Lifestyle The 44 Best Gifts for Cocktail Lovers By Clarissa Buch Zilberman and Christa Glennie Updated on October 31, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Conclusion FAQ The Research Our Expertise In This Article We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Williams Sonoma Whether sipping a stiff martini or a whiskey-fueled Manhattan, cocktail lovers know that a drink is only as good as the ingredients and tools used to make it. If you have someone in your life who loves to play the role of host or bartender, look beyond a traditional bottle of liquor and consider one of these expert-approved bar tools, from smoking guns to hand-blown coupe glasses. Start with the basics for a novice cocktail enthusiast to make drinks for two, like the Crafthouse by Fortessa Cocktail Shaker Set or a comprehensive recipe book. For more seasoned home bartenders or drinks for a crowd, go straight to a pro-level tool like the Flavour Blaster or a countertop pebble ice machine. This cocktail gift list has something for anyone who loves a properly mixed drink, so read on for more of our favorite options. Our Top Picks Fortessa Crafthouse Cocktail Set at Amazon Jump to Review Thousand Oaks Barrel Foghat Cocktail Smoking Kit at Amazon Jump to Review Estelle Glass Hand Blown Cocktail Coupes at Nordstrom Jump to Review Westwood Decanter 3-Piece Gift Set at Pottery Barn Jump to Review SaloonBox Cocktail Kit Subscription at Saloonbox.com Jump to Review Campcraft Cocktail Infusion Kit at Etsy Jump to Review I’m Just Here For the Drinks at Amazon Jump to Review Mixology & Craft Mixology Bartender Kit Tool Set at Amazon Jump to Review glacio Ice Cube Molds at Amazon Jump to Review In the Clouds Crystalware Collection at Jonathan-hansen.com Jump to Review Fortessa Crafthouse Cocktail Set, 4 Piece Food52 View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Wayfair If you're looking for a suitable gift for someone who recently developed an interest in cocktail making, you can't go wrong with a well-made cocktail shaker as a gift. This set from Fortessa is one of the best around, and it comes with everything, including a classic Boston shaker, Hawthorne strainer, jigger, and wooden muddler. Price at time of publish: $96 Thousand Oaks Barrel Foghat Cocktail Smoking Kit Amazon View On Amazon Perfect as a gift for your cocktail-obsessed friend, this kit goes beyond the basic cocktail smoker and provides everything from the cloche to whiskey barrel oak smoking fuel to a handmade serving board. The included smoking fuel is made from aged bourbon barrels, featuring a traditional oak flavor with notes of caramel, autumnal spices, honey, and vanilla — a great addition when creating whiskey, bourbon, or Scotch cocktails at home. Plus, given the board's generous size, you can easily smoke a cocktail and your favorite meats and cheeses. Price at time of publish: $210 Estelle Glass Hand Blown Cocktail Coupes Food52 View On Nordstrom View On Food52 View On West Elm Drinks taste better in beautiful glassware. So add some glamour to a loved one's bar with this pastel-colored coupe set by Estelle Colored Glass. Hand blown by glass artisans in Poland, the six coupes feature a mix of jewel tones and soft pastels, instantly elevating any table setting. Price at time of publish: $205 Westwood Liquor Decanter 3-Piece Gift Set Pottery Barn View On Pottery Barn For craft cocktails or whiskey neat at home, this barware gift set will come as a welcome surprise. Featuring a decanter and matching double Old-Fashioned glasses for under $100, all pieces in this functional, stylish set are made of blown soda-lime glass and are dishwasher safe. Price at time of publish: $99 SaloonBox Cocktail Kit Subscription Saloon Box. Saloon Box View On Saloonbox.com A subscription box is ideal for home bartenders, easing the search for ingredients and allowing experimentation without committing to a full-size bottle of spirits. SaloonBox includes two recipes, spirits, ingredients, and recipe cards, equaling four cocktails per kit. Depending on who you gift it to, you can choose between a three, six, and 12-month pre-pay option. Price at time of publish: $173 Campcraft Cocktail Infusion Kit Campcraft Cocktail Infusion Kit. Etsy View On Etsy Handmade in Florida, these mixers are delicious, sustainable, and easy to make drinks with (think mocktails or cocktails). Depending on which flavor profile you choose, Camp Cocktail recommends the types of liquor to infuse and the number of times you can infuse each jar (typically twice, for a total of 16 servings), all without sacrificing taste and quality. One of our favorites is the Brunch Punch, featuring dried cherries, pineapple, oranges, and citrus-infused vegan sugar, which can infuse vodka, gin, tequila, rum, bourbon, or hot water. Price at