Reddit reviews Mr. Boston Official Bartender's Guide

[See, Mix, Drink] (http://www.amazon.com/See-Mix-Drink-Refreshingly-Cocktails/dp/0316176710/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367289362&sr=1-1&keywords=see+mix+drink) was super helpful when I started bartending because its visual aspect demystified different components of drinks. It was a very methodical book that also gave a good amount of drink history. [Mr. Boston's Cocktail Handbook] (http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Boston-Official-Bartenders-Guide/dp/0470882344/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1367289327&sr=8-2&keywords=mr+boston) is my #1 source for cocktail recipes, although it's basically just a comprehensive recipe book rather than a book that offers in depth knowledge or history. Just handy to have.

A bartender's guide. I like Mr Boston since that's what my dad referenced from his days as a bartender back when I was tiny.

Maraschino cherries are a must, even if only to add to coke. Grenadine is another must for cocktails or just whipping up cherry coke. In addition to a massive amount of liquor (vodka, rum and tequila are my top 3) make sure you have gear too. A muddler for minutia comes in handy. A shaker too.. a good blender. Appropriate glasses for different wines and beer.

I usually also stock Bailey's, kahlua and rumchata. Beer is a staple in my house.. if my fridge contains no food, there will still be beer.

I rarely host anyone though.

Stop drinking blue drinks, try a red one instead. (You say "4+ drinks in an hour due to my body mass" but you don't list what the drinks are or your body mass.)

I would be careful here if you're intending to drive, you might be way drunker than you think. You aren't literally double the body mass of the DMV example sheet. If you're cabbing/walking/stumbling it knock yourself out.

Now onto the meat: Stop drinking over priced watered down crap. I don't know where you are that has $7.50 drinks which don't get you drunk, but I bet they aren't shots or are poured for "show" (under poured) vs measured. Watch videos on how to mix a drink, compare it to how your bartenders are mixing their drinks. Count their pours if they are freehanding it with a pourer in the bottle. Also get out of the well, try drinking "call" level drinks.

http://lifeonacocktailnapkin.com/how-to-free-pour-like-a-pro-in-10-minutes-or-less/

Experiment at home! Alone! In the dark! (Or you know, don't be an alcoholic about it.) Don't like straight liquor even though you aren't drinking the well? Figure out what you like. Classic cocktails are very high in alcohol content but don't taste like it. An Old Fashioned is mostly whiskey with some bitters, sugar, and orange rind for taste. Margaritas are >50% tequila by volume, the only non-alcoholic ingredient in a martini is the ice and garnish. Measure your pours and see what actually tastes good.

http://smile.amazon.com/Mr-Boston-Official-Bartenders-Guide/dp/0470882344/

To answer your direct question? Jameson, or Herradura, or tall bottle cask strength bourbon, or tanqueray and tonics, or wild turkey, or wild turkey old fashioned, or Jameson Mule.