With the holiday shopping season upon us again, finding that perfect gift for the professional bartender or dedicated cocktail enthusiast can be a challenging task. This year, keep things simple and choose one of these great gifts for mixologist in your life. Any of these are sure to both please the recepient and also get good use throughout the year.
1. Defaced Barware
Ron Dolette, LushAngeles.com
Chicago area bartenders Elizabeth Markham and Peter Gugni hand-craft the finest barspoons and other tools out of such unusual items as silver coins from the 1920s to 1940s. Professional bartenders will simply rave about the balance and weight of these artisan barspoons which look as good as they are useful behind the stick. These are quickly becoming de rigueur among top craft bartenders and serious cocktail historians. Barspoons run about $125 and can be ordered by contacting Defaced barware at defacedbarware@gmail.com.
2. Certified Specialist of Spirits Training
The Certified Specialist of Spirits certification program is a comprehensive education on distilled spirits, their production and appreciation. Choose this for the bartender or cocktail enthusiast in your life who really wants to understand the history and production methods of each spirit category. Becoming a Certified Specialist of Spirits is quickly becoming an important industry designation and by gifting this training to the bartender in your life, you will be offering a gift that pays dividends for their entire career.
3. Vinni Bag
The Vinni bag is a great, affordable gift for any professional bartender. Essentially, a small, inflatable travel accessory, the Vinni bag inflates easily to protect that rare bottle of whiskey or irreplaceable bottle of cognac that a bartender might purchase on their travels. The Vinni bag is reusable, recyclable, stores flat and meets all TSA and airline requirements making it the best choice for transporting bottled liquids while flying. Approximately $28.
4. Sodastream
Sodastream machines allow bartenders and home mixologists to easily make sodas and sparkling water in just minutes. With a variety of machines available to fit every budget and great products like premade high quality soda concentrates, Sodastream is a gift that bartenders will appreciate for years to come. Save money, enjoy higher quality sodas and sparkling water and have fun with Sodastream.
5. Whisky Life & Spirits Magazine
Whisky Life & Spirits, published by the Whisky Guild is a quarterly magazine featuring whiskies, other spirits, lifestyle pieces and even cocktail and food recipes. Packed full of useful information, Whisky Life & Spirits will be a great gift for the bartender who has everything or the novice bartender trying to learn more about cocktails and spirits.