time of publish: $25 I’m Just Here For the Drinks: A Guide to Spirits, Drinking, and More Than One Hundred Extraordinary Cocktails View On Amazon The world of cocktail making is fraught with mystery for many people, which is why this book is one of the best for those just getting started making drinks solo. Wine Enthusiast's 2017 Mixologist of the Year Sother Teague covers everything from the history of both classic and lesser-known spirits to insights from industry pros and veteran bartenders. It includes plenty of easy-to-mix drink recipes that even the most novice cocktail maker will be able to master. Price at time of publish: $16 Mixology & Craft Mixology Bartender Kit Tool Set with Stylish Bamboo Stand Amazon View On Amazon This kit supplies everything you need (except the booze) to make the perfect cocktail. Play around with all the tools the pros use — including a jigger and a muddler — and conveniently store the items on a stylish bamboo stand, keeping everything organized and accessible so you can quickly whip up a cocktail at a moment's notice. Price at time of publish: $43 glacio Ice Cube Molds glacio View On Amazon We could chat all day about ice molds and the ice itself, but the bottom line is that great cocktails always involve great ice. For a home bartender, serving drinks over large ice cubes makes a big difference and goes a long way in impressing your guests. These cube and sphere-shaped molds allow for slow dilution and satisfying presentation. Price at time of publish: $16 In the Clouds Crystalware Collection In the Cloud Glass. In the Cloud View On Jonathan-hansen.com Though this crystalware collection doesn't come cheap, it's guaranteed to make a statement. Reserve this gift option for a wedding or a more formal occasion, as these glasses won't only make someone's cocktails look great, but they'll also double as a work of art when displayed in a cabinet. Price at time of publish: $196 Stamptitude Deluxe Ice Stamp Stamptitude Deluxe Ice Stamp. Stamptitude View On Stamptitude.com Think of this custom ice stamp as a cocktailer's answer to a monogrammed pillow. It's a unique way to upgrade drinks with friends and family. With a solid detachable brass plate, the stamp has either a 3-inch solid walnut or aluminum handle with an additional customizable brass top. Each stamp is expertly gift wrapped for a fun unboxing experience, too. Price at time of publish: $85 Cocktail Codex: Fundamentals, Formulas, Evolutions Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Uncrate.com There is plenty of excellent cocktail literature, but we recommend starting with this book for your home bar library. If you can make a solid Old-Fashioned or Manhattan, you'll be the life of many parties — and Cocktail Codex is a must-have. This book breaks down all cocktails into six categories to help readers understand the rationale behind what can seem like an overwhelming number of recipes and steps to follow to create the perfect drink. Price at time of publish: $21 Geo Lacquer Wood Trays Geo Lacquer Wood Trays. West Elm View On West Elm If you're working with a wood sideboard or coffee table, a bar tray is a perfect way to protect surfaces and add an element of design. Go with a lacquered version for an understated piece, or elevate the space with a glass mirror tray that reflects art deco bar style. Both are easy to clean with handles for carrying. Price at time of publish: $48 BruMate Glitter Flask BruMate Glitter Flask. Amazon View On Amazon View On Brumate.com What's not to love about this high-shine Brumate Glitter Flask? Described as a "party in your purse," there's no way this head-turner of a gift won't be an absolute hit. Affordably priced, this fun flask is leakproof, fits five ounces of your favorite spirit, and discreetly fits inside a purse or pocket. Plus, you can mix and match glitter flask caps with options like black rhinestones, glittery silver, and multicolor jewels. Price at time of publish: $25 Flavour Blaster Black Mini Kit Flavour Blaster Black Mini Kit. Flavour Blaster View On Flavourblaster.com Bubbles, flavor mists, and vapor clouds — the Flavour Blaster Mini Kit is what cocktail dreams are made of. This funky tool lets you blow smoke-filled bubbles and infuse aromas into cocktails, mocktails, food, and desserts while putting on a one-of-a-kind bar show for friends and family. This is a great party trick that not only impresses your guests but also allows them to play mixologist at home, too. Price at time of publish: $270 CORAVIN Timeless Three SL Amazon View On Amazon View On Coravin.com For the wine lovers who buy the best of the best, treat someone to a Coravin to preserve their finest bottles. The Three System is a great introduction to the brand's Timeless Wine Preservation System, which allows you to preserve