Holiday Gift Guide: For the Bartender

Or, for the person you’d like to encourage to make you a cocktail.

I’ve compiled the gift guide series of items I’ve tried and enjoyed or have been wanting to try. Whenever possible, they come from local and small businesses. No affiliate links or sponsors have been used. So get to shopping!

1. Belle Isle Moonshine
I’m a big fan of this Richmond, Virginia craft spirit. The moonshine is super versatile (and won’t make you go blind), and way more interesting than a bottle of vodka. A special mention for the Honey Habanero ‘shine, which is one of the few flavored spirits that is legitimately good. Like, really good. And if you need a cocktail idea, I got a recipe from the creator of the Honey Habanero himself.
2. Owl’s Brew
How cool does this look? The Owl’s Brew is a tea crafted for cocktails. I’ve got my eye on the gift set, which allows you to sample three flavors.
3. Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Bitters
I’m not saying you have to buy fine, small batch, handcrafted bitters. I’m just saying that if you’re going to add something to my bourbon, it better be worthy.
4. B. Ravenhill Areaware Bottle Opener
The only reason I didn’t have this post for you earlier is that this bottle opener was my husband’s Hanukkah present, and I didn’t want to ruin the surprise. This is one of the handsomest bottle openers I’ve seen.
5. Cutting Board
It’s always a good idea to have a small cutting board on hand for your cocktail garnish needs. This gray marble one from One King’s Lane is just right.
6. Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye
If you’ve been following my blog at all, then you probably already knew this rye would make the list. It is damn fine booze. You can read about my visit to their Purcellville, Virginia distillery here, and if you need any rye cocktail ideas, well, I’ve got you covered.
7. Bull in China Mixing Glass
How gorgeous is this? I fell in love with the mixing glasses the bartenders were using on my visit to Eleven Madison Park, and they kindly told me where I could find it. (They also kindly shared a cocktail recipe with me, if you’re interested in what the bartenders at one of the best restaurants in the world are mixing up.) Bonus? Bull in China will send you a recipe along with your mixing glass, so you can get right to work.
8. Copper Jigger
I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect copper jigger, and this one both looks great and is super useful, with both 1 ounce and 1 ounce measurements.
​9. Fern & Roby Stainless Steel Jigger
So I have a thing with jiggers. But I had to include two because I love them. Fern & Roby is another Richmond company doing great work (they just won Garden & Gun’s Made in the South Award! Congrats, guys). This stainless steel jigger, which has both 1 and 1 1/2 ounce measures and is engraved with toasts in different languages, is just so, so good.

Cheers!