I spend my weekends behind a bar in Louisville, and when a guest asks me what to get a friend, I always give the same answer: start with their drink order.
People are loyal to their drink. The martini person, the bourbon person, the one who orders an espresso martini at 11 PM. Their order says a lot about them, so the gift can too.
Here are my picks for each one. The full list, with every shirt, cap, pin and glass, is on our Gifts for drink people page.
Order by December 8 for Christmas delivery.
For the dirty martini person
You know the one. They've sent a martini back for not being dirty enough.
Filthy, Please crewneck, from $64.99. Olive, our dirty martini, and her line: "dirtier than that."
Olive Cap, from $39.99. Embroidered, for the martini lover who wears a cap everywhere.
Dirty Martini enamel pin, $11.99. The easiest stocking stuffer on this list.
For the bourbon person
They'll tell you how they take it before you ask. Usually neat.
The Neat List crewneck, from $56.99. "ice is a choice. a wrong one." Holiday Reserve, available until Dec 26.
Don't Muddle the Cherry hoodie, from $62.99. For the old fashioned purist.
Rocks Glass, 10oz, from $11.99. A heavy square base, for a neat pour or one big cube.
For the espresso martini person
Still going when everyone else is ready to go home.
After Hours hoodie, from $62.99. "sleep is for quitters."
Night Shift long sleeve, from $45.99. 100% cotton, garment dyed.
Espresso Martini enamel pin, $11.99.
See all the espresso martini gifts
For the bartender
Bartenders are hard to shop for. We already own every tool. Wear-to-work gifts land better.
Tiny and the Crew Cap, from $39.99. For the friend who never goes anywhere alone.
The Last Word enamel pin, $11.99. For the bartender who knows the classics.
Not sure what they drink?
Listen to what they order without looking at the menu. That's their drink.
Still not sure? A Quality Barware gift card, from $25.00, lets them pick their own.
Shipping and the Christmas cutoff
Lil' Pours apparel and caps are printed or embroidered to order in the US. They ship free to any US address. Most orders leave the print shop in 2 to 7 business days, then take 2 to 5 business days to arrive. Order by December 8 for Christmas delivery.
Glassware and pins ship separately: Standard (5 to 7 business days) or Priority (2 to 3 business days), priced by weight.
Every order supports a small business owned by a working bartender.
Hosting this season instead? We also bartend holiday parties in Louisville and Southern Indiana: private bartending.
Want more glassware ideas? The cocktail glass gift guide goes deeper.
