I’m one of those people that struggle to get people great gifts. If you have a home bartender in your life, this guide should be your ticket to a holiday gift on any budget. These gifts are perfect for a significant other, favorite bartender, good friend or cocktail blogger. 

$50+

• • Ice Ball Maker – Cocktail Kingdom – $159.99
    • This is a show stopper that can sit on top of any bar. It takes a solid block of clear ice (Home Method). It then uses the heat conduction of the metal and the weight of the top plate to make a perfect sphere of ice. This is an impressive addition to a rocks glass of whiskey. 
  • Handheld Food Smoking Gun 2.0 – Amazon – $147.98
    • Smoking cocktails adds a rich flavor and elevates a simple drink to something complex and original. This is the new version of the appliance that is much easier to use and clean but they did up the cost 50%. You can find the old one, if you look hard enough. 
  • US Bartender’s Guild Membership – USBG – $125-$150
    • You don’t have to be a bartender to join. Many enthusiasts (like myself) are part of it. You get access to training, exclusive spirits/tastings, competitions, unique events and so much swag. If you want to take your home bartending to the next level, this is an ideal place for networking. 
  • Custom Ice Cube Logo Brand – Cocktail Brandalism – $110 +/-
    • Branding the name of home bar onto the top of an ice cube is far too cool for school. This company (based in Russia) will custom machine your logo, name or whatever into a professional grade tool that will actually melt that image into the top of an ice cube. Really wow your guests. My logo cost $110 so contact Vladimir (no joke) for a quote.

• • Custom Bourbon Barrel Top – Red Envelope – $100
    • I’m typically turned off by the “Things Remembered” type gifts but I was smitten by this when a coworker gave it to me. It shows off who owns the booze and is perfect for Instagram photos of your prized home bar. 
  • Make Your Own Bitters Kit – Hella Bitters – $59.99
    • Not only do they make great bitters but they make a kit so you can do it at home. I’ve even seen this in some local Michigan stores like Holiday Market. 

$50-20

• • Pottery Rocks Glass – Pewabic Pottery- $45
    • They are a Detroit Institution making pottery for over 100 years. These stylized rocks glasses are something different that are a true part of the city.
  • Yarai Mixing Glass – Cocktail Kingdom – $32.99
    • While you can use any pint glass to make a stirred drink, the Yarai is the gold standard for classy bars. They are heavy, durable and impressive.
  • Clean Crown – Bottle Opener – Website Direct- $25
    • You know those maps of Michigan or the US that you can insert all the beer bottle caps you have saved over the years to track your exploration? This bottle opener makes it even better by removing the beer cap without putting a crease in it. Show off those pristine caps the right way with this opener.
  • Spin Chill: 1 Minute Beer Cooler – Website Direct – $24.99
    • I adore this product. If you want a cold beer (or wine even) fast, just prepare an ice bath and spin it for 1 minute. It is a marvel of science.
  • The Carry On Cocktail Kit – W&P Design – $24.00
    • What started as one kit (the Old Fashioned) has blossomed into 7 varieties plus some special custom branded ones. These are compact and easy ways to spice up your flight or train trip. They are FDA certified and fit easily in a carry-on. 
  • Watering Holes: Your Guide to Detroit’s Bars – Direct – $20
    • It might be hard to believe, but there are people in this city that have visited more bars than I. Enter Mike Kline author of Watering Holes. He made a guide for over 150 bars, pubs and taverns in the city. A must read.
  • Imbibe Magazine – Direct – $20
    • The best cocktail magazine in my mind. Constant and informative.
  • Meehan’s Bartender Manual – Amazon – $20
    • Every year there is one stand-out book that just nails it in the cocktail world, this year its by Jim Meehan of New York’s PDT. The simple hard cover reminds me of an old library book and the dense 488 page tome is filled with techniques, tips and recipes. I read mine cover to cover.

Less than $20

• • Real “Boi Lele” Swizzle Stick – Cocktail Kingdom – $17.99
    • Swizzle Sticks actually come from a swizzle tree and are the only way to make certain cocktails like the Ti Punch. Any true bar would be naked without one.

