Drinks

Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for the Drink Lover

Whether you're looking for a little something to bring to a party or a showstopping gift to put under the tree, we've got the beer, wine, and cocktail lovers in your life covered. See the 2014 Holiday Gift Guide for more gift ideas »

"This hefty bottle opener is the sort of thing you buy as a gift for a beer-loving friend and then wind up keeping yourself. Made of solid brass, it feels leagues more refined than opening your beer with one of those flimsy keychain bottle openers. Plus, the cheeky raised message on the side makes me chuckle a bit every time I look at it--why yes, bottle opener, I have earned it." --Laura Sant, assistant digital editor You Earned It Bottle Opener, $28 at Owen and Fred
"I love these tangy shrub syrups in flavors like cranberry, blood orange, and spicy ginger mixed with soda water—with or without added booze." --Camper English, contributing drinks editor Bottled Shrubs, $21.99–23.99 for 16 oz., from Shrub & Co.
"From the moment it debuted at Grant Achatz's Chicago bar The Aviary, I've coveted The Porthole, a cold-infusion vessel newly available for retail. Use it for cocktails, flavored vinegars, and even cold broths." —Karen Shimizu The Porthole, $99 at The Porthole Infuser
"Qualified as a vintage champagne through the transformative process of aging the wine on its lees for over 15 years, Chef de Cave Richard Geoffrey refers to this stage of a luxury champagne's life as its second plenitude, or P2. This extra aging creates an opulence and complexity of flavor resulting in a fuller body and richness that pairs well with food. Chewy and ripe, with a touch of smoke, Dom Perignon's P2 vintage makes for a stellar celebratory libation." --Judy Haubert, food & prop stylist Dom Perignon P2 1998, $349 per 750-ml. bottle from K&L Wine Merchants
"I came across this tool two years ago when I was preparing for an event featuring Bordeaux vintages from the 1940s. I needed a wine tool that would successfully pull out old, soft corks, and this one definitely does the trick with its two-part cork removal system." --Dennis Perry, sommelier, Peninsula Grill, Charleston, SC The Durand Corkscrew, $125 from The Durand
"My favorite gift to give is a porron—it's a fun way to enjoy value-driven wine with a twist. Traditionally it's done with the effervescent wine of Northern Spain, but it's also great for acidic, lean, and sometimes neutral wine and other ingredients. The best part is how it can liven up a social gathering."--Brent Kroll, Wine Director, Neighborhood Restaurant Group, Washington, DC DeMaison Importers Porron, $19.99 from The Spanish Table
"I never knew I needed a flask-accessory combo until I spied this stylish bangle from Cynthia Rowley. Fill it with a few ounces of your favorite spirit and enjoy all your family gatherings much more than usual this year." --Laura Sant, assistant digital editor Cynthia Rowley Flask Bracelet, $225 for silver, $365 for gold from Cynthia Rowley
"Maison Ruinart has been producing rose champagne since 1764. I'd say 250 years of perfecting the perfect flute of bubbly makes this worthy of my holiday wish list. The delicate blend of chardonnay and pinot noir grapes makes for a silky, fruit-forward sip." --Kellie Evans, associate food editor Ruinart Brut Rose, $90 for 750-ml. bottle from Ruinart

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    "I've never been much of an agave drinker, usually choosing gin over tequila and smoky whiskey over mezcal, but tasting El Silencio gave me pause. A different animal altogether, with a subtle smokiness akin to lightly-peated scotch, a hint of vanilla sweetness, and a black pepper kick at the finish, this heady agave distillate had me dreaming of mezcal Manhattans and smoky, spiked Mexican hot chocolates." --Felicia Campbell, writer and author of the upcoming cookbook The Foods of Oman_ (Andrews McMeel, 2015)_ El Silencio Mezcal, $74.99 for 750-ml. bottle from Wally's
    "Sure, you can show up at a holiday party with any old bottle of wine as a gift for the host, but I will put you to shame when I arrive with a bottle packaged in a box that doubles as a gorgeous lantern." --Laura Sant, assistant digital editor 2011 Vintage Ruffino Modus Luminaria, $89 per 750-ml. bottle from Reserve Bar
    "Cocktailpunk bitters are world-class and accent many different cocktails. Made by an independent company out of Boulder, Colorado, we use them in our cocktails at OAK and Acorn--they have a great smoked orange one that's one of our favorites." --Bryan Dayton, beverage director/owner, OAK at Fourteenth & Acorn, Denver Cocktailpunk Bitters, $12-$13 for 2-oz. bottle from Cocktailpunk

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