If you’re looking for some last minute gift ideas for that booze loving friend, bar-tending aficionado, or home mixologist on your list, then I offer up some simple suggestions below. I’m avoiding the obvious things like a martini set or bar set and the standard cocktail recipe book. By now, everyone has one. Or should. And if they don’t, you can probably stop reading right here and go get one of those things for them.
Books: As I said, a recipe book is nice, but almost everyone interested in alcohol or bartending has at least one, if not several. So instead, I suggest gifting something slightly different.
Vintage Cocktails
Laziz Hamani (Photographer)
This fun collection of recipes is more photographic art than cookbook. Assouline’s Vintage Cocktails explores the lost art of mixing the perfect drink with elegance and simplicity. The vibrant and evocative photos of each drink were taken at the renowned Carlyle Hotel.
Perfect for: the artist/photogpraher-mixer in your life!
Burke’s Complete Cocktail And Tastybite Recipes 1936 Reprint
This is a complete reproduction of the 1936 Burke’s Complete Cocktail and Tastybite Recipes with a new introduction by Ross Bolton. It couldn’t have been said better than in the book itself, “The Art and Etiquette of Mixing, Serving, and Drinking Wines and Liquors.” At the cocktail hour it is more than just the beverage but the experience. This book has the drink recipes that were popular in the bar, as well as how to serve them, the equipment, the food snacks that should accompany them, and drink measurements. In it one will find the 15 most popular cocktails, and “Barney” Burke’s opinion on prohibitionists (of which this book came after their defeat). This nice volume contains over 250 drinks including Between the Sheets, the Honeymoon and Merry Widow (listed right after each other???), a Princeton, the Blood and Sand, a T.N.T. Cocktail, the Fedora, the Yale and a Valedictorian’s Assistant, a few Absinthe drinks, and a White Bear.
Perfect for: The Historian-Mixer in your life.
Equipment:
ZACK Bolero Hip Flask
I’m a big fan of ZACK’s line of modern bartending tools and accessories (they also make dinnerware, home decor, and more). This are a lot nicer than the flasks you find in those $9.99 gift areas of variety stores. I think they’re nice enough to leave out on the counter — no need to hide this flask shamefully inside your jacket.
Perfect for: Your hardcore boozer friend or your sophisticated whiskey swigger.
Two-in-One Citrus Juicer
A few years ago, I received a similar two-in-one citrus juicer from Williams Sonoma, and I have loved it ever since. Being able to juice both lemons and limes with one, effective tool is great. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Williams Sonoma still carries this particular tool, but I did find a similar one online and I’m sure there are others available at kitchen and home stores. This tool is a great bartenders friend, and it helps with other non-alcohol related jobs in the kitchen too!
Perfect for: The mixer-kitchen gadget lover in your life.
A Pairing Knife
A good, sturdy pairing knife is an essential bartending tool, perfect for cutting fruit and making garnishes. You don’t know how many times I’ve been to someone’s house, asked to assist at the bar, and either handed a giant chef’s knife, a steak knife, or even an incredibly dull utility knife to get the job done. A small, dedicated pairing knife makes all the difference!
Perfect for: Anyone (but not toddlers).
Music:
Music is tricky. Everyone has specific tastes and there literally hundreds of CDs and boxes sets of “cocktail music.” I’ve heard a few and find that these are great if you’re doing some sort of themed event based on a era, but can be otherwise fall rather flat. I will say that I do have an affection for Mondo Exotica – it’s a great sort of lounge/tiki sounds that fades well into the background, but again, there are tons of options out there. So rather than thrust my musical tastes on you any further, I’d simply recommend choosing something that you think your recipient would enjoy. And it doesn’t have to be a cocktail album per se. Anything that makes great background music (or a great conversation starter) can be a great gift for someone who throws cocktail parties. You can even attach an album to small cocktail trinket, such as cocktail picks or paper umbrellas to convey the idea that it’s cocktail music. Have fun with it!
Perfect for: The cocktail party host in your life.
Apps:
Why not give someone an app for this year. There are lots to choose from, and some are actually very useful. Our top two choices are quite inexpensive and are featured below. You can easily gift an app through iTunes, so just follow the steps.
Mixologist™ Drink Recipes By Digital Outcrop
8,500+ Drink & Cocktail Recipes Pro By Webworks and Applications
And if none of these will work, you can always make a trip to your liquor store and pick up a favorite spirit for a traditionalist or something new for someone adventurous! And that’s it. Happy Gift Giving and Cheers!
