Best bar gifts under $25
Viski Art Deco cocktail picks
What good is a vodka martini without a few skewered olives? These art deco-inspired picks have just the right amount of razzle-dazzle.
A bottle opener may seem like old hat and not all that giftable. Rosle's shiny and sturdy stainless steel model would like you to reconsider. Pair this with a nice tall bottle of 4-pack of La Fin Du Monde and you've got a very nice gift.
Cast-iron mortar and pestle
Spice things up with this small yet sturdy cast-iron mortar and pestle set. This bar tool will eliminate the need for ground spices, pulverizing whole peppercorns and fennel seeds to ensure fresher flavor and stronger aromatics in your drink. In the process, you'll also get a fun workout and stress relief. There's a reason this ancient food processor has withstood the test of time.
The Fluicer is all the rage, at least in my home. This bend-and-squeeze juicer extracts way more juice than a traditional clamshell juicer and costs less than $20. It's an ideal quick fix for getting the most out of your citrus for cocktails and cooking.
Best bar gifts under $50
The Aperol spritz is one refreshing cocktail that ain't going anywhere anytime soon, but that doesn't mean we can't innovate on the sparkling summer sipper made from the bitter apéritif, Prosecco and sparkling water. Doladira is French and sports has a similar flavor profile to Italian Aperol and Campari but with less sugar and notes of rosemary and plum in addition to tart rhubarb and bitter gentian.
It may be a little harder to track down than the others, but that -- plus a really cool bottle -- is what makes it a great gift.
Viski crystal mixing glass
A beautiful solution for the cocktail enthusiast who prefers drinks stirred and not shaken. Wondering why you'd need one of these at all? If you ask an expert, they'll tell you most cocktails made with brown liquors like bourbon, cognac and aged dark rum should be stirred -- not shaken.
Spiegelau Spritz Glasses (set of 4)
Any bottle of an Italian Apertivo must be accompanied by proper spritz barware. I don't make the rules.
As the spice of the mixology world, there's probably no more fun ingredient for a home bartender to experiment with than bitters. Fee Brothers makes a five-pack with some unique cocktail bitters like mint and peach in addition to the more traditional recipes.
Crimson & Clove rimming salts
Good rimming salts can take a cocktail from a 7 to a 10 with a few swirls of the glass. This set includes both spicy and citrus margarita salt and one for Bloody Marys.
Moroccan handblown cone glassware (set of 6)
These handblown Moroccan glasses come in four color choices and two sizes. The smaller glasses are incredibly versatile and perfect for an old fashioned, margarita or even just some scotch on the rocks. They're also durable and the inward cone prevents spillage making them great for parties.
One thing a home bartender will always appreciate is good glassware. These Libbey coups are sturdy enough to slide them down the bar but delicate enough to make your Sidecar or Brandy Alexander really pop.
Best bar gifts under $100
Good bar tools go a long way in crafting the perfect cocktail. This art deco set of four tools will look good both while in use but also when hanging idly on your giftee's stylish bar.
You don't have to spend around $50 on a bottle of vodka to get something sippable. But if you do, it should be this one. This creamy, slightly briny Greek vodka is distilled from olives and makes the best martini we've had in years -- maybe ever.
Shaker Spoon cocktail box
What I like about Shaker Spoon is that not only are all the ingredients (minus the booze) packaged for you to make interesting cocktails, but what is included would be really tricky to find anywhere locally. We're talking artisan cherry-vanilla bitters, pineapple shrub and a spritz bottle of white sage hydrosol.
There are recipes for each themed box like Fall for Mezcal or All Eyes on Rye but you can have fun experimenting with the ingredients too. A single box is $59 or $50 if you subscribe. Either way, it'll lend plenty of cocktail inspiration to the budding bartender on your list.
Asombroso reposado tequila
Asombroso's reposado tequila is one of the smoothest and most sippable tequilas under $60. And if the bottle makes your giftee giggle, well that's just a bonus.
Best bar gifts under $300
I find handheld citrus juicers to be mostly ineffective and murder on my wrists. In short, the juice just ain't worth the squeeze. Countertop juicers that you put more oomph into yield better results and fewer trips to the physical therapist. I love the look and feel of Verve Culture's retro model, especially since it catches the seeds and pulp for you.
William H. Macy Woody Creek Reserve Rye
Hoards of celebs have their names tied to booze brands, but there isn't a pairing that feels more authentic than the star of gritty hits like Shameless and Fargo and a great bottle of whiskey.
Macy lives in Woody Creek, Colorado, just a stone's throw from the distillery. The decorated actor is chummy with the producers of Woody Creek whiskies, vodkas and gins and handpicked the barrels in which this nutty, spicy reserve rye was aged for 10 years.
A proper home bar setup starts with a study bar cart to house all the fixings. This round, rolling cart fits more glassware and bottles than it may appear, and mirrored shelves give off a fun '70s vibe.
High Camp flask and shaker
A cocktail rarely shaker excites me anymore, but the High Camp shaker is special. It's loosely designed with camping or outdoor drinking in mind since you can either shake and pour or leave it and the shaker transforms into an easy-drinking highball.
It also looks great available in copper, stainless steel or gunmetal and it all fits together securely and compactly. You can (and should) get it engraved for $25 more.
Tequila infusion and tasting kit
This is essentially a tequila tasting set disguised as an infusion kit, but it's a damn nice tequila tasting set. The handblown glasses are just large enough to hold a small margarita or tequila cocktail.
This kit is tres chic and has all the bar essentials (except for the shaker) including a really retro-looking ice bucket. It's not cheap but the stylish home mixologist on your list will do flips for this collection.
John Boos & Co. bar board
For a pricier pick, this small Boos board is perfect for slicing limes, other citrus or small garnishes. Think of this as the Cadillac of bar boards with an actual drip tray to collect precious citrus juice to reuse for the next margarita. Brilliant, right? Plus, it's a John Boos so you can rest assured it's top-quality wood.
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