Top 10 must-have spirits apps

With technology providing us with better and faster solutions to most aspects of our lives, it’s no surprise that imbibers continue to ditch the classic recipe book and embrace the smartphone app.

This selection of apps has caught the attention of bartender, imbibers and cocktail fans around the world

You can find an app for just about anything these days, and the spirits industry is no exception. Looking for like-minded whisky lovers? Want to learn how to make a cocktail like a master mixologist? No problem!

Whether you’re searching for a new speakeasy-style bar, need help picking out the perfect vodka for your recipe, or are desperate to share a picture of your newest creation with other cocktail fanatics, there’s an app for you.

Click through to discover the apps you never knew you needed, and if we’ve missed any must-haves, let us know in the comments section.

Distiller

A self-professed ‘whisky companion’, Distiller is both a guide and a personal catalogue for whisky lovers.

Described by some as a “Booze Google” the comprehensive resource lets you scour a huge database of reviews – both from regular users and handpicked industry veterans – and access tailored whiskey suggestions based on your personal preferences.

Once you’ve found a favourite, you can add it to a ‘Top Shelf’, and even buy the whisky and have it delivered the same day depending on where you live.

The keen whisky lovers among you can learn more about your favourite tipple, including the different whiskies available and their individual characteristics.

In addition, you can link up with like-minded friends and see what they’re enjoying through a live activity feed.

Mixology

A perfect app for the home cocktail enthusiast who wants to hone their craft: Mixology (the free app) or Mixologist (the paid app) boasts an impressive database of nearly 8,000 recipes using more than 1,000 different ingredients.
A special ‘Liquor Cabinet’ function lets you enter all the spirits and mixers you have immediately available to search the database for drinks you have the resources to recreate on the spot, and the ‘Random’ tab brings up assorted recipes based on spirit, mixer and glassware criteria.
The impressive app also finds nearby bars and off licenses using GPS, will teach you key bartending terminology and techniques, and has a ‘share’ option to email, Tweet or Facebook recipes to friends.

DrinkedIn

You want a delicious drink to whet your whistle, but you’ve never been to this part of town before.
It’s time to stop aimlessly wandering the streets and instead fire up DrinkedIn to quickly locate a good bar in a radius specified by you. With more than 150,000 bars on its database, this app will have you sitting pretty in no time.
The app also has more than 9,000 recipes available for you to try out at home, with more being added week on week.

Bar enthusiasts can also join the DrinkedIn network – a social network of booze lovers from across the globe. Share events, recipes, and videos, and find the most popular places on the planet to enjoy a drink.

iMalt Scotch Whisky Companion

Heralded as a simple, convenient way to keep track of your favourite single malt whiskies and a log of your personal tasting notes, the iMalt app is already recognised as a firm favourite among whisky lovers.
The latest update to the app introduced the iTasteNote Cloud Service, making it possible for you to share your tasting notes and ratings with thousands of like-minded enthusiasts.
You’ll also receive regular updates from more than 500 single malt brands categorised by regions and distilleries.
In addition, the app offers a whisky glossary with around 300 phrases, making even the most novice whisky enthusiast feel at home.

Liquor Cabinet

A prohibition-style app for mixologists who like to take inspiration from the past; Liquor Cabinet is an easy way to find inspiration from the ingredients hiding in your cupboards. Just select what is in your bar and pantry, and the app will list each and every drink you can make.
In addition, the ‘Smart Cabinet’ feature will tell you which other drinks are just one ingredient away if you’re looking for a little extra inspiration.

iDistillery

A comprehensive guide to Scotland’s whisky distilleries, the app will supply whisky aficionados with all you need to know on the history, location, and tour hours of 127 Scotch producers – including short audio files to help with pronunciation.
Hints and tips will also help you get the most from the tours, and a map separating distilleries by region will stop you losing your way.
If you’re short on time, region profiles will provide detailed information and characteristics to help you pick out a must-see shortlist.

BarNotes

BarNotes is a social app for budding mixologists who are dedicated to the craft of the cocktail, and, moreover, a clever way to connect with cocktail lovers and mixologists across the globe.

More than just a recipe app, BarNotes encourages you to upload a picture of the drink, list the ingredients, and tell the story behind it; who you’re with, where you are, the inspiration for the drink, and the bartender who carefully crafted it for you.
This app is all about sharing your passion for great cocktails with like-minded people, so naturally you can connect with Twitter and Facebook friends, like and comment on their chosen tipples, and post out when you share a new recipe.

OnTheBar

A “realtime window into your local bar scene” – bartenders can use the app to notify their regulars when they’re working, create and share drink recipes, and post statuses of what’s happening in their bar as it happens. In addition, they can chat with people at nearby bars, and send private messages to bartenders across town.

Imbibers can find friends, keep track of the whereabouts of their favourite bartenders, discover new off-menu drinks, and decide where to go based on the influence of the bartenders’ updates.
Whether you’re a bartender or a keen cocktailer, this app lets you connect with like-minded people and chronicle your own cocktail journey.

Drinkable

Offering spot-on spirit reviews and ratings, this app will help you to choose your next vodka, Tequila or whisky purchase in a pinch next time you’re stuck at the supermarket. Search your favourite spirits by name, category, origin, or price range, and compare them against others on information such as price, proof and awards.
This handy app will even let you scan the barcodes of the bottle, to make searching for that spirit even easier.
Make a list of your favourite spirits, comment and rate the ones you’ve tried, and add new discoveries to the database as you find them.

Intellidrink

After all that boozing, it’s handy to know you still have enough of your faculties to get home safely. This nifty little app does just that – helping to prevent that “quick one after work” turning into the hangover from hell.

By calculating your blood-alcohol content (BAC) using your personal specifics, Intellidrink can track the rise and fall of your BAC on a graph, notify you once you reach a pre-set specific BAC value, and even show you when you’re going to be sober again.
It’ll even keep a drink history for you if you want (although most of us would rather it didn’t!)