Holiday Gifts: Drink Gadgets & Tools 2019

Cocktail Hour print, courtesy Sarah Ferone

Accessory gift ideas for wine, beer, spirits and cocktail lovers

It is the most wonderful time of the year to find some exciting and unique gifts for the bartender or drinks enthusiast in your life. Sure, you could pick up a gift card and let the recipient pick out what they want, but where is the fun in that? There are plenty of gift options out there, whether people are putting together a home bar, or adding the finishing touches on that bar they have been working on for years. If there is not enough in this edition for you, there are five other gift guides we have published. Take a peek at some of the previous years and see if something there hits the right chord as a thoughtful gift.

Meanwhile, it’s time for this year’s fun!

Tools of the Trade

The Bartender’s Blotter - $14.99 - Outside all of the jiggers, pourers, shakers, and other tools a bartender needs, there is one that no one creative should be without: a notebook for writing down ideas. Bartender and author Jeffrey Morgenthaler developed one with Cocktail Kingdom specifically for bartenders, with measurement conversions and other charts at your fingertips.

500 mL Apothecary Infinity Jar - $44 - One of the enemies of organic matter, other than time, is light. Light can accelerate the decay of natural ingredients, giving all of the delightful syrups and tinctures you have been making a shorter lifespan. This stylish black jar can preserve the delicious masterpieces you created AND look good doing it.

OXO Steel Angled Jigger - $7 - A small but mighty stocking stuffer or gift for the holidays. Precise measurements can mean the difference between a good cocktail and a great cocktail. This OXO jigger changes how you view the measurements, allowing you to see a variety of measures from above.

No. 552 Cooper & Thief Bartender Bag - $250 - This limited-edition bag is perfect for bartenders of all stripes, from the experienced master to those just getting serious about their hobby. This hand-numbered piece includes all the tools a bartender needs, including a secret compartment to stash a bottle to take with you. Maybe a bottle of Cooper & Thief Cellarmasters Red Blend?

AeroGarden Harvest - $99.95 - Bartenders and cooks know that adding fresh herbs to their creations improves their flavor. With the AreoGarden Harvest, they can grow up to six different plants year-round. It is small enough to fit on a counter, making it ideal for those without much space in their house. The Harvest will even remind you when it is time to add water and feed your plants.

Fun For Everyone

Sipski Shower Wine Glass Holder - $16 - Why should beer drinkers have all the fun? Attach this to the shower wall to enjoy wine in the shower or during a relaxing bath! Of course, they have a version for beer as well.

Game Used Hockey Stick Flight - $215 to $265 - Where do all those broken hockey sticks go after the game, you may ask? Uncommon Goods paired with the NHL to turn them into a holder for a flight of spirits, from beer to Canadian whisky. Each stick is guaranteed to have actually been used in a game, and is mounted on glass from a Winter Classic!

JumpinGoat Wine Infused Coffee - $15.95 - A non-alcoholic blend created by infusing merlot into coffee beans during the roasting process. This coffee is available in three flavors (regular, chocolate infused, and sriracha infused) and can be purchased in an 8 oz./226 g bags, or in single-serving cups.

Apothecary Sodas Cocktail Mixer Box - $30 - There will always be a search for new flavor combinations to add to spirits. Flavorful mixers, to a bartender, are a thing of beauty. This selection of unique cocktail mixers allows anyone to experiment with new flavors in their beverages. You may even consider a three-month or six-month subscription to different flavored sodas.

Basil Hayden Wildsam Field Guide - $39.99 - This unique pairing is made for discovering unique details about, what they say are “less-explored corners of the country”. Through prose stories, in-depth research, and speaking with local personalities, Wildsam’s guides celebrate the unique flavor of the city or region they are capturing. There is a national edition, as well as versions for Southern California, Northern California, and Brooklyn, NY.

I Bleed Negroni Sweatshirt - $50 - On a website such as Love & Victory that is full of delightful gifts, it is tough to highlight one. This zip-up sweatshirt, complete with the traditional tattoo-style Negroni graphic, is soft, stylish, and will be appreciated by the cocktail aficionado in your life. While you are looking for gifts, check out the rest of the Negroni collection, the Barware collection, and their fine Apparel collection. This could be a one-stop shop for you.

Home Bar Accessories

Malt Man Bottle Opener - $25 - Every space and science enthusiast knows that we celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the lunar landing this year. With this bottle opener from Uncommon Goods, they can celebrate this milestone with a cold beer, maybe even one that also commemorates the landing.

Penguin Cocktail Shaker - $26 - Is there a bird out there cuter than the penguin? You can have a little fun with mixing a great daiquiri with this Cobbler-style shaker, which holds 18 oz./240 mL of liquid. A whimsical and entertaining addition to any home bar.

Strongwater Virtue and Vice Bitters - $34.95 - No matter whether you ended up on the naughty or nice list, you deserve a good cocktail. Colorado-based Strongwater has created a Virtue and Vice set of bitters for your cocktail needs, each developed with herbs based on whether they have a righteous name (Holy basil) or sinister one (Devil’s Club).

Graphite and Wood Ice Bucket - $49.95 - With quiet elegance, this simple ice bucket is a delightful addition to any home bar. The simple design and contrasting materials fit in with any decor. The double walls help keep the ice cold and the surface of the bucket free from condensation. And it’s something that anyone who loves to entertain at home will appreciate.

Cocktail Hour: Classic Cocktails Poster - $24 - As we mentioned in the 2017 gift guide, vintage cocktails ads make great gifts. This year, we are suggesting some with a more modern twist. Sarah Ferone makes some lovely, simple art posters that highlight cocktail classics. With a palette of matchable colors, any one of her series of cocktail posters can add to the decor of a home bar.

Beer Bottle Openers - $79 - $85 - In the Jeff Deegan Designs Home Collection, you will find three delightful designs. The studio starts with a piece sculpted by hand in wax or metal, then brought to life as a bronze bottle opener. These distinctive pieces will not only deftly open bottles, but they will also be amazing conversation starters.

This handy guide makes shopping much easier for those that are near and dear to you. Especially those that love a good cocktail. To go with the gadgets and accessories listed in this article, you may want to add a bottle or two. Take a look at the winners of the New York International Spirits Competition, the Berlin International Beer Competition, the Melbourne International Wine Competition, The NY International Beer Competition and many others for some inspiration. Start your shopping soon. Some of these items are going quickly! Christmas and Hanukkah, which starts December 22 this year, will be here before you know it.

You can even get yourself a bottle to celebrate with when the shopping is over! Happy holidays!