10 Holiday Gift Ideas From Your Favorite Mixologists
2017 might as well be called the year of the Instagram. And for cocktails, this trend has allowed for a new wave of young, energetic pros to showcase their bartending skills to their growing followers, helping them discover new ingredients, tools, books, and other cool cocktail trends. Others like TBDE have been riding the wave for two years now, linking with some of the best around the world for the greater good of the drinking population.
Below is a compilation of our favorite cocktail Instagram accounts that you absolutely should be following right now. We paired each of them with an exclusive holiday gift idea, as seen on their feed.
Spirit & Spoon :: The Alkemista Infusion Vessel
Alkemista by Ethan + Ashe
The Alkemista is a cross over between a sophisticated bottle of alcohol and a beautiful stainless steel base, highlighting the simplicity of Japanese teapots. It makes the art of infusion easy as brewing tea. With astonishing results since launching last year, the device has yielded very positive reviews and should be top of list for anyone looking to take the work out of creating great infusions, at home or at the bar. Buy the Alkemista.
About Spirit and Spoon
The "Cocktail Stylist" of Instagram, Karl is a hospitality industry veteran with over 15 years of experience. Karl has consulted for some of LA’s top restaurants, brands, and private clients, while helping perfect the Alkemista vessel alongside the Ethan + Ashe team. Today, he splits his time between Loft and Bear vodka and Spirit & Spoon, visually working his palatable magic. Follow Karl on Instagram
Karl Steuck shooting a Kickstarter video for the then Alkemista project
Root Bitters :: 3-pack Orange Bitters with Vintage Tin
Root Bitters has seen tremendous demand since launching its original bitters so consider stocking up with this exclusive 3-pack. You will find yourself adding a few dashes to so many of your recipes. As a bonus, the 3 bottles come in a unique vintage tin sleeve for a rustic look to your bar. These are sold on a limited basis so hurry up! Shop for Root Bitters.
About Root Bitters
After a motorcycle accident left Richard recovering at home, the San Diego native used his time to assemble a most exquisite blend of ingredients, creating the perfect complement to any cocktail: his signature bitters. On Instagram, Richard shares some of his passions, including great recipes but so much more. Follow Root Bitters on Instagram.
Jason Yu :: Newport Zero Extra Purified Personalized Butane Torch
@Jasonfyu doesn't mind playing with fire. His personalized torch helps him get the job done
Having the proper tools is a crucial step in mastering advanced techniques. Take fire, for example: now if you're going to put any sort of flame to a cocktail, you want to be sure that's as clean as it will get so that it does not taper with the drink's taste. And no one does butane cleaner than Newport 0 Extra purified. Today, smoked and flaming cocktails are all the rave and you too can be part of this growing trend, as long as you're equipped with one of these bad boys. Shop Newport Torches
About Jason Yu
Jason is among the top mixologists in the LA area, having worked at the White Horse Lounge in Pasadena, CA over the last couple years. More recently, Jason took home a few awards for his work, including the incredible The Forbidden, an absolute try if you're ever in the area. This cocktail was an absolute winner which eventually landed Jason at Tales of the Cocktail. On Instagram, Jason shares his best tricks and recipes in addition to his passion for photography and archery. Talk about being multitalented. Follow @Jasonfyu on Instagram.
