What to Buy Gift Guides The 35 Best Gifts for Cocktail Lovers, According to Bartenders Surprise the cocktail enthusiast in your life with our list of essential bar tools, editor-loved glassware, and gift boxes. By Clarissa Buch Zilberman Clarissa Buch Zilberman Clarissa Buch Zilberman is a freelance Commerce Writer at Food & Wine, specializing in product reviews and roundups. Her work has also appeared in Travel + Leisure, Bon Appétit, Entrepreneur and Realtor.com, among other print and digital titles. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines and Christa Glennie Christa Glennie Christa Glennie is a former restaurant professional who has logged nearly two decades as a writer and editor covering people and trends in food, drink, dining, and agriculture. She's the food editor of Buffalo Spree magazine and has published work in Food & Wine, USA Today, Feast and Field, and more. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 26, 2023 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Reviews FAQ Our Expertise We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo by Caitlin Bensel / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell 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 bartender or host, look beyond a traditional bottle of liquor and consider one of these expert-approved bar tools instead, from spherical ice molds to our favorite margarita glasses. Start with the basics for a novice cocktail enthusiast to make drinks for two, like a well-made cocktail shaker or a cocktail recipe book. For more seasoned home bartenders or drinks for a crowd, go straight to a pro-level tool like a countertop nugget ice maker. We even threw in a few great gifts for bourbon lovers. There's something on this cocktail gift list for anyone who loves to keep their home bar cart well-stocked. Riedel Nick and Nora Cocktail Glasses Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bloomingdales If you've been eyeing a set of trendy Nick & Nora glasses to add to your collection or to gift a cocktail lover, we recommend this classic set from trusted brand Riedel. Included in our list of the best martini glasses, these glasses are perfectly sized at 4.9 ounces and also well-priced at just under $50 for a set. We appreciate the gently curved lip — similar in shape to a tulip glass — that makes this pick stand out. These glasses provide a nice balance of vintage charm with a clean, modern aesthetic that makes them feel giftworthy. Price at time of publish: $45 Breville PolyScience The Smoking Gun Pro Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Breville.com Smoke adds texture, depth, and flavor to any mezcal or whiskey cocktail. A smoking gun allows you to enjoy this sensory experience at home. Earning the top spot in our tests of the best cocktail smokers, we found Breville's Polyscience Smoking Gun to be perfectly sized and easy to operate with optimal smoke output. This funky tool lets you 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: $150 Williams Sonoma Dorset Spirit Decanter Williams Sonoma View On Williams-Sonoma For folks who love to sip their whiskey neat at home, this gorgeous whiskey decanter will immediately upgrade any hosting occasion. This lead-free crystal decanter can be used to store any spirit, and its 45.6-ounce capacity is the perfect size. We love the simple, vintage-inspired design of this vessel and think it would look especially charming next to a matching crystal cocktail mixing glass. Price at time of publish: $200 Via Carota Espresso Martini Via Carota View On Drinkviacarota.com The Espresso Martini is the "it" drink of the year. Luckily for home bartenders, you can now enjoy a delicious pre-batched Espresso Martini from beloved New York City Italian restaurant Via Carota without needing to fire up your espresso machine. This mix is rich and chocolatey with a touch of chicory, and we think it has the perfect amount of bitterness. Simply serve cold, shake, pour, and garnish with a few fresh coffee beans. Price at time of publish: $39 Jacobsen Salt Fly by Jing Tingly Sichuan Salt Jacobsen Salt Fly by Jing Tingly Sichuan Salt. Jacobsen Salt View On Flybyjing.com 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 Crafthouse by Fortessa Signature Collection Shaker Set Amazon 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. "The Crafthouse by Fortessa Boston Shaker is from the Charles Joly line of professional barware," says Eric Alperin Charles knows the importance of a tin-on-tin shaker set that seals perfectly and is strong enough to handle larger rocks of ice." Price at time of publish: $119 Sugarfina Cheers Candy Bento Box Bloomingdales View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales View On Neiman Marcus This Champagne-inspired trio of treats from Sugarfina is quite literally a celebration in a box. Included in the set are Champagne Bears infused with real bubbly, Champagne Bubbles tiny white nonpareils, and sweet and tart Bubbly Bears dusted with sugar. If you're gifting a bubbly lover, they likely already own a go-to set of Champagne glasses. Surprise them with this celebratory candy set instead. Price at time of publish: $30 I’m Just Here For the Drinks: A Guide to Spirits, Drinking, and More Than One Hundred Extraordinary Cocktails Amazon 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 Viski Faceted Moscow Mule Mug Viski View On Viski.com Refreshing and balanced, a mule is not a Moscow Mule unless it’s served in a proper copper Moscow Mule mug with a ton of ice and fresh mint. This elegant faceted Mule mug from Viski is one of 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: $40 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 the art Deco bar style. Both are easy to clean with handles for carrying. Price at time of publish: $48 glacio Ice Cube Molds Amazon View On Amazon We could chat all day about the best ice cube 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 ice molds allow for slow dilution and get extra points for presentation. Price at time of publish: $20 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? 