Not everyone you know loves craft beer as much as you do. It’s okay. You shouldn’t force your cousin or sister that loves their martinis dry and whiskey straight up to accept your Monkish stemmed glassware or “Hop Head” t-shirt as a gift. While you’d love either equally, not everyone knows the joy of 6 hour can-release lines. Get something they’ll actually like. Here are 12 gifts for the mixologist in your life.
Meehan’s Bartender Manual
This is the grandest exploration of both the bar industry and the practice of drink-making. Jim Meehan, an acclaimed mixologist, delves into the path of his career, secrets of the industry, and tricks-of-the-trade. Get this for beginners or experts alike.
Apothecary Bitters Bottle
The only thing better than a good cocktail is a house-made one. There’s something special about watching a bartender dash bitters out of an unmarked glass bottle, remnants swirling in the mix. Let your mixologist bring the science experiment home with this bitters bottle.
Izola Stainless Steel 4-in-1 Bar Tool
This mallet-shaped tool is a drink-maker’s best friend. It acts as a hammer for breaking ice, a bottle opener, a corkscrew, and a jigger. It’s also small enough to be tucked away for on-the-go use.
Crafthouse by Fortessa Black Walnut Muddler
This muddler is hand-crafted to allow for a sturdy grip, a perfect consistency, and repetitive use. It’s real wood, too, so you’ll have to maintain it, but it’ll develop a nice patina over time.
Yukiwa Teardrop Bar Spoon
This is the double-edged sword of mixology — the trident bar spoon. One side delicate stirring spoon, one side brute, pronged trident, this tool is great for stirred, not shaken beverages.
Whiskey Ice Balls
Pour your finest whiskey over professionally made ice for a change. Say no more to jagged shards! Say yes to gigantic ice balls!
Dashfire Vintage Orange Bitters
Minnesota-made, oak-barrel aged, and finished off with a secret blend of spices, Vintage Orange Bitters provide the perfect balance for your bourbon of choice.
Three Ingredient Cocktails
Maybe your mixologist is a bit of a rookie; maybe they’re just getting started or kick-starting a career on a budget? Get them this — it’s a recipe book of cocktails that require three ingredients or less. They’ll thank you for getting them it, and you’ll thank them for letting you be their tester.
Daneson Whiskey-Infused Toothpicks
For mixologists, every little detail matters: the shine on the glass, the sculpted angles of their ice, the aromas of the drink. But what about those extra details? Get them these whiskey infused toothpicks so that even when they’re picking food out of their teeth, it’s a refined experience.
W&P Design Carry on Cocktail Classics
Mixologists are situational experts, too. They know that the flight from New York City to Chicago is roughly three hours. They know that in those three hours they’ll need at least one cocktail 30 minutes into the trip, to relax the nerves and ease them into their seat. They also know that in-flight cocktails are upsold by nearly 300%. That’s why they’ve got the Carry on Cocktail Classics kit on their list.
A Visual Guide to Drink
This is a visual breakdown of all things drink related. Beer, French 75, Manhattan… What glass does each go in? It’s an easy to grasp guide for those just beginning or those more experienced but in need of a refresher.
