A cocktail book is the smartest holiday gift.
That’s because you can find a book to complement the niche personality of practically anyone on your shopping list without breaking the bank. A book is light enough to squeeze in your suitcase if you’re traveling this season. It’s easy to wrap. And, most importantly, books never go out of style — not to mention your friends, family or colleagues will think of you whenever they pull it off the shelf.
Here, we’ve rounded up curated recommendations for the best cocktail books to gift from Cider Mill Press (an imprint of HarperCollins Focus), a publisher of high-quality, elegant books on wine and spirits.
After you’ve checked your list twice and tied each book with a bow, pour yourself a drink and raise the glass to your booksmarts, you gifting genius you!
The Host with the Most
The holiday season can be a hurried rush of hosting or being hosted. For those in the latter camp this year, remember to never show up empty-handed.
With its metallic gold cover, a copy of Bubbly: A Collection of Champagne and Sparkling Cocktails by Colleen Jeffers will do the trick as a token of gratitude to an effervescent host.
Designed to delight, the book features 60-plus cocktail recipes perfect for the festive season, like party-ready punches and the Holiday Mail (Puerto Rican rum, lime juice, ginger honey syrup and chilled dry white sparkling wine). Jeffers, founder of TheGoodDrink.com, also includes her expert advice on choosing the right varietal, keeping carbonation crisp, and even thrifting vintage glassware.
Pair the book with a bottle of bubbly, and your last-minute effort will have a lasting effect. Price: $16.07
The Intellectual
If they approach each drink like the rich historical, cultural artifact it is, they are sure to adore
The New York Times Essential Book of Cocktails: Over 400 Classic Drink Recipes With Great Writing from The New York Times.
Edited by Steve Reddicliffe and named a top finalist for the Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, the second edition features more than a dozen prominent writers, including Craig Claiborne, Melissa Clark, Mark Bittman, and Pete Wells, to name a few.
An encyclopedia of cocktail culture, this deep dive into home entertaining essentials comes complete with auxiliary recipes for brandied cherries, brown-butter bourbon, cordials, shrubs, bitters, and more. Price: $27.97
The Ski Bum
This one’s for the person who can’t wait to break out their cozy sweater, favorite beanie, and winter boots at the first hint of chill in the air.
Whether or not they are actually strapping on skis this season (or even seeing snow for that matter), Après Ski: 100 Cozy Drinks to Warm Up Your Winter is packed with seasonal staples, like hot toddies, spiked cocoa, Irish coffee, maple bourbon cider, and more.
With 240 pages of recipes for Black-Diamond level and beginning bartenders alike, Après Ski makes for a cozy night in — no ski pass required. Price: $16.07
The Francophile
For the person who has seen every episode of “Emily in Paris” (twice) and uses “Bon Weekend!” to sign off on all their Friday afternoon emails, this next book is the steak to their frites.
Thanks to Paris Cocktails (Second Edition): An Elegant Collection of Over 100 Recipes Inspired by the City of Light by Doni Belau, chic drinkers can channel the romance of Paris from home.
Beyond the beautiful die-cut covers, Belau draws inspiration from everything from Jazz Age salons to the iconic brasseries to the sidewalk cafés. In between signature recipes and interviews with the city’s leading bartenders, this book provides a detailed rundown of the city’s best sips and views. Price: $17.49
The Night Owl
New York is the city that never sleeps — and the city’s iconic bars are where New Yorkers can be found when other cities are in bed. For the drinker who is always down for a nightcap, check out New York Cocktails: An Elegant Collection of over 100 Recipes Inspired by the Big Apple by Amanda Schuster.
Much more than recipes, this pocket-sized manual outlines where and what to drink, profiles the city’s best mixologists and recounts the true stories behind masterpieces like the Penicillin, the Cosmopolitan, the Negroni, and of course, the Manhattan. Price: $16.07
The New Parents
Newly minted moms and dads can’t hang out at the neighborhood watering hole as much as they once did. Instead, they will be mixing more drinks at home — and The Home Bartender: 200+ Cocktail Made with Four Ingredients or Less by Shane Carley can help.
Now in its third edition with 50 new recipes, this bar-cart bible proves home mixologists don’t need the most expensive liquor or trendiest ingredients to make a well-balanced cocktail. After all, an Old Fashioned is an old favorite for a reason.
At 464 pages, this tome has a drink recommendation for every occasion, which will come in handy with all of the baby’s first milestones new parents have to celebrate. Price: $16.07
The Funcle
This one’s for the fun uncle (or aunt!) who is always ready for a good time — and has a closet full of colorful, patterned clothing to prove it.
Tiki Cocktails: Over 50 Modern Tropical Cocktails by The Coastal Kitchen brings the laid-back, tropical vibes with classics like the Mai Tai and Navy Grog, plus contemporary concoctions like The Balcony in Chiba (shochu, Suntory Toki Whisky, passion fruit cordial, lime and lemon juice, and an egg white).
While tiki drinks are notoriously complex, these streamlined renditions deliver maximum flavor without most of the fuss. Bonus: there are tips for creating playful fruit garnishes and curating playlists for backyard barbecues. Just add a bottle of funky rum and ceramic Tiki mugs to get the party started. Price: $16.07
The Marathon Trainer
Combine the phenomenon of running clubs replacing dating apps and the recent rise in women training for marathons with the sober-curious movement, and there’s never been a better time to cut back on alcohol without sacrificing flavor or fun.
For those focused on reaching new fitness goals in 2025, consider Mocktails: A Collection of Low-Proof, No-Proof Cocktails. With over 75 zero-proof recipes, this collection includes inventive versions of familiar favorites, such as the Virgin Mary, a Matcha Mockraita, Non Island Iced Tea, or the Chocolate-Espresso Mocktail. The best part? No hangovers. Price: $16.07
This article is sponsored by Cider Mill Press.