still bottles for weeks, months, or even years — keeping it as fresh as the day it was corked. Price at time of publish: $179 Crafthouse by Fortessa Cocktail Smoking Box 4.7 Courtesy of Williams Sonoma View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Crate & Barrel This smoking box is sure to impress if you know someone who loves to make cocktails at home. It's a worthwhile addition to a home bar, perfect for entertaining and experimenting. The concept of the smoke box is simple: Put combustible wood chips into the device, light it, and allow the smoke to infuse into the drink. Price at time of publish: $300 Hanson DIY Martini Cocktail Kit Hanson DIY Martini Cocktail Kit. Hanson of Sonoma View On Hansonofsonoma.com For those looking to gift high-quality, organic vodka, check out Hanson of Sonoma's DIY Martini Kit. Geared toward anyone curious to learn how to make cocktails, this kit includes one bottle of organic vodka, a jar of olives, two engraved coupe glasses, and a simple martini recipe card. Price at time of publish: $70 Willa Arlo Interiors Tibo Bar Cart Courtesy of Wayfair View On Wayfair A gorgeous bar cart is a great way to display your liquors and tools for a big gift or major bar upgrade. After all, part of the bar is the atmosphere — so why not try to recreate that at home? Setting up a bar cart with select bottles, bitters, tools, and possibly a favorite book can show the devotion to making an enjoyable, balanced cocktail, rather than just mixing alcohol over ice. If this sounds like an ideal gift for someone in your life, we suggest the Tibo Bar Cart, a classic style at an affordable price. Price at time of publish: $210 GE Profile Countertop Nugget Ice Maker GE Profile Countertop Nugget Ice Maker. Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair If you have the countertop space and the money to spend, this is a worthwhile splurge for dedicated home bartenders. Make the switch from hard ice cubes to soft, crunchy, restaurant-style ice with the GE Profile Opal Ice Maker. It can make 24 pounds of nugget ice daily, ideal for chilling cocktails, sodas, and other beverages. The machine is also equipped with Wi-Fi functionality and voice-control software, which means you can request fresh ice from your smartphone or smart device and have it ready in 20 minutes. Price at time of publish: $529 Ilegal Mezcal Margarita Cocktail Kit Ilegal Mezcal Margarita Cocktail Kit. Ilegal Mezcal View On Ilegalmezcal.com You can't go wrong with a margarita kit as a gift. Everyone likes a margarita, and this kit elevates the classic cocktail with Ilegal Mezcal instead of tequila, adding complexity and a light hint of smoke. It also comes with cold-pressed crystallized lime juice, a spicy margarita salt blend, and agave syrup. Plus, it serves 12 people — a perfect excuse to have a party. Price at time of publish: $57 AeroGarden Bounty Basic Indoor Gardening 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart If you're looking to surprise a cocktail-savvy friend or family member, consider gifting this AeroGarden. Aside from bitters and fresh citrus, the key to plenty of traditional cocktail recipes is a handful of fresh herbs — what better way to have mint leaves, rosemary, and basil than with a miniature hydroponic garden right in your kitchen? This is a multi-purpose gift that will delight any home cook or home bartender. Price at time of publish: $200 Viski Lewis Ice Bag and Mallet Viski Lewis Ice Bag and Mallet. Viski View On Viski.com Every whiskey and bourbon lover needs a Lewis Bag. An affordable and unusual gift, a Lewis Bag is a pristine canvas bag accompanied by a wooden mallet designed to smash cubes into crushed ice. Why not just break your ice in a zip-top plastic bag with your handy kitchen meat tenderizer? Because a Lewis Bag is more than a holder for ice — it absorbs the excess moisture created by the crushing that would otherwise water down your whiskey smash or perfect mint julep. Price at time of publish: $28 Zulay Kitchen Premium Quality Metal Lemon Lime Squeezer Courtesy of Amazon.com. View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Walmart No home cocktail bar is complete without a juicer since authentic preparations of craft cocktails demand fresh juice over the stuff that comes in a bottle. This heavy-duty hand juicer accommodates both lemons and limes (or big limes and little lemons!) and makes getting the maximum amount of juice from citrus a cinch. Price at time of publish: $15 Breville The Citrus Press Breville The Citrus Press. Williams Sonoma View On Williams-Sonoma Suppose you like to entertain large groups or happen to use juice in smoothies as well as in fresh cocktails. In that case, Breville’s electric citrus press automates what would be a significant effort with a hand press like the