Cocktail Kit Gift Ideas
Whether you present it in a box, bag or basket, a cocktail kit with all the makings and fixings of someone’s old faithful or new-favourite drink is an ideal way to wrap up holiday gifting.
Sidecar Kit
A specific ratio of brandy, orange liqueur and lemon juice creates the iconic tart yet sweet and rich balance. Instead of the classic Cognac and Cointreau, raise the bar with these options.
Giftables
A cocktail shaker, coupe glasses and fresh lemons round out the full Sidecar package. Must-have: a two- sided measuring jigger.
Torres Brandy 10 Year Old
Complex nutty and holiday-spice notes make this mature 10-year-old Spanish brandy a splendid base (and a great value) to include in a Sidecar kit.
Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao
With vibrant citrus, a lick of smooth vanilla and a touch of sweetness, this orange liqueur from a top French Cognac house adds a luxe complement to the kit.
White Russian Kit
Velvety and decadent from equal parts coffee liqueur, vodka and heavy cream, this luscious cocktail will be beloved by the dudes (and dudettes) on your holiday gift list.
Giftables
Lowball glasses, silicone kingcube or spherical ice moulds plus a bottle of heavy cream from an Ontario artisanal dairy round out this kit.
Kahlúa Coffee Flavoured Liquor
The exemplar of coffee liqueurs, this opulent Mexican concoction comes in seasonal flavours like Salted Caramel and Peppermint Mocha Coffee.
Russian Standard Gold Vodka
The so-called golden root (Siberian ginseng) gives a subtle hit of peppery spice to the creamy, savoury mouth feel of this premium Russian vodka.
Brunch Sparkler Kit
Festively simple cocktails like these come to life with about 2 oz orange juice (for a Mimosa) or peach juice or purée (for a Bellini) fizzed with 3 to 4 oz of sparkling wine.
Giftables
Elegant flutes plus garnish inspiration — perhaps cocktail picks for spearing fresh fruit, sprigs of mint or a bag of dried orange wheels or peach slices — complete this package.
Mionetto Prestige Prosecco Brut DOC
Sparkling wines labelled brut or categorized as dry are the best foil for fruity juices. Prosecco, the iconic sparkling wine from Italy, has ideally buoyant bubbles.
Sveva’s Orangella Liqueur
A ¼-oz pour of a complementary liqueur, such as this aromatic potion of tangerine and Sicilian orange peel for Mimosas, makes sparkling-wine cocktails holiday-special.
Caesar kit
Everyone loves the most Canadian of cocktails, invented at a Calgary Italian restaurant in the 1960s. Though it calls for vodka, consider building tasty kit versions with gin, whisky or tequila.
Giftables
Celery salt is the classic glass-rimmer, or go local with Cured Spice Co. smoky Caesar Rimmer from Prince Edward County, Ont.
Banff Ice Vodka
Triple-distilled with crystalline Rocky Mountain water, this crisp yet smooth Canadian vodka sticks close to the Caesar’s Alberta roots.
Dixon’s Flaming Caesar Vodka
Put Ontario craft spirits into the mix! Dixon’s from Guelph, Ont., adds hints of dill and horseradish to its Caesar vodka.
Where to Buy Cocktail Kits in Canada
Thinking of gifting a cocktail kit but don't want to hunt for all the pieces? Just add LCBO bottles to ready-made cocktail boxes and bar-equipment sets from Ontario and other Canadian suppliers.
ONTARIO
Cocktail Emporium (with two Toronto store locations and shipping across Canada)
The Crafty Bartender
CANADA
Alambika
Cocktail Kingdom Canada
The Modern Bartender
Fifth & Vermouth
Crafty Cocktails (Calgary)
