The Cocktail Lovers Gift Guide – 17 Great Ideas They’ll Adore

Okay, so you need a gift for that one friend. You know, the hostess-with-the-mostess that hands you a signature drink as soon as you walk in the door. The one with an impressively stocked bar cart, a stunning collection of glassware, and nothing they haven’t possibly got already. If you’re looking for the perfect gift idea but are totally stuck, we’ve got you!

Whether they’re a professional mixologist or someone just getting into making special drinks, this cocktail gift guide has something to suit everyone, no matter the budget.

 

Posh Premade Cocktails

Sometimes the best gift is one that’s ready to pour! Premade cocktails have had a glow-up in recent years, with brands focusing on high-quality ingredients and sleek packaging, so they’re a really easy gift.

Right now, we’ve been loving the Funkin Cocktail Nitro Cans. Not only is the packaging so up our street, but the Party Pack comes in a lovely mix of flavours, so your lucky gift recipient can try the whole range. Plus, because they come in a handy single-serve can, they are perfect for taking to birthday picnics, BBQs, and other outdoor events!

 

Unique Spirits & Liquors 

For a thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gift, consider sourcing a bottle from a local distillery near your giftee. Many small-batch producers create beautiful, artisanal spirits that can’t be found in big supermarkets, and your recipient may not usually buy them themselves. I’ve dried many local distillers in the Sheffield & Derbyshire area in recent years – here are some of my faves!:

• Derbyshire Distillery Olive Gin (just imagine this in a dirty martini!!)
• Locksley Distilling Co-Lab Cocoa Nib Liqueur 
• Bullion & Khoo’s Co-Lab™ Chocolate Chilli Rum
• Pear Gin From Hawkins Distillery
• Rhubarb & Rosemary Gin From Hawkins Distillery

You could even pair the bottle with a handwritten cocktail recipe card to inspire their next drink!

 

A Gorgeous Cocktail Shaker & Making Set

Every cocktail lover needs a proper toolkit. A stylish shaker, strainer, muddler, and bar spoon set not only makes drinks taste better, but looks stunning on a bar cart too.

Look for sets in luxe finishes like copper, gold, or matte black, depending on what your cocktail lover would prefer to be on display in their home. I currently have this stunning Gold & Glass Oliver Bonas Shaker on my wishlist!

 

Ice Moulds for Statement Cubes or Spheres

Ice molds are one of the most cost-effective items on this list – making them perfect as a stocking filler, a ‘thinking of you’ treat, or to accompany a bigger gift. Either go for huge sphere molds – which are perfect for keeping spirits cool – or, go for molds that have a funky shape. Here are some of the funkiest ones we’ve spotted:

• Cat Ice Cubes
• Sausage Dog Ice Cubes
• Citrus Wedge Ice Cubes
• Diamond Ice Cubes
• Heart Ice Cubes
• Golf-Ball Ice Cubes – perfect for the man in your life!

 

Bitters & Syrups

If your cocktail lover is always experimenting with flavours, gifting them a selection of bitters and syrups is a brilliant idea. Classic options like orange bitters or angostura are staples, but you could also go adventurous with flavours like lavender, coffee, cardamom, chocolate, or even a fun combo like apple-lemon-thyme bitters. They are all fantastic additions to a home bar! 

 

Garnishes (Handmade if Possible!)

Cocktails feel extra special when zhuzhed up a bit – and this is where a lovely garnish comes in! Whether it’s handmade (check out our guide on how to make dehydrated citrus slices) or prebought, cocktail garnishes are a cost-effective gift if you have a smaller budget, are looking for a stocking filler, or as something to go in a larger cocktail-themed hamper. My favourite cocktail garnishes to gift include:

• Dehydrated citrus
• Dehydrated tomato slices
• Dehydrated berries
• Cinnamon sticks
• Star anise

Edible flowers would also make for a gorgeous gift for your cocktail lover if the weather permits! 

 

Vintage Cocktail Recipe Prints

If your cocktail-loving friend already has a stacked bar cart, why not gift them something that elevates the space around it? Many artists on Etsy sell modern reproductions of vintage cocktail menus and posters, or you can even personalise one with their favourite drink. Add a chic frame, and you’ve got a gift that’s thoughtful, aesthetic, and useful – a triple win.

