Mary, Cosmopolitan, Espresso Martini
• Flavor Profile: Clean, crisp, odorless, ideal for citrus or herbal pairings
• Ideal For: Large events where universal appeal matters

View our bar packages to see how vodka options are built into every event tier—from casual mixers to luxury service.

Tequila: From Agave to Añejo

Tequila is made from the blue agave plant and regulated under Mexican law to ensure quality. Its earthy, peppery tones and wide aging spectrum make it one of the most expressive liquors behind the bar. Tequila’s popularity is rising fast—especially at summer weddings, Mexican-themed events, and rooftop parties.

• Types of Tequila: Blanco (unaged), Reposado (aged up to 1 year), Añejo (aged 1–3 years), Extra Añejo (aged over 3 years)
• Popular Cocktails: Margarita, Paloma, Tequila Sunrise, Ranch Water
• Flavor Profile: Herbal, spicy, earthy, often citrus-friendly

We incorporate tequila into custom builds and pair it with culturally inspired food setups. Explore our liquor stock guide for events that balance variety with performance.

Rum: Sweet, Spiced, and Summer-Ready

Rum is distilled from sugarcane juice or molasses, giving it a natural sweetness that guests love in warmer seasons. It’s the base of iconic Caribbean and Latin-inspired cocktails and is often categorized by color and age. From brunch to beach-themed fundraisers, rum adds fun and flavor to any gathering.

• Types of Rum: White, Gold, Dark, Spiced, Flavored
• Popular Cocktails: Mojito, Daiquiri, Piña Colada, Dark ’n’ Stormy
• Flavor Profile: Sweet, caramel, vanilla, tropical fruit notes

Planning a summer event? See how our event liquor planning includes rum stations and tropical builds guests remember.

Whiskey: Complexity in a Glass

Whiskey is aged and layered, offering the deepest variety among liquors. Depending on where it’s made and how it’s aged, whiskey can take on notes of smoke, oak, caramel, or spice. It’s commonly enjoyed at evening events, corporate affairs, or formal weddings where guests appreciate richer spirits.

• Types of Whiskey: Bourbon (U.S.), Scotch (Scotland), Irish Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Japanese Whiskey
• Popular Cocktails: Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Whiskey Sour, Mint Julep
• Flavor Profile: Woodsy, smoky, spice-forward, complex

Gotham’s staff is trained in proper stirring, glassware, and garnish etiquette for whiskey-forward menus. Learn more in our whiskey technique guide.

Gin: Herbal Elegance

Gin is a grain-based spirit infused with juniper berries and an array of botanicals like coriander, citrus peel, angelica root, or cardamom. It’s clean but fragrant, ideal for refreshing, aromatic cocktails. While gin has historic roots in Europe, it’s become a staple at modern weddings, garden parties, and corporate events looking for sophistication and lightness.

• Types of Gin: London Dry, Plymouth, Old Tom, New American
• Popular Cocktails: Negroni, Gin & Tonic, Martini, Tom Collins
• Flavor Profile: Herbal, floral, bright, with a dry finish

Explore our gin glossary and bar terminology guide to better understand how gin works across classic and custom menus.

Brandy & Cognac: Distilled from Wine

Brandy is a fruit-distilled spirit most commonly made from grapes. Cognac, a prestigious brandy, hails from France and follows strict regional and aging regulations. These liquors are often served neat but also show up in vintage-style cocktails and after-dinner pours at formal events.

• Types of Brandy: Standard grape brandy, Cognac, Armagnac, Applejack, Pisco
• Popular Cocktails: Sidecar, Brandy Alexander, Vieux Carré
• Flavor Profile: Warm, fruity, nutty, often oak-aged

Review our basic cocktail techniques to see how our bartenders incorporate brandy into elevated service.

Absinthe, Ouzo & Other Unique Spirits

Not all liquors fall into the big six. Spirits like absinthe and ouzo offer bold, anise-heavy profiles and are used either in small quantities or in culturally specific menus. These add flair and uniqueness to themed parties, heritage-focused celebrations, or creative cocktail programs.

• Absinthe: High-proof green spirit infused with wormwood and fennel
• Ouzo: Greek anise liquor, often diluted with cold water or ice
• Other Unique Picks: Aquavit (Scandinavia), Soju (Korea), Arak (Levant)

Looking to get creative? Our beverage team can help craft menus around these standout spirits.

Liquor Service at Events: What Hosts Should Know

Serving liquor at events isn’t just about taste—it’s about responsibility and compliance. Gotham’s bar staff is trained in portion control, ID checks, and event pacing to ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for all guests. We also carry liquor liability insurance and coordinate with venues to meet any permit requirements.

Key considerations include:

• Know your guest count and bar type (open vs. ticketed)
• Set service cut-off times and offer mocktail alternatives
• Coordinate with venue and ensure bartenders are certified

Read our full alcohol service policy to understand how we manage liability and safety at events of all sizes.

Build Your Bar: Choosing Liquors for Your Event

So how many liquors do you actually need? That depends on your budget, audience, and style. For smaller events, a 3-spirit bar (vodka, whiskey, rum) keeps things efficient. For larger gatherings or themed events, a full 6-spirit build (vodka, gin, tequila, rum, whiskey, brandy) allows maximum variety.

Tips for choosing:

• Pick base liquors based on your signature cocktail preferences
• Include one non-aged option (like vodka or tequila blanco) for highball drinks
• Use guest count estimates to guide bottle counts and batching

Start planning with our drink quantity calculator and let us help you balance taste, cost, and service.