Spirits play a major role in the beverage industry. They are a preferred option not only for enjoyers of neat drinks but also for cocktail lovers. Beverages like vodka, gin, and rum play a big role in most basic cocktail recipes. In this article, we will share more on the topic of wholesale liquor. We’ll dive deeper into the spirits that have the largest market share in the US as well as the main businesses that benefit from wholesale prices and order liquor in bulk.
What Are the Most Purchased Wholesale Liquors
Wholesale drinks suppliers have extensive catalogs and offer a wide variety of beverages in large quantities. Some of them are soft drinks, bulk juice, and even wholesale energy drinks. The types of spirits ordered by businesses depend on a lot of factors such as the type of the establishment and the clientele. For example, a beach bar might order a lot of ingredients for summer cocktails. A fast-food locale, on the other hand, will need little to no hard drinks and will focus mostly on soft ones. Let’s dive into the most frequently purchased types of wholesale liquor.
Vodka
It’s one of the most consumed spirits in the world. Vodka is made by distillation of different grains. Some varieties are made from potatoes or other vegetables. Vodka enjoyers like their drink neat or on the rocks. However, it’s a very common ingredient in a variety of cocktails too.
Whiskey
Scotch, bourbon, rye, Tennessee whiskey - these are just some of the types of this beverage. In the restaurant industry whiskey is often consumed straight. Just like vodka, it’s also an ingredient for many cocktails.
This grain spirit is strictly regulated in the US and in other whiskey-producing countries. There are requirements regarding the grain mash mixture, barrels, aging, strength of distillation and bottling, labeling, and many more.
Rum
Even though this spirit is strongly associated with the Caribbean countries, rum has been produced in all regions of the world where sugarcane is popular. There are many different varieties of rum. Unlike vodka which has no color, this sweet beverage comes in different colors. As different types of rum can differ a lot, they are excellent ingredients for a variety of cocktails.
Tequila
Suppliers sell tequila wholesale not only to Mexican restaurants and Latin bars but also to other establishments. It’s a common cocktail ingredient too. A lot of tequila enjoyers like the drink in shots with salt and lemon.
Gin
The recognizable taste of this spirit comes from the juniper berries used in producing it. It’s rarely consumed straight but more often as a cocktail ingredient. Gin and tonic is one of the most popular cocktails in the world.
Other Spirits for Cocktail Mixes
Suppliers of wholesale liquor offer a variety of spirits that are essential for cocktails. Here are a few examples:
- Liqueurs. Triple Sec and Amaretto are used to enhance the taste and add sweetness to many cocktails.
- Bitters. Their role is to add depth and character to cocktail mixes.
- Apéritifs and digestifs. These cocktail ingredients play a role in pre-dinner cocktails and beverages consumed after meals. Aperitifs increase appetite while digestives aid the digestive system.
Key takeaway: Restaurants and bars are the main clients of wholesale liquor distributors. Some of the common spirits ordered by businesses include vodka, rum, whiskey, and other spirits used for cocktail mixing. Liquor has a long shelf life, but should be stored under certain conditions.
What Businesses Buy Wholesale Spirits
A lot of companies find suppliers for different wholesale products from the beverage market. A lot of distributors offer not only hard drinks but also soda and juice from concentrate or not-from-concentrate. Some suppliers specialize in certain items like wholesale wine or wholesale water. When choosing a distributor, companies often consider factors such as
Food Service Establishments and Bars
Bars and restaurants have various spirits in their drinks menu. They also order liquor for cocktails such as liqueurs and bitters. Food service establishments often have food and drink pairing menus. Usually, meals get paired with different types of wine. But it’s not uncommon for a spirit to be suggested to go with a dish.
Hospitality Businesses and Country Clubs
Hotels and resorts also order wholesale liquor. The spirits consumed by guests of these businesses depend a lot on the type of establishment. For example, guests of a country club might enjoy whiskey while guests of summer resorts might consume more gin or vodka as part of cocktails.
Catering Businesses
Catering companies are often expected to handle not only the food for an event but also the drinks. Often they will partner with soda wholesale distributors and suppliers of wholesale liquor in order to meet the expectations of their customers.
Retailers
Whether it’s convenience stores, liquor stores, or companies that make custom gift hampers for spirits enthusiasts, they often stock their supplies from distributors of wholesale liquor. That way, they get the benefit of a lower price per unit.
Entertainment Venues and Casinos
Since liquor is primarily associated with having a good time, it’s no wonder that concert halls, sports arenas, and casinos will buy wholesale liquor for their visitors.
Distilleries
Strangely enough, distilleries might need to purchase bulk quantities of spirits too. As part of the distillation process, spirits manufacturers might order large quantities of wholesale liquor from a producer of neutral spirits like vodka. By adding flavor or additional ingredients, the final result might be gin, flavored spirit, or a hard seltzer. For example, a manufacturer of ready-to-drink liquor might order wholesale champagne, vodka, juice, and other ingredients. After mixing and bottling, the resulting product will be a refreshing beverage with alcohol content.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Liquor
Mankind has been distilling spirits for thousands of years. That’s why this industry is large and there are different types of liquors from every corner of the world. If you wish to know more on the topic, below we’ve answered some of the common questions about wholesale liquor.
Does Liquor Expire?
Liquor has a very long shelf life if stored properly. Since it doesn’t spoil, it can last indefinitely. However, even though it doesn’t expire, liquor can lose its flavor, color, and properties over time even if it’s kept under perfect conditions. That’s why aged drinks are more expensive. Because it’s hard to store them in the right condition so that they improve their quality instead of losing it.
How to Store Liquor?
Spirits should be kept away from sunlight and in locations with constant temperature. Too much heat or coldness will impact the aging process. Liquor bottles should be sealed tightly to prevent air from entering as oxidation can negatively affect the taste. Unlike wine, liquor bottles should be stored vertically in order to keep the cap or cork dry.
Are All Alcoholic Drinks Liquor?
There are two main ways to make alcoholic beverages. One of them is through fermentation and the other one is through distillation. Only alcoholic drinks produced by distilling are called liquor or spirits. Beverages produced through fermentation like wine, beer, and cider are not liquor. Among the most consumed liquors traded by suppliers of beverages are wholesale whiskey, gin, vodka, and rum. Liquor typically has a much larger alcohol content compared with wine or beer. Some countries have regulations for the minimum alcohol content of different types of spirits.