 

Cocktail Making Class Experience

Sometimes the best gift isn’t an object – it’s an experience like a cocktail-making class! Plus, you can book two spots so you can go together, which is essentially a gift for you as well (win-win!). Plus, this cocktail-themed gift idea works with all budgets. For something cost-effective, choose a class at a big chain like Vodka Revolution. Or, if budget allows, book a tour and experience at a distillery near you, or in a city they plan on visiting soon. 

 

Embroidered Cocktail Napkins

For the cocktail enthusiast who already has all the tools and bottles they could ever need, embroidered napkins are the elegant finishing touch. Take this gift to the next level with personalised cocktail napkins, which you can find on sites like Etsy. Personalise with their name, a surname, their signature cocktail, a small doodle, or their house name. 

 

Cocktail Glasses 

Like with a great garnish, a drink served in a perfect glass feels extra special – and I swear, makes the drink taste even more delicious! It’s likely that your gift recipient will already have the basics – like highballs, short glasses, and champagne coups. So try and go for something wild and unique – perhaps glassware in their favourite colour, or themed around the current/upcoming season. Here are a few of my favourite places to shop for funky glassware:

• John Lewis
• Anthropologie
• Oliver Bonas
• Lillian Daph

Cocktail Making Recipe Books

Books make such easy but thoughtful gifts, and for cocktail lovers, a recipe book is a winner. You could go classic with The Savoy Cocktail Book, or pick something modern with fun twists on old favourites. There are even themed or personalised cocktail books available (yes, a Taylor Swift cocktail book exists!) if you want to go the extra mile. Pair with a bottle of their fave spirit, and you’ve nailed it.

 

Drink Shimmers

Okay, this definitely isn’t an essential purchase, but is SO FUN! Drink shimmers come in either powder or liquid form, and can be added to a glass of fizz, a cocktail, or literally anything you like. They are usually under £5, can be found in a variety of colours, and are perfect for gifting ahead of the festive season (who doesn’t love a sparkly prosecco, amiright?).

 

Cocktail Kit Subscription

I always say that subscriptions are the ultimate gift that gives on giving – each month, or every other month, or whichever frequency you choose, your lucky giftee will receive a box full of goodies to their door. Plus, they’ll think of you every time they receive it!! For cocktail lovers, I’d recommend the Enchanted Drinks Subscription. For £20 each month, they’ll receive a cocktail-making kit for two, each themed around the season. The box includes all of the ingredients, as well as adorable garnishes. 

 

Cocktail-Themed Gummies 

Sweets are always a welcome gift for me, and they are great for those on a smaller budget. The brand ‘Ask Mummy & Daddy’ does a Cocktail Gummies Gift Box for under £20, which features 7 cocktail-flavoured packs of gummies, including some faves like the Italian Spritz, Mojito, and Prosecco. Plus, their packaging is adorable.

You don’t have to stick to sweets either. You could also look for cocktail-flavoured chocolate, chutney & jams, or even ice cream!

 

Custom Drink Toppers

Like a good garnish, fun drink toppers are great for adding a bit of whimsy to any drink. I particularly love getting them out when hosting an event for friends or family! It could be as simple as fun-shaped marshmallows, seasonal decorations that clip onto the side of their glass, or edible wafers with a fun design. 

If your gift recipient owns a business, you could make these branded. Or, simply have their name, a fun quote, or the name of their house. 

 

Cocktail Bucket List Scratch Off Poster

Okay. This might be totally unnecessary, but I don’t care. A Cocktail Scratch Off Bucket List Poster is a fantastic jokey gift (or even Secret Santa prezzie) that doesn’t cost the earth, but is still super fun. The poster contains 100 classic cocktails that your lucky recipient can scratch off as they try them. It’s a great way to get them to expand their palette!

 

A Cinema & Cocktail Experience

If your lucky gift recipient is based in or around London, or you know they’ll be planning a trip there soon, then booking them tickets to the 5* Courthouse Hotel in Shoreditch would be a lovely gift. Each Sunday afternoon, at about 3 pm, the cinema shows a cult-classic, followed by a cocktail (themed around the film) in their stunning Jailhouse Bar. It’s a wonderful experience for any cocktail lover or film fanatic. 

 

Find More Food & Drink Gift Guides On Savery Grazing

​​From quirky ice molds to sparkling drink shimmers, recipe books, and cocktail-inspired treats, this cocktail gift guide is packed with ideas for every taste and budget.

For more foodie gift inspiration, explore the latest posts and recipes on our blog. Got a cocktail gift idea we’ve missed? Share it in the comments below – we’d love to hear your favourites!

 

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