12 gifts that’ll turn any night into cocktail hour

There are three types of hosts with the most: those who throw parties like they are professional event planners, the home chefs who cook elaborate multi-course dinners, and the creative mixologists who craft delicious cocktails for fun. If your friend falls in the third category, the holiday season is a good opportunity to fuel their hobby with the gift of some bartending must-haves.

Chances are, their bar carts are already stocked with bottles of wine or their favorite booze. Whether they’re just getting started or they are seasoned pros, they likely already have different mixers and spirits at home, so the gift of a new bottle—while still thoughtful—will not be as impactful.

Instead, consider the essentials tools or perhaps a new cocktail book that can help them fine-tune the mixology process or inspire new ideas. Maybe there’s a new flavor of syrup that can improve the taste of their favorite Old-Fashioned drink or a guide to mezcal cocktails, the spirit they mentioned falling in love with recently. These supporting pieces are just as important as the booze.

From practical barware to chic glasses they’ll want to show off at the next soiree, there are tons of gift ideas for the creative home mixologist. Shelcy Joseph, our editorial content associate, curated the 12 most exciting ones. Let’s raise a glass to our favorite mixologists this holiday season!

Her Picks

New York Cocktails- An Elegant Collection of over 100 Recipes Inspired by the Big Apple (Barnes & Noble) “A fun gift for anyone who loves or lives in New York City, this book is packed with recipes, cocktails tips and techniques from top mixologists. It’s a great one to have in the library because they’ll use it constantly.” Shop Now	Khen Classic Stemless Martini Glasses, Set of 6 (The Wine Savant) “These martini glasses are not only practical but they’re also pretty to look at when entertaining guests at home. I love that they include a variety of colors for a more visual effect.” Shop Now

Legacy by Picnic Time Bar Toolkit “All the bartending essentials in an easy-to-transport format, this is a gift anyone can get behind.” Shop Now	Leather Wine Caddy (Bey-Berk) “A chic way to carry wine bottles, this caddy is a gift they’ll use repeatedly. The best part? It comes with a corkscrew and a bottle cap opener. Does it get any better?” Shop Now

Dublin Crystal 5-Piece Decanter Whiskey & Double Old-Fashion Set (Godinger) “I’m all about gifts that go a long way, so I like that this decanter comes with a set of glasses. It’s so decadent and a stunning piece to put on display.” Shop Now	Metal Disco Ball Ice Bucket (8 Oak Lane) “Who wants a regular ice bucket when they can have a disco ball? And don’t worry if they already own one, this new addition will also get plenty of use.” Shop Now

Tuscany Classics Straight Flutes, Set Of 6 (Lenox) “Ever bar cabinet needs them for special occasions or elevated dinners at home.” Shop Now	Manhattan Leather Coaster 4 Piece Set (Georg Jensen) “No bar cart is complete without a set of coasters, especially when they look so elegant and understated.” Shop Now

Ebony Bar Tools, Set of 7 (Godinger) “Sleek and functional, this easy-to-wash bar set is ready to use no matter what level of mixology they’re at.” Shop Now	Mardi Gras All Purpose Wine Glasses, Set of 4 (Qualia) “If the person you’re shopping for loves wine as much as I do, then I know they’ll appreciate this set. They look so chic, plus you can drink different things in them.” Shop Now

Wine Aroma Kit Tasting Smelling 80 Aromas Set (The Wine Savant) “The perfect gift for the friend who always goes to wine tastings, this box features 80 aromas for red, white, and sparkling wines from around the world (plus; it doubles as an interactive game). Way to make learning about wine fun!” Shop Now	Metal Contemporary Bar Cart (Rosemary Lane) “A necessary component of any cocktail party, this modern bar cart is a stylish way to carry drinks and glasses all night long.” Shop Now

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