There are men – alchemists really – who live their lives surrounded by strange tinctures and intoxicating liquids of every kind. While they use odd terms like “neat” and “jiggers” these modern pubmasters always have the best hooch. They’ve got beer and wine as well as sundry other spirits of unknown origin that come in strange jars but taste like summer and can set you howling at the moon. They’re always willing to share their best vino, so why not give them a gift that will help them along?
Each of these 20 gifts will help the mixologist either whip up their intoxicating wares, or imbibe them in a glorious celebration of alcohol that will go unremembered for all time.
Moore & Giles Waxwear Rangertan Bar Rollup
Booze-Ops: This easy-carry rollup was created by mixologist Jim Meehan and has everything a barman needs to make the perfect cocktail when they are away from home. Elastic pockets give him the tools to mash, stir, and zest his way to a drink from heaven. [Purchase: $275]
Jack Rudy Small Batch Tonic
A Better Base: A smooth, robust gin is necessary for a great gin and tonic, but to make it amazing any mixologist worth his salt will tell you that you must have a good tonic. The Small Bathc Tonic is handmade with the perfect blend of botanicals, pure cane sugar, and quinine so it makes the flavors of your G&T pop. [Purchase: $16]
Whiskey Wedge
Cold Snap: Don’t let the name fool you, this will work for any sipping spirit you want to put in your glass, which is to say all of them. Using the whiskey wedge you can create a smooth, slow-melting block of ice right in your serving glass that will keep liquor cold without watering it down. [Purchase: $15]
Booze Books
Learning Liquor: Any frat brother can put yeast in juice and catch a buzz, but the true mixologist is dedicated to his craft and willing to learn at the feet of the masters. Any of these books will help him make and serve better booze whatever poison he picks. [The Kings County Distillery Guide to Urban Moonshining: $12 | The PDT Cocktail Book: $13+ | Barley & Hops: The Craft Beer Book: $ 37 | Winter Cocktails: $14+]
Bar10der Ten-in-One Ultimate Bartending Tool
Barman’s Buddy: A consummate bartender never knows when he’ll be needed or what kind of facilities will be on hand. That is why he requires the tools of his trade to travel with him wherever he goes. With this Swiss Army bar tool, he’ll always have the basics at his fingertips. [Purchase: $30]
Crate & Barrel Libations Bar Cart
Stylish Server: Running out of signature cocktails or suddenly not having enough champagne on hand is a sure-fire way to kill a party. With the beautiful bar cart from Libations, there will always be a way to see if there is more on hand, and get it to dry guests posthaste. [Purchase: $599]
The Porthole Infuser
Flavor Du Jour: Designed by Martin Kastner of Crucial Detail this is an elegant flavor infuser that will let you mix and match your favorite tastes while cutting a stunning centerpiece figure. No infuser makes flavors meld as seamlessly, or looks half as good doing it. [Purchase: $99]
Menu Beer Foamer
Bubble Trouble: You can pour your beer to get a head that will froth, but that will leave you with flat, stale beer. The foamer adds a thick, draft-quality head that emulates the taste, sensation, and experience of sipping a pint at a pub, all from the comfort of your own home. [Purchase: $30]
Luxardo Gourmet Maraschino Cherries
Gourmet Garnish: A pox on those bulk maraschinos with their fruity red lies. These are pure, original maraschinos for the man who demands his candied fruits be done properly, with true dark red cherries soaked in rich syrup without preservatives or thickening ingredients. These will take your Old Fashioned game to the next level. [Purchase: $24]
Time & Oak Whiskey Elements
The Aging Process: Whiskey aged in a barrel for years picks up a unique, smokey flavor, but who has years to wait for a drink? By dropping one of these simple laser cut sticks into a batch, any whiskey drinker can get 3 years worth of barrel flavor in just 24 hours. [Purchase: $12+]
Fee Brothers Bar Cocktail Bitters
Classic Cocktails: Many cocktails of bygone years are making a resurgence, which is why good bitters are so necessary. Whether making a mint julep or an americana, a mixologist must have these on hand to get the flavors just right without wasting precious drinking time. [Purchase: $54]
Tumi Mixology Backpack
Bar in a Bag: This is a fully functioning backpack that includes all the pockets you need for everyday use, including a padded laptop compartment. It also has stainless steel jiggers, a stirrer, a cocktail shaker, and a waterproof utensil sleeve just in case a spontaneous office party breaks out. [Purchase: $695]
Owl’s Brew Cocktail Tea
Merry Mixer: Catch a buzz with class using one of the refined cocktail teas from Owl’s Brew. Specifically designed to be used with alcohol these tasty teas add a new twist to old favorites like the screwdriver, the manhattan, and the margarita. [Purchase: $10+]
Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds
Power Baller: Ideal for icing down drinks with a sense of style, Tovolo’s spherical ice molds are easy to use and sure to make a splash with your guests who want their drink on the rocks, but don’t want it watered down. [Purchase: $11]
Great American Flask
Sacred Stash: Flasks were often used to conceal booze, but this item is one any drinker will be proud to show off. Hand-made from copper throughout, it is as American as apple pie and Tennessee bourbon. Complete with a birch stopper, this is made for the true, red-blooded drinkin’ man. [Purchase: $200]
Chef’n FreshForce Citrus Juicer
The Best Zest: Give your mixologist the easiest way to make short work of lemons and limes with the Citrus Juicer. It mashes out all the flavor without causing strain to the hands. Easy to use, easy to clean, and extremely effective. [Purchase: $27]
White Whale Bold Cocktail Mixers
Taste Sensation: You don’t need to be a professional mix master to make drinks like one, you just need the right ingredients. These let you fake it ’til you make it by creating dazzling cocktails that are perfect every time without the struggle of spending two weeks at a bartending academy. [Purchase: $12]
Moscow Mule Copper Mug
Mighty Mug: Made specifically for making Moscow Mule cocktails, the copper with nickel lining of the mug works well for distributing cold evenly no matter what you put into it and holds a chill longer than many glass beer mugs thanks to high molecular conductivity. [Purchase: $24]
W&P Carry-On Cocktail Kit
Mixers On a Plane: This is a complete Old Fashioned cocktail kit with everything but the booze. Add in a little bourbon, and you’re ready to drink the way Roosevelt did. Never again force yourself to swig the swill served on major airlines. [Purchase: $24]
Good Whiskey
The Perfect Gift: No mixologist will turn up his nose at a bottle of truly good whiskey. Whatever his style, he’ll be thrilled with the smooth flavors, perfect ageing, and high proof of each of these whiskey choices. Hasn’t he earned a high-quality fire in his belly? [Pappy Van Winkle: $250 | The Macallan 15-Year: $80 | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: $90]
