How to stock a home bar for under £75: a UK guide

A proper home bar doesn't need a second mortgage. You can build one for under £75 with five key spirits, essential mixers and basic glassware. Most people spend more on a night out — this setup pays for itself in three or four entertaining evenings.

Budget supermarket own-brands and volume discounts are your secret weapons. Buy the right foundation now, and expand slowly with leftover bottles later.

This guide breaks down every pound and shows you exactly where to buy.

Quick answer

Buy one bottle each of vodka, gin, rum and whisky (around £8–12 each), plus brandy or a digestif (£10–15). Spend the rest on mixers, a bottle of fresh lime juice, and basic glassware. Supermarket own-brands work fine; focus on scale and shelf space, not prestige labels.

The five-spirit foundation (£45–55)

You don't need twenty bottles. Five spirits cover roughly 80% of home cocktails. Here's the most cost-effective order:

• Vodka (£8–10) — supermarket own-brand, 70cl. Use it in Vodka Tonics, Screwdrivers, and as a backup when you're unsure. No snobbery needed here; neutral grain spirit is neutral grain spirit.
• Gin (£9–12) — own-brand or Gordon's on offer. One bottle handles Gin Tonics, martinis, and classic sours. Gin is the workhorse.
• Rum (£8–11) — supermarket white or gold rum. Daiquiris, mojitos, and rum punches. White rum is slightly cheaper and goes further.
• Whisky (£10–14) — supermarket blended Scotch, or an Irish whiskey on promotion. Old Fashioneds, whisky sours, and simple highballs. Don't buy premium single malts yet.
• Brandy or digestif (£10–15) — own-brand brandy, Lillet Blanc, or dry vermouth if you prefer. Useful for a Brandy Alexander, a French martini, or stirred classics. Digestifs also serve as aperitifs.

Total: roughly £45–55 before offers. Watch for supermarket promotions on spirits; they're frequent and can save £1–3 per bottle.

Mixers and essentials (£12–18)

Cheap mixers spoil good spirits. Buy quality concentrates or fresh juice where it matters.

• Tonic water (£3–4) — Fever-Tree or Schweppes twin-pack. Yes, it costs more than own-brand, but tonic is 50% of a gin and tonic. It's worth it. Buy two bottles.
• Cola (£1–2) — own-brand is fine. You'll use it for rum and cokes, Whisky Cokes, and long drinks.
• Ginger beer (£1.50) — supermarket own-brand or Fever-Tree if on offer. Essential for Dark and Stormy, Moscow Mule, and Whisky Smashes.
• Fresh lime juice (£2–3) — one 200ml bottle from the supermarket fresh juice aisle or a lime press (squeeze as you go). Lime is non-negotiable for sours, daiquiris, and margaritas.
• Simple syrup (£2–3) — buy a small bottle, or make it yourself (1:1 sugar and hot water, cooled). Use in mojitos, sours, and any stirred drink.
• Bitters (£4–5) — Angostura Aromatic, the standard. One bottle lasts months. Essential for Old Fashioneds and many classics.

Total: £12–18. This covers you for 20+ cocktail types.

Glassware on a shoestring (£8–12)

You don't need thirty glasses. Four types handle 95% of home cocktails:

• Highball glasses (4 x £1–1.50) — tall, straight-sided, 10–12oz. For gin and tonic, rum and coke, whisky soda.
• Coupe or martini glasses (2 x £1.50–2) — small, elegant. For daiquiris, margaritas, martinis.
• Old Fashioned / rocks glasses (2 x £0.80–1.50) — short, heavy-bottomed, 6–8oz. For Old Fashioneds, Negronis, neat whisky.
• Mixing glass or jug (£1.50–2) — any large glass jug works. For stirring drinks.

Buy from Poundland, home discount stores, or ASDA. Avoid designer ranges; basic, clear glass is all you need. Total: £8–12.

Essential tools (free or minimal cost)

You don't need a fancy bar kit. Raid your kitchen:

• Bar spoon — any long spoon works. Use the handle for stirring and muddling.
• Jigger or measure — a shot glass (25ml) is fine for measuring. Or buy a two-sided jigger for £2–3.
• Muddler — the end of a rolling pin or wooden spoon. For mojitos and smashes.
• Strainer — a tea strainer or kitchen sieve. For pouring stirred drinks without ice.
• Citrus squeezer or juicer — you likely have one. Or buy a cheap hand juicer (£2–3).

Budget shakers (£3–5) exist, but you can pour, stir, or shake in a jug with a tight-fitting lid. Many home bartenders skip shakers entirely and stir instead — it's elegant, quieter, and works for most drinks.

