Barware Gifts for Travelers: 13 Essentials for Wine and Spirit Enthusiasts
Barware gifts can be a great option for travelers. Who wants/needs this stuff?
These are some of the drinking gifts travelers might appreciate:
- The cocktail junkie who loves to experiment with cocktails at home and while they are away
- Amateur (or professional) mixologists who enjoy mixing drinks while they’re on the road
- The growing number of wine tourists who enjoy visiting wineries to learn about producers and their products
- Oenophiles who travel to acquire fine wines
- Long or extended-stay travelers who settle in for an extended period and set up a “home” bar
- Culinary travelers who like to enhance their meals by pairing them with wine
- Travelers who are visiting people who enjoy imbibing wines and spirits
- Romantics who want to cuddle up in a luxury hotel or resort and “make their own.”
Hopefully, some of these gift ideas will be a good match for yourself or another traveler you know! They include some of our favorites.
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Best Barware Gifts for Travelers
Aervana Electric Wine Aerator
They call it a “personal tap,” and it is. When my husband opened the box and tried the Aervana Electric Wine Aerator, he was amazed by its convenience and ease of use.
Because we often choose a bottle of wine right before dinner, there isn’t usually time to decant it, and to be honest, we rarely finish a whole bottle over the course of one meal. A process that would ordinarily take 45-60 minutes with a decanter, takes only seconds with Aervana.
What we like about the Aervana Electric Wine Opener:
- It offers instant aeration with a single tap.
- It effectively does the job of removing sediment.
- You don’t need to aerate the whole bottle; instead, you can aerate and dispense glass by glass.
- Because it’s battery-operated (three triple AAAs), it doesn’t require an electric cord.
- Its compact size makes it portable to take with us on a trip.
Wine Angel Reusable Wine Bags
Have you ever found a bottle of wine or spirits during your travels that you want to take home and loathe the idea of wrapping it in a towel and possibly having it break in your suitcase?
If so, you’ll really appreciate these aptly called “wine angel” bags.
These bubble bags are made of vinyl and are protective without adding weight. They are the antidote to using heavy wine luggage when you only want to carry a few bottles.
What we like about Wine Angel Reusable Wine Bags:
- They can be used to carry bottles home from a wine trip or carry bottles to gift a friend you are visiting abroad.
- They are leakproof and reusable.
- They don’t add any heft and can be conveniently tucked in the side or bottom of a suitcase.
- They are roomy enough to be used for sparkling wine and champagne bottles.
- They’re also great for packing special bottles of olive oil or vinegar.
The Swish Jigger
Swish is a reimagined jigger with a unique design. When you’ve used one, it will replace your conventional jiggers and relegate them to a junk drawer. Home or travel mixologists will appreciate this jigger’s precise, drip-free pours, which range in seven increments from 1/4 ounce to 3 ounces.
At first, my husband was skeptical that Swish would be useful for craft cocktails, but after one use, he totally changed his mind. Not only did It work perfectly, but it was fun and easy to use. When we travel to a rental property, he tucks in his suitcase.
What we like about the Swish jigger:
- Made of stainless steel with a stand, it is an attractive bar accessory.
- It’s dishwasher safe and easy to keep sparkling clean.
- It allows the user to effortlessly measure and dispense simultaneously.
- It’s a great gift and will also become a conversation starter when your friends see it.
SEE IT ON THE SWISHROCKS WEBSITE
https://swish.rocks/collections/swish-jigger/products/solo-act?
Kloveo Champagne Topper
We’ve often found a bottle of champagne awaiting us in a hotel room or on a cruise ship. We drink a glass full of bubbly and then return to find the bubbles gone when we return to the bottle.
To prevent sparkling wine from going flat, we now travel with a professional-grade champagne topper that can also be used for Prosecco, Cava, Spumante, Franciacorte, Cremant, or any other sparkling wine.
How it works: As pressure builds inside the bottle, the plastic nipple expands outward, creating a ‘bubble-tight’ seal. It is leak-proof and fits all standard neck bottles.
What we like about the Klovea Champagne Topper
- Made in Italy, it is patented by Italian inventor Walter Fortunato (WAF)
- It’s easy to use and release
- Although our bottles never last that long, it promises to hold bubbles for up to two weeks.
- It’s a great little gift for any wine enthusiast friend.
Mini Tabasco To-Go Travel Keychain
This has to rank as a great gift for drinkers, even just for its “cuteness.” A dash of Tabasco is used in countless mixed drinks, the most popular one probably being the Bloody Mary.
This convenient little keychain lets you take your hot sauce with you! (The mini bottles are just over two inches tall.)
What we like about the Mini Tabasco to Go Travel Keychain:
- It includes three different types of tabasco sauce: Original, Green Jalapeno and Chipotle Tabasco.