Zulay Premium Lime/Lemon Squeezer. Price at time of publish: $150 Oxo Good Grips Citrus Peeler Oxo Good Grips Citrus Peeler. Amazon View On Amazon A garnish is such an essential component of a cocktail. It’s more than a pretty way to decorate a glass or whet the palate. A garnish enhances the olfactory experience of sipping a well-made drink. This citrus peeler will help you pull those perfect strips of orange, lemon, or lime zest for drink garnishes. Express the oil over the glass with a quick twist, or place the peel in the drink near the side of the glass for color and fragrance. Price at time of publish: $10 Coocheer 8 Trays Food Dehydrator Coocheer 8 Trays Food Dehydrator. Amazon View On Amazon If you decide dehydrated garnishes are your jam, invest in a dehydrator. You can dehydrate virtually any fruit or vegetable into a garnish in addition to making fruit leather or powdered vegetables and fruits for dusting the rims of drink glasses. It’s also a fun project for a cocktail enthusiast who seemingly has it all! Price at time of publish: $100 BlueHenry Dehydrated Garnishes BlueHenry Dehydrated Garnishes. Amazon View On Amazon A great alternative to fresh garnishes, BlueHenry’s Dehydrated Garnishes are available in lemon, orange, pineapple, and lime. Because these dehydrated citrus and pineapple wheels are pretty to look at, lovely to smell, and relatively shelf stable, they are an excellent substitute for a fresh fruit garnish. Price at time of publish: $13 to $15 High Desert Botanicals Alchemist Bitters Kit High Desert Botanicals Alchemist Bitters Kit. High Desert Botanicals View On Highdesertbotanicals.com Oftentimes, chefs will make bitters and use them to season sweet and savory foods to delicious results. Your home bar enthusiast may find similar inspiration with this DIY Bitter Kit from Alchemist Bitters. The kit comes with 24 different types of dried bitter herbs, a glass funnel, three reagent bottles, 12 amber glass bottles with droppers, instructions, and more. Price at time of publish: $168 Crucial Detail Porthole Crucial Detail Porthole. Crucial Detail View On Crucialdetail.com Designed by Martin Kastner, the Porthole is the classiest infuser around. Kastner is the mind behind Crucial Detail, known by most for its design and production of the unique dishes and accouterments used by chef Grant Achatz at Chicago’s famed haute cuisine haven, Alinea. The Porthole was created for The Aviary, Achatz’s reputable and cutting-edge Chicago-based cocktail bar. If Achatz needs a Porthole, the adventurous cocktail aficionado in your life does, too. Price at time of publish: $125 Baby Barrels American White Oak Wood Barrels Baby Barrels American White Oak Wood Barrels. Baby Barrels View On Babybarrels.com Aging a cocktail in an American Oak barrel at home is a fun experience, though the delayed gratification is something your cocktail fan may have strong feelings about. When aging a cocktail in a barrel, the oak removes all the acidity and ethanol, softening the drink’s edges and making it smooth and easy to drink. Aging also allows you to have a concocted cocktail at the ready, with a spigot for easy service. Better yet, reaching the moment when the beverage is finally ready to serve is a great reason to host a party. Price at time of publish: $85 Britta Optic Punch Bowl Set Crate & Barrel View On Crate & Barrel There was a time when every extended family had at least one punch bowl set between them. A centerpiece of church gatherings and weddings, punch bowls were commonplace. Today they aren’t, though we’d be okay with them making a comeback. Host an epic summertime punch party or present the snazziest ‘nog at your holiday party with this killer punchbowl from Crate & Barrel. Not only is this low and curvy punchbowl sleek as all get out, but it comes with eight gorgeous faceted glass punch cups and a long, lithe glass ladle. Price at time of publish: $118 Viski Faceted Moscow Mule Mug Viski Faceted Moscow Mule Mug. Viski View On Viski.com The Moscow Mule may be owned by the mainstream drinker these days, but we can hardly blame them. Refreshing and balanced, a mule is not a Moscow Mule unless it’s served in a copper mug with a ton of ice and fresh mint. This elegant faceted Mule mug from Viski is the prettiest we’ve found. Made of stainless steel and plated with copper, a pair is a lovely gift for the Mule drinker in your life. Price at time of publish: $33 Uncommon Goods Mixology Classes Online Mixology Class. Uncommon Goods View On Uncommon Goods Gifting powerhouse Uncommon Goods has added a wide range of cocktail classes and packages to its inventory. Straightforward online classes like Cocktails in Spain ($25) are a casual and fun gift, as are the more posh offerings like Smoked Cocktails ($260), which includes an online class