If you're a fellow procrastinator like me, you still have some holiday gifting to do, not to mention entertaining, baking, wrapping—the works. If you're in a pinch, nothing warms the cockles quite like a top-shelf bottle of liquor, and with all of the booze delivery options these days, you really have no excuse. You could also check with your favorite bar about gift certificates—a great way to spread cheer and support the hospitality scene at the same time. Here are some more last-minute gift ideas to make the holidays merry and bright for all the cocktail lovers on your list.
Brooklyn design shop Love & Victory offers lots of charming gifts, from hand-engraved decanters and glassware to the most adorable cocktail pins. This set of flamingo tiki glasses ($29) caught my eye, and the packaging includes a handy pina colada recipe. You'll want to act fast, as Love & VIctory's shipping deadline for holiday is December 15.
I've been a fan of Owl's Brew tea mixers for some time now, and their holiday gift set ($28) is perfect for anyone looking to spice up a drink or punch without too much effort. The set includes three 8-oz bottles: Wicked Green, White & Vine, and the oh-so-seasonal Mulling Spices (cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom), cranberry, apple pieces, brown sugar, apple juice, cranberry juice, maple syrup, and citric acid.
Last year, Cocktail Kingdom teamed up with spirits historian and author David Wondrich to release a line of vintage-inspired cocktail tools and serverware. The punch set ($130) features an English style ladle, six elegant punch cups, and a stoneware bowl featuring a Cicero quote that translates to “Let us eat, drink, enjoy life, after death there is no pleasure.” Once again shipping deadlines are upon us, so act quickly for any Cocktail Kingdom orders.
Cocktail Courier, a cocktail subscription box service, has partnered with Williams Sonoma to offer a variety of cocktail kits for the holiday season. Start with the mini cocktail kit ($29) in tasty options such as the Cinnamon Daiquiri, Improper Gin and Tonic, and the French 75, among others.
Decorative cocktail picks paired with a jar of brandied cherries or martini olives always makes for a nice gift for the home bar enthusiast who has everything. This pineapple cocktail pick set ($40) comes in a handy pineapple holder, making for a snazzy addition to the bar top.
Let's say you ran out of time to find the perfect gift for your party host, and you want to offer a bit more than just another bottle of wine or bubbly—bottleneck accessories ($8) to the rescue! This is one of those "Why didn't I think of that?" ideas—a package of balloons and confetti ready to hang around the neck of a gifted bottle, bringing instant party vibes. Brilliant.