- It comes with a carabiner keychain and funnel.
- It’s refillable.
- Tabasco can add a kick to eggs, meat or whatever else you are eating.
Joie Mini Zester
Some of our favorite cocktails (and food recipes) call for lemon or lime zest. We have several long-handled lemon zesters, but they are hard to pack and take up drawer space at a home bar.
We found this mini zester and love it!
What we like about the Joie Mini Zester:
- It’s lightweight (1.27 ounces) and small (7.5. inches).
- It has an easy-to-grip handle and is easy to use.
- The colorful handle makes it easy to find.
- It can double as a cheese grater in a pinch.
Barillio Travel Bartender Bag
Yes, you can travel like a pro bartender and take your tools with you with this roll-up canvas bar kit bag. We think it’s especially great for staying at rental properties and taking along on picnics. (Note: This doesn’t come with tools; you must bring your own.)
What we like about the Barillio Travel Bartender Bag:
- The waxed canvas keeps it dry and makes it easy to clean.
- It has well-designed pockets, zippered compartments, elastic loops, and straps to keep everything in place.
- The flap pockets protect all your tools.
- A great idea for bartenders, mixologists, cocktail lovers, and novel gift-givers.
Rabbit Wine Bottle Stoppers
This is one of the least expensive and most functional drinking gifts we use. It’s always handy to have a wine bottle stopper (or two) when traveling by land or sea. Rabbit Wine & Barware makes this high-quality set of four stoppers.
These are small enough to toss into a cosmetic case or dopp kit.
What we like about Rabbit Wine Bottle Stoppers:
- They form an air-tight seal.
- Because they are made of flexible silicone, they are easy to use and pop in and out.
- You can also use them to seal any other bottle.
- The set of four is multicolored, each with an attractive stainless steel embossed top.
- They are washable, easy to clean, and can be reused; you can throw away the original corks that are too hard to reuse.
- They are lightweight and compact for travel and make a practical gift.
Leather-covered Ragproper Modern Glass Hip Flask
These unisex flasks are thoroughly retro with a modern, updated design. They are perfect for camping, hiking, and other outdoor adventures or for taking spirits with you wherever you go.
What is a Ragproper? “Ragproper” was an old Western slang meaning “to dress well.”
What we loved about the Ragproper Glass Hip Flask:
- The clever glass window design lets you see the contents inside and prevents over-filling.
- The covering offers a comfortable, non-slip grip.
- The flasks come in several beautiful colors, all in full-grain leathers.
- You can choose a single shot or double shot size.
- A funnel, two metal, and two “sneaky plastic” cork-lined lids are included.
Professional Corkscrew
If you have to open a bottle of wine, you want to have your own corkscrew handy when hotel rooms don’t have them available. They are easy enough to pack in your Dopp kit or suitcase.
This corkscrew is heavy-duty and made from stainless steel. Shown in Cyan, it comes in eight different colors.
What we like about the Professional Waiter Corkscrew:
- It is easy to use, even for a novice
- It has thicker hinges to provide added bending resistance
- It’s inexpensive enough so you won’t shed any tears if you leave it in your hotel room (If you prefer a more upgraded corkscrew, perhaps for a gift, we recommend the Prestige Waiters Wine Bottle Opener By Coutale Sommelier)
Mixology Bartender Kit
If you want to take the whole kit and caboodle with you, this Mixology Bartender kit is just what you’ll need.
Included are a 24 oz cocktail shaker with a built-in strainer, a double-sided jigger, a Mojito muddler, a mixing spoon, a Hawthorne strainer, a bottle opener, a corkscrew, ice tongs, and more—everything except the liquor!
What we liked about the Mixology Bartender Kit:
- It includes everything you need to mix drinks
- The entire kit is made of washable stainless steel
- It comes packed in a durable tube box
- It even includes access to online cocktail recipes.
The Cocktail Masterclass (book)
This 72-page paperback offers easy-to-follow recipes from the world’s best mixologists, with clear instructions and ingredient lists. In addition to recipes, it includes tips for crafting the best cocktails.
Weighing in at just over 8 ounces so it makes for great reading on a long-haul flight or while lazing on a beach.
Water & Wines Puzzles
Although not barware, per se, these captivating 1000-piece wine puzzles are an excellent gift for any wine enthusiast.
They are fun to play with friends and family and will help them learn about wine regions in different countries, including some of their favorite travel destinations.
What we like about Water & Wines Puzzles:
- Developed by a woman-owned business—a sommelier and puzzle lover—the content is well-researched and accurate.
- They are sustainably made and meticulously crafted.
- They are colorful with a bit of whimsy, perfect for gifting.
Are there any barware or drink accessories that enhance your travels? Feel free to comment below!
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