"You don't need to buy the premium stuff for mixing most drinks," says Dale DeGroff. Sample a range of each kind of liquor and splurge on the ones where you can tell the difference.

1. BOURBON

Premium: Maker's Mark
Bargain: Old Forester

2. GIN

Premium: Beefeater
Bargain: Gordon's

3. RUM (LIGHT)

Premium: Bacardi
Bargain: Castillo

4. SCOTCH (BLENDED)

Premium: Dewar's
Bargain: White Horse

5. TEQUILA

Premium: Porfidio
Bargain: Sauza Hornitos, Jose Cuervo

6. DRY VERMOUTH

Choose a French brand, Noilly Prat is high-quality but inexpensive.

7. SWEET VERMOUTH

Go for Martini & Rossi — premium in taste but not in price.

8. VODKA

Premium: Belvedere
Bargain: Smirnoff