and a fancy smoking cloche. From beginner to expert, there’s something here for everyone. Price at time of publish: $30 to $260 JoyJolt Espresso Martini Kit JoyJolt Espresso Martini Kit. Fountain View On Fountaingifts.com The ironic bar hit, the fashionably retro Espresso Martini may be the bane of all bartenders. Yet its return to popularity is likely due to the food and beverage industry’s own reclamation of this 1980s fave. This kit from Fountain includes everything you need but the booze. With a stylish pair of Olivia Martini Glasses by Joy Jolt, Espresso Syrup by Cheeky Cocktails, a shaker from Cocktail Houdini, and dark chocolate espresso beans by Sugarfina for garnish, you’re set for a perfect evening. Price at time of publish: $100 West Elm Jupiter Beaded Glass Martini Glasses West Elm View On West Elm This gorgeous set of four textured martini glasses comes in Cornflower Blue, Pink, and Clear. Lower and thicker-stemmed than a standard martini glass, these fun and practical vessels are a practical and lovely option for people with home bars. Price at time of publish: $40 Wine.com Negroni Cocktail Set Wine.com Negroni Cocktail Set. Wine.com View On Wine.com For many, the negroni is the penultimate cocktail. With its simple 1x1x1 ratio, vivid color, and balanced flavor profile, the negroni is the drink of drinkers. Recently, a version of it went viral, forever wrestling it from the grips of the cocktail cognoscenti. Wine.com ships liquor and wine to states where alcohol delivery is legal, and this simple negroni kit is bound to make your favorite cocktail fan smile. Price at time of publish: $80 Viski Crystal Negroni Glasses Viski Crystal Negroni Glasses. Viski View On Viski.com Does your favorite negroni fan already have the liquor they need to concoct their favorite drink? Consider leveling up their negroni game with these sleek Crystal Negroni glasses from Viski. At $25 for a pair, they aren’t too fancy for the dishwasher, but they are too fancy to miss out on. Price at time of publish: $25 Casa Dragones Reposado Casa Dragones Reposado. Total Wine View On Totalwine.com “Casa Dragones takes its love affair with sipping tequila to the next level with this new Reposado expression. Aged in Japanese oak casks, this is a cold-weather bottle that channels a crackling fireplace, vanilla, and caramel in a comforting way you never thought possible from tequila.” — Oset Babür-Winter, Senior Drinks Editor Price at time of publish: $180 Ghia Le Spritz Boisson View On Boisson.nyc View On Drinkghia.com “For cocktail lovers who appreciate a break from spirits now and then, you can't beat the complex, deliciously bitter flavor of Ghia. My latest obsession is the Lime and Salt flavor, which is perfectly bubbly, tangy, and savory -- it tastes like a special occasion in a can.” — Maria Yagoda, Senior Editor Price at time of publish: $60 Jacobsen Salt Fly by Jing Tingly Sichuan Salt Jacobsen Salt Fly by Jing Tingly Sichuan Salt. Jacobsen Salt View On Jacobsensalt.com “Whenever there's a new Fly By Jing collab, you can expect to find me interested. This drop with the MVPs of salt, Jacobsen Salt Co., is my new favorite way to rim cocktails at home — especially a spicy Margarita situation. It adds a punch of flavor and color, making it the perfect stocking stuffer for the home bartender in your life. Cheers!” — Oset Babür-Winter, Senior Drinks Editor Price at time of publish: $15 Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur. Wine.com View On Drizly View On Garyswine.com View On Gopuff.com Two pros picked this rich, tangy liqueur as their most giftable bottle of the season. “In Spanish, passion fruit goes by many names, but in the Dominican Republic, it's called Chinola. It’s a sacred fruit in the D.R. and gifted for prosperity during the holidays,” says Top Chef season 18 alum Nelson German. For Miami mixologist Gui Jaroschy, Chinola is a total crowd pleaser — he suggests trying it in passion fruit mimosas or a pitcher of margarita. Price at time of publish: $33 The Joy of Mixology View On Amazon View On Abebooks.com The perfect gift for the friend always hosting happy hour. “I would love to become a better home bartender,” says Alexandra Dorda, founder of Kasama Rum. “I’d like to make my way through The Joy of Mixology this year. It helps to demystify cocktails by breaking them down into easy-to-understand categories, all while keeping things fun, just as cocktails should be.” Price at time of publish: $30 Sophie Lou Jacobsen Totem Glasses Sophie Lou Jacobsen Totem Glasses. Sophie Lou Jacobsen View On Sophieloujacobsen.com “I'm very excited about this limited-release drinkware collaboration between nonalcoholic drink brand Ghia and designer Sophie Lou Jacobsen. The stemmed Provence glasses would make a perfect holiday gift for the budding