"Cocktail Set" & "Expensive Hard Liquor" Hipster Brother's BDAY for 150
July 9, 2013 4:34 PM Subscribe
My late 20's hipster brother has requested "expensive hard liquor" and a "cocktail set" for his birthday present. I haven't drank in years, so I don't know what expensive hard liquor would really impress this kid.
I have no idea what liquor is cool nowadays, and it seems to change all the time. I remember reading something online about gin making a comeback. I think he likes gin. When he was in his early 20's, he liked Yager. Doubt he likes Yager nowadays. He's probably outgrown it.
I'm not even exactly sure what a cocktail set would consist of. When I've googled the phrase, I come up with pictures of stuff that's used to make drinks. I imagine that's what he wants. I bet he'd also like some really intense, funky looking glasses to serve drinks in too.
Can you kind folks recommend me a combo of these items that would cost me under $150 including postage for the cocktail set (I have plenty of time to get this, so no need for rush postage). I have pretty good access to expensive hipster liquors where I live.
Thanks!
I have no idea what liquor is cool nowadays, and it seems to change all the time. I remember reading something online about gin making a comeback. I think he likes gin. When he was in his early 20's, he liked Yager. Doubt he likes Yager nowadays. He's probably outgrown it.
I'm not even exactly sure what a cocktail set would consist of. When I've googled the phrase, I come up with pictures of stuff that's used to make drinks. I imagine that's what he wants. I bet he'd also like some really intense, funky looking glasses to serve drinks in too.
Can you kind folks recommend me a combo of these items that would cost me under $150 including postage for the cocktail set (I have plenty of time to get this, so no need for rush postage). I have pretty good access to expensive hipster liquors where I live.
Thanks!
If he didn't specify, I doubt his tastes are very specific. The classic liquors are becoming more popular: gin, bourbon, rye. Good bottles of those will run at least $50. Bourbon and rye are better (and more expensive) at higher proof (100+) or "cask strength".
If there's something interesting and specifically local to you, go for that.
Cut glassware (tumblers, decanters) are always necessary for a classy bar setup. I got a decent set at Pottery Barn of all places.
posted by supercres at 4:45 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
If there's something interesting and specifically local to you, go for that.
Cut glassware (tumblers, decanters) are always necessary for a classy bar setup. I got a decent set at Pottery Barn of all places.
posted by supercres at 4:45 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Hint: cocktail sets are a shaker and accessories and they're all largely the same. Here is a nice one because it has a nice wooden muddler and the handy measure and double measure for pours.
This is an interesting cocktail glass set that does double duty; you can use the bowl glasses on their own. It's not exactly a cocktail purist's delight but I actually think it's nifty.
posted by DarlingBri at 4:45 PM on July 9, 2013
This is an interesting cocktail glass set that does double duty; you can use the bowl glasses on their own. It's not exactly a cocktail purist's delight but I actually think it's nifty.
posted by DarlingBri at 4:45 PM on July 9, 2013
That set that DarlingBri linked looks pretty good, I bought pretty much all of that stuff when I put together my bar. Definitely get a shaker with a glass and a metal cup, not the kind with the metal lid that has the strainer built in. Those things are the devil.
posted by markblasco at 4:53 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by markblasco at 4:53 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
I would get a fancy gin, a fancy rye or bourbon, and a sampler of fancy bitters like this or this, plus a shaker kit like the one linked above.
posted by showbiz_liz at 4:54 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by showbiz_liz at 4:54 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Sapphire is not expensive hipster liquor. Not in the UK, at least. It's common pub booze. You want something more like this or this.
posted by corvine at 4:54 PM on July 9, 2013 [11 favorites]
posted by corvine at 4:54 PM on July 9, 2013 [11 favorites]
OMG, ok. I didn't know this existed before now, but: this site has 'small batch craft spirits' which I'd assume your hipster bro would love. Get something from there- something he'll probably not have heard of before. He'll probably love it, I sure would.
posted by showbiz_liz at 4:59 PM on July 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by showbiz_liz at 4:59 PM on July 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
If he's actually requesting "expensive hard liquors" I have a feeling he probably doesn't have much more an idea of what he wants than you do. Were he actually a connoisseur, he'd be a lot more specific.