• • Proper Drink Glassware – Hugh Detroit – $12-$75
    • Hugh on Cass Ave in Detroit is the best place to buy high end glass ware in the city. They stock amazing vintage and new products that constantly blow me away. I encourage you to check them out. They range in price.
  • Nick Drinks Glassware – Direct – $14.00
    • What do you get for someone that has everything? A Nick Drinks Rocks or Coupe glass of course. Made in the USA and printed in Michigan. Limited quantities so act fast.
  • Santa Mug – Miracle at the Skip – $9.99
    • In partnership with Cocktail Kingdom, The Skip Detroit is offering 4 different limited edition holiday mugs with their Miracle pop-up. The Santa Mug and Santa Pants are both pretty amazing but the shot glass and rocks glass are vintage delights. You can’t go wrong.
  • Japanese-Style Jigger – Cocktail Kingdom – $8.99
    • This is my favorite style of jigger. Not only does it take up very little room on a bar top but it has markings on the inside for smaller measurements making this act like many jiggers in one. Plus it looks really cool in your hands.

The post Nick Drinks’ 2017 Gift Guide appeared first on Nick Drinks.

Libbey is an epic company founded in 1818 and is located right down the road from me in Toledo, OH. They are the number one brand of beverageware in retail with a 58% market share. You likely have some (or a lot, like me) of their products in your home. With $818.8 million in net sales last year, that’s a lot of glassware.

For my grown-up job, I got to attend the Home & Housewares Show in Chicago. There were a ton of great product lines that Libbey was introducing this year but the one I was most excited about was the Perfect Collection.

I reached out to the PR folks and they sent me an example of each of the glasses. With a price point of $24.99 for the Assorted Set or $17.99 for a set of four matching, it’s a good deal for the quality. The glass is on the heavier side which is more durable but has a bit of a chunky feel. The patterns are great and the variety pack is a quick way to beef up your glass selection. Two of those sets and you have 6 theme boozie nights planned and ready to go.

If you happen to be reading this before Father’s Day 2014, there is a special at the Libbey eStore. You get 15% off, if you use the code FATHERSDAY14, when you check-out.

I tested each of the glasses for general experience with the spirits. The bourbon glass has a fun shape and felt comfortable in the hand. It isn’t overly heavy either. Visually, I love this. I paired it up with Elijah Craig 12.

I have a soft spot for cognac. My Martell V.S. is typically my mixing cognac as I was too chicken to pour some XO for a photo shoot. The cognac glass is a bit on the small size but is scaled to be similar overall dimensions to the other glasses. It is sturdy and like any good snifter adds a ton to the noise of the spirit and allows you to comfortably warm the alcohol in your palm.

Being the last photo I took, I was running out of small trays. Enter a rustic photo frame and it almost works. The Rye Rocks glass is a classic look with cut sides and a subtle flair up. I looks classy and you feel like a true American with this glass in your hand. Some Templeton Rye was in order to complete this set-up.

Scotch, scotch, scotch. Classy, warm, sometimes stinky and always delicious. Some Glenmorangie poured into this cut glass shape is guaranteed to impress your guests. This has a touch of English royalty to it and would easily be home with a Irish or Welsh (they exist) Whiskey.

Two glasses stick out. The whiskey and the tequila. Starting with the whiskey, the glass does not strike me as a typical whiskey glass. It is much more elegant and really elevates something so humble. I paired this up with my hard to find and super warm Colorado Whiskey. It’s premium but has an incredible bite that makes you feel like you are ponying up to a old west bar. Yet the glass transforms it to a three-bit saloon with a fancy porterhouse with all the fixings.

So the top 5 glasses cover off on the major traditional brown spirits. Is tequila even brown? Absolutely. There are so many amazing craft & small batch tequilas out there. I grabbed some El Tesoro. This spirit has a bit of age, a bright taste of agave and none of the fire you get from lower quality tequilas. It totally works for sipping and it will surprise you. This glass is gently rounded in the middle and feels comfortable in your hand.

For the new home bartender, this is a must buy. It is an instant bar filler and gives you a variety of unique glassware to test spirits. For the seasoned pro, check out the 4 packs for parties. There are even some cool decanters on the way.

Budmo!

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