25 Best Gifts for Bartenders
Updated: Mar. 28, 2023
From must-have tools to fun bitters, these are the best gifts for bartenders that are sure to make the holidays extra cheerful.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Raise a glass to the at-home mixologist this holiday season with our list of the best gifts for bartenders. Help them get the season started with these boozy Advent calendars, then treat them to something special from this list.
Whether they’re a seasoned pro or want to hone their at-home mixology knowledge, we found the best gifts for bartenders of all kinds. From eclectic glassware to cocktail books and bitters, we found a little something for everyone.
Bartender Kit
Shake, stir and pour a cocktail with ease, thanks to this 11-piece kit. One of the best gifts for bartenders, this kit comes in four metallic finishes—rose gold, silver, copper-coated and black—and is dishwasher-safe. It’s ideal for anyone looking to perfect at-home cocktails.
Urban Map Glass
Gift the bartender in your life with a piece of their hometown. This urban map glass features the map of any city they have a special connection to, whether it’s their hometown, college city or where they currently reside. And if they have multiple special cities, buy a set of three cocktail glasses for an extra special gift for bartenders!
Shaker & Spoon Subscription
A Shaker & Spoon gift subscription is one of the best gifts for bartenders because they actually get to taste this special treat. Gift a one-month, three-month, six-month or 12-month subscription. Each box is filled with cocktail goodies, including everything they need to mix up 12 cocktails—yes, 12! All they’ll need to add is booze. Pair it with these food of the month clubs.
Serving Board
Whether they’re cutting up limes or serving a snack to guests, this classic wood serving board does it all—and then some. Made from sustainably grown acacia wood, it’s safe to use as a cutting board. It makes a thoughtful cheese board gift idea, too.
Craftmix Cocktail Powder
This one’s for days when happy hour calls their name, but they’re not in the mood to do all the mixing. Enter Craftmix. These powder craft cocktail mixes come in a variety of flavors, like blood orange mai tai and mint mojito. Just add liquor, water and ice! We’ll drink to that. Have you tried a cocktail kit yet?
Breville Smoking Gun
What’s the key to a truly over-the-top drink experience? This smoking gun from Breville. Your giftee will delicately smoke their spirits and cocktails for a beverage that tastes just as impressive as it looks. For more options, you can check out the best cocktail smokers of the year, too. Oh, and we bet they’d love a cocktail machine, as well.
Himalayan Salt Tequila Glasses
This one’s for the tequila lovers. These handmade Himalayan salt glasses are truly one of a kind. Plus, they come with a serving board and tray for limes.
Portable Keg
Make sure the bartender in your life always has a fresh drink for tailgates, outdoor gatherings and parties with the uKeg GO portable growler. It holds 128 ounces of their favorite carbonated brew. It’s one of the best gifts for bartenders and beer lovers alike.
Cocktail Candle
When it comes to gift-giving, you can’t go wrong with a candle (and a few candle accessories!). These cocktail candles from Anthropologie are made from a coconut soy wax blend. Treat your bartender friend to the scents of fallen amaretto, harvest hot toddy, paloma prose or moody Manhattan.
Vintage-Inspired Glassware
The best at-home bar setups include a variety of glassware. Though thrifting is the best way to acquire an eclectic collection, these vintage-inspired glasses are the next best thing. Choose from three sets (each come with four crystal glasses): Retro gin, vintage cocktail or retro fizz.
Bar Cart
Minimalist and modern, this bar cart fits every aesthetic. It’s available in a black or gold finish, and contains two glass tiers for showing off their cocktail collection, eclectic glassware or both. It’s one of our favorite bar carts!
Bitters Variety Pack
An at-home bar setup simply isn’t complete without these assorted bitters. This batch of award-winning bitters are handcrafted in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. It’s one of the best gifts for bartenders because it lets them experiment with cherry, orange, golden and floral flavor profiles.
Mixology Class
Gift a virtual experience to your loved one with this mixology class. They’ll learn how to make three craft cocktails with one of Brooklyn’s most-beloved mixologists. This gift includes a flavored simple syrup set that will be mailed straight to their door ahead of class.
Whiskey Ice Cubes
Because whiskey is best served with ball-shaped ice cubes, this round ice sphere mold is the best gift for bartenders who can’t stop making an old-fashioned. They pair well with most other cocktails, too.
Last Call Drinking Game
Help the mixologist in your life host their next party with this Last Call drinking game. It’s filled with dare cards, roasting cards, whodunnit cards and competition cards. Whether there’s two or 20 people at the gathering, it’s perfect for parties of all sizes.
Personalized Glass Rimming Board
Whether they’re rimming a margarita glass with salt or a martini glass with chocolate drizzle, this personalized rimming board is guaranteed to put a smile on their face. Customize it with their last name, a phrase or special date.
Something They Haven’t Had Yet
One of the best parts of cocktail culture is trying something you’ve never had before. While Novo Fogo Cachaca is nothing new (it’s one of the most popular liquors in Brazil), we’re willing to bet your loved one hasn’t had this sugarcane-based spirit. Sweet and a little funky, cachaca can be mixed into a caipirinha, used in place of rum in a tropical cocktail or enjoyed on its own.
Mistaken Lyrics Coasters
How fun are these mistaken lyrics coasters? A functional conversation piece, these coasters will delight anyone the at-home bartender is serving. Everyone will be singing “Don’t call Jason waterfalls” by the end of the night.
The Ultimate Bar Book
The best gifts for bartenders inspire their mixology craft, like this book of 1,000+ cocktail recipes. The Ultimate Bar Book is Mittie Hellmich’s James Beard Award-nominated masterpiece, so you can trust us when we say it’s an essential cocktail book for the at-home bartender. In addition to recipes, your loved one will learn about the importance of glassware and tools, cocktail history, variations and mixing techniques.
Moscow Mule Cups
Help the bartender in your life collect all the essential glassware for mixing drinks by gifting them these Moscow mule cups. This set of four copper cups comes with straws and a mini hammered copper shot glass. Moscow mules are best served in copper glassware, after all.
Cocktails on the Go
If you have a frequent flyer on your gift list, treat them to a premium, on-the-go cocktail with a carry-on craft cocktail kit (TSA-approved!). Available in Moscow mule, old-fashioned, bloody mary, margarita, hot toddy, gin and tonic or Italian spritz, these boxes provide the necessary ingredients, tools and instructions for a fabulous cocktail. All they’ll have to do is order a mini bottle of booze on the flight and they’re ready to mix. Have you tried cocktail bombs yet?
Wine Rack
Is the mixologist in your life more of a sommelier? Let them put their collection on display with this modern metal wine rack. Available in a black or gold finish, it complements any at-home bar setup. Make it one of the best wine gifts when paired with their favorite bottle.
Neon Sign
No home bar is complete without a neon sign. Rather than a branded beer sign, go with this “cheers” sign. As one of the best gifts for bartenders with their own mixing station, it’s customizable from the color to the font and size.
Flavored Simple Syrups
Help your mixologist loved one spice up their drinks (literally) with these flavored not-so-simple syrups. They’re perfect for experimenting with new flavors, like cherry almond martini or grapefruit basil paloma.
Hair of the Dog Glass
Encourage your giftee to nurse their holiday or birthday hangover with these hair-of-the-dog cocktails glasses. With an option of pug, greyhound, beagle or dalmatian, these gilded glasses are made of expertly hand-blown glass.
Want more fun product picks and money-saving deals from our shopping experts and Test Kitchen? Sign up for the Stuff We Love newsletter.
