I have a friend who really likes to make cocktails. Takes a lot of pride in it. Any ideas for a gift he might appreciate that isn't a bottle of booze? Some kind of special mixers like fancy bitters or syrups I could get at Spec's? I'd like to keep it around $20 or so. He likes whiskey.

TIA!

If I were your friend, I would love something like this.

http://randomsuds.blogspot.com/2013/06/besotted-with-drunken-botanist.html?m=1

What about tools/glasses? Copper Moscow mule cups, a bar mat, engraved shaker, etc etc.

It's more than $20, more like $65, but I would suggest a clear ice baller from Wintersmiths. Makes a big difference in whiskey/scotch as it doesn't break down nearly as quickly and water down your drink. And it looks good in your glass.

A jar of luxardo cherries, or some squeeze bottles for different homemade syrups. One can always use another microplane zester. Some ice cube forms would be cool, too.

Personal breathalyzer alcohol detector so he can tell his guests when to call an Uber instead of driving home.

Does he have this book?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1607747324/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482254721&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=smuggler%27s+cove&dpPl=1&dpID=51kLi0cxRhL&ref=plSrch

If he likes whiskey then he would probably enjoy making his own manhattans or old fashioneds... get him some bitters (some angostura, and some orange bitters) and good cocktail cherries, like luxardo. If you don't want to spend so much on a ice ball maker, the silicone ball molds work pretty well ... the ice ball may not be crystal clear but will keep the drink cold without melting as fast as cubes.

http://www.shrubdrinks.com/

+1 on shrubs, Specs has a few and some HEBs do too. Got introduced in Seattle and have been addicted since.

Is that ice baller worth the 65 bucks, I use hot water in these and get nice clear balls.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007ACTN54/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482333051&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=ice+ball+mold&dpPl=1&dpID=319frnL3XOL&ref=plSrch

After enjoying a few old fashioneds from Treaty Oak distillery, I moved from spheres to one giant ice cube and never looked back.

Keeper of The Spirits said:

---

Is that ice baller worth the 65 bucks, I use hot water in these and get nice clear balls.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007ACTN54/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482333051&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=ice+ball+mold&dpPl=1&dpID=319frnL3XOL&ref=plSrch

---

You do NOT get clear ice balls with those Tovolo plastic things no matter what you do to the water (heat, chill, distill, whatever).

The Wintersmith's gadget is really pretty ingenious. If you are a hardcore cocktail enthusiast, I would highly recommend getting their ice chest ($120) which makes four at a time. Expensive I know, but really is the best out there for what it does without going to stupid lengths to get truly clear ice. The price is a function of the ease they have created for you. I have no experience with their smaller models.

Their ice chest allows you to do spheres OR cubes. (Although it only comes with one mold. To get both, you have to purchase the other.)

If you want to keep it under $20, I would highly recommend the Death and Company modern cocktail book. If they are a real enthusiast, they will appreciate it greatly.

If you are so obsessed with no water in your whiskey, why not chill the whiskey and then pour it into an insulated cup?