It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right? Well….it could be made a heck of a lot more wonderful with a little something for your favorite home bartender tucked under the tree or behind the bar. This is our 3rd annual gift guide, and I consider it time very well spent. Hosting eight maids-a-milking or ten lords- a-leaping can be exhausting and tough on the most seasoned bartender. Why not have a little more fun or ease behind the bar by using any one of these swell barmen’s tools or additions. Believe me, you as the giver will get plenty of “ooohs & ahhhs” as the bartender in your life cracks one of these gifties open….and you know what you’ll get? Satisfaction, thanks, and a well -made drink. Sounds like a fair exchange to me.
1) King Cube Ice Cube Tray – Just two fat, enormous cubes keepin’ your bourbon cold and not watering it all down is just what the doc ordered. I love these trays. Huge ice-cubes which melt slower than a handful of smaller ice cubes keep a cold drink colder longer and won’t water down that expensive bottle of booze you found in your stocking. Buy it here.
2) Barker & Mills Bourbon Vanilla Cocktail Cherries – ‘Tis the season to be decadent and all that. If you wish to make a statement in this winter’s cocktails, you can’t yell any louder in a drink that calls for cherries than by plopping in one or two of these babies. I picked up a jar while tooling around this past fall and rushed back home to try these for myself. Unbelievable is what I have to say. This cherry elevated my humdrum manhattan to another level with its far from subtle flavor. People save the cherry in their drink for last & with the richness of this whiskey-vanilla soaked goddess as a finish, you’ll be making more cocktails. Find it here.
3) Polka Dot Glasses, Gift Box of 4 – I’m always looking for funky or cool retro tall glasses in which to pour my summery, limey, gingery cocktails. I like glasses that funnel ice the whole way down the glass, keeping the drink ice-cold from top to bottom, and this set certainly accomplishes that. Eye-catching and thirst-causing at the same time, this set would look smashing and polka-dotty on your home bar. Find it here.
4) Guinness, Black & Tan Pouring Spoon – This is one of those items that a lot of people say they have, but when it’s put up or shut up time, especially around St. Patrick’s Day, they say they can’t find it. If I had a buck for every time a guest promised to bring one over for a night of Black & Tans and Irish Whisky, yet somehow manages not to be able to find it, I’d have at least six dollars. This one comes with a little chain so you can hang it from a nail at your bar. They’re extremely useful, the thing comes with directions, everyone likes a Black & Tan or a Half & Half. This enables you to pour, without blending, a Guinness & Harp, or a Guinness & Bass, thereby layering one beer over another. “Mmmm,” now I want a Black ‘n Tan. Get one here.
5) Glencairn Wide-Bottomed Whiskey Glasses (set of 4, personalized) – Cocktail this, high-ball that, sometimes you just want to cut through the flotsam of build-a-drink-bartending, and sit down with a glass of iced whiskey; I know I sure do. Whiskey – be it Irish, Bourbon, Scotch or Canadia, is the spirit that’s most conducive to good conversation or healthy retrospection. The right jazz, three ice-cubes, a splash of H20 and a great whiskey can make a night. These wide-bottomed glasses feel wonderful in your hand and will make your improv-golf-story so much more convincing and interesting for the listener. Find them here.
6) Copper Moscow Mule Mug – ManOhManOhChevitz! When I saw in the 2011 Nov/Dec Imbibe magazine that these were being re-introduced, I jumped for joy. The Moscow Mule, made with spicy ginger beer, vodka and lime Juice, is an absolutely fantastic cocktail and one that warranted its own vessel back in the 1960’s. I have a few originals but will definitely be filling my collection with a few of these. The cold drink inside creates an ice-cold condensation on the outside of the copper mug that begs you to enjoy the drink even more. A true must-have! Get your mug here.
7) Squire’s Flask – I like this one because when I carry a flask, I always carry it in my coat side pocket, not in my inside breast pocket, which eliminates the need for the curve that you’ll find on most of them. Chunky enough to easily find when you need it, yet still discreet enough to sneak out quickly while smack-dab in the middle of that parent/teacher meeting, this is all the flask you’ll ever need. I know that people seldom carry them anymore, but … they once did, and there are times when a flask comes in darned handy. Share that good whiskey while watching your boy getting bounced around on the football field. Buy on here.
8)Limited Edition “Dean Martini” Set – Not sure how much longer you’ll be able to get your hands on one of these babies. I picked one up a year or so ago and still dig it. Just a swank little black leatherette carry-box, etched with Dean’s signature, this is just one of those cool little things you have around your bar. Shaker, olive picks, two martini glasses, jigger, and a flask come packaged. Straight from Dean Martin’s estate and limited edition. If you’re a fan of Dean or know a fan, this is a neat gift. Find the set here.
9) Midnight Rise of the Tikis Tiki Mug – The first ever hectagonal (6-sided) tiki mug offered by my favorite tiki mug site, Tikifarm, this midnight blue glazed beauty would just be perfect for your next tiki concoction. I try and mention Tikifarm every year on my gift guide because I love everything they do. Prone to fast sell-outs, snatch this mug as soon as you read this. I have a lot of TF mugs, and I use them whenever I take a trip to rumville. I promise that I, and whomever you give this to, will be using it come summer. Get your Tiki mug here.
10) Oktoberfest Style Glass Boot Beer Stein – I have one…and, believe it or not, I use it. Do I feel good about myself after finishing a boot? Well, never, but I still keep it, and break it out for whatever odd reason. It holds around five brewskies, and if you think about it, that’s not too bad. Where you get into trouble is when you try and suck down the beer before it gets warm. Still, when full you can still tell your significant other that your steppin’ out to the back porch for “a brew” and not be lying. Fill one up while you’re grilling and promise your family that delicious burned, unattended burgers are on their way. I guess it’s more of a statement of non-conformity and independence than anything….”Yeah, I’m drinking a huge glass boot of beer, so what!” Grab it here.
Well, there you have it. I hope we’ve been able to help with one or a few ideas for holiday gifts. New batch will be up next year, so look for us.
Here’s the link to last year’s gift suggestions if you want to take a look-see. Still some great stuff there.