Best Holiday Gifts for Booze Lovers Who Enjoy a Good Drink
40 Thoughtful Gifts to Please the Ultimate Spirits Connoisseur
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Alcohol has a storied and special role in the history of human interaction. How many momentous nights in people’s lives throughout the years have included some form of booze, whether it was fueling the craziness or simply being drunk to celebrate a pre-existing awesome situation?
RELATED: Holiday Season Liquor Essentials
That’s not to say alcohol is without its problems, but if you’re drinking responsibly, well, it’s a delightful experience, and giving it as a gift can help spread the delightfulness around — especially if you go for the good stuff.
Below, you’ll find a list of some of our favorite boozy gifts for the liquor lovers in your life. From bottles of gin and tequila to cocktail cookbooks and whisky decanters, this list has everything you need to bring a smile to someone’s face.
Best Gift Ideas for Booze Lovers
Heaven's Door Double Barrel Revelation Whiskey
Do you know anyone who loves Bob Dylan’s music, and also whiskey? Well, congrats, you’ve found their next gift. In addition to being co-created by the Nobel laureate and legend of American songwriting, it’s also, well, a damn fine whiskey. It packs a punch at 100 proof, offering up notes of vanilla and caramel while boasting a distinct yet highly pleasing nuttiness. A bit like some of ol’ Bob’s lyrics, if you think about it.
$49.99 at Drizly.com
Casamigos Reposado Tequila
George Clooney is damn good at a fair number of things, and being the face of a tequila brand is apparently one of them. The Cloon’s signature booze is a recent entrant to the tequila game, but it's hardly a johnny-come-lately; what it is is a damn fine way to drink one of the most underrated liquors out there, so good you might want to do another shot after the first one.
$56.99 at Drizly.com
Friday Night Cocktails by A.J. Dean
Know a budding home bartender? Friday Night Cocktails: 52 Drinks to Welcome Your Weekend by A.J. Dean might be just the cocktail cookbook to make them smile this holiday season. Packed with recipes that expertly balance the traditional and the inventive, gorgeous photos and an eye-pleasing layout, it’ll look great on a coffee table — but even better on a kitchen island.
$19.95 at SimonAndSchuster.com
Whiskey Peaks Rocks Glasses
If you’ve already purchased a nice bottle of liquor for your giftee, they’re likely in need of a glass. These Huckberry-exclusive Whiskey Peaks glasses feature topographic impressions of the most beloved mountain peaks in the United States (Half Dome, Denali, Mt. Rainer, Mt. Whitney). Each glass is made from lead-free handblown, durable glass.
$65 at Huckberry.com
Glenfiddich 14-Year-Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky
We love whisky, but sometimes it can feel kind of… old-fashioned. That’s why it’s so exciting when a bottle like this one comes along: Glenfiddich’s 14-Year, which seeks to blend the vibes of Scotch and bourbon together in one incomparable package by, well, aging Scotch in ex-bourbon casks. Genius and delicious in equal measure.
$71.99 at Drizly.com
ZBiotics Pre-Alcohol Probiotic
Ever had a rough morning after a fun night? You’re far from alone, and you probably know people who’ve run into the same issue. Zbiotics calls their “genetically engineered probiotic” the drink to take before you drink. The shot, which you can drink up to 2 hours before you have any alcohol, aims to tackle acetaldehyde, one of the primary causes of those rough mornings. After testing their product, we think it works. Plus, it’s got a pleasant, citrusy taste.
$36 at Zbiotics.com
Crystal Head Onyx Blue Weber Agave Vodka
Part of the fun of having a liquor collection is having a few standout bottles — ones you can see from across the room, that draw you over to the liquor cabinet. Crystal Head is one such booze, and their Blue Weber Agave Vodka comes in a bottle that’s as bold and badass as it is eye-catching. Oh, and the vodka itself is impeccably smooth, too.
