The 10 Best Bartending Gifts

Being a bartender requires skill, precision, and a wide range of bar tools or barware to create the perfect cocktail. If you’re looking to impress the mixologist in your life, consider getting them a gift that will make their job a little easier and a lot more enjoyable.

Here are the top 10 bartending gifts that any cocktail enthusiast will love.

This is a must-have for any aspiring or professional bartender. A good cocktail set should include all the essential tools for making the perfect drink, including a shaker, strainer, jigger, and muddler.

Look for sets made from high-quality materials like stainless steel, maybe paired with a nice carrying case for easy storage and transport.

Check out this cocktail set from A Bar Above, which is made of durable stainless steel and comes with a classic mixing glass, julep cocktail strainer, one spiral bar spoon, two-sided bell jigger, six 4″ long cocktail picks, 2 rocks glasses, a bottle of Angostura bitters (while supplies last), an exclusive mini-course, and 3 recipe cards. It also includes a recyclable gift box for storage, making it easy and beautiful to gift. The design is perfect for a bar set for home or to take to a party.

A good strainer is essential for any bartender, as it’s used to remove ice and other unwanted particles from drinks before serving. There are several types of strainers to choose from, including the classic Hawthorne strainer, which has a spring-loaded mechanism that holds back ice and other solid particles, and the julep strainer, which is designed for use with a mixing glass.

A great option is the A Bar Above fine strainer. It’s made of durable stainless steel, and the fine mesh allows it to strain out the smallest particles; it’s also easy to clean and dishwasher safe, making it both durable and functional.

Jiggers are used to measure out precise amounts of liquid for cocktails, ensuring that each drink is made to perfection. Look for jiggers with clear measurements, durable construction, and a comfortable grip.

The A Bar Above’s jigger is a good choice for any bartender, it’s made of durable stainless steel and has clear measurement markings, from a bar spoon (1/8 ounce) all the way up to 2 ounces. We offer a Japanese-style jigger and a bell jigger, both of which have a comfortable thumb grip, making them easy to handle.

This is used to crush fruits, herbs, and spices to release their flavors and aromas in cocktails. Look for muddlers made from durable materials like wood, stainless steel, or food-safe plastic with a comfortable grip.

It’s perfect for muddling fruits, herbs, and spices to release their flavors and aromas in cocktails. The A Bar Above plastic muddler is also easy to clean and dishwasher safe while our wood muddler simply requires a quick hand wash.

A good cocktail shaker is essential for any bartender, as it’s used to mix and chill drinks. Look for shakers made from durable materials like stainless steel, with a tight-fitting lid, and easy to open and close.

Some of the best cocktail shakers in the market include the Boston cocktail shaker from A Bar Above, which is made of premium quality stainless steel and consists of two tight-fitting cups that prevent leakages and spills. Combine with a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer, and you can create and serve a variety of cocktails.

A bar spoon is a long, thin spoon used for stirring drinks and reaching the bottom of tall glasses. Look for spoons made from durable materials like stainless steel with a twisted handle for easy grip.

The best bar spoon is made of durable stainless steel, and the twisted handle provides a comfortable grip for easy stirring. Its long handle also allows for easy reach in tall glasses, making it perfect for any cocktail recipe.

Our bar spoon‘s concave silhouette perfectly matches the design of our mixing glass, so that you can perfectly stir all your spirit-forward cocktails like Martinis and Old Fashioneds.

 

Having a good set of ice buckets and tongs isn’t exactly necessary but is important and ideal for keeping drinks cold and easily accessible. Look for an ice bucket made from durable materials, like stainless steel, and insulated to keep ice from melting. The tongs should also be made from food-safe, durable materials and be easy to grip.

 

Having a set of good quality glassware is important for any bartender. Look for glasses that are made from durable materials like crystal or tempered glass and that are dishwasher safe. You can also get creative with vintage glassware from your local thrift shop.

 

A bar knife is a versatile tool that every bartender should have. Look for a knife that has a comfortable grip and is made from durable materials like stainless steel.

A bar knife should be strong enough to cut fruits, open bottles, and do other tasks that a bartender might need to do while making drinks like making garnishes from fruit peels.

 

If any of these great gift ideas for bartenders don’t work for you, why not try a book? Look for a book that has a wide range of cocktail recipes, tips, and techniques, such as the PDT Cocktail Book written by Jim Meehan. It includes a wide range of classic and contemporary cocktail recipes with tips and techniques for making the perfect drink. It also includes beautiful photographs and an introduction to the history of mixology, making it a great addition to any bartender’s library.

 

These are the top 10 gifts for bartending that any cocktail enthusiast will appreciate. Whether you’re looking to buy a gift for an aspiring bartender or a professional mixologist, these gifts will help them elevate their skills and make better, more delicious cocktails.