This list is dedicated to one of life’s greatest traditions: the drink that marks the end of the day. Inside you’ll find iconic cocktail recipes, great bottles of wine and spirits, and the bar tools that make it all feel slightly more official. Some ...
Sections
4
Drinks With Lore
The Tools of the Trade
Liquid Confidence
Serving Looks (Literally)
Drinks With Lore
The cocktails that come with a story. Some were invented in legendary bars, others in novels, hotels, or moments of questionable judgment that turned out to be brilliant. From the bubbly French 75 (named after a WWI field gun) to the famously strong ...
The only drink on my menu lately. It originated at the Hillstone in Orlando, but now I share it with bartenders everywhere when they ask what I'm having.
Sauvignon Blanc's Latest Viral Moment? The 'Crisp Martini'
This is not a cocktail of the week. It is Arnaud’s original signature French 75 recipe.
Cocktail of the Week: The French 75 | Arnaud's Restaurant
The ORIGINAL Cosmo, made famous by Dale DeGroff in the Rainbow Room. Don't forget to chill your glass!
Cosmopolitan Cocktail (Dale DeGroffs Recipe)
A drink made famous by Bond. James Bond.
Vesper Cocktail Recipe - Liquor.com
Mezcal + Aperol + yellow Chartreuse + lime. Smoky, bitter, citrusy. Made famous at Death & Co in NYC.
Naked & Famous
Gin + Campari + lemon + fresh grapes.
Bright red, fruity, bitter. Made famous at Milk and Honey NYC.
Enzoni
The Tools of the Trade
A good drink deserves decent equipment. These are the bar tools, glassware, and little accessories that make cocktails taste better—or at least make you look like you know what you’re doing while you shake, stir, and garnish.
Sleek. Attractive. Efficient. AND it opens your bottle of wine.
Rabbit Automatic Electric Wine Opener Corkscrew, Rechargeable & Reviews | Joss & Main
Because I want my olive spiked with an olive 🤷🏼♀️
Olive Icon Glass Martini Picks, Set of 6
The tiny bartender tool that keeps your drinks balanced and your pours looking professional—even if you’re just winging it. 🍸
Williams Sonoma Mixology Jigger
I trust a Yeti not to leak when I shake a cocktail like I’m trying to keep up with everyone in Zumba.
Rambler® 20 oz Cocktail Shaker
Look classy while mixing drinks meant to be stirred not shaken. 🎩
Pedestal Crystal Mixing Glass
This is badass. Even if you don’t know what you’re doing. You’ll look like you do.
Warren Trident Bar Spoon
Impress your guests. Serve it like a real one.
Sur La Table Boston Shaker
For the off chance you don’t finish the whole bottle of champagne.
Sur La Table Champagne Bottle Stopper
Genius! Ordering these right this minute.
Wine Glass Writers, Set of 3
Get the whole kit and call yourself a bartender. Great gift for an amateur at home cocktail enthusiast too.
Sur La Table Stainless Steel 6-Piece Bar Tool Set
Liquid Confidence
Wine, spirits, and bottles worth keeping on hand for guests, celebrations, or the occasional Tuesday evening that unexpectedly becomes a happy hour situation. These are the crowd-pleasers, staples, and bottles that never feel like a bad idea.
It’s lively, citrusy, and easy to love—the kind of bottle you keep around because it always works when friends come over or when happy hour suddenly becomes a thing. A good price too!
Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc
My other favorite sauv blanc. Strong citrus notes. Refreshing.
Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc
This is hard to find, but if you find it. Get it. Then send it to me.
Bartram's Strawberry Rhubarb Gin
I cannot have a Bloody Mary without some gourmet olives.
Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Vermouth Brined Olives
Tequila without the blackout 🌑
Cazcanes No.10 Still Strength Blanco Tequila
A reasonably priced 92 pt Pinot Noir. Lap it up.
Elk Cove Pinot Noir Willamette, 2022
Don’t judge yourself. Ok, don’t judge me. Good things can come in boxes. When was the last time you turned away the ups guy?
Bota Box Sauvignon Blanc White Wine, 3L (Equals 4 x 750mL Glass Bottles), 12.5% ABV
Another excellent cab at a low price with a high rating.
Ed Edmundo Cabernet Sauvignon, 2024
It’s made by Caymus and usually under $20. Drink it. Bring it to a dinner party. No ragrets.
Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon
92 pt Prosecco. Under $20. 🥂
Borrasca Prosecco DOCG
Most bourbon drinkers will agree on this choice.
Bulleit Bourbon
I can’t make a list about drinks without including the mother of champagne, Madame Clicquot.
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne
Serving Looks (Literally)
The part of happy hour where the presentation does a little extra work. Think trays, pitchers, ice buckets, pretty glassware, and all the serving pieces that make drinks feel more like an event and less like something you poured next to the sink. The...
Put a bow on it and I must have it. 🎀
LoveShackFancy Bar Tray
A very chic ice bucket that instantly makes your happy hour look like it belongs at a stylish hotel bar. The thick beveled crystal and textured pattern catch the light beautifully, and the sturdy little side handles make it easy to carry from kitchen...
Nude Hemingway Ice Bucket | Joss & Main
Give your Mah Jong group something to talk about besides Sally’s cheating.
Mahjong Cocktail Napkins (Set of 5)
I love these glasses. The lone fish swimming against the school = the fill line. Clever. 🤓
School of Fish 18oz All Purpose Wine Glass | Set of 4
This + Girls’ Nights
Waterfall Red Wine Glasses, Set of 4
Check these out in “mist”
Hammered Handcrafted Stemless Wine Glasses
If I’m having a good drink, I want it in a good glass.
RIEDEL Drink Specific Glassware Rocks Glass (Set of 2) & Reviews | Joss & Main
Don’t get your drink mixed up! Sheila always slips a little something extra in hers…
Cocktail / Wine Charms for Dinner Parties – Unique Home Gifts, Christmas Gift Ideas, Housewarming Gifts
Good to have a set like this to serve everyone red or white. Or if you like to drink alone you’ve got extras to break 😉
Sensa Red & White Wine Glasses, Set of 8
If a glass can be sexy—this glass is sexy.
City Old Fashioned Glasses, Set of 4
I would call this functional art.
Tilden Marble Wine Cooler - Serena and Lily
Stylish glasses for your bar.
Berry and Thread Double Old Fashioned Glass
Make a stylish display of all your bar offerings with this classy cart.
Henrik Bar Cart
If you whip out a silver cowboy boot wine chiller for happy hour… no one will even notice what kind of wine you’re chilling in it. Your guests will just want to know where they can get their own flashy chiller.
