Picking just the right gift can be overwhelming, so we turned to a few experts, who recommended accessories, bottles, and books—most of which are under $100. We love how this panel of pros aimed to broaden our idea of what a good drink can be, whether it’s a shared tiki cocktail or a sophisticated, nonalcoholic tipple.
Our experts include Nima Ansari, spirits buyer at Astor Wines & Spirits in New York City; John deBary, author of Drink What You Want: The Subjective Guide to Making Objectively Delicious Cocktails; Cha McCoy, founder of Cha Squared Consulting and beverage director for the Charleston Wine + Food Festival; Emma Janzen, a James Beard Award–winning drinks writer and Wirecutter contributor; Conor McKee, owner/buyer at Brooklyn wine and spirits shop Fiasco; and Sother Teague, beverage director at Overthrow Hospitality, a vegan restaurant and bar company whose venues include Amor Y Amargo and Etérea in New York City. As the author of several books on cocktails and a writer-at-large and spirits reviewer for Wine Enthusiast magazine, I also weighed in with recommendations.
If you’re helping a budding cocktail enthusiast build a home bar, selecting a bottle for an in-the-know drinker, or planning to shake a round at your own gathering, the following selections can make it all happen in style.
