Holiday season is synonymous with cocktail season — sorry, we don’t make the rules. Your cleanse can certainly be part of your New Years resolution but with the season of work events and holiday dinners upon us, wine is usually the guest of honour. Although, if you’re more interested in a mocktail or your guilty pleasure is caffeine, you can still join the party. If you’re looking to expand your own collection or find a gift for the cocktail connoisseurs in your life, you’ve come to the right place. It doesn’t matter if you’re still taking comfort in Old Fashioneds or if you’ve joined the espresso martini movement, this mixology gear brings a double shot of sophistication to any home bar.
Between wine subscription services and new liquor laws that have opened up restaurant cellars for cash and carry, it’s never been easier to source excellent vino. Keep a choice selection of favourite bottles close at hand in this handsome metal and leather storage rack. ($455)
Add a sense of ceremony to future wine tastings by pouring from this elegant showpiece. Wine enthusiasts will be impressed and sports fans will get a kick out of it too as its base resembles that of a Hockey puck. ($185)
Embellish your next martini with a side of extra-salty green olives through these dreamy stainless steel cocktail sticks. Designer Aurélien Barbry’s design marries functionality and form in his elevation of simple barware to be so much more. There’s no reason to not stab your olives and onions in style. ($50 USD)
Ever considered an ice bucket a centrepiece? Well, this one by Lisa International is nice enough to be the star of the show. You know what they say… every evening looks better through a warm glow. ($185)
A pinched lip detail transforms a stainless steel tube into an understated carafe making it a true statement piece. Don’t let it end up in a drawer or cupboard, its sculptural detailing needs to be admired — go ahead and put it on display. ($140)
For the baristas, caffeine-addicts, and admirers of nice, shiny things — this one’s for you. The Italian fridge-maker brings its signature style to a new appliance and luckily it’s as practical as it is sleek. ($1,200)
If you’re a real minimalist, you’ll place a single bottle on this and call it a day – but it looks great when it’s full, too. Add your favourite bottles, bar tools, stemware, and more and not only does this become a functional bar cart, but also another piece of welcomed decor in your home. ($180)
Forget half-full or half-empty — we’re the glass-half-tinted type of people. Whether you give them as a gift this holiday season or buy them for your own collection, you know everyone will be asking where they’re from. ($50, set of two)
Triple distilled from 100 per cent malted barley and matured for 10-plus years in former sherry and bourbon-seasoned casks, this single malt presents honey, vanilla, and chocolate aromas. ($50)
This is the original cristalino tequila, aged in European oak barrels and then double-filtered to deliver complex caramel, honey, and maple flavours in a smooth, crystal-clear liquid. ($65)
A modern take on a traditional Napa Valley cab, this was matured in French barriques for a silky texture and rich aromas of Black Forest cake, glazed cherries, and dark chocolate. ($95)
For your eco-conscious, whisky-loving friends, here’s the perfect gift. The Macallan’s new Harmony Collection Rich Cacao is the first limited edition whisky in a new series of single malts that will highlight the brand’s connection to nature by incorporating more sustainable packaging. Encased in a fully recyclable box, this rich single malt whisky’s deep, dark chocolate profile is the ultimate sweet escape. ($215)
For special occasions and perfect for holiday gifting, The Macallan A Night on Earth in Scotland is a limited edition single malt with festive notes of dried orange and spice. The seasonal release is a collaboration with Japanese-French illustrator Erica Dorn which will surely impress movie buffs as her artwork has been featured in some of Wes Anderson’s films. There’s no better, deeper, or smoother way to ring in the new year. ($175)
The post The SHARP List: Our 2021 Gift Guide for Cocktail Connoisseurs appeared first on Sharp Magazine.
