Every April, Augusta transforms. The Masters Tournament — golf's most prestigious major — draws 250,000 to 300,000 visitors and injects an estimated $120 million into the local economy in a compressed window of seven to ten days. Local business owners call it "Christmas in April."
A significant portion of that economic surge comes from a unique phenomenon: an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 local homes are rented out to corporations, sponsors, and wealthy patrons for private lodging and corporate hospitality. Average four-bedroom homes command $8,500 for the week. Larger properties hosting corporate events can rent for $25,000 or more.
If you're one of those homeowners, a corporate event planner, or someone hosting Masters Week guests — you need a fully stocked bar. And you need it done right. Here's the complete guide.
The Masters Week Economics You Need to Understand
The guests arriving for Masters Week are not price-sensitive. They're corporate executives, high-net-worth individuals, and VIP guests of major sponsors. The homes they're staying in have been rented for thousands of dollars per night. Showing up with a half-stocked bar is not an option.
At the same time, you're stocking for volume — potentially 20 to 40 people over several days. The goal is premium quality at intelligent scale. That means premium spirits for the main bar, reliable crowd-pleasers in quantity, and the Azalea Cocktail as your signature welcome drink.
The Azalea Cocktail: Your Non-Negotiable Opening Move
The Augusta Azalea is the unofficial signature cocktail of the Masters Tournament — named for the azalea flowers that bloom at Augusta National every April. If you're hosting Masters Week guests, this drink is expected. Serve it as your welcome cocktail when guests arrive.
The Augusta Azalea: 2 oz premium vodka · 3 oz fresh lemonade · ½ oz grenadine · garnish with cherry and lemon. Slow-pour the grenadine for the ombré effect. Use Grey Goose or Belvedere for corporate hosting — it signals quality immediately. Pick up the full bundle at Top Notch Liquor.
Your Complete Masters Week Bar Checklist
Premium Spirits (The Main Bar)
- Premium Vodka ×2 — Grey Goose and/or Belvedere. The Azalea cocktail anchor. Also for martinis and general mixing.
- Bourbon ×2 — One mid-range (Woodford Reserve or similar) and one premium pour for special guests. Ask Top Notch about allocation availability.
- Premium Tequila ×1 — Don Julio 1942 for a premium margarita option. Patron Silver as the crowd-pleaser backup.
- Gin ×1 — For gin & tonics and martini variations. Tanqueray or Hendrick's.
- Rum ×1 — For rum & Cokes and Mojitos. Bacardi Silver or Mount Gay.
Wine & Champagne
- Prosecco ×3–4 bottles — For arrivals and toasts. Affordable, crowd-pleasing, elegant.
- Red Wine ×6 bottles — Mixed selection of Cabernet, Malbec, Pinot Noir.
- White Wine ×6 bottles — Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio.
Beer (Volume)
- Premium Lager ×2 cases — Corona, Modelo, or similar. International lagers appeal across demographics.
- Domestic Lager ×1 case — Coors Light or similar for guests who want something lighter.
- Hard Seltzer ×1 case — For guests who prefer lower-calorie options.
Mixers & Supplies
- Fresh lemonade (for Azalea Cocktails — buy multiple containers)
- Grenadine ×2 bottles
- Tonic water, club soda, ginger beer
- Simple syrup, triple sec, Cointreau
- Fresh limes, lemons, oranges
- Cocktail cherries and cocktail napkins
How to Order at Top Notch Liquor
For Masters Week volume orders, call Top Notch Liquor at (706) 925-6691 at least one week before you need the order. The store can help you plan based on your guest count and budget, and early ordering ensures availability — especially on premium allocated bottles that can sell out quickly during tournament week.
Drive-thru pickup is available for efficient retrieval of large orders. Same-day delivery is also available within Augusta under Georgia's HB879 legislation — contact the store for details.
The Masters Week Timeline
Early March: Start planning your order. Contact Top Notch to discuss volume needs and check allocated bourbon availability.
1–2 Weeks Before: Place your full order. Confirm quantities. Arrange a pickup time that works with your guest arrival schedule.
Day Before Guests Arrive: Pick up your complete order. Set up the bar so it's ready to go the moment your guests walk in. The Azalea Cocktail should be the first thing they see.