large-Lead-Booze-Gifts-CNNU.jpg

Running out of gift ideas? You’re not alone. Sometimes, figuring out what to give everyone on your holiday list can start to become a chore. So why not opt for something a little more, shall we say “festive,” this season? Wine, spirits and even home bar accessories and glassware can be a great way to bring the fun to any gifting situation. And if you’re heading to a party, dinner or gathering, it’s also a perfect hostess gift.

Ready to deliver the liquid joy this holiday season? Here are the best wine, spirits and cocktail gifts you can get right now to make everyone (over 21) happy. And if you’re shopping for someone who prefers to snack than sip, we have gifts for foodies as well.

Do you smell what the Rock is cooking? No? Maybe because he’s busy sipping his super-premium tequila. We love the Teremana Reposado because it’s affordable but still smooth enough to drink straight up or pour into your holiday margarita.


Though we love vodka in our shaken martinis, it can be so boring in cocktails. Which is why we love this gorgeous, saffron flavored spirit. Distilled in India using locally sourced?basmati rice, the subtle saffron flavor is a neat and tasty way to infuse some personality into any holiday vodka cocktail.

Acrylic barware that looks like real glass? Yes, please! For anyone who likes cocktails on the deck or in the garden, or just doesn’t want to put out the good stuff when hosting, these coupes are both elegant and lightweight. A gracious hostess gift, this elegant barware won’t break the bank either.?


Gifting wine is not out of the norm. But you know what’s really going to catch someone’s eye this holiday season? This 2019 vintage of the Leap Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Big and bold, it’s best for winter sipping — and you can never go wrong with a bottle from the venerable Stags’ Leap winery.


Bourbon lovers know that Woodford Reserve is a classic for a reason. And we love this festive, holiday bottle for 2023, strewn with gold foil, because showing it off is almost as gratifying as sipping what’s inside.

Distilled in Vermont and using raw honey as a key botanical, Bar Hill Gin has a distinct, sweetly laced depth that we love. And this little gift set gives you a bee’s-eye view of both the Barr Hill Gin and the Reserve Tom Cat Gin, along with a 1-pound jar of Barr Hill’s raw Northern honey.

Woody Creek is known for its Colorado-distilled whiskey, bourbon and rye because it uses ingredients strictly sourced from local farms. And we recommend gifting this Tasting Set, which includes its Straight Bourbon and Rye Whiskey, to anyone looking to mix the perfect Manhattan, old-fashioned or Rob Roy this season. And if you’re a true naturalist, feel free to pour it over ice and sip. Or follow along with the included video tasting, which stars whiskey lover William H. Macy.

Not everyone knows how to make a perfect martini, so give the gift of ease with this ready-to-pour bottle of Grey Goose vodka mixed with just the right amount of French vermouth and a dash of orange bitters.

Haven’t been able to score a table at Via Carota, one of NYC’s buzziest Italian restaurants (and a Taylor Swift fave)? Don’t worry, you can still have a drink on them. Give the restaurant’s famous, pre-batched Classic Negroni, which comes in this stunning crystal bottle. You can also nab other Via Carota signature pre-mixed cocktails like the Manhattan or espresso martini and still be the toast of the town.

This stunning, purple-hued gin, made from butterfly pea blossom, jazzes up any cocktail ... and tastes like a summer day. This is a perfectly unique gift that will not be quickly forgotten.


Riedel knows how to stock your bar, and this fantastic set of crystal rocks and highball glasses should help you embrace all your cocktailing needs this holiday entertaining season.?


This 50/50 brew expertly blends Caribbean aged rum, American rye whiskey, ginger and bitters for a simple Irish old-fashioned in just one pour.

Elevate the everyday G+T with this unusual gin. The 47 stands for the number of ingredients that are imbued in the spirit, including German lingonberries, to create an intriguing upgrade to a classic martini. (Pro tip: stirred, not shaken when poured with gin.)?


Looking to gift a Scotch aficionado? This guaranteed 19-year-old Traigh Bhan from Ardbeg is a deeply satisfying, limited-edition spirit. A smoky small batch, it’s a perfect addition for any collector, matured in American oak and Oloroso sherry casks. It’s also a foolproof way to your father-in-law’s heart.


When you think of barrel-aged spirits, Scotch and bourbon may come to mind, but this deeply flavorful rum is aged for eight years and finished in Vino de Naranja (orange wine) casks for an edge of subtle citrus. A joy to sip over rocks, and the notes of cinnamon and molasses add a holiday zing to any punch or highball.

You don’t have to be the Dude to enjoy a White Russian during the holidays. And now you can just pour this sweet, boozy treat featuring?Cutwater vodka, coffee and cream liqueur, right out of the can. Happy and merry to you.

This sophisticated pinot gris from Napa is light and citrus forward, and it’s a perfect pour with holiday bites. This mid-priced wine hits the gifting sweet spot, and you may just grab one for yourself as well.


Straight from the hallowed halls of the Great Jones Distillery and speakeasy in downtown Manhattan, you can order this classic, aged rye whiskey to pour in the comfort of your own home. Aged for four years in American oak barrels, it’s also sourced from 100% New York grains.?


Originally created by the Finns to serve the crowds at the 1952 Summer Olympics, this refreshing canned and carbonated drink comes in a pleasing variety pack, which includes the original, grapefruit-spiked flavor as well as a holiday-forward cranberry addition and a stronger citrus version to get the party started.


Fancy wine glasses may be something you want but not something you’ll splurge on. Which is why these mouth-blown red wine glasses are a thoughtful gift for the wine lover in your life. With an art deco design and dramatic black stem, we love them because they are elegant?and dishwasher-safe.


In some upscale bars, you’ll pay $17 for one Cosmopolitan. Which is why we love this pretty pink pour that's already bottled for you — and approved by Carrie Bradshaw herself. We can assure you, you’ll get a lot more than one cocktail out of this!


This easy-drinking red will pair with almost anything and comes at a very approachable price point. We like to serve this fruit-forward combination of Nero d’Avola and Frappato just a tad chilled, so you can grab it right out of the fridge and pour.?


This four-pack of electric-pink cans contains a complex, sparkling, hard kombucha with a heady 8% ABV alcohol. A natural alternative to seltzers or beer, Empirical Can 02 is both vegan and gluten free, and tastes of sour cherries. Plus, these cans look stunning on any holiday table.

Before you touch that holiday seafood tower, grab a glass of this light, citrus-forward Riesling from Washington State. It’s also a great partner for Asian and sushi spreads.


Bring the party with you with these fun, unique and sustainable glasses that take their cue from the popular red Solo Cup but are crafted from hand-blown, recycled glass.?

Straight from Italy, this effervescent blush wine is organically grown and comes in easy-to-tote individual cans. A perfect pick-me-up for sparkling wine lovers.?