Getting gifts for enthusiasts seems like it should be easy — just get them something related to that thing they like. Of course, the reality is not quite so simple. You can risk getting them something they already have, or, even worse, something that, as a true aficionado, they would turn their noses up at. The same goes for cocktail lovers.
The world of booze is big and confusing, so it can pretty difficult to figure out gifts that they’ll actually love. But it’s not impossible to find something that they really need. Unless they’re a true expert, there’s a good chance there’s something missing from their bar setup. That’s because setting up a home bar is not a one and done deal — eventually, they’ll run out of their favorite spirits or break their favorite rocks glass. And when they do, you’ll be there with the perfectly timed gift.
Another great gift idea is a cocktail book. Every budding mixologist already has a few, but for every cocktail book they already have on their coffee table, there are five more they’ve never heard of. If they’re frequently on the go, you can also get them travel versions of their favorite bar equipment. And if all else fails, you could always get them a nice bottle of bourbon.
We’ve rounded up some of the best gifts for cocktail lovers that you can buy online.
1. Gatsby Tumblers, Set of 2
FOR THE ENTHUSIAST WHO LOVES TO HOST
They might already have a couple of rocks glasses, but they probably don’t have any like this. The gold-colored base and rippled texture offer a touch of art deco sophistication to their weeknight cocktails. You can go all out and get the matching pitcher, which is perfect for making punch for the whole party.
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2. W&P Old Fashioned Carry On Cocktail Kit
FOR THE TRAVELING COCKTAIL LOVER
This carry-on cocktail set is a great gift because it’s the kind of novelty-adjacent item that the average cocktail maker isn’t going to buy for themselves. But just because it’s a novelty gift, doesn’t mean it’s useless — you can use this kit to make an Old Fashioned on the plane, so it’s the perfect gift for frequent flyers who also love cocktails. There are also kits for Moscow Mules, Margaritas, Bloody Marys and other classic drinks.
3. Hella Cocktail Co. Bitters Set
FOR THE EXPERIMENTAL MIXOLOGIST
Every Old Fashioned enthusiast has a bottle of Angostura bitters on their bar cart. But do they have smoked chili bitters? How about ginger? There are a variety of options on this listing from Hella Cocktail Co. that allow them to experiment with their favorite cocktails. They come in stylish bottles, and you can get them in gift sets, too.
4. Meehan’s Bartender Manual
FOR THE ONE WHO’LL ONE DAY OPEN THEIR OWN BAR
This book is a cocktail classic, and the stylish, minimalist green cover gives it a timeless look that will fit in on any bar cart or bookshelf. It’s designed as a practical guide to running a bar, and it has everything from detailed drink histories to floor plans of iconic bars. There are also 100 cocktail recipes, so it’s a practical gift for the home mixologist.
5. W&P Peak Silicone Extra Large Ice Tray
FOR THE OLD FASHIONED AFICIONADO
An ice tray isn’t a very exciting gift — unless you’re into cocktails. Mixologists can be obsessive about ice, and while a lot of it can be a little extreme, the right ice actually makes a difference when making cocktails. If you’re serving something like an Old Fashioned, larger ice cubes are preferred because they melt more slowly. These molds make four ice cubes, and the silicone tray has a colorful speckle pattern that will be a joy to use every time they pull it out of their freezer.
6. Foster & Rye Enamel Cocktail Shaker and Jigger Set
FOR THE COCKTAIL LOVER WHO ALSO CAMPS
By now, the cocktail enthusiast in your life probably has a cocktail shaker. But do they have one they would be willing to take camping? This set is made from enamel, so it’s lightweight and will match the camp mug they use to drink coffee around the campfire. The speckled pattern gives it that classic camp feel. This set even includes a jigger, so they’ll be able to properly measure ingredients, even on the summit of Half Dome.
7. West Elm Deco Barware Set
FOR THE MIXOLOGIST WITH THE PERFECT BAR CART
The barware the cocktail enthusiast in your life uses is probably a mish-mash of different pieces they’ve collected over the years. This stylish set from West Elm takes the essentials — there’s a bottle opener, ice tongs, a fruit knife and a jigger — and makes them into one stylish matching set. The set substitutes basic standard steel with stylish brass for a luxurious look that will upgrade any bar cart. It’s also a great space-saving option.
8. Hiware Professional Cocktail Mixing Glass
FOR THE MIXOLOGIST WHO’S SERIOUS ABOUT STIRRING
Most cocktail lovers have a cobbler shaker lying around, but they might not have a nice mixing glass. Many of the best cocktails — Martinis, Negronis and Manhattans, for example — are meant to be stirred instead of shaken. The tapered shape of a shaker makes them hard to stir in, while a proper mixing glass, like this option from Hiware, allows them to get the stirring spoon completely around the edges of the glass. Add a mixing spoon and Hawthorne strainer to make a complete gift set.
9. The Mini Bar: 100 Essential Cocktail Recipes
FOR THE MIXOLOGIST WHO’S IN A HURRY
Instead of one cocktail book, this set divides 100 classic cocktails into eight mini booklets. Each booklet has a stylish cover and is dedicated to a single spirit or liqueur — there are books for whiskey and gin as well as books for more niche bottles like amaro and sherry. The booklets are assembled together in a handy cardboard magazine file, making it a very handy guide to keep on your bar cart. Each cocktail gets a brief one to two paragraph explainer with an easy-to-follow recipe on the opposite page. That makes this book set a great option for anyone who wants to quickly check a recipe without thumbing through a hundred pages about the author’s personal journey into the world of obscure Jamaican rums.
10. Kikkerland Luchador Bottle Opener
FOR THE COCKTAIL LOVER WHO ALSO DRINKS BEER
Pretty much everyone has a few bottle openers, but given how easy they are to lose, it’s worth having a few more. This funny novelty option is designed to resemble a luchador, or Mexican wrestler. The wrestler uses a hold to crack open the bottle cap. It’s decidedly a novelty gift, but one they’ll get a kick out of and actually enjoy using.
11. Gin & Tonic Mocktail Gummy Bears Bag
FOR THE SNACKY COCKTAIL LOVER
If the cocktail lover in your life is looking for a work-appropriate way to enjoy their favorite after-hours drinks, then give them these unique gummy bears. They’re non-alcoholic, but they’re designed to taste like a Gin and Tonic. The brand makes other options like Mojitos and Cosmopolitans, too
12. Cutwater Lime Margarita
FOR THE COCKTAIL LOVER WHO ALWAYS FORGETS TO MAKE ICE
Just like pro chefs will sometimes bust out the shredded cheese for a quick grilled cheese sandwich, sometimes mixologists are too lazy to make a proper cocktail. That’s where Cutwater comes in. These canned cocktails include a variety of classics, such as this Lime Margarita. They’re perfect for big parties, outdoor adventures or anytime you realize you’re out of limes.