A few weekends ago, I saw an ad for the chicest alcohol bundles from Marks & Spencer’s and immediately thought: this is exactly how alcohol should be gifted.
So, in the name of gifting better booze, I’ve pulled together a few ideas that feel a little more considered than grabbing whatever has the nicest label on the way to the till.
Curated Bundles
I’m very into the recent upgrade of the humble alcohol gift set. We seem to have moved on from miniature bottles rattling around in a cardboard box and entered the era of considered bundles that you’d be pleased to receive.
The inspo behind this article was the Daylesford Signature Cocktail Gift Box from M&S. Two pre-mixed cocktails (margarita and a martini), two gorgeous green coupes alongside a pair of embroidered cocktail napkins. It’s the sort of present I’d choose for a couple, cool gal host, or someone whose home is Pinterest-worthy at all times.
For the Bloody Mary devotee, the Bloody Mary Gift Box from The Pickle House feels much more personal than simply handing over a bottle of vodka and tomato juice (cringing at the thought). It comes with Bloody Mary mix, pickles, salt and a garnish - all the bits for a bloody good home cocktail hehe.
As I went window shopping (or rather internet shopping), I came across NIO Cocktails’ Postcards from Japan, which I love as an option for someone who likes trying something new. The cocktails come in beautifully illustrated little pouches, each inspired by the flavours of Japan, so there’s a sense of discovery to the gift too.
I adore NIO’s whole Postcards from… idea. There’s Japan, New York, France, Venice and Hawaii, which gives you the opportunity to make it feel that little bit more personal. You could choose somewhere they love, somewhere they’re desperate to go, or somewhere they already have a trip planned. In that case, I’d pair it with a Lonely Planet guidebook for a little something to look forward to gift.
It feels more like gifting someone an experience for the evening than simply gifting them alcohol.
Making Your Own Bundles
Ready-made bundles are a godsend when they contain exactly what you want to gift and come in at the right price. When they don’t, DIY-ing your own bundle is the perfect antidote. Below are three examples of how I’d build one around their drink of choice.
Top tip: If you don’t know DELLI.market get to know. It’s basically a treasure trove of independent food and drink brands, and exactly the sort of place I’d head when building a gift bundle myself.
I’d build the bundle around everything you need for a proper Aperol Spritz: a bottle of Aperol, Prosecco and some soda, with a pair of beautiful Spritz glasses. Add dried orange slices for garnish, then lean into the Italian aperitivo theme with olives, fancy salted crisps or a little bag of pistachios or salted almonds. Essentially, aperitivo hour wrapped up and ready to gift.
For the Dirty Martini lover, I’d build the bundle around a really good bottle of gin or vodka, a bottle of dry vermouth and, most importantly, some good olives with plenty of brine. Add a pair of beautiful Martini or Nick & Nora glasses (and/or a cocktail shaker), cocktail picks and something salty to snack on.
For the friend who would always rather open a bottle, I’d go for a good wine, beautiful glasses and a few carefully chosen accompaniments for an evening that requires very little planning beyond putting the corkscrew to work. I’d add a bottle stopper with a bit of personality too, something fun, slightly fabulous (like this) and worthy of being left out on the bar cart.
Gifting Champagne
Champagne is one of those gifts that already comes with a sense of occasion. It says there’s something worth celebrating here, whether that’s a birthday, an engagement or a new job.
I can think of two occasions when I’ve given Champagne as a gift and felt pretty proud of myself afterwards. Not because I’d tracked down the fanciest bottle I could find, but because there was a reason behind each one.
For my uni friend Elin’s 30th, I found a limited-edition Moët & Chandon in Fenwicks. It had a metal coffer featuring artwork by Art Nouveau trailblazer Alphonse Mucha (a name I hadn’t thought about this much since my art GCSE days). The design is all about beauty, abundance and generosity, which felt rather perfect for Elin.
Secondly, for my boyfriend’s sister’s wedding, I went down the personalised route with a Veuve Clicquot arrow sign, customised with their new surname. The arrow was a subtle nod to their next chapter together which, yes, is a little sentimental, but if you can’t be sentimental at a wedding, when can you?
When buying champers as a gift, PLEASE don’t just think about which bottle to buy, think about why that bottle is for that person. Limited editions, personalisation and little keepsakes can make an already celebratory bottle feel much more considered.
What should I ask myself before buying alcohol as a gift?
Can I make it personal?
The best alcohol gifts usually have a reason behind them. Maybe it’s their usual order, a bottle from somewhere you’ve been together, or something that nods to an occasion. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, it just needs to make sense for them
Do I know what they actually drink?
This is a big one. I personally don’t really like spirits, so while I’d be very grateful if someone gave me a beautiful bottle of gin, the reality is it would probably sit untouched on my shelf. If you’re not sure, think about what you’ve actually seen them order, serve at home or talk about liking.
How much do I want to spend?
A thoughtful alcohol gift absolutely doesn’t need to mean an expensive bottle. Decide your budget first, then work backwards. A smaller bottle paired with a beautiful glass, their favourite snack can often feel far more special than spending the entire budget on the alcohol itself.
Ultimately, gifting alcohol well is less about knowing your vintages and more about knowing your person. Remember what they order, what they actually like and the little details that will make it feel like theirs. You don’t need to be a sommelier, you just need to have been paying attention.