$68.99 at Drizly.com
Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
Everyone knows someone who likes coffee a little too much. Encourage your friend’s caffeine problem with a bottle of Mr Black, a bittersweet Aussie concoction that combines “specialty Arabica coffee and Australian wheat vodka.” Congrats to whoever you give this to on their incoming buzz.
$30.99 at Drizly.com
Playboy Play Hard Seltzer
Playboy makes seltzer now? Yes, they do. And while the storied bunny logo and the clever name make this ever so slightly a gag gift, the truth of the matter is they make a mean seltzer that’s actually better than much of the competition — particularly the Grapefruit/Yuzu and Apple/Prickly Pear varieties.
$24.99 at Drizly.com
Tincup Colorado Whiskey
Got a friend who seems like they wish they were living the cowboy lifestyle? Make them feel right at home on the range with a bottle of Tincup, which, you guessed it, comes complete with a literal tin cup. Just don’t get mad if they ask you to build a fire so you can both sip it while sitting by the hearth swapping tall tales about cattle rustlers.
$41.00 at Drizly.com
16th-Century Italian Replica Old World Globe Bar
Half the fun of having a liquor collection is having just the right spot to store it. Give the gift of storing it in a super-cool manner with a rustic globe bar like this one from Raamzo, which expertly mixes the feel of a distinguished professor’s study full of leather-bound books with a little James Bond secret gadgetry vibe.
$169.50 at Amazon.com
Hendrick's Orbium Gin
Here’s a thought: If a person likes gin, they’re going to like Hendrick’s Orbium. There might be a handful of people for whom that isn’t true, but they’re wrong and we can discard their opinions. Regular Hendrick’s is one of the best entry-level gins around, but its Orbium variety really takes things up a notch with a delightfully citrusy, floral and aromatic vibe.
$46.99 at Drizly.com
Glenfiddich Whisky-Infused Macarons Box
What do you give the Scotch connoisseur who has everything? A box of macarons, naturally. Conceived to go with Glenfiddich’s wine-aged Grand Cru expression, New York macaron-maker Thierry Atlan has conceived a truly delicious accompaniment. An amuse-bouche to go along with your after-dinner glass, the macarons boast notes of vanilla, brioche, while the promo materials shout out pear, we detected some delicious banana. Either way, they’re a treat.
$68 at Thierry-Atlan.com
Brass Monkey Booze Clues Drinking Game Set
A night of classic cocktails calls for a drinking game. Booze Clues is the latest pop culture-focused board game that utilizes what’s already your TV screen as a way to keep the party going. With 150 cards and four shot glasses, prepare for the evening to take a turn in the best way possible.
$25 at Amazon.com
Appleton Estate 12-Year Rare Blend Rum
Know any pirates? Surely you’re aware that they fancy a bottle of rum (since that’s what they sing right after the “yo ho ho” part, canonically). Make your favorite pirate unbearably happy with Appleton’s 12-Year rum, a delicious spiced brown concoction that goes perfectly with digging up treasure and pillaging booty.
$49.99 at Drizly.com
Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind Vodka
A triple-distilled, neat-drinking, connoisseur’s spirit this is not. What it is is a little bit silly, but as flavored vodkas go, it actually makes a lot of sense when mixed with the right mixers — the brand suggests pineapple juice, and it’s hard to disagree. Ultimately, it’s a lot of party potential in a bottle for a very reasonable price.
$17.99 at Drizly.com
Onda Sparkling Tequila Blood Orange
Little-known fact: Blood orange is the best fruit. Trust us on this one, and then tell whoever you gift a pack of these bad boys to when you do so. They’ll be extra grateful that you thought to seek out a canned cocktail flavored with the best fruit around, rather than a middling one like cantaloupe.
$13.98 at Drizly.com
Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino
Vermouth is all the rage these days, but not everyone’s figured it out yet. If you love someone who loves whiskey cocktails but doesn’t know how to make a simple homemade Manhattan, fix that problem in a jiffy with a thoughtful bottle of Cocchi vermouth. They’ll thank you later.
