It's that time of year again! Last December I made a little holiday gift guide, and I've been thinking about what to put in this year's ever since. Here are some gift ideas for the cocktail lover in your life!
1. Noble Tonic 01: Tuthilltown Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup. This maple syrup is positively out of this world. It's fantastic in cocktails and I think it would be positively divine on pancakes. $27.50 for a 16 oz. bottle.
2. Black Cloud Bitters Sampler. Bitters samplers are the best way to expand your collection, and I love the flavors in this pack from Black Cloud. It contains five varieties: Charred Cedar, Saffron Mango, Black & Blue, Prairie Rose, and Garden Party. I've been using them like crazy. $37 for five 1 oz. bottles.
3. Amaro Nonino Quintessentia. Whether you're buying a gift for a devoted amaro lover or someone who has never even heard of it, you can't go wrong with Amaro Nonino. This sweet, nutty, slightly bitter digestif is delicious on its own after dinner or mixed into cocktails like the Paper Plane. $40-50 for a 750 ml bottle.
4. Spirit, Mixer, Glass, and Garnish. It's not surprising that the Kickstarter for this gorgeous cocktail journal was funded in no time. It's custom designed for you to record your favorite cocktail recipes. Check out my post on it for more details. $27.
5. Shake. Stir. Sip. This little cocktail book by Kara Newman contains only recipes that use equal parts of their ingredients, from classics like the Negroni and Last Word to newer recipes like Amor y Amargo's Sharpie Moustache. With easy recipes and beautiful photos, it's great for cocktail-makers of all skill levels. $17.
6. Tovolo King Cube Clear Ice System. There are a lot of ways to achieve crystal-clear ice at home, but none quite so easy as this Tovolo ice maker. The insulated container and compartmentalized molds create one perfectly clear cube and one regular cube at a time. Also available in spheres. $22.
7. Hibiki Japanese Harmony. This is the Japanese whiskey that everyone seems to be talking about. Beautifully flavored and packaged in a gorgeous bottle, it makes a perfect gift for any Scotch or whiskey drinker. $60-70 for a 750 ml bottle.
8. Oak Bottle. Barrel-aging cocktails is all the rage right now, but if you're not ready to commit to an oak barrel and a few months of waiting, the Oak Bottle is the gadget for you. This bottle will oak-age spirits and cocktails in only days. It would be a great gift for the cocktail lover who has everything. $80 for a 750 ml bottle or $60 for the 355 ml mini version.
9. Copper Bar Tools from Cocktail Kingdom. I'm a sucker for pretty bar tools, and I think this shaker, julep strainer, barspoon, and jigger are about as pretty as it gets. They all come in other finishes, sizes, and styles (including a pair of weighted copper shaking tins). $133 for everything pictured.
What's on your wish list this year?
Those oak bottles sound very intriguing. Such a novel idea too.
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