If you’ve got a friend who can recite vineyard elevations like they’re baseball stats, you know the annual gifting dance: something thoughtful, a little unexpected, and definitely not another generic corkscrew. Saveur’s latest roundup by Frances Kim delivers exactly that—19 picks with personality, from spirits to tools, with a few curveballs (hello, personalized champagne saber) to keep even the staid sippers on their toes.
“Serious wine and spirits people can get set in their ways—this year, give them something to spice up their routine.”
—Saveur, Frances Kim
Let’s talk about a few standouts—and how to gift them with style.
Barrel-Aged Gin That Looks Like Perfume, Drinks Like a Dream
First up: the barrel-aged gin developed by fashion photographer Mert Alas. The bottle screams haute couture; the juice whispers campfire-on-the-Riviera. Distilled with a global parade of botanicals (juniper from Serbia, Damask roses from Turkey, ginger from Nigeria—you’re basically sipping a world tour) and then tucked into oak for a precise, poetic rest.
“Aged for exactly 71 nights in oak casks.”
—Saveur, Frances Kim
How to gift it: pair with a small jar of Castelvetrano olives and a smoked sea salt tin, plus a handwritten recipe for a Red-Oak Martini (2 oz barrel-aged gin, 0.5 oz dry vermouth, dash orange bitters, olive to garnish). It’s a conversation starter in a glass—perfect for the friend who collects both fragrances and rare spirits.
Korean Spirits, Demystified (and Delicious)
If your crew is soju-curious, Irene Yoo’s new cookbook—born from Orion Bar in Brooklyn—is the gateway drink guide we’ve been waiting for. It’s playful, welcoming, and heavy on the good stuff: etiquette, somaek mixing, inventive cocktails like a jujube ginseng Negroni, and snacky, don’t-skip dishes (corn cheese queso has main-character energy).
“Orion Bar in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood is one of my go-to places to drink soju.”
—Saveur, Frances Kim
How to gift it: bundle the book with a crisp bottle of soju and a couple of quality lagers for instant somaek night. Throw in stainless chopsticks and a bag of honey butter chips. You’ve just upgraded their home bar—and their Tuesday.
Domaine de Canton: The Ginger Liqueur That Plays Nice with Everyone
Ginger is the flavor soulmate of sweater weather, and Domaine de Canton leans into that cozy-spicy lane with elegance—cognac base, baby ginger, Tahitian vanilla, Provençal honey. It’s versatile enough for a prosecco spritz, a bourbon sour twist, or a vivid highball with soda and lemon peel.
“Ginger is synonymous with the holidays at my house.”
—Saveur, Frances Kim
How to gift it: wrap the bottle with a slim bundle—mini honey jar, fresh lemons, and a vintage coupe glass from your favorite thrift. Include a card that says: “Open when you’re not ready for eggnog.” It’s a kinder, gentler winter warmer that still packs character.
East Fork x Craighill: A Cocktail Set With Thoughtful Touches
For the design-forward host, the East Fork x Craighill set (stainless shaker, jigger, stir spoon) nails the form-meets-function brief. The details—like a precise pour spout—show someone actually tested this beyond the product shoot. It’s the kind of gear that makes your bar feel intentional without shouting about it.
How to gift it: pair with a small-format bottle of vermouth, an orange, and a slim ice mold. Wrap the trio in a linen bar towel and top with a sprig of rosemary. Suddenly that weeknight Manhattan has main-stage lighting.
Why These Picks Work
Kim’s curation hits a sweet spot: familiar categories with a twist. Barrel-aged gin for the martini loyalist. Soju guidance for the cocktail explorer. Ginger liqueur for the holiday crowd-pleaser. A minimalist cocktail set for the aesthetic devotee. It’s the same logic I use with wine gifting—choose something that nudges their palate just off-center, then hand them a map.
And if you’re shopping for hardcore wine folks, don’t skip the spirits lane. Spirits train the palate differently: they magnify texture, dial up aromatics, and reset expectations—like catching a clean set at sunrise after weeks of wind chop. Translation: your Merlot diehard might suddenly fall for a cognac-ginger spritz, and that’s a win.
Final Sip
The whole list is worth a read—there are 19 ideas, each with a distinct vibe. Whether you’re gifting the person who alphabetizes their back bar or someone who thinks “terroir” is a new yoga studio, aim for delight over default. Surprise them, then pour them something delicious.
Article by Frances Kim for Saveur.
Source: https://www.saveur.com/shopping-reviews/best-wine-spirits-gifts-2025/
