All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
27 best cocktail gifts for home bar aficionados
A home bar is a thing of beauty, whether you set up a stylish bar cart or go the full distance with a wet bar in a corner of the living room. But knowing what the best gift for a cocktail lover is can be quite tricky. After all, there are so many bar tools and bottles needed for a bar - and with names like 'jigger' and 'muddler' it's difficult to even decipher what half of them are.
Our round up contains everything you could need to delight the home bartender in your life, from easy cocktail kits to stylish glassware, mixer gift boxes and craft gin kits, we have every base covered. Thirst still not quenched? We also have delicious liqueurs, design-led bar tools and barware, letterbox gifts, luxury bar carts, cocktail shakers and cocktail recipe books. You can even mix and match the tools in our guide to create your own bespoke cocktail kit or choose an individual piece like a beautiful bar cart from Soho Home.
So, whatever their poison – be that Margaritas, Old Fashioneds, Pornstar Martinis, Manhattans, Espresso Martinis, Daiquiris or Moscow Mules — we are sure they’ll toast you with these irresistible cocktails gifts this holiday season. In light of this, we've rounded up a selection of gifts, from £4 to £5,000 that would delight any cocktail lover or home bartender. Mix and match the tools in the guide to create a cocktail kit, or select an individual piece like an elegant set of cocktail glasses.
What is a good gift for a cocktail lover?
A smart starting point would be to think about their favourite cocktail–be that to make or drink. If it's a Margarita, consider gifting barware such as a cocktail shaker and either a tumbler or margarita coupe. Gin fans have a seemingly never-ending array of artisanal gins to choose from, so a cocktail kit of botanicals, bitters and garnishes would make a lovely addition to their bar. For home bartenders who enjoy their spirits neat, an ice cube mould, specialist ice cube tray or cut crystal decanter would make the perfect gift.
Most of us these days can tell our Martinis from our Manhattans, and debate the relative merits of a Negroni versus an Aperol Spritz. Whilst there's not much that can beat going to a great cocktail bar, it's incredibly easy to make yourself a classic cocktail at home. All you need is the right accessories for your home bar, and we are here to show you how.
Christmas gifts for cocktail lovers
1/27Strand Rattan Ice Bucket, brown, £72 from Kalinko.
Another piece from sustainable Burmese brand, Kalinko, this smart ice bucket would make a lovely gift. It is big enough to fit around 40 ice cubes in and insulated to keep them frozen for over 12 hours.
2/27Happy Hour Cocktail Gift Set, £40 from Marks and Spencer.
This cocktail gift set from Mark and Spencer will undoubtedly bring the ‘happy’ to their next happy hour. Complete with a full range of canned cocktails, including Pina Coladas, Gin & Tonics, Mojitos, Strawberry Daiquiris, Cosmopolitans, Pornstar Martinis alongside a selection of delicious snacks and nibbles – this is just the thing to kickstart the festivities this Christmas.
.jpeg)
4/27Lavaux Glass Goblets, set of four, creme de menthe, £60 from OKA.
Perfect for any bar cart that needs a pop of colour to bring it to life, these goblets are just the ticket. They are crafted for both water and wine but we think they'd work well for certain cocktails, too. Ideal for hosting, these glasses are dishwasher safe so you needn't fret about all the washing up.
5/27Alessi Wood Citrus Squeezer, £12.50 from Alessi.
Many of the best cocktails - Gimlets, Margaritas, Daiquiris - belong to the category of sours, which involve a spirit, a hefty whack of citrus, and some sugar to balance it out. Any aspiring mixologist will therefore spend countless hours extracting juice from lemons, limes, and occasionally an orange. This handy tool allows you to do it quickly (admittedly not as quickly as an electric juicer), so give them the gift of a cramp-free hand with this classic and practical citrus squeezer from Alessi.
6/27Candy Stripe Cocktail Spoon and Jigger, £29.50 from Oliver Bonas.
Oliver Bonas is a treasure trove for colourful home bar accessories. We think this would make a lovely secret Santa present or stocking filler for the aspiring mixologist in your family.