$19.99 at Drizly.com
Q Mixers Sparkling Grapefruit
Of course every cocktail needs a decent spirit to be worth a damn, but skimping on the mixers is a rookie mistake. Got a cocktail aficionado in your life? Put them onto Q Mixers with some of their Sparkling Grapefruit tonic and get ready to be served a killer paloma in short order.
$35.99 at QMixers.com
Designer Dram
What do you give the liquor-lover who has everything? A custom bottle that’s all their own. Designer Dram is a delightful invention that allows you to custom-craft a bottle of whiskey by completing a questionnaire literally made out of booze. After tasting four different test whiskeys and rating them, Designer Dram sends you back a full bottle of a whiskey expertly calibrated to your specific tastes.
Check out Designer Dram
Cocktail Aging Kit
Instead of aging for three years, this kit does all the work in 10 days. After pouring their favorite spirit or cocktail into the aging kit — that comes with a charred white oak stave — it will take on an oak and caramel sweetness.
From $45 at BespokePost.com
Aerangis Aging Spirits Candle
Whiskey is awesome, but you can’t drink it all the time — mornings, for instance. The fine folks at Aerangis are here to fix that problem with an incredible candle that’s like a tumblerful of your favorite whiskey just for your nostrils: Aging Spirits. Its sweet scent features maple candy and bourbon notes, and it’s simply divine.
From $38.00 at Aerangis.com
Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka
Flavored vodkas can be hit or miss, but this one is hit, hit, hit. Perfect for the colder months; it smells like a delicious apple pie in a bottle and as such, it’s no surprise that it mixes perfectly with a glass of apple cider.
$24.99 at Drizly.com
Disaronno Velvet Cream Liqueur
Shopping for someone who likes a little pick-me-up in their coffee? Disaronno’s amaretto now comes in a velvety cream liqueur format, and while it hits all the notes you’d want from a coffee mixer, its distinct but not overwhelming nuttiness puts it a nose ahead of Bailey’s in this department.
$42.99 at Drizly.com
Bulleit Old Fashioned Cocktail
If you’ve had a whiskey-based cocktail in the past decade, there’s a good chance that you’ve had Bulleit before. But why go to the trouble of mixing it into something else when you can let Bulleit mix it for you? That’s the concept behind their strong and delicious pre-mixed cocktails, which come in Old Fashioned and Manhattan varieties and are sure to please many a distinguishing cocktail sipper.
$15.99 at Drizly.com
Sombra Mezcal
Handcrafted in Santiago Matatlán, in Oaxaca, Mexico, this spicy and fruity mezcal combines notes of citrus with a smokey flavor. It goes down smooth and warm, and can be served neat or as part of a cocktail, since authentic Mezcal like this one makes for an extremely versatile base spirit.
$39.99 at Drizly.com
Tovolo 2.5-Inch Sphere Ice Molds
Lists like this often include whiskey stones, but real aficionados know that what you want are perfectly spherical ice cubes, which melt slowly but do melt, allowing the whiskey to open up a little but not too much. So this holiday season, give the gift of ice-cold balls with a set of Tovolo’s ice molds. Just maybe don’t say it like that when you do.
$22.55 at Amazon.com
Basil Hayden's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon fans are a tough group to buy for. If they’re true aficionados, they probably already have a bourbon of choice that they know and love. But if you’re willing to go out on a limb, you can’t go wrong with Basil Hayden. This small-batch bourbon is as perfectly suited for slow sipping as it is for mixing in their favorite cocktail (think Manhattan or Old Fashioned).
From $39.99 at Drizly.com
High Camp Firelight 375 Flask
Let’s face it, flasks are fun. They provide an easy way to transport booze to events on the go, think tailgates, picnics etc. But who wants a plain ol' flask that doesn't represent who you are? High Camp's flasks are not only stunning to look at, but they're also crafted to handle the wear and tear of your adventurous life. If you really want to impress the spirits fan in your life, buy 'em an expertly crafted flask that guarantees half a bottle of your favorite drink remains at the right temperature, no questions asked.