I'm not sure what stripe of hipster your brother is (or what would be considered a good liquor amongst his cohort), but my first reaction to his request is to find a bar-in-a-suitcase set on Ebay (Portabar was the major brand, IIRC) and fill it with three bottles of interesting liquor. Again, no clue what he likes, but maybe some absinthe, a bottle of good gin (Hendricks?), and some quality whiskey of some sort?
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 5:00 PM on July 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'm not sure what stripe of hipster your brother is (or what would be considered a good liquor amongst his cohort), but my first reaction to his request is to find a bar-in-a-suitcase set on Ebay (Portabar was the major brand, IIRC) and fill it with three bottles of interesting liquor. Again, no clue what he likes, but maybe some absinthe, a bottle of good gin (Hendricks?), and some quality whiskey of some sort?
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 5:00 PM on July 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
I agree with corvine. You want something a little more obscure. What immediately sprang to mind for me is one of the St. George Gins, but probably because the bottles are pretty and the distillery is local to me. (Also, I actually LIKE the gin.)
posted by small_ruminant at 5:01 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by small_ruminant at 5:01 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Lion's Pride alternative grain whiskeys; Death's Door gin; a sampler of fancy bitters; a nice herbal or bitter liqueur (like Chartreuse or Strega or Campari or Aperol); and one of the classic bar manuals, like Mr Boston's, or the hilarious How to Booze.
posted by crush-onastick at 5:02 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by crush-onastick at 5:02 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
I came to suggest caskers, which showbiz_liz already pointed out. The site is great for something unique that your brother can brag about.
posted by lownote at 5:03 PM on July 9, 2013
posted by lownote at 5:03 PM on July 9, 2013
Or a Bender Bound Book Flask and a make your own gin kit.
posted by crush-onastick at 5:03 PM on July 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by crush-onastick at 5:03 PM on July 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
I would throw in Fever Tree tonic, bitter lemon, ginger ale, etc.
I agree about the Bombay Sapphire; it is not top-shelf or hipster.
posted by kmennie at 5:05 PM on July 9, 2013
I agree about the Bombay Sapphire; it is not top-shelf or hipster.
posted by kmennie at 5:05 PM on July 9, 2013
Fernet Branca! The hipster bartender's Jaeger.
posted by mlle valentine at 5:15 PM on July 9, 2013
posted by mlle valentine at 5:15 PM on July 9, 2013
Best answer: You can't really build him a bar of good liquor for $150, so rather than getting a few things that don't match (i.e., a good rye and a good gin), I would strongly recommend that you pick one classic cocktail, with a simple ingredient list, and get all of the components for that one cocktail.
Frankly, I'd go with the Sazerac, which is classic, hipster popular, and delicious. For that you'd want to get a good bottle of rye, a box of fancy sugar cubes, some nice bitters, and a small bottle of absinthe. That, together with a bar set, would make a fantastic gift, it could come in at or under your budget (depending on how nice a rye you get), you could throw in a couple of high ball glasses if you wanted.
For hipster fancy, with cocktail accessories, go as classic or mid-century as possible.
posted by amelioration at 5:15 PM on July 9, 2013 [17 favorites]
Frankly, I'd go with the Sazerac, which is classic, hipster popular, and delicious. For that you'd want to get a good bottle of rye, a box of fancy sugar cubes, some nice bitters, and a small bottle of absinthe. That, together with a bar set, would make a fantastic gift, it could come in at or under your budget (depending on how nice a rye you get), you could throw in a couple of high ball glasses if you wanted.
For hipster fancy, with cocktail accessories, go as classic or mid-century as possible.
posted by amelioration at 5:15 PM on July 9, 2013 [17 favorites]
Response by poster: Amelioration has done a great thing here by recommending that I focus on buying the stuff needed to make one particular cocktail.
Do folks have any other recommendations along these lines? What great combos of cocktail sets and liquors can folks recommend to make one specific type of cocktail?