Mixography :: Meehan's Bartender Manual
An instagrammable moment, posted by Jim, on this account @mixography
Jim Meehan's new bartender book is undeniably fashionable and easy to read, so that you're always ready to serve perfectly crafted cocktails to any crowd, including yourself, party of 1. The book features 100 of his favorite recipes with a few hacks on how to perfect each drink. Buy Meehan's Bartender Manual
About Mixography
Jim is a published author and the creator of one of the most recognizable speakesies in modern history: PDT or Please Don't Tell in New York City, which also names his first book (a MUST!). Catch him on his Instagram as he shares his life as a family man and author, beyond just the cocktails he's perfected. Follow @Mixography on Instagram
Letters & Liquor :: Moscow Mule Original Apparel
Letters & Liquor
Technically speaking, the drink is a “Vodka Buck” says artist and designer Letters and Liquor. But the renaming of this concoction was imperative to its rise in popularity. This shirt is perfect for Moscow Mules Fans. Or is it a Buck? The Moscow Mule shirt comes in festive green for those of you who aren't afraid of color and tasteful gray for people like me who wear a lot of neutrals. Buy the Moscow Mule T-Shirt
About Letters and Liquor
Meet the artist behind the Moscow Mule design. Matthew, is the designer, writer, photographer and cocktail-maker behind Letters and Liquor. As part of his body of work, Matthew depicted over 50 different cocktail illustrations, all based on the ones he loves to make and the stories that led to its perfection. Follow @lettersandliquor on Instagram
Bad Birdy :: Search and Rescue Denim Bartender Aprons
Bad Birdy pouring an old fashioned, sporting a customized apron from Search and Rescue Denim
Amazing aprons for the bartender at work and the home mixologist alike. It features real canvas that will keep tools close and the body dry. It even comes with a hidden cash pocket on the backside to make sure you keep the tips clean. The apron features adjustable leather neck straps with metal hardware, accentuating the beautiful black or tan colors. Buy Search and Rescue denim aprons
About Bad Birdy
Whether you are visiting her website or being poured a perfectly stirred cocktail at the bar, Amanda aka Bad Birdy is Your Head Bartender. From perfectly crafted classics to molecular mixology techniques, there's very little Bad Birdy isn't comfortable working with behind the bar. Her recent videos on Instagram have gone completely viral and now Bad Birdy has her own line of dope hats and a few other projects in her sleeve for 2018. Follow Bad Birdy on Instagram.
BarMax LA :: Suze Suze Saveur d' autrefois
LE PROVENCE
Elisir M.P. Roux, Benedictine, Suze, Orange Bitters, Orange Blossom Water and Flaming Absinthe Rinse, Baby Apple in Calvados.
Bar Max's most indispensable bottle: Suze Saveur d' autrefois
There are a few bottles at Bar Max that are absolute must-haves that play frequent recurring and vital roles in my recipes. One of those wonderful elixirs is Suze.
"It is a French Bitter Herbal Liqueur with Gentian Root as the main flavoring ingredient. Very floral on the nose and tongue. If you are even remotely into Bitter Liqueurs, this is the one that will make your cocktails go BAM!” says Max. Buy Suze at Master of Malt
About Bar Max LA
A lot of cocktails have been poured at BarMax LA over the last two years. This is a private bar though. It is where you will find Max dishing off incredible recipes, all behind the lenses of his beautifully crafted iPhone shots. Follow BarMax LA on Instagram
Licensed to Distill :: Word to Your Muddler T-Shirt
Fashion for guys from a cocktail shaker somewhere in Southern California
Slouchy Tank - Women's also avaliable
Licensed to Distill is known for bringing you collective thoughts from a cocktail shaker somewhere in California. And now, they are honoring one of the most important tools available for bartenders: the muddler - with an exclusive collection of T-shirts for guys and tank tops for girls. Buy LTD shirts
About Licensed to Distill
Perfectly clear ice spheres, premium spirits, better cocktails, recipes, techniques and a daily dose of viral fun. Meet the man behind the fastest growing cocktail gram. And make sure to Follow Licensed To Distill
Whisky A Go Girl :: Highland Park Whisky "Magnus"
A single malt whisky crafted in the old way by a new generation of Vikings, Magnus "bears the soul of the Viking ancestors and the name of just one" – Highland Park's founder and true viking, Magnus Eunson. This value find has been getting rave reviews everywhere. The perfect companion neat, on the rocks or as a cocktail.
About Whisky A Go Girl
Jenna's passion for Whisky runs deep and though she often struggles to name a favorite, she has put Highland Park among the top. Follow Whisky A Go Girl for more exclusive content and reviews of the best whiskys (or is it Whiskey?) from all around the world.
Holy City Handcraft :: Whistle Pig Boss Hog IV "The Black Prince"
Holycity Handcraft holds up his bottle of WP Boss Hog IV The Black Prince
This Boss Hog was the absolute winner - “Best In Show Whiskey” in this year's San Francisco World Spirits Competition. A huge fan of WP Boss Hog, Holy City Handcraft recently attended the official release and private tasting at the Farm in Vermont and has given the Black Prince rave reviewsIf you are lucky enough to snag a bottle, make sure to do so as these limited edition batches are sure to be dealt at a premium in the secondary market. Worth every penny, nonetheless. Find a bottle near you.
“Coming in at 14 years and 118 proof, this bottle is a flavor bomb.”
About HolyCity Handcraft
With stunning pictures, faring from the great state of South Carolina. HCH is Charleston's favorite cocktailgrammer. With all original content, his pictures and videos like this perfect pour will have you asking for more. Follow HCH on Instagram
