Cocktail Kits as Gifts

FOOD & DRINK · GLOBAL

Cocktail Kits as Gifts

What a good kit contains, matching it to the recipient, alcohol-free options and technique

A cocktail kit is a good gift when the recipient will actually use it, which depends more on what is included than on the packaging.

What a good kit contains

Everything needed for a specific drink in the right proportions, including the syrup or juice that people never have in. A kit requiring three things the recipient does not own will not be made.

Check the number of servings, and whether the spirit is included, since many kits are mixers only.

Matching it to the person

Give them a drink they already order. A kit for something elaborate that nobody in the household drinks is a cupboard occupant.

For a complete beginner, a kit plus a jigger and a shaker gives them the tools to carry on afterwards, which is the better gift.

Alcohol-free

Offer this as standard rather than on request. Pregnancy, medication, driving, recovery, religious observance and preference all matter, and non-alcoholic kits have improved considerably.

Never give alcohol to someone whose relationship with it you are unsure about.

Technique in one paragraph

Measure everything rather than free-pouring. Shake anything with juice, cream or egg; stir anything that is all spirit. Use plenty of ice, and fresh ice for serving.

Shelf life

Fresh juice and dairy components have short lives, so check the dates and tell the recipient. Syrups keep weeks refrigerated; spirits keep indefinitely.

Delivery and the law

Anything containing alcohol requires an adult signature and cannot be left with a neighbour, which is the commonest failed delivery. Order well ahead in December.

Glassware and ice

One coupe, one rocks glass and one highball covers almost everything. Chill the glass before pouring, which keeps a drink cold far longer than adding more ice.

Large cubes melt slowly and keep a drink balanced, and fresh ice for shaking and serving makes a real difference.

Storing what is left

Vermouth is wine and goes off, so refrigerate it after opening. Syrups keep a few weeks refrigerated, and fresh juice a couple of days.

Non-alcoholic seriously

Make non-alcoholic drinks with the same care — measured, shaken, properly garnished and in the same glassware. A guest handed a warm glass of lemonade notices, and a guest handed a well-made drink does not feel excluded.

Good tonic, soda and juice matter more in an alcohol-free drink, since there is nothing to hide behind.

Delivery and storage

Check whether anything needs refrigerating on arrival, and tell the recipient. Keep kits out of direct sunlight and heat, which spoils fresh components quickly.

Drinking sensibly

Home measures run large. Know your national guidance on weekly units and keep several alcohol-free days.

WHERE TO BUY

Ready to shop Cocktail Crates? Use the link below to visit the official store.

→ Shop Cocktail Crates — official site

Visit this site