Over here at The Sober Curator, we know we mix a mean alcohol-free, zero-proof, mocktail to enjoy at the end of a long day or week with unique barware accessories. We did learn that to make some of the great recipes coming from all of these new alcohol-free spirit brands, you will need to bring back that barware that you may have gotten rid of in early sobriety.
Trigger Warning: Early Sobriety and The Mocktail Movement
If you are in early sobriety, we urge you to proceed with caution. When we got sober, there wasn’t a movement yet happening in the alcohol-free spirits niche business category like what we are seeing these days. We can’t speak to if it would be triggering or not for a newcomer to sobriety. This is simply because we didn’t have an option to experience it back in the early days of our sobriety.
What we can share is that if you have substantial sobriety time and a strong recovery program that’s practiced daily, then exploring the movement of this alcohol-free spirit may turn out to be something you enjoy. As the CEO and Co-Founder of The Sober Curator, I want to get to know the brands in this space. I have not found making and enjoying cocktails at all triggering. In fact, quite the opposite. I enjoy a well-crafted beverage to pair with a meal or just enjoy at the end of the day to relax. That’s actually a ritual I didn’t realize how much I missed. And the bonus? No mind-altering side effects or consequences that follow me into the next day.
Gift Idea #1: Mixology Bartender Kit with Stylish Bamboo Stand
From Mixology & Craft, you can score this 10-Piece ALL-INCLUSIVE Bar Set of serious quality bar tools in a stylish bamboo stand. This set will give you the power to whip up impressive mocktails for your guests. This sexy looking kit can be yours for the Price Tag of $89.99
Gift Idea #2: Teakwood Cocktail Kit by Swell
Calling all aspiring alcohol-free, zero-proof mixologists! The S’well Cocktail Kit is the perfect way to up your at-home bar game — and keep your drinks colder, longer. Includes our insulated stainless steel shaker, jigger, and two S’well 10 oz Tumblers. Price Tag $80
Gift Guide #3: Hanging Mocktail Bar from Uncommon Goods
This Hanging Mocktail Bar from Uncommon Goods is a space saver! The fold-down shelf serves as a mixing station or display area for your best-looking bottles and barware. Price Tag $118.
Gift Guide #4: Black Travel Bar from Crate & Barrel
From Crate & Barrel, check out this detailed portable bar that travels in style with leather-like accents and a velveteen interior. Providing mocktail service for four, the kit has padded compartments to hold three bottles and four glasses. You’ll also find four mocktail sticks, strainer, tongs, stirrer, muddler, double-sided jigger, cocktail shaker, paring knife, and acacia wood cutting board. Next time you head over to a house party where you know there will be drinking, BYOAFS. Bring your own alcohol-free spirits! You can still be the life of the party AND do it sober! Price Tag $350.
Gift Guide #5: Williams Sonoma Gunmetal Bar Tools Set
Williams Sonoma believes a rich, lustrous gunmetal finish lends a contemporary edge to their stainless-steel bar tools. This four-piece set stocks your home bar with essentials for measuring, mixing, and straining alcohol-free mocktails, so you can serve drinks in style. Price Tag $90.
Gift Guide #6: Mikasa Luxe Stainless Steel Bar Set, 6-piece from Costco
It’s from Costco, so you know the price is right. Make sure you always have all the mocktail mixing essentials on hand with this Mikasa Luxe 6-Piece Bar Tool Set. An elegant addition to your home bar, this set provides quick, easy access to neatly stored and displayed bar tools. The stylish stand features slots for all the tools, including a shaker, a strainer, a double jigger, a bottle opener, a stirrer, and ice tongs. It’s everything you need to stir up delicious alcohol-free drinks to get the party started. Each piece in the set is beautifully crafted of stainless steel polished to a sleek silver finish. All pieces are dishwasher safe. Price Tag $40.
Gift Guide #7: Block 4-Piece Marble Bar Tool Set From CB2
This CB2 Original is a handsome honed marble that holds four essential stainless steel mocktail crafters: two-sided jigger (1 oz or 2), bottle opener, garnish knife, and mocktail strainer. The bar tool set makes a great gift for the aspiring alcohol-free, zero-proof mixologist. Price Tag $40
Gift Guide #8: 9-Piece Copper Finish Bar Set from Nordstrom
From our friends at Nordstrom, the coppery finish on this rugged stainless steel set of mocktail-making essentials immediately distinguishes your home bar. Price Tag $130.
Gift Guide #9: Vintage Race Car mocktail shaker from Wayfair
From Wayfair, this Vintage Race Car in shiny nickel plated with the removable engine doubles as a stainless steel line mocktail shaker. Price Tag $53.
Gift Guide #10: Irvin Penguin Mocktail Shaker
From Wayfair, this adorable emperor penguin cocktail shaker stands Bow tied tuxedoed and stately in stainless steel. Plus he stands tall amongst standard mixology tools to set your bar collection apart. The vessel holds 17 oz. and incorporates a built-in strainer. Price Tag $46.
Gift Guide #11: Mirage 5 Piece Barware set from Wayfair
All the tools you need to craft the perfect cocktail in an on-trend oil slick finish. Need we say more? This stainless steel rainbow plated set from Wayfair includes a shaker, jigger, strainer, and bar spoon. In its curated packaging, Mirage™ makes the perfect gift for the fashionista you know! Price Tag $36.
Gift Guide #12: Airplane 5 Piece Bar Tools Set with Stand
From mypilotstore.com, display your alcohol-free mixology skills at your next sober party with this sleek, nickel-plated airplane bar set! It includes all of the essentials: strainer, jigger, bottle opener, and garnish knife. It’s a great addition to any home bar or hangar! Price Tag $90.
If you missed some of our other curated holiday lists, you can find them here:
- Advent Calendars: 12 Advent Calendars curated for those unique and quirky people in your life
- Recovery Gifts: 12 Runway worthy recovery gifts curated for the people in recovery from alcohol or drugs
- Give Art Therapy: 12 artsy gift items for the sober people in your life who love to keep their hands busy creating fun projects
- Alcohol-Free Gifts: 12 alcohol-free recipe books and zero proof beverages curated for the sober people in your life who still want to have fun with their zero-proof beverages
- Selfie Care: 12 selfie care gift items for the sober people in your life who need to slow their roll and have some good selfie care downtime
- Alcohol-Free Barware: 12 barware gift items for the sober people in your life who love to have fun making and mixing mocktails
- Give Entertainment: 12 entertaining gift items for that sober person in your life who still likes to have fun
- Ice Ice Baby: 12 ice molds for the sober people in your life who still want to have fun with zero-proof beverages
- Keep it Glassy: 12 glassware items for that sober mocktail-maker in your life!
- Give Books: 12 curated recovery books to gift this year to that sober reader in your life (it’s ok if that’s you)
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Need resources? We’ve curated some for you.
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
