The right cocktail app can help you play bartender at the Halloween party, establish a well-stocked liquor cabinet, or figure out what to do with that bottle of aquavit your Swedish friend gave you.
### Mixologist
Build a virtual liquor cabinet with up to 1,300 ingredients, browse drinks by category, liquor, or mixer, use GPS to find bars and liquor stores, or learn basics like mixing technique. Arguably the most fully featured app for any libation situation.
Wired: Almost 8,000 recipes, so detailed they include glassware recommendations.
Tired: Virtual cabinet can be overly general; everything from Dr. Pepper to ginger ale is listed as "Soda (Other)." (iOS, Android) $0.99
Rating: 8 out of 10
### GetDrunker
This unapologetic app offers a matrix of 39 basic ingredients that produce more than 1,300 drinks, from a margarita to an Absolut chain saw (beer, whiskey, vodka, and Jäger). Select the ingredients you've got from a virtual cabinet and it will list drinks you can make. It's not classy, but it's effective.
Wired: Simple enough to use even after a few too many.
Tired: Can't save your ingredient list. Prolonged use can lead to wearing Ed Hardy shirts. (iOS, Android) $0.99
Rating: 4 out of 10
### Flip 'N Drink
Midway between GetDrunker's dorm room and Mixologist's crowded bar, Flip 'N Drink is the friendly local lounge. It has the expected database of recipes, but it also offers suggestions based on drinks you like — sort of a cocktail Pandora. Too bad the database is hidden behind a clunky scrolling interface.
WIRED Detailed photos help with selection and prep.
TIRED Can't search by style of drink ("hot," for example). Top-shelf price.
iOS, $4
Rating: 6 out of 10
