Disclosure: Palate Express earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page at no extra cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure for details.
Home bartending has had a genuine renaissance — and cocktail subscription boxes are a big part of why. Instead of buying full bottles of spirits you’ll use once, or hunting down obscure bitters and syrups at specialty stores, a good cocktail subscription delivers everything you need for craft drinks right to your door.
Whether you’re a complete beginner who wants to impress guests, or an enthusiast looking to expand your repertoire, we’ve found the best cocktail subscriptions for every level.
Bottom line up front: Shaker & Spoon is the best overall cocktail subscription for variety and quality. Cocktail Courier is the best for beginners. Bespoke Post is the best lifestyle-focused option.
Our Top Picks
| Service | Best For | Price Range | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaker & Spoon | Best overall | ~$50/month | Mixers, garnishes, recipes (no spirits) |
| Cocktail Courier | Best for beginners | ~$45-65/box | Full kits with spirits option |
| Bespoke Post | Best lifestyle box | ~$45/month | Curated lifestyle + cocktail items |
| Flaviar | Best for spirits discovery | ~$150/quarter | Premium spirits samples |
| Mouth | Best for non-alcoholic | ~$35/month | Craft mixers and sodas |
1. Shaker & Spoon — Best Overall Cocktail Subscription
Price: ~$50/month | Includes: Mixers, syrups, garnishes, recipes
Shaker & Spoon sends everything you need to make 12 cocktails (4 recipes x 3 servings each) except the base spirit — which you provide yourself. Each month focuses on a different spirit category (gin month, rum month, tequila month) with three original recipes designed by professional bartenders.
The quality of the mixers, syrups, and garnishes is exceptional — many are from small-batch producers you’d never find at a regular store. The recipe cards are beautifully designed and genuinely educational. After a few months you’ll understand flavor balance and cocktail construction at a level most home bartenders never reach.
What we like:
- Professional bartender-designed recipes
- High-quality small-batch mixers and ingredients
- Genuinely educational — builds real skills
- You control the spirit quality (buy what you want)
- Beautiful presentation
What to know:
- Spirits not included — you buy those separately
- $50/month plus cost of spirit bottle
- Some recipes require technique (shaking, stirring, straining)
2. Cocktail Courier — Best for Beginners
Price: ~$45-65/box | Includes: Full cocktail kits, optional spirits
Cocktail Courier offers the most beginner-friendly experience — everything you need for 2-4 cocktails in one box, with clear instructions and optional spirit add-ons if you don’t want to source your own. The kits are themed around seasonal flavors and classic cocktail families (sours, highballs, stirred drinks).
The step-by-step instructions are clear enough for someone who has never made a cocktail before, and the results are consistently impressive. Great for date nights, dinner parties, or just elevating your home bar.
What we like:
- Complete kits — minimal sourcing required
- Beginner-friendly instructions
- Optional spirit add-ons
- Seasonal and themed boxes
- Good gift option
What to know:
- Less educational depth than Shaker & Spoon
- Fewer recipes per box than some competitors
- Spirits add-ons increase cost significantly
3. Bespoke Post — Best Lifestyle Cocktail Subscription
Price: ~$45/month | Includes: Curated lifestyle items + cocktail focus
Bespoke Post is less a pure cocktail subscription and more a curated lifestyle box that frequently features cocktail themes. Their “Box of Awesome” often includes cocktail tools (shakers, strainers, jiggers), quality mixers, and recipe cards alongside other lifestyle items.
For someone who wants to build out their home bar toolkit as much as their recipe repertoire, Bespoke Post delivers genuinely useful items you’ll keep and use. The quality of the products is excellent and you can preview each month’s box before it ships.
What we like:
- High-quality physical products — bar tools, glassware
- Preview before shipping — skip if not interested
- Well-curated lifestyle aesthetic
- Excellent gift option
What to know:
- Not purely cocktail focused — varies month to month
- Less recipe-forward than Shaker & Spoon
- Cocktail theme not guaranteed every month
4. Flaviar — Best for Spirits Discovery
Price: ~$150/quarter | Includes: Premium spirits samples + full bottle discounts
Flaviar takes a different approach — instead of cocktail kits, they send curated samples of premium spirits (whisky, rum, gin, cognac) with detailed tasting notes, and give members access to exclusive bottle purchases at member pricing.
For spirits enthusiasts who want to explore without committing to full bottles, Flaviar is exceptional. The tasting sets are beautifully packaged and the educational content is genuinely interesting.
What we like:
- Best for spirits education and discovery
- Access to rare and limited releases
- Detailed tasting notes and distillery stories
- Member pricing on full bottles
What to know:
- Not cocktail-focused — more spirits appreciation
- Higher price point
- Requires interest in spirits as a category
5. Mouth — Best Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Subscription
Price: ~$35/month | Includes: Craft mixers, sodas, shrubs
For non-drinkers, designated drivers, or anyone cutting back on alcohol, Mouth curates the best craft non-alcoholic mixers, botanical sodas, shrubs, and tonic waters from small producers. The quality is exceptional — these are genuinely interesting, complex drinks that stand on their own without spirits.
As the non-alcoholic drinks category has exploded in quality and variety, Mouth has kept pace with genuinely exciting selections.
What we like:
- Best non-alcoholic option available
- High-quality small-batch producers
- Interesting, complex flavor profiles
- Lower price than alcoholic subscriptions
What to know:
- Non-alcoholic only — not for spirit drinkers
- Smaller selection than alcoholic subscriptions
- Less recipe-forward
Essential Home Bar Tools
Whatever cocktail subscription you choose, you’ll need a few basic tools:
Must-haves:
- Cocktail shaker (~$15-25) — Boston shaker or cobbler shaker
- Jigger (~$10) — for accurate measurements
- Bar spoon (~$8) — for stirred cocktails
- Strainer (~$10) — Hawthorne strainer for shaken drinks
Nice to have:
- Muddler (~$12) — for mojitos, old fashioneds
- Channel knife (~$8) — for citrus twists
- Ice molds (~$15-20) — large clear ice cubes look and perform better
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cocktail subscriptions include alcohol?
Most don’t include spirits due to shipping regulations. Shaker & Spoon and most competitors send mixers and ingredients; you provide the spirit. Cocktail Courier offers spirit add-ons in states where legal.
Are cocktail subscriptions worth it?
If you enjoy home cocktails and want to expand your repertoire, yes. The curated ingredients and professional recipes produce results that are hard to replicate sourcing ingredients individually.
What’s the best cocktail subscription as a gift?
Shaker & Spoon or Cocktail Courier are both excellent gifts. Bespoke Post is better for someone who appreciates quality bar tools as much as recipes.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes — all subscriptions on this list allow cancellation at any time.
Last updated: April 2026. Prices and availability may vary.
Founder of Palate Express. Based in Plainsboro, New Jersey. I write honest reviews of coffee gear, kitchen tools, meal kits, wine clubs, and specialty food — focused on what genuinely earns its place in your kitchen.