7/27Ralph Lauren Home Garrett Cocktail Shaker, silver, £175 from Amara.
If they, like a certain international man of mystery, like their cocktails shaken not stirred, then we think this stylish Garrett shaker from Ralph Lauren Home is the perfect Christmas gift. Made with striking silver and housed in a classic leather and canvas case, this will certainly elevate the look of any home bar.
8/27Cocktail Strainer, £4.50 at John Lewis.
Most cocktail shakers come with a built in strainer at the top so that you can pour out the finished product without the ice, bits of citrus and anything else you might have thrown in. This little piece of equipment makes the process much more efficient - open up the shaker and use the strainer over the top for a smoother pour.
9/27Classic Bar Spoon, £6 at Urban Bar.
Some cocktails - generally ones that are made from only 'clear' ingredients like spirits, liqueurs, and bitters - require no shaking, only stirring over plenty of ice. Bar spoons have a long, spindly shape and a twisted stem to reach down into the ice and mix up the ingredients as thoroughly as possible. This version from Urban Bar comes in silver, gold, rose gold and copper, so you can match the rest of your kit. You can engrave it too.
10/27Pavel Red Marble Ice Bucket, £110 from Soho Home.
Made with a beautiful Rosso Levanto marble from Turkey, this Ice Bucket from Soho Home is more like a work of art than an essential bit of home bar kit. With deep cherry-red tones and a matching marble lid, we think it is perfect for serving post-work drinks.
11/27Wooden Muddler, £6.25 at Amazon.
Mojitos aren’t just for holidays in the Caribbean, but if you want to make this refreshing cocktail at home then you'll need a muddler. This handy tool acts a bit like a pestle, grinding together mint leaves and sugar (and any other solid ingredients you might need to use) to craft a delicious drink. This classic wooden version will lend a touch of rustic, practical charm to your cocktail toolkit.
12/27Rainbow Spectrum Small Lacquered Tray, £300 from Matilda Goad.
This brightly hued lacquered tray is textbook Matilda Goad. It's eye catching, fun and features one of her signature scallop edges. The recipient can place it on top of their bar cart to store glasses on, or use it to serve their guests an evening tipple.
13/27OXO Large Ice Cube Tray, £16 at John Lewis.
Fans of drinks like Old Fashioneds and Negronis will consider this large ice cube tray an indispensable little tool in keeping their drinks cold without diluting them. Collectors of rare spirits will certainly appreciate these large trays, which make ice cubes the perfect size for most whisky glasses and tumblers.
14/27The Botanist Islay Dry Gin Gift Set, £39.99 from Amazon.
This cocktail gift set from Botanist Gin ticks a lot of boxes. With this, home bartenders with a green thumb can not only create the perfect botanical infused GNT, but they can also grow their own garnish herbs with the self-watering herb planter. Perfect for gardening enthusiasts and gin lovers alike.
15/27Savoy Rattan Butler's Tray, brown, £190 from Kalinko.
Kalinko's butler's tray was handmade in Burma by artisans who specialise in weaving. It not only looks good, but is a pretty multifaceted piece of furniture, too. The tray detaches so you can use it to serve drinks, it's a strong alternative to the more noticeable bar cart and would even look lovely as a bedside table.
16/27Glass Bottle with Raised Design and Silver Lid, starting at £9.99 from Zara Home.
These bottles would be rather good for cocktail making before hosting. They're a more sustainable option than a constant run of plastic bottles, too. Great for your bar cart and even better for the planet.
17/27Glass Measuring Beaker Set, £28.31 at Amazon.
Most bartenders use jiggers to measure out their spirits, but it's common to find recipes that call for tiny amounts of a certain liqueur or an unusual proportion of lime juice. Mixology is a craft that often requires precise measurement, which is where these science-chic beakers come in. The set includes large beakers good for making Pimm's for a crowd, and small ones for that tricky Corpse Reviver you're trying to perfect.