*Also, I think folks have it right in steering away from Bombay Sapphire. If I've ever tasted it, and can recognize the bottle, you can be sure it's not what he's looking for! :)
posted by Hennimore at 5:25 PM on July 9, 2013
Do folks have any other recommendations along these lines? What great combos of cocktail sets and liquors can folks recommend to make one specific type of cocktail?
*Also, I think folks have it right in steering away from Bombay Sapphire. If I've ever tasted it, and can recognize the bottle, you can be sure it's not what he's looking for! :)
posted by Hennimore at 5:25 PM on July 9, 2013
If you're going the single-cocktail route, Negronis are super cool right now. The extremely hip restaurant next to my apartment has a machine that makes Negroni slushies. Get him a fancy gin (seconding St. George, I like the "terroir" with the bear on it), Campari, and a nice vermouth, and one of those trays that makes giant ice cubes.
Throw in a set of Duralex Picardie glasses. They are the perfect tumbler.
posted by theodolite at 5:40 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Throw in a set of Duralex Picardie glasses. They are the perfect tumbler.
posted by theodolite at 5:40 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
What great combos of cocktail sets and liquors can folks recommend to make one specific type of cocktail?
High-quality bourbon, a bottle of Carpano Antica vermouth, a selection of bitters, and a jar of Luxardo cherries for a very, very good Manhattan.
posted by KathrynT at 5:47 PM on July 9, 2013 [4 favorites]
High-quality bourbon, a bottle of Carpano Antica vermouth, a selection of bitters, and a jar of Luxardo cherries for a very, very good Manhattan.
posted by KathrynT at 5:47 PM on July 9, 2013 [4 favorites]
If you go with the Negroni, be sure to include a good twist knife! I can't recommend any particular one (mine is pilfered from my dad) but the internet abounds with them and they come in various configurations (personally, I hate this type).
The benefit of the Negroni is that it's a straight proportion drink, no fancy mixing. Plus, if you make it with tequila, you get the Agavoni. If you sub rye (subbing dry for the sweet vermouth), you get the Old Pal.
posted by crush-onastick at 5:48 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
The benefit of the Negroni is that it's a straight proportion drink, no fancy mixing. Plus, if you make it with tequila, you get the Agavoni. If you sub rye (subbing dry for the sweet vermouth), you get the Old Pal.
posted by crush-onastick at 5:48 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Do folks have any other recommendations along these lines? What great combos of cocktail sets and liquors can folks recommend to make one specific type of cocktail?
I feel like I am the unofficial MeFi pimp for the Sidecar but it's a great cocktail: Cointreau, cognac (a VS for mixed drinks), lemon and rimming sugar. Your brother will use basically all of the equiptment in the suggested cocktail set to make Sidecars. I get my rimming sugars from Dell Cove.
Ted Haigh's Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails is the absolute bible on this topic for hipsters and dirty old men alike.
So: Cointreau $25, cognac $25, cocktail set $40, classic martini glasses $13, rimming sugar $7, book $15, all shipped for $125. If you want to push the boat out, get him a rimming sugar four-pack.
Were we not hypothetical siblings in this scenario, I would shag you in gratitude for this gift.
posted by DarlingBri at 5:50 PM on July 9, 2013 [7 favorites]
I feel like I am the unofficial MeFi pimp for the Sidecar but it's a great cocktail: Cointreau, cognac (a VS for mixed drinks), lemon and rimming sugar. Your brother will use basically all of the equiptment in the suggested cocktail set to make Sidecars. I get my rimming sugars from Dell Cove.
Ted Haigh's Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails is the absolute bible on this topic for hipsters and dirty old men alike.
So: Cointreau $25, cognac $25, cocktail set $40, classic martini glasses $13, rimming sugar $7, book $15, all shipped for $125. If you want to push the boat out, get him a rimming sugar four-pack.
