cocktail gear gift

[Anonymous]

Spouse has started to enjoy mixing cocktails and I’d like to make a gift for him of a good recipe book and cocktail mixing gear.

I see the below cocktail strainer frequently recommended. If I get him that, do I need to find a jar for him to mix the cocktail in, and then he places that on top of the jar and shakes it and then pours into a glass while holding the strainer over the shaking jar? Doesn’t this get messy since the strainer would not be air tight with the shaking jar? Also, does this strainer preclude the need for a james bond-style stainless cocktail shaker? Thanks for tips! Husband will want useful gear, not stuff to just look cool on a shelf (altho that would be a bonus 😄).

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/oxo-steel-reg-strainer/1013047960?skuId=13047960&store=&enginename=google&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_kitchenfoodprep_online&product_id=13047960&adtype=pla&product_channel=online&adpos=&creative=356249224685&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&rkg_id=0&utm_campaignid=71700000053870723&utm_adgroupid=58700005143200950&targetid=92700045203754872&gbraid=0AAAAAD2J7j6NJA-g-n6q1bcxbcAN4MwXu&gbraid=0AAAAAD2J7j6NJA-g-n6q1bcxbcAN4MwXu&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnaeNBhCUARIsABEee8X-nhn3zqbSCBD0WAqNUcHABINyLzr-svZtZ5S13l1vp2FFAzf0k9waAohiEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Anonymous]

You can order a full cocktail kit on Amazon that will include everything you need. Also, Shaker & Spoon (cocktail delivery kits and recipes) would be a great gift.

[Anonymous]

I got a strainer/shaker thing when I started adulting, and it's kind of a dribbly mess. Team Boston shaker for life!

Would this work?

https://www.totalwine.com/accessories-more/accessories/bar-tools/drink-preparation/3-piece-barware-set/p/107548920?s=216&igrules=true

[Anonymous]

I'd do something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Ounce-Cocktail-Shaker-Accessories-Built/dp/B011QONIBG

I use this when I make my weekly martinis. I can mix, shake and pour all with one "set".

[Anonymous]

Cocktail Kingdom has great gear.

I'd get this shaker if he doesn't have one yet: https://www.cocktailkingdom.com/set-of-two-koriko-weighted-shaking-tins-stainless

Yes, the Hawthorne strainer fits over the smaller tin and is used to strain drinks. The spring allows it to fit any mouth jar.

If he likes Old-Fashioneds/ Manhattans/ stirred drinks, a nice crystal mixing glass and a barspoon would be lovely.

Haus has a great sampler set for low-ABV aperitifs that make good cocktail additions if he wants to add interesting flavors to the drinks without making a bunch of flavored syrups/ infusions himself.

Another nice gift idea would be a set of bitters. I'd mix and match some popular ones, or you could order a gift set from Hella or Bitter Queens.

[Anonymous]

This is a great book if he's getting into trying new (and complex) recipes:

https://www.amazon.com/PDT-Cocktail-Book-Bartenders-Celebrated/dp/1402779232/ref=sr_1_1?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnaeNBhCUARIsABEee8VFsVeMaPr5sdzUG6IVKuKUjIMKqQipEKTwIf-7QLGiWNkXRb-apRIaAqdkEALw_wcB&hvadid=409929843268&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9061285&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=4546647691801262717&hvtargid=kwd-26190271461&hydadcr=22536_11318350&keywords=pdt+cocktail+book&qid=1638545786&sr=8-1

[Anonymous]

Thanks much to all, from OP. These are great suggestions and I am excited to put this gift together (I may even tab as “prioririty” a few ideas from that book).

For my own edification, I still am confused as to the use of the strainer that goes over the top of one of those mixer cups, versus the james bond bullet shaker idea (which looks like it also has the two cups, but a little top with strainer built in). If I get onw of those, do I still need the strainer like the one I linked in my original post.

Thanks again and cheers!

[Anonymous]

Do you know what kind of cocktails he likes? A sampler set of bitters is a really good idea, I gave my DH a sampler set of Fee Brothers bitters a couple of years ago and we both really enjoyed them .

Also a good jar of cherries, like these:
Luxardo Gourmet Maraschino Cherries - 400g Jar https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQB146W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_fabc_B1DW0RHW5SP6HW35QR4C

I like our insulated cocktail shaker ... No idea what brand it is, but the double wall means the outside never gets cold and slick with condensation.

And good cocktail glasses. This will depend on what kind of cocktails he likes, but I love our crystal old fashioned glasses.

[Anonymous]

https://www.uncommongoods.com/kitchen-bar/food-drink/drink-cocktail-kits

[Anonymous]

You need three elements: Shaker, lid, and strainer.

Some lids are more like a second cup.
Some lids are made in two pieces so there's a shaker built in but a second lid to take off that makes it watertight for shaking.

A muddler is also nice, and there are some nice hand-made ones on Etsy. Also a jigger, to measure the ingredients.

Finally, if you want to add in some booze, I'd recommend a nice dry vermouth -- it's a nice bottle to have on hand and is used in lots of different cocktails.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks much to all, from OP. These are great suggestions and I am excited to put this gift together (I may even tab as “prioririty” a few ideas from that book).

For my own edification, I still am confused as to the use of the strainer that goes over the top of one of those mixer cups, versus the james bond bullet shaker idea (which looks like it also has the two cups, but a little top with strainer built in). If I get onw of those, do I still need the strainer like the one I linked in my original post.

Thanks again and cheers!

Yes. The shaker you describe is called a cobbler shaker and has a built-in strainer, but the holes are quite big and will not strain out pieces of herb or fruit or even ice chips sometimes. You need a finer strainer for a drink free of unwanted elements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cocktail Kingdom has great gear.

I'd get this shaker if he doesn't have one yet: https://www.cocktailkingdom.com/set-of-two-koriko-weighted-shaking-tins-stainless

Yes, the Hawthorne strainer fits over the smaller tin and is used to strain drinks. The spring allows it to fit any mouth jar.

If he likes Old-Fashioneds/ Manhattans/ stirred drinks, a nice crystal mixing glass and a barspoon would be lovely.

Haus has a great sampler set for low-ABV aperitifs that make good cocktail additions if he wants to add interesting flavors to the drinks without making a bunch of flavored syrups/ infusions himself.

Another nice gift idea would be a set of bitters. I'd mix and match some popular ones, or you could order a gift set from Hella or Bitter Queens.

This is the best advice in the thread.