$85 at HighCampFlasks.com
Homemade Gin Kit
Help your gin fan learn a thing or two about the process with this homemade kit. Featuring various herbs and spices, it will allow them to turn a regular old bottle of vodka into beautiful, fragrant, delicious gin.
$45.83 at Amazon.com
Flor de Caña 12 Centenario Ultra-Premium Rum
Red fruits? Check. Honey? Check. Toasted nuts? Check. Wood, vanilla and baked apples? Check, check, check. And let’s not forget to mention that it’s literally aged with plantain leaves. This is a rum you won’t want to miss, so make sure to stick around after the gift’s been opened so you can suggest drinking a little bit of it together.
$44.99 at Drizly.com
Absinthe Infusion Kit
Absinthe is one of the oldest, most misunderstood spirits in history. It’s also super trendy right now. Whether they’re into absinthe or they’re curious to try it, help them become a part of the process with this kit. Botanicals, absinthe spoons, two Pontarlier absinthe glasses, a stainless steel funnel, a 500ml Tortuga antique bottle, and one natural coffee filter — it’s got it all.
From $20 at Uncommongoods.com
Party Can
So you've scrolled past a few canned cocktail options to get here. But now it's time you said hello to the first-ever large format RTD craft cocktail: Party Can. Available in three classic, easily recognizable flavors — Triple Spice Margarita, Gold Rush Old Fashioned, and Cosmicpolitan — they're the easily accessible, 12-serving options that contain all natural ingredients "and some of the world’s best liqueurs and spirits." Need we say more or can we start drinking them now?
From $29.99 at CocktailCourier.com
Tequila Mockingbird by Tim Federle
A fun twist on the traditional cocktail recipe book, Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails With a Literary Twist features more than 65 literary-based cocktail recipes and photos, this is sure to be a conversation piece for the lucky person who receives it as a gift.
$7.39 at Amazon.com
Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt
When Japan can produce a whisky as good as Nikka’s Taketsuru Pure Malt, it’ll almost make you forget about Scotland entirely. For the ardent Scotch lover who’s tasted every single malt, pure malt, peaty and smoky whisky produced by the Scots, throw them a little curveball with this Japanese delight.
$149.99 at Drizly.com
W&P Carry-On Cocktail Kit
Shopping for the booze-loving jet-setter? Look no further. From Old Fashioned to Bloody Mary, W&P’s carry-on cocktail kits have all the tools and essentials necessary for upgrading airline libations. Don’t worry, all kits are TSA-friendly.
$22.04 at Amazon.com
Teremana Reposado Tequila
Want to get a celebrity actor’s agave-based liquor but not a big George Clooney fan? The Rock has a tequila for you — Teremana. Smooth as the man himself (seriously, does he have any body hair?). Just don’t drink too much; the drink may knock you on your ass as easily as The Rock could.
$36.99 at Drizly.com
Aperol Spritz Vol. 2 Poster
Know someone who has a signature cocktail? Make them feel seen (and classy) with one of Sydney-based designer Nick Barclay’s gorgeous minimalist cocktail posters, which blend mixology with geometry to produce a visual recipe for dozens of the world’s most famous mixed drinks.
From $35.00 at NickBarclayDesigns.com
Bearface Elementally Aged Triple Oak Canadian Whisky
The black skull near the top of the list too intense for you, but you still want to gift someone a tasty liquor in an awesome bottle? Allow us to introduce Bearface. Aged in both bourbon barrels and red wine casks, it brings a taste of the Canadian north to your tipple.
$34.99 at Drizly.com
Imbibe! by David Wondrich
This cocktail collection comes from one of the most respected cocktails writers in history: David Wondrich. Part history and part mixology guide, it is the perfect gift for anyone who wonders about the history of their favorite mixed drinks (as well as how to make them). On top of anecdotes and stories, it includes more than 100 recipes for classic cocktails, from the Singapore Sling to the Tequila Daisy.
$19.47 at Amazon.com
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