18/27Lida Gold Metal and Glass Trolley, £345 from Oliver Bonas.
We love this Art Deco inspired bar cart from Oliver Bonas which will undoubtedly dazzle at your giftee's next festive do. For a more compact version, Oliver Bonas also has a Lida Bar Table, which is rather sweet, too.
19/27Strykk Non Alcoholic Pornstar Martini Kit, £23 from Not On The Highstreet.
This is the perfect cocktail gift for friends who are taking a little breather from the booze this holiday season. With this, they can shake up the perfect non-alcoholic Pornstar martini at home – and enjoy a mid-week cocktail minus the guilt and hangover.
20/27Recipe book
The Savoy Cocktail Book, £10.94 at Amazon.
Although the internet lets you have cocktail recipes on tap, it's always reassuring to have a trusty reference guide to hand. The Savoy, home to two legendary cocktail bars, is a venerable authority on drinks, and this tome takes you right back to the 1930s and the golden age of cocktails.
21/27Amarula Cream Liqueur, £10 from Amarula on Amazon.
This warming, rich cream liqueur is a perfect bar cart addition, especially in the run up to Christmas. The marula fruit, from which this liqueur takes its name, cannot be cultivated and must be grown wild. It is then matured for two years before being blended with cream to create this indulgent drink.
We recommend making an Amarula Don Pedro for your guests this Christmas: a rich blend of Amarula Cream, vanilla ice cream and double cream, topped with shaved chocolate.
Ingredients
- 225g Vanilla Ice Cream
- 60ml Double Cream
- 87ml Amarula Cream Liqueur
- Chocolate syrup (to garnish)
Method
- Line the inside of a short glass with chocolate syrup
- Combine the Amarula, Vanilla ice cream and double cream in a blender and blend until smooth
- Pour into the chocolate lined glass and enjoy!
22/27La Double J X Salviati Glass Nut Bowls, set of two, £265 from Matches Fashion.
It's almost impossible to have a cocktail or glass of wine without some crisps or nuts to accompany it. Made with Italian murano glass, these bowls are spectacular and would make a great design feature even when not in use.
23/27Nureyev Trolley, £5,400 at Soane.
This 'Nureyev' design from Soane is absolutely magnificent, inspired by a French 1940s drinks trolley owned by ballet dancer Rudolph Nureyev.
24/27Kenwyn Brushed Wine Cooler, £79 from One World.
Keep your wine cool and ice cubes fresh with this simple but effective wine cooler.
25/27Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur Cocktail Gift Set, £49.99 from Amazon.
This cocktail kit will surely impress your cocktail loving friends this Christmas. This sweet and versatile liqueur is a fabulous addition to their bar cart and can be used to shake up a variety of cocktails. Why not try making a Chambord Berry Spritz during your next festive do?
26/27Pembroke High Ball Glass, set of four, £70 from Soho Home.
Highball (or hi-ball) glasses are essential for long drinks like a gin and tonic or a Pimm's. Crafted in Poland with mouth-blown glass, Soho Home’s Pembroke Highball glassware set is the picture of simple yet unfussy elegance–perfectly suited for light, refreshing drinks.
27/27Cocktail Cards Set, £39 from Harvey Nichols.
Forget clunky recipe books, because this handy set of recipe cards is the ideal gift for the budding mixologist in your life. A treasure trove of information, this kit contains 100 cards, each illustrating a different cocktail. The cards have a wealth of information on cocktail history, flavour profile and step-by-step recipe. Essential learning for your loved ones who have their own home bar.
More festive shopping stories from House & Garden:
- The best advent calendars for a luxurious Christmas countdown
- Artificial Christmas trees to pine after this year
- The best Christmas hampers for 2022
- 25 luxury Christmas crackers to start your festivities off with a bang
- Christmas wrapping paper to swathe your gifts in
- 45 charming and joyful Christmas baubles to buy now
- Gin advent calendars to help you get into the spirit of Christmas
- 32 best gifts for cooks and kitchen enthusiasts
- Fortnum & Mason hampers to gift this Christmas