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: $35 Estelle Colored Glass Champagne Coupe Set Food52 View On Food52 View On Nordstrom View On Estellecoloredglass.com Simply put: Cocktails taste better in beautiful drinking glasses. Add some glam to a loved one's bar with this pastel-colored coupe set by Estelle Colored Glass. Handblown by glass artisans in Poland, the six coupes feature a mix of jewel tones and soft pastels, instantly elevating any dining room table setting. Price at time of publish: $205 Zulay Kitchen Premium Quality Metal Lemon Lime Squeezer Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Walmart No home cocktail bar is complete without a citrus juicer since authentic preparations of craft cocktails demand fresh juice over the sugary 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: $20 Mixology Bartender 10-Piece Bar 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: $48 Uncommon Goods Mixology Classes Online Mixology Class. Uncommon Goods View On Uncommon Goods Gifting powerhouse Uncommon Goods has a wide range of cocktail classes and packages to choose from. 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: From $60 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: $24 AeroGarden Bounty Basic Indoor Gardening Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Home Depot 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 indoor herb 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: $300 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 bourbon 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: $180 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 Ghia Le Spritz Amazon View On Amazon 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: $24 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 Cocktail Codex: Fundamentals, Formulas, Evolutions Amazon View On Amazon View On Abebooks.com View On Bookshop.org 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: $22 Riedel Drink Specific Glassware Highball Glass Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Nordstrom Every home bartender needs a solid set of highball glasses for serving cocktails topped with soda. In our extensive Riedel Highball Glasses review, we found this set to be incredibly versatile for making everything from a classic Scotch and soda to DIY Ranch Water recipes. In terms of affordability, build quality, and design, these glasses check all the boxes. We think they'd make a great gift for a cocktail enthusiast. Price at time of publish: $45 Crafthouse by Fortessa Cocktail Smoking Box Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Sur La Table 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: $299 GE Profile Countertop Nugget Ice Maker V2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Walmart 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: $629 Casa Dragones Reposado Casa Dragones Reposado. Total Wine View On Drizly 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: $170 Willa Arlo Interiors Tibo Bar Cart 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: $339 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 juicer automates what would be a significant effort with a hand press. For weekend brunch mimosas or dinner parties with multiple cocktail pairings, we think this juicer makes a very practical gift for cocktail enthusiasts. 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 easy-to-use citrus and vegetable 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 Magic Mill MFD-7100 Food Dehydrator Machine Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart If you decide dehydrated garnishes are your jam, invest in a food dehydrator. Earning the top spot in our list of the best food dehydrators, we found this pick from Magic Mill to be easy to use, even for beginners. 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: $250 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? The answer is most likely! 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 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: $32 The Joy of Mixology Amazon 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 Britta Optic Punch Bowl Set Crate And Barrel View On Crate & Barrel There was a time when every extended family had at least one punch bowl set between them. Host an epic punch party or present the snazziest boozy eggnog 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: $147 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. 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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