Where to shop and how to save

Supermarkets are your best friend on this budget:

• ASDA, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons — own-brand spirits are cheapest here. Check the weekly promotions leaflet for 3-for-2 offers on spirits. A single offer can save £8–12.
• Home Bargains or Poundland — budget glassware, sometimes cheap bitters or mixers.
• Master of Malt — if you ever want to upgrade one spirit, they have flash sales and smaller sizes. But for the first £75, stick to supermarkets.
• Online — check Tesco, ASDA, or Sainsbury's delivery for basket promotions (e.g. 10% off spirits when you spend £30+).

Timing matters: buy spirits in January or around summer bank holidays when offers pile up. Avoid premium brands; supermarket own-brand gin, vodka and rum are genuinely good and cost £2–4 less per bottle.

A realistic £75 basket

Here's what an actual shop might look like:

• Sainsbury's own-brand vodka, 70cl: £9
• Gordon's gin (on promotion): £11
• Morrisons white rum, 70cl: £8
• Tesco own-brand blended Scotch, 70cl: £10
• Own-brand dry vermouth or brandy: £12
• Fever-Tree tonic twin-pack: £4
• Own-brand cola, 2-litre: £1.50
• Ginger beer (own-brand): £1.50
• Fresh lime juice, 200ml: £2.50
• Angostura bitters: £4.50
• Simple syrup (homemade — cost: 10p)
• 4 x highball glasses: £5
• 2 x coupe glasses: £3
• 2 x rocks glasses: £2.50
• Jigger / measure: £2
• Bar spoon and muddler (kitchen reuse): £0

Total: £76.50 — close enough. Swap one item or skip the jigger (use your eyes) and you're under. Once you have this, use The Cocktail Pub's AI cocktail generator to experiment with what you've bought.

What you can actually make

This setup isn't limiting. You can make:

• Gin and Tonic, Gin Sour, Martini, Negroni
• Vodka Tonic, Screwdriver, Bloody Mary (if you buy tomato juice later)
• Daiquiri, Mojito, Dark and Stormy, Rum Punch
• Old Fashioned, Whisky Sour, Whisky Smash, Irish Coffee (if you have coffee)
• French Martini, Brandy Alexander, various aperitifs

That's 20+ classic cocktails. You're not limited — you're building smart. As bottles run down, replace them or try something new. Most people expand slowly and naturally over a year.

Expanding past £75

Once you've hosted a few evenings, you'll see what you use most. Buy a second bottle of your favourite spirit, or add one new one: tequila (for margaritas), or a cordial like elderflower. Read our journal for guides on building specific categories as your budget grows.

The £75 bar is never finished — it's a starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make cocktails without a shaker?

Yes. Stir cocktails (martinis, negronis, daiquiris) in a mixing glass with ice, then strain. Shake-style drinks (sours, smashes) can be made in a jug with a tight lid, or shaken by hand with ice cupped in your palm — unconventional but it works. Many professional bars stir more than they shake anyway.

Is supermarket own-brand spirit actually good?

For home drinking and mixing in cocktails, absolutely. Own-brand gin, vodka and rum are made to strict standards. You're paying for the bottle and marketing with premium brands. In a cocktail, the difference is minor. Spend the saving on quality mixers like tonic instead.

What if I'm on a tighter budget?

Cut one spirit (skip brandy for now), buy cheaper glassware from Poundland, and make your own simple syrup. You can get down to £55–60. You'll have fewer cocktail options but the core (gin, vodka, rum, whisky) covers most requests.

Should I buy premium spirits later?

Not immediately. Once you've used your first bottles and understand what you actually enjoy drinking, upgrade one spirit at a time. A £30 single malt Scotch is nicer to sip neat than a blended Scotch, but in an Old Fashioned with ice and bitters, the difference shrinks. Invest later.

Where do I buy bitters and vermouth if my local supermarket doesn't stock them?

Most supermarkets now have a basic range in the spirits section. If not, check Waitrose (better range, slightly pricier), or buy online from Tesco's or ASDA's delivery. A small bottle of bitters lasts six months, so it's worth one trip or one online order.

Can I swap spirits if I don't like one?

Yes. If you hate gin, buy extra vodka or tequila instead — the cocktails shift, but you'll still have variety. The five-bottle framework is a guide, not a law. Choose spirits you'd drink neat as well as mixed.

Do I need fresh ice?

Your freezer ice is fine. For special occasions, buy a bag of clear ice from supermarkets (usually £1.50–2). It looks nicer and melts slower, but it's not essential for a home bar under £75.

Conclusion

Stocking a home bar for under £75 is entirely doable in the UK. Supermarket own-brands, smart mixer choices, and basic glassware do all the heavy lifting. You're not skimping on quality — you're skipping marketing and prestige pricing.

Once you've got your five spirits, tonic, and a few glasses, you're ready to entertain. If you want inspiration, the Cocktail Pub's recipe tool will show you what to make with exactly what you've bought. Cheers.

Try the cocktail generator

Tick what's on your shelf and get three recipes on The Cocktail Pub.