The holiday season involves spending more time around friends, family, and colleagues, where gift exchanges will likely be taking place. To get into the holiday spirit and to show your loved ones some appreciation, giving a bottle of alcohol is a thoughtful and practical gift that always will be put to good use.
Whether you’re shopping for the cocktail expert, the wine snob, or someone who enjoys a nightcap reading by the fire, alcohol can make a personal gift. From gins to warming wines, here are 10 types of alcohol to give as gifts that will boost someone’s holiday spirit.
Scotch Whiskey
For the whiskey lover, a bottle of scotch whiskey is a traditional gift that is pure craftsmanship. Scotch is a great gift for anyone who loves a strong, tasteful sipper. Opt for a well-aged bottle from distilleries like Macallan or Glenfiddich, which both offer rich, complex flavors, and are perfect for enjoying during cold winter evenings.
Gin
Gin has become more popular in recent years thanks to its versatility and unique botanical blends. A bottle of premium gin, such as Hendrick’s, is ideal for the person who enjoys experimenting with cocktails and is a perfect addition to anyone’s bar cart. If you want to shop locally, try out Kingfly’s Spirits in the Strip District.
Bourbon
Bourbon, with its sweet, vanilla-caramel undertones, is a staple winter spirit. A bot-tle of aged bourbon like Buffalo Trace or Woodford Reserve makes a thoughtful gift for those who appreciate smooth, warming whiskeys, or making old fashioneds. Pittsburgh touts a local award-winning distillery, Wigle, that makes amazing bour-bon and other spirits.
Champagne
Nothing says celebration like a bottle of champagne. Veuve, Clicquot, Moët, or Chandon are perfect champagne choices to give as gifts, and it is suitable for so many occasions around the holidays. Whether you’re bringing a bottle for a brunch, cele-brating a newly engaged couple, or toast-ing to the holidays, bubbly is guaranteed to elevate the festivities.
Cognac
Pairing well with decadent desserts and chocolates, cognac is an acquired taste for many. However, it’s the perfect gift for the sophisticated, slow-sipping spirited per-son in your life. Try brands like Hennessy or Rémy Martin, which both make com-plex, aged cognacs that offer rich flavors of dried fruit, spice, and oak.
Port Wine
Port wine is rich with a sweet profile, and is the perfect after-dinner drink during the holiday season. A bottle of Tawny Port or Vintage Port makes a nice gift for those with a sweet tooth or for those who en-joy pairing wine with desserts or cheese. Luckily for Pittsburgh, there are many lo-cal wineries who make a great port wine.
Spiced Rum
Nothing warms up the holidays quite like a spiced rum. Rum can make a thoughtful gift for a friend, and Cap-tain Morgan, Private Stock, and Sailor Jerry offer a variety of fla-vors. Rum is also great for holiday cocktails like spiked eggnog. If you want to support a local distillery, Mag-gie’s Farm Rum makes some of the best around.
Tequila
For the life-of-the-party friend, a bottle of tequila is the perfect gift. Añejo is aged for a year or more, and has a smooth, com-plex character with notes of caramel, va-nilla, and toasted oak. Brands like Don Ju-lio Añejo or Casamigos Añejo provide the perfect balance of luxury and flavor, ideal for sipping or crafting a festive margarita.
Holiday Liqueurs
Christmas-themed liqueurs are a fun and festive way to spread holiday joy. Look for options like Baileys Irish Cream, RumChata, or Kahlúa, which pair well with coffee, des-serts, or simply on the rocks. For something extra seasonal, try Peppermint Schnapps or Gingerbread-flavored liqueurs to inspire winter cocktail creativity.
Red Wine
A rich, bold red wine is a gift that’s always appreciated, especial-ly during the holiday season. Red wines of-ten make the perfect drink during colder months of the year. Whether you get a Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, or Pinot Noir, a well-chosen bottle makes for a versatile and thoughtful gift. Consider a wine from a prestigious region like Bordeaux or Napa Valley. To support local wineries in the city, try Engine House 25 or Pittsburgh Winery, which both carry high-quality, tasty red wine.
With these ideas, you’ll be sure to spread holiday cheer, one pour at a time. Cheers and enjoy responsibly!
