2020 Alcohol Professor Gift List

To put it mildly, 2020 has been a challenging year. As many iconic bars have shut their doors, some for the last time, many of the industry's finest are exploring ways to help the at-home bartender. From take-home cocktail kits to prebottled beverages, people do much of their drinking at home, by choice or by need.

As usual, we looked high and low to find the best gift suggestions for the season of giving. There are so many fantastic options available as gifts for every price range and aficionado, whether they are just starting to build their home bar, want to explore the spirits that are available, or want to look good on their Zoom calls.

If you are not thrilled by the options on this list, it is not our first rodeo. There are several years of other gadgets and other options to explore.

And now, off to do some shopping!

Tools of the Trade

Bar Hill Cocktail Kit - $95 - A perfect gift for someone just starting their home bar. These high-quality tools are lovely and durable, making this a functional and attractive addition to a home bar. The set includes a Hawthorne strainer, a well-balanced spoon, jigger, and cocktail shaker, double as a mixing tin. A book, Cocktails of Note, comes with the set to add a jump start to their recipe repertoire.

Dashdart - $16 - What is a dash? People are buying more bitters than usual and wondering how to apply them. They are finding that every bottle distributes dashes differently, from tiny dribbles to healthy doses. The DartDash from Cocktail Kingdom will allow your favorite home bartender to add a consistent amount to every cocktail.

Wintersmith Phantom Mini-Ice Ball Maker - $85 - One of the grails in the cocktail scene is clear ice. Not merely for aesthetic reasons; structurally, clear ice is more solid and will melt slower than cloudy or bubble-filled ice. It is also very tricky to make. The Watersmith Ice Ball Maker creates large and small ice balls with tap water and a refrigerator. They even offer a storage unit to keep them cold and ready for cocktail hour at any time!

Nick and Nora Glasses - $33 - Finding most glassware for home bars is not difficult. From Target to Amazon, the variety of martini, wine, old fashioned, and highball glasses is large. But the long-forgotten Nick and Nora glass, resurgent since the early 2000s, is a rarer but trendy glass for a home bar.

Kuhn Rikon Swiss Peeler - $8 - How about that one last stocking stuffer? Making good garnishes is essential to making good cocktails, and this is one of the most popular peelers among bartenders. Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that the recipient may not have considered.

Fun For Everyone

Home Bartending Lessons - $50 - Santa Teresa 1796 Rum is offering an opportunity to add bartending lessons with a bottle of their rum! Purchase a bottle as a gift and you can sign them up for a free lesson on the Santa Teresa’s Spirited Holidays site. Bartenders from New York, Los Angeles, and Miami are educating people on making cocktails like the La Trove Old Fashioned, Hot Buttered Rum, or the Ponche Crema! Use the code SHIPST to get free shipping with your order.

Master the World Tasting Kit - starting at $90 - It has been said, many times, many ways, that people want experiences over gifts. With the Master the World kit, you can give them both! Six unmarked wines are delivered to the recipient's home with a tasting date and instructions on preparing for the event. They can make their notes on their website, then attend a live tasting with Master Sommeliers. They will help dig deep into the wine's flavors while teaching the recipient what to look for when tasting.

Amor Y Amargo Puzzle - $25 - We are a fan of Sother Teague, one of the most respected voices in the bar community. A painting of him working behind his bar, created by none other than Jill DeGroff, has been turned into a 1,000 piece puzzle. Once completed, they have a great painting to frame and hang in their home bar.

Mocktail Club Variety Pack - $17 - Non-alcoholic beverages are enjoying their time in the spotlight. The Mocktail Club will deliver their incredibly unique sodas to the gift recipient of your choice, where they can enjoy them over ice or use them as a mixer for a cocktail. From rich and spicy to light and refreshing, they have flavor profiles that fit every taste.

Soap Distillery Cocktail Soap Bars - $8 - If they cannot enjoy their favorite cocktail while working at home, they can still enjoy the scent of it. The Soap Distillery offers bath sets, lips balms, and soaps in scents like Negroni, Hot Buttered Rum, and the classic Long Island Iced Tea. These plant-based soaps come in biodegradable packaging, making them safe for the planet while smelling amazing.

Home Bar Accessories

Funny Wine Coasters - $8 per four-pack - Is anyone not having fun when drinking wine? SippingTHIS wants to make sure everyone in the socially spaced out room is enjoying themselves with quality wine accessories. From foil-printed wine coasters to t-shirts, they have sayings for every occasion. Give some out as fun gifts, and order a few for yourself to compliment your growing home bar.

Blue Label from Johnnie Walker x D.S. & Durga

Johnnie Walker Blue Candle - $70 - Give the gift of a scotch atmosphere in your friends' home bar. These candles, from D.S. & Durga, infuses the air with the heavenly scent of one of Johnnie Walker's top scotches. To make sure the smell is accurate, you can purchase a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue from ReserveBar that comes with the candle. For research purposes, of course.

Advent Calendars - Price varies - What could make the holidays jollier than being able to look forward to a sample of your favorite style of spirit every day? Between Drinks By The Dram (starting at $66) and The Spirit Co. (starting at $47), every kind of spirit you can think of is covered. Drinks By Dram even offers monthly tasting subscriptions for a gift. And if it arrives later than December 1, you can catch up or save it for the New Year!

Death & Company Cocktail Journal - $59 - Every bartender's friend. Keeping notes on cocktail recipes, spirits, bitters, and anything else a bartender is working on is essential, whether you are a professional behind the stick every night or experimenting at home for family and friends. This journal is as well crafted as any cocktail you will find at Death and Company and is refillable.

Pop Chart Lab Schematic of Mixed Drinks - $40 - Not only are you buying a delightful piece of art, but you are also purchasing a list of recipes! Your friend will appreciate the over 120 different cocktails in the poster, whether it is only the print or if the image is mounted to a panel. If cocktails are not what they seek, there are also posters for beer and wine.

These are all fantastic gifts, but while you are shopping, consider purchasing items from your local bars and restaurants. Many of them are selling gift cards, merchandise, and other odds and ends to keep the lights on. They can use the support right now, and every dollar spent there helps them and the community. It is a gift not only for the person who receives it but also for the establishment you are purchasing it from.

This is a small list of all the fantastic products that are available. If you want to help your home bartending friends even further, spirits to go with these tools are the perfect compliment. We have made it easier for you. Winners from the Berlin International Spirits Competition or Asia International Spirits Competition, the New York International Beer Competition, the Melbourne International Wine Competition, and many other events are an excellent place to start. Maybe even consider a few things you may find over at The Cheese Professor. Whatever you do, we hope you have a safe and happy holiday season. Remember, Hanukkah begins on December 10, which means time is running out to get that shopping done! Happy holidays!

HolidayBrian PetroDecember 14, 2020giftsComment