mixologist in your life.” — Danielle St. Pierre, Commerce Editor Price at time of publish: $110 Conclusion Choosing the best gifts for cocktail lovers depends on who you're gifting to. A tool for a novice home bartender will inherently differ from what you'd surprise a seasoned cocktail enthusiast with. The next factor to consider is the price point — how much are you willing to spend? If your budget is modest, our pros recommended three gifts for inexperienced bartenders including a basic cocktail-making set, a recipe book, or a cocktail shaker. For skilled home bartenders, they suggest taking it up a notch with a smoking box, high-quality glassware, or a miniature hydroponic garden. Frequently Asked Questions What should a good cocktail gift set contain? Every tool to make every cocktail would be good in a kit, so think about anything you need to shake or stir a cocktail. If you're trying to be thorough, combine the two, and you'll give someone the ability to make most things at home. Some of the basics include a shaker tin, strainer, double-sided jigger, bar spoon, muddler, and a mixing glass. What are some must-have cocktail syrups? You can never go wrong with simple syrup — it's the most common sweetener used in cocktails because it binds flavors together without altering the harmony in a balanced cocktail. Grenadine syrup, made with pomegranate juice, sugar, and lemon, is a unique syrup that makes cocktails more fun and refreshing. It's a smart idea to keep mint syrup around so you don't have to rely on muddling fresh mint for a mojito. Don't forget about demerara, agave, honey, and ginger, too.As a cheat sheet, here are the ratios to aim for with some classic syrups: Simple syrup is equal parts sugar to water. Demerara is two parts demerara to 1 part water. Agave or honey is three parts golden agave or local honey to one part water. Ginger is equal parts raw ginger juice to golden agave. (Pro tip: You can sweeten the ginger syrup with regular sugar instead of agave if you want a less complex flavor in your cocktail). What are the usual classic cocktails? Classic cocktails are the easiest to replicate at home. They've stood the test of time because their components are easily assembled with little or no need for sub-recipes, like the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Negroni, and Martini, or simple sours like the Daiquiri, Margarita, and the French 75. If you can make these well, you can please almost any guest at your bar.If your goal is something fast, delicious, and easy to clean up, one of the easiest is the Old Fashioned. All it takes is two ounces of any spirit of your choice, about a half ounce or less syrup, and a couple of dashes of bitters. Stir it down to perfection or serve it directly over ice. Add a lemon and orange zest for citrus aroma, and you have a delicious year-round treat. Even if you have no experience bartending, you can make yourself a great drink by following that ratio.Setting up your home bar to be versatile is where it starts. Buy bottles you can use in multiple cocktails, so you're not stuck making the same one. A bottle of gin, whiskey, sweet vermouth, and a bottle of bitters is plenty for classic cocktails. Stay away from expensive spirits/liqueurs that only have one application. The Research After extensively researching this topic, we consulted more than three dozen pros to get their recommendations on the best cocktail-related gifts. Every gift on this list is endorsed by at least two expert bartenders or hospitality vets. We then read hundreds of reviews, compared their responses, and weighed the information against the input and expertise from our sources. Our Expertise Clarissa Buch Zilberman is an acclaimed food writer with nearly a decade of experience. She tapped nearly 40 bartenders and industry experts from across the country who work in bars and restaurants ranging from James Beard Award-winning locales to iconic watering holes, upscale restaurants, and more. Experts featured in this list include Mary Ellen Angel, Harrison Ginsberg, Brian Kane, Michael Jreidini, Eloy Pacheco, Elvis J. Rosario, Nick Semkiw, Avi Singh, Rishi Rajpal, David Muhs, Ally Marrone, Jessica Nguyen, Amir Babayoff, Juan Coronado, Jarek Krukow, Wael Deek, Sother Teague, Bobby DeMars, Kala Ellis, Adam Morgan, Sam Levy, Hannah Smarr, Kristine Brown, Justin Wilson, Brandon Hanson, April Wachtel, Gilbert Marquez, Bryan Cranston, Karl Steuck, Neil Grosscup, Matt Chavez, Emily McLoughlin, Rachel Garcia, Lynnette Marrero, Chad Matson, Matthew Alper, Lander Otegui, Michael Neff, and Saul Ranella. In addition, Christa Glennie, a food writer with over 10 years of experience, also contributed to this piece. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! 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