Christmas Gifts for the Home Bartender

It’s finally time to get all your loved ones presents (and maybe a few for yourself!)! If you’ve got someone on your list that likes cocktails, is a home bartender, or maybe is wanting to become one, today’s post will give you some perfect gift ideas for them. There are many ridiculous products out there that are just not needed and I know you don’t want to buy yet another gift for someone that will collect dust in the corner or end up in the garage sale pile. So fear not! Here are 5 gift ideas for the home bartender:

Books

I have a huge library of cocktail books and will gladly accept more. If your gift recipient is a cocktail lover, they will definitely appreciate a new book to read as well. For the new enthusiast, consider buying an “all around” cocktail book with good recipes (my favorite is the first one listed below!). For the expert, buy them a specialty book on one specific interest they have like gin or tiki drinks. Here are some suggestions from my library:

1. The Ultimate Bar Book. Every bar should have this book/great for newbies (Mittie Hellmich)

2. Liquid Vacation: 77 refreshing tropical drinks from Frankie’s Tiki Room in Las Vegas

3. The Spirit of Gin: A Stirring Miscellany of the New Gin Revival

4. Sherry: A Modern Guide to the World's Best Kept Secret

5. The Old Fashioned: The Story of the World's First Classic Cocktail, with Recipes and Lore

Bar Utensils

If your gift recipient is a seasoned home bartender, they may already have most of the bar utensils they need; but for someone new to the scene, proper bar utensils are absolutely essential for getting started. Here’s what I can’t live without in order of most important to least important (but all are still important lol):

1. Boston Shaker. Don’t waste your time with fancy cocktail shakers! Every single one that I’ve purchased in the past has leaked! Every. Single. One. This is the one I use. 

2. Jiggers: used to measure ingredients for cocktails. Here’s what I’ve bought. 

3. Strainer

4. Mixing Spoon

5. Fruit Peeler

6. Grater

7. Muddler

8. Fun cocktail picks. My latest purchase.

Glassware

Everyone will appreciate good glassware! But don’t be thinking that I’m telling you to buy your recipient a tacky martini glass that says “cocktail time!” or whatever. I’ve accumulated many 1-glass presents over the years and most of them were donated immediately to the thrift shop. I’m talking about gifting a nice set of glassware which can get expensive, but will most definitely be appreciated. Just try to find out what your loved one needs so that you don’t buy them something they already have:

1. Martini Glass Set

2. Low Ball/Old Fashioned Glass Set

3. Hi Ball Glass Set

4. Coupe Glass Set

5. Whiskey Glass Set

6. Decanters (even better if you fill it with booze!)

Bar Cart

This one may be reserved for big budgets, but if you’re looking for a statement piece for your home bartender, get them a bar cart! I got mine at an antique store but new ones are also an option, like these: Amazon. West Elm. 

Spirits

Finally, don’t forget that your home bartender will appreciate a good bottle of booze...after all, that’s why they are into home bartending! Find what type of spirit they need or like most, and get them a good bottle (with a little research you can find fun options, or just ask me!). For instance, my husband likes scotch. Last year I got him Aberlour because it was something new for him to try and something he probably wouldn’t have purchased himself. If your recipient is looking to just grow their collection, find some fun bitters to give them. Last idea--find a fun cocktail recipe you think they’d like, then buy all the ingredients to make that cocktail. If you feel like spoiling this lucky gift recipient, buy them the utensils and bar cart to go along with the cocktail!

Happy shopping and leave a comment below if you have any questions!