Were we not hypothetical siblings in this scenario, I would shag you in gratitude for this gift.
posted by DarlingBri at 5:50 PM on July 9, 2013 [7 favorites]
Quality rum is cheap, and incredibly tasty. Maybe he might be interested in that? Some rums to consider are Cruzan Single Barrel (runs $25 or less, and is quite good), Mount Gay Extra Old (runs about $40 and is top notch), and El Dorado 15 year (runs about $35-50 depending on where you buy it), which is one of the finest rums in the world.
The best rum I have ever had was only $28 and came with a souvenir glass set- Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva (an amazing Venezuelan rum).
Rum is also something that is becoming increasingly popular cocktail-wise lately, partly due to a resurgence in interest in classic Don the Beachcomber/Trader Vic style tiki drinks, and partly because it's such a versatile base spirit for drinks with fruit juices.
One thing I would tell you is that one of my general rules of thumb is that great spirits usually make for poor cocktails. I would never use any of the four rums above in a cocktail- it'd be a waste. I sip them straight. If it's cocktails that he really wants, don't get him something great- get him a couple of good mixing spirits. Mid-range spirits (the kinds of things that are usually in the $20 a bottle area) are usually bold and rough enough that they shine in a cocktail, while still potentially being smooth and well-made enough to be passable as a sipper.
posted by Old Man McKay at 6:35 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
The best rum I have ever had was only $28 and came with a souvenir glass set- Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva (an amazing Venezuelan rum).
Rum is also something that is becoming increasingly popular cocktail-wise lately, partly due to a resurgence in interest in classic Don the Beachcomber/Trader Vic style tiki drinks, and partly because it's such a versatile base spirit for drinks with fruit juices.
One thing I would tell you is that one of my general rules of thumb is that great spirits usually make for poor cocktails. I would never use any of the four rums above in a cocktail- it'd be a waste. I sip them straight. If it's cocktails that he really wants, don't get him something great- get him a couple of good mixing spirits. Mid-range spirits (the kinds of things that are usually in the $20 a bottle area) are usually bold and rough enough that they shine in a cocktail, while still potentially being smooth and well-made enough to be passable as a sipper.
posted by Old Man McKay at 6:35 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
I love the single-drink idea, but for next year, I strongly second the Koval/Lion's Pride single-grain (their 4-grain is fabulous too) American whiskeys as listed above. (they're ditching the Lion's Pride branding for some now bottles, but it's the same extremely delicious stuff.)
Finally, a good bar set isn't complete without a 2-stage waiter's corkscrew. None of those fancy-but-humongous rabbit gizmos are necessary if you've got one of those (and you look like a pro while using it.)
posted by Wulfhere at 6:46 PM on July 9, 2013
Finally, a good bar set isn't complete without a 2-stage waiter's corkscrew. None of those fancy-but-humongous rabbit gizmos are necessary if you've got one of those (and you look like a pro while using it.)
posted by Wulfhere at 6:46 PM on July 9, 2013
If you go for a gin, my first thought for someone with hipster inclinations would be Hendrick's, definitely. It's billed heavily as a not-for-everyone thing, it's made in small batches, it's expensive, the bottle is cool.
(I'm not really a hipster myself but Hendricks + Fever Tree is my favorite thing in the universe at present, but I picked it up after having it somewhere that was definitely trying to cater to that crowd.)
posted by Sequence at 6:56 PM on July 9, 2013
(I'm not really a hipster myself but Hendricks + Fever Tree is my favorite thing in the universe at present, but I picked it up after having it somewhere that was definitely trying to cater to that crowd.)
posted by Sequence at 6:56 PM on July 9, 2013
Al Capone was really into Templeton Rye. It's hard to find and expensive. If he's into US history(and Manhattans), buy him a bottle of that.
Luxardo maraschino liqueur is the liqueur I always want to buy but can never justify. So start there? Fernet is another class up, but that's serious business liqueur.
Don't buy him equipment. Seriously, you can get that stuff anywhere, you don't know what he has already, and if he needs it, he'll get it himself.
Imbibe magazine subscription. Or one of their books. Great resources.
posted by oceanjesse at 8:01 PM on July 9, 2013
Luxardo maraschino liqueur is the liqueur I always want to buy but can never justify. So start there? Fernet is another class up, but that's serious business liqueur.
