Raspberry liqueur isn't hard to find, but the bottles you can buy are all over the map. Some options are candy sweet, while others are cough syrup-strong. Making your own liqueur gives you control over how sweet and boozy the end result is—you're likely to end up with something that better suits your sugar tolerance. More

It's rhubarb season, so those gorgeous magenta stalks are popping up at farmers markets and grocery stores around the country. Rhubarb bitters pair well with every spirit and complement sweet, sour, and bitter flavors alike. More

Celery bitters are a long-forgotten cocktail ingredient that add a nice savory boost to martinis, gin and tonics, Bloody Marys, and other cocktails. More

DIY grenadine is as quick to make as simple syrup, and you are in control of how sweet it is. Pomegranate molasses and rosewater add a bit of complexity to the flavor of the final product. More

Amaretto is an Italian liqueur that tastes like almonds, though it's made from apricot kernels. More

Since this recipe doesn't have any sugar, it's a nice way to put a little coconut in your drink without adding sweetness. For more flavor, you could adding vanilla, peppercorns, grains of paradise, cardamom, ginger, basil, lemongrass, or chiles. More

If the urge for a Pimm's strikes you, it is ridiculously easy to make a DIY version with ingredients you probably already have at home. If you want to play with the flavor profile, add a little sherry to give it a sweeter touch or a little Campari to accentuate the bitterness. Add a little simple syrup and fresh herbs to play up the sweet, summery flavor or increase the amount of gin to up the alcohol content and juniper intensity. More

Elderflower cordial perks up a drink by adding a little sweetness and a light floral touch. For less than a dollar, you can make a delicious elderflower mixer that tastes a bit like a lemon bar mixed with a light, floral tea. More

It's impossible to have a well-stocked bar without orange liqueur, also known as curaçao or triple sec. It would be quicker to list cocktails that don't contain orange liqueur than to list the ones that do. Top-shelf brands like Grand Marnier and Cointreau are a little pricey, while the bottom-shelf options can drag a good drink into the gutter fast. But homemade orange liqueur is just right...and it's a blast to make. More

The true beauty of making this mix is having a fresh, versatile, and easy cocktail mixer for parties. There's no reason to buy sour mix when in 10 minutes you could hand-make something that's infinitely more delicious. More