The Wishlist: 15 Best Gifts for the Mixologist in 2023

If you’ve been thinking about learning some new bartending tricks, there’s no better time than right now in order to prepare for the upcoming holidays. Whether you’re the resident mixologist or know one personally, the following guide will help you with some shopping ideas. And it doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned veteran or a beginner because there’s something for everyone here. These are the best gifts for the mixologist in your life.

Whiskey Peaks Mountain Decanter + Half Dome Set of 2 Whiskey Glasses

Presentation is so important when building up your home bar — something that Whiskey Peaks has understood and built its core tenets upon. Not only inspired by beautiful mountain peaks around the world but featuring them at the bottoms of their decanters and rocks glasses, the brand has products no matter where you are in the world. Inspired by the peak of Yosemite’s Half Dome, this Mountain Decanter and Whiskey Glasses set includes a 34-ounce vessel for displaying your favorite spirit and a pair of hand-blown glasses which are surprisingly durable.

Sayso Ready-to-Make Cocktail Sachets

Tea bag cocktails are an up-and-coming innovation in the cocktail world and no brand is at the forefront like Sayso. Bringing the craft of mixology to a simple tea bag function, they have several cocktail types to choose from — from margarita to old fashioned — each featuring the ingredients stored within a steepable pouch. 

Twisted Alchemy Demerara Syrup

Syrups can be the most tedious part of making cocktails at home. And standard simple syrup just doesn’t compare to the more elusive demerara syrup when it comes to a quality old fashioned. Twisted Alchemy makes its own syrups and fresh juice mixers, such as this 750mL bottle Demerara Syrup sourced from Belize.

The Book of Cocktail Ratios by Michael Ruhlman

New York Times bestselling author Michael Ruhlman takes a mathematical approach to cocktail construction in The Book of Cocktail Ratios, which breaks down the main drink types into literal ratios, from the martini to the Manhattan to the margarita. The book also dives deep into these classic cocktails and their history.

Strongwater Herbal Cocktail Bitters Sample Box

Level up your cocktail game with some variety in your bitters. Strongwater’s Herbal Cocktail Bitters Sample Box comes with five 0.5oz bottles of different unique types, including cherry bitters, orange bitters, aromatic bitters, lavender bitters, and black walnut bitters for any cocktail category.

Spirits

If you’ll be making any sort of alcoholic concoctions, you’ll certainly need spirits for your base. For Negronis and martinis, St. George’s Botanivore Gin is about as good as you can get. Meanwhile, Old Forester’s 100-Proof Rye has a perfect spice for an array of cocktails like old fashioneds and Manhattans. But if margaritas are your go-to, check out Mijenta Blanco Tequila from one of the hottest micro distilleries out right now.

BrüMate Shaker 

Not every cocktail shaker is made the same, but fortunately there’s BrüMate’s Shaker Pint, a cobbler-style unit with a see-through, leak-proof lid that holds in up to 20oz of liquid in the shatterproof housing. What’s more is the triple-wall stainless steel material ensures your hands don’t freeze up mid-shake.

ClearlyFrozen Clear Ice Cube Tray

Aged & Ore Travel Decanter

Part flask, part decanter, the Aged & Ore Travel Decanter is really a way to transport your favorite whiskey wherever you venture, giving you the option to drink it neat or make an old fashioned at the campsite. The 3mm drop-proof borosilicate glass is housed in a double-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel exterior for temperature retention so that you won’t need to search for ice.

Bitters & Bottles Club B&B

Most spirits subscription boxes don’t accommodate the mixologist, but Bitters & Bottles’ Club B&B has some great options for the home bartender in your life. Aside from the standard whiskey and gin options, you can also pick from quarterly Negroni Lovers or Old Fashioned Lovers clubs.

Viski Alchemi Single Serve Smoker Kit

Smoked cocktails are all the rage right now and it’s never been easier to make your own smoky old fashioned right from home. This holiday season, gift this Alchemi Single Serve Smoker Kit from Viski, which comes with oak wood chips, a fine mesh strainer, a 14oz rocks glass, and a user-friendly butane torch.

Williams-Sonoma White Marble & Brass Hanging Bar Tools Set

Having the proper bar tools is one thing but being able to display them in an elegant way is another. Williams-Sonoma’s Bar Tools Set provides you with a beautiful way to show off your most-used accouterments. Made from antique brass-finished stainless steel, the set includes a jigger, a strainer, tongs, and a bottle opener, which hang over a handcrafted marble surface.

Breville The Citrus Press

Breville may be most known for its coffee-related devices, but this Citrus Press proves that no kitchen function is out of its range of expertise. Made from stainless steel, this deceptively classy countertop juicer is perfect when making margaritas or whiskey sours. It uses an automatic sensor to detect the fruit and a full-extraction process so nothing goes to waste.

Barsys 360

If you have all these bottles of liquor but aren’t confident yet in making your own concoction, get yourself the Barsys 360, which literally acts as your own personal bartender at home, using a smartphone app and an array of recipes curated by professional bartenders and mixologists. Not just an elegant fixture for your bar top but a handy device for ensuring quality every time.

Rocco Super Smart Fridge

Rocco made a small mid-century style refrigerator specifically for beverages and bottles, which not only has unique temperature zones built inside but looks beautiful as a piece of furniture in your home. Featuring a top that doubles as a workstation for serving, the fridge can also be temperature-adjusted from your phone.

Design Within Reach Line Bar

For the high-end bar, there’s no better way to store and display your finest bottles than with a classy bar cabinet. It may be a bit pricey, but this Line Bar from Design Within Reach is well worth the price. Sporting a mid-century design, the spacious cupboard is made of solid wood and has plenty of options for organization inside.