Advice needed: What do I put in a liquor gift basket?

In My Humble Opinion
1

One of my best friends is turning 21 this weekend. I thought it might be neat to go to the local supermarket and grab a bunch of the little (I call them “airplane” bottles, because they’re the size that you get from beverage cart service) liquor bottles that they have and give her a sampler of what’s out there.

Dopers, what should I include in this gift? The selection is faily wide (I remember that they had Tequila Rose, Crown Royal, and Bombay Sapphire), and I’ll probably buy 10-15 bottles. AFAIK, the recipient of the gift is not exactly a novice drinker, but I don’t think she’s been exposed to a really wide spectrum of booze flavors. And, god help her, she’s a big fan of all the varieties of Pucker.

So, what’s your call?

2

I would throw in a bottle of Aspirin, which would be the most enjoyed substance of them all.

3

They have airplane bottles of Bombay Sapphire where you live? <writing down notes furiously>

As a practical joke, you should throw in a bottle of Jack Daniels. Suggest that she mix it with one of the other bottles. Stand back.

4

This should give her a good, wide experience:

2 gins (Gordon’s, American, low-proof; Tanqueray, British, higher proof)

2 vodkas (Smirnoff, cheap; Stoli, fancy)

2 rums (Bacardi, light; Meyer’s, dark)

2 bourbons (Jim Beam, cheap, low-proof; Jack Daniels, fancy, higher proof, and actually Tennessee whiskey rather than bourbon, but close enough)

2 scotches (Ballantine’s, medium bodied; Johnny Walker Black, heavy-bodied)

2 tequilas (Jose Cuervo, cheap, low-proof; Herradura, fancy, higher proof)

2 brandies (St. Remy, cheap; a Cognac or Armagnac, fancy)

…a couple of oddball bottles, like a Calvados or a Southern Comfort or a liqueur.

5

A split of Champagne and a small bottle of Midori (melon liquer). Mix the two together to create a light green, bubbly concoction that tastes sort of like a green jolly rancher. Yummy!

6

Don’t forget to throw in a shot glass.

7

Don’t forget movies: I suggest a couple of classics
‘The Philadelphia Story’(Stewart/Hepburn): the upside of binge drinking.Ply her with enough champagne and she’ll ditch Cary Grant for you. Or not. Great bloody mary scene.
‘The Lost Weekend’(Jack Lemmon/some other lush): the other more common side of exceeding 2 oz. alcohol/day.

8

My $0.02:

Instead of a “basket” get a champagne bucket.

I have to agree with Uke’s selections for booze.

Pick up “drinking accessories”: a shot glass, maybe a package of the little paper umbrellas, perhaps a pair of martini glasses… if you have a Cost Plus near you, you can find all kinds of goodies like this for a very reasonable price.

To add some real class to your gift, I’d pick up a split of Veuve Clicquot (very nice champagne–has an orange label) and a couple of champagne flutes (Cost Plus, again–$2.99 each)

9

You might want to pack it in a bucket. If she drinks all this, she’ll definitely need a bucket before sunup.

10

Include a book of drink recipes.
Whats your favorite? Be sure to include some of that. People shouldn’t drink alone.
By the way are we invited?

11

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I’m going to the liquor store tonight. I’ve definetly decided to throw in the bottle of