Christmas shopping for the cocktail enthusiast

The words I hate to hear: “I’m done with all my Christmas shopping. How about you?”

Nicky and I are not ashamed to admit that we tend to procrastinate. I can’t even think about Christmas shopping until the turkey leftovers are long gone and we are well into December. As we recently began contemplating what some of our family and friends might enjoy for Christmas, we came across some fabulous cocktail gifts that we decided we would really enjoy! Uhm, I mean, enjoy giving to someone else. Yeah.

The Sock Monkey Martini Bar iPhone 4 Case
I immediately fell in love with this! I had to order one to give and one to keep.  This thin, see-through soft case has molded-silicone siding and fits securely around devices. And it is so cute! (Nicky is fighting me for it.) You (and Nicky) can have one of your own by ordering from Cafépress – click here for the sock monkey!

“Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails”
When we began our vintage cocktail project earlier this year, this was the book we knew we wanted to use as our guide. Historian, expert, and drink aficionado Dr. Cocktail – Ted Haigh – explores 100 vintage recipes, complete with uncommon ingredient information, history lessons, and beautiful vintage images. We started with the first recipe and are still working our way through the book. It is pretty much an education in mixology and classic cocktails. Order your copy, or one for a friend, then go back and follow along on our journey through this book as we continue making each drink! Purchase at Amazon by clicking here.

Fee Brothers Cocktail Mixers Kit
Once you have your “Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails” book, you are going to notice that there are some ingredients you may not have sitting around your home bar. This Fee Brothers Mixer kit is a great way to get started. It includes six select four-ounce bottles: West Indies Orange Bitters, Falernum, Blue Curacao, Curacao-Triple Sec, Orgeat, and Sloe Gin. Opened in 1863, Fee Brothers of Rochester, New York, is in its fourth generation of manufacturing top quality cocktail mixes, bitters, flavoring syrups and other beverage ingredients. We like these guys. Order here from Amazon.

H&F Bottle Shop
You could do all your Christmas shopping right here. Well, if you were shopping for us. But there are amazing finds here that would delight anyone who enjoys a good cocktail. Shakers, peelers, muddlers, liquours, glasses, beautiful gift sets, bar sets, the original H&F Bloody Mary mix, and so much more! We like to call this place Cocktail Mecca!

One of our favorite items we discovered here is the Bitter Truth Traveler’s Set. Oh yes friends! An exciting little set of five different 20 ml bottles of bitters – Orange, Old Time Aromatic, Creole, Celery, and Jerry Thomas’ Own Decanter Bitters. This set is perfect for a beginner who wants to sample different bitters. It is also perfect for those of us who can’t be without bitters and needs a small bottle the correct size for travel restrictions! And it is true that I also keep one of these small bottles in my purse for when we find ourselves in the unthinkable position of being in a bar without bitters.

Stop by and let the experts at H&F Bottle Shop set you up with some unique and wonderful Christmas cocktail goodies, or a gift card!

Imbibe Magazine
Yep. It really is the gift that keeps on giving. A full year of libatious goodness. We love this publication. Feature articles on mixologists, new trends, recipes, regional spotlights, and tons of new ideas. A one-year subscription is only $20. Check them out at www.imbibemagazine.com.

“Savoy Cocktail Book”
Basically one of our cocktail Bibles. Legendary American barman Harry Craddock spent Prohibition entertaining guests at the Savoy in London where he created many of what we today consider cocktail classics. This book features 750 of his most popular recipes. A perfect addition to a mixologist’s library. Order here from Amazon.

Tota Coffee Cup Carrier
While this has nothing to do with cocktails per se, it does have everything to do with coffee which is another passion for me. Probably as a counter to imbibing. I love the idea of this acrylic felt carrier that hold two cups of coffee and folds over with an easy carry handle. It also has slots for sugar packs and stirrers! Please tell me why Starbucks has not come up with this yet? Leave it to those wacky folk in New Zealand to come up with this one. When it’s your turn for the coffee run, this handy tote will streamline the task. We found two sites from which to place your order: www.etsy.com and at Vanilla Design Sto

Booze, brews, and bottles
If you are looking for a unique micro brew, an unusual liqueur, a distinctive single malt, a lovely French Bordeaux, or one of many packaged gift sets, then get over to see our friends at Tower Beer, Wine and Spirits. We can’t say enough about the helpfulness of the staff and the vastness of the inventory. They really do have just about everything you need for cocktails, wine and beer. And they also have gift cards to make your giving easier!

Hope that gets you started, or gives you more to add to your Christmas shopping. And don’t forget, when your shopping day is done, check our Atlanta Cocktail Map and stop off at one of Atlanta’s many great cocktail spots and toast yourself on a job well done!

Slainte!