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One of the best ways to get in the holiday spirit is by, well, imbibing spirits. Of course, having a drink isn’t something that’s limited solely to the last quarter of the year. In fact, there are millions of people that enjoy a stiff drink regardless of what time of year it is. And for some of those people, a gift that allows them to craft their own cocktails is a surefire hit.
Much to our chagrin (and likely the chagrin of self-proclaimed spirit-savvy people everywhere) the popularity of alcohol also means that the market is flooded with what we would call sub-par bartending gear. But if you’re here, that means you know exactly where to look to find the best of the best. So, without further ado, allow us to present the 20 best gifts for the mixologist in your life. Cheers!
GrowlerWerks uKeg Go
Designed to travel anywhere and everywhere — and bring along your favorite brew and/or premade cocktail — GrowlerWerks’ super-durable uKeg GO is a party-goer’s must-have gift. It’s also available in two sizes (64oz and 128oz), three handsome colorways, and it can pour carbonated beverages of your choosing for a price much lower than the brand’s original offering.
Hiware Muddler & Bar Spoon Set
For about the same price as a perfectly-grilled burger, you can get your hands on a pair of must-have bartending tools with this kit. And they’ll allow you to pick, crush, and mix fruit into your favorite cocktails — which will make your home bar all the more versatile and might encourage the bartender in your life to get a bit more creative with their concoctions.
Viski Cocktail Picks
A near necessity for any drink that comes with a garnish — like Old Fashioneds and Martinis — these stainless steel cocktail picks, with their Art Deco-inspired styling, are a good deal more long-lasting, durable, and good-looking than boring old wooden toothpicks.
Cocktail Codex: Fundamentals, Formulas, Evolutions
Written by the mad scientists behind one of the world’s most lauded craft cocktail bars, Death & Co, this multi-award-winning book might just be the ultimate modern tome on bartending. And that makes it the perfect gift for amateur and professional mixologists alike.
Glencairn Whisky Glass Set
Colloquially known as the “official glass of whisky,” the award-winning Glencairn glass is a necessity for any home bar where scotch is on the menu. And, best of all, this kit includes four glasses — perfect for sharing with friends.
OXO Good Grips Double Wall Ice Bucket Kit
Especially for sharing a cocktail or two with company, an ice bucket, tongs, and garnish trays are a must-have addition to any home bar. And this kit from OXO Good Grips boasts all three invaluable tools in a handsome, easy-to-maintain format. Don’t pass this one up.
Izola 4-in-1 Bar Tool
Compact and cleverly nested, the Izola 4-in-1 Bar Tool might be the ultimate pocketable mixologist’s multi-tool. Including a jigger, bottle opener, corkscrew, and ice hammer, this device ensures you can make drinks the right way even if you’re not in your own bar.
Huckberry Leather Coaster Pack
If you’re using traditional glassware for your cocktails, you’re likely going to have to contend with condensation, which can be murder to your coffee table (or any other furniture for that matter). Stave off the damaging effects of moisture with Huckberry’s handsome leather coasters.
Bitters Triple Play Variety 3-Pack
Especially for whiskey cocktails, cocktail bitters can be a make-or-break ingredient. Win the day every time with this exceptional three-pack of some of the best bitters available on the market.
W&P Bartender’s Knife
Traditional cocktails call for traditional garnishes, which often means fruit like oranges or limes. And that means a knife is also a necessary bar tool — of which there are no better than the W&P Bartender’s Knife. It’s literally made for the job.
Stanley Adventure Happy Hour 2X System
Complete with a 30oz cocktail shaker, 2 stainless steel cups, a citrus reamer, and jigger cap, this durable kit is perfect for making cocktails around the campfire — meaning it’s the perfect bartending field kit.
High West Barrel-Finished Cocktails
For mixologists that want to take the night off sometimes, the masterful distillers at High West have just bottled their first-ever barrel-finished cocktails. All you have to do is pour them over ice and enjoy.
The Carry On Cocktail Kit 3-Pack
For travelers, this kit of three tins will put you on the fast track to crafting your choice of an Old Fashioned, Gin and Tonic, and/or Moscow Mule anywhere. You just need to add those little bottles of airline alcohol and you’re set.
The Gift of Spirits
One of the simplest gifts to get a cocktail lover is more liquor. Of course, you don’t want to buy them anything too cheap or gross, so we suggest one or all of the following three additions: Hendrick’s Gin, Del Maguey Chichicapa Mezcal, and/or Cutwater Spirits Devil’s Share Bourbon Whiskey.
Hendrick's: $60Del Maguey: $76Cutwater Spirits: $140
The Sneerwell Perdition Flask
For appropriate occasions — like house parties, weddings, camping trips, etc. — a flask is the perfect spirit vessel. This 6oz stainless steel one has the added benefit of a gorgeous exterior and a leak-proof screw-top lid.
Flint and Tinder x Brad Leone Waxed Apron
Serious bartending can get a bit messy, so the mixologist in your life might appreciate a Flint and Tinder x Brad Leone Waxed Apron that looks handsome but will also keep stray ingredients from staining and ruining their clothing.
Filson Large Wolf Head Bottle Opener
Everyone needs a bottle opener. And it’s hard to find one with more style and substance than the USA-made solid iron Large Wolf Head Bottle Opener from Filson — especially for those with a flair for the industrial.
Waterford Lismore Square Crystal Decanter
A crystal decanter might not make your whiskey taste any better, but it definitely looks spectacular. And since sipping on spirits is a multi-sensory experience, that’s reason enough for us to want one as beautiful as this Waterford offering.
PicoBrew PicoStill
Really intrepid mixologists may want to try their hand at actually distilling their own spirits. And that’s all the easier with PicoBrew’s all-in-one desktop PicoStill you see here. Plus, if you have deep pockets, you can always spring for a bigger bundle for even more versatility.
Hammacher Schlemmer Perfect Ice Cube Press
This ice sphere press is the same kind used in some of the most well-reviewed craft cocktail bars around the world. And it will make the perfect cube of ice for your favorite cocktail every single time without fail.
DWR Moller Trolley Bar Cart
Every serious cocktail enthusiast needs a bar cart in their home. And this heirloom-quality one is about as beautiful and timeless as they come. Yes, it’s expensive — but it will serve your favorite mixologist well for decades to come.
The 20 Best Home Bar Essentials
Still searching for the perfect gift for the mixologist in your life? Well, you’ll probably find exactly what you’re looking for on our list of the best home bar gear.