Don't buy him equipment. Seriously, you can get that stuff anywhere, you don't know what he has already, and if he needs it, he'll get it himself.
Imbibe magazine subscription. Or one of their books. Great resources.
posted by oceanjesse at 8:01 PM on July 9, 2013
Root! It's absolutely delicious. Make the greatest "root" beer float in the history of the universe with Root, Gale Gand's root beer, Jeni's Ndali Estate Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, served in this cup with a cinnamon stick.
posted by theuninvitedguest at 8:28 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by theuninvitedguest at 8:28 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
KathrynT's Manhattan sounds fantastic, and I wanted to second the Luxardo Cherries. They're fantastic and sweet, chewy like a raisin and bursting with awesome, and made from genuine Marasca cherries, unlike those day-glo bar cherries that for some reason are legally allowed in the US to bear the Maraschino name.
posted by Sunburnt at 8:49 PM on July 9, 2013
posted by Sunburnt at 8:49 PM on July 9, 2013
"Hipster" instantly makes me think this.
If you have/have access to a Costco membership, you can get this for under $70, thus fulfilling the "expensive" requirement without maiming your pocket.
posted by arishaun at 9:05 PM on July 9, 2013
If you have/have access to a Costco membership, you can get this for under $70, thus fulfilling the "expensive" requirement without maiming your pocket.
posted by arishaun at 9:05 PM on July 9, 2013
I guess I spoil myself too much because when I see expensive hard liquors and a budget of under $150 I think it is impossible. Nice specialty single malts usually run into the $200 minimum.
posted by koolkat at 3:19 AM on July 10, 2013
posted by koolkat at 3:19 AM on July 10, 2013
If you want to get him some really nice gin, Monkey 47 and Oxley are both good choices. Hendrick's is alright but not particularly rare or interesting, so I'd skip that as a gift.
As far as fun cocktails go, here are a few neat ones you could get ingredients for:
Corpse Reviver #2
Last Word
Oaxaca Old Fashioned (Mezcal is pretty cool at the moment, and I can vouch for those Mole bitters they recommend!)
posted by clipperton at 3:24 AM on July 10, 2013
As far as fun cocktails go, here are a few neat ones you could get ingredients for:
Corpse Reviver #2
Last Word
Oaxaca Old Fashioned (Mezcal is pretty cool at the moment, and I can vouch for those Mole bitters they recommend!)
posted by clipperton at 3:24 AM on July 10, 2013
A good mixing glass is an essential tool for making good cocktails, and there is a clear front-runner in the Yarai Mixing Glass in 500ml (17oz) or 550ml (18.6oz).
posted by voiceofreason at 8:34 AM on July 10, 2013
posted by voiceofreason at 8:34 AM on July 10, 2013
The Botanist Gin
Fever Tree for the option of mixing, but honestly, you can drink this one straight.
I like the idea of a bitters mix and maybe some digestives or aperitifs. The later are hard to find in small bottles, but aren't too expensive.
posted by Feantari at 12:29 PM on July 10, 2013
Fever Tree for the option of mixing, but honestly, you can drink this one straight.
I like the idea of a bitters mix and maybe some digestives or aperitifs. The later are hard to find in small bottles, but aren't too expensive.
posted by Feantari at 12:29 PM on July 10, 2013
Most of those cocktail tool sets are serviceable but they aren't great. A previous question turned me on to Cocktail Kingdom's gear and it's fantastic. You'll find their gear in a lot of the nicer craft cocktail bars.
posted by JackBurden at 1:00 PM on July 10, 2013
posted by JackBurden at 1:00 PM on July 10, 2013
Response by poster: Thanks for all your help, folks! Wound up going with Negroni incredients (with locally made gin), a shaker, and a strainer. My brother loved the gift!
posted by Hennimore at 5:28 PM on July 14, 2013
posted by Hennimore at 5:28 PM on July 14, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by originalname37 at 4:44 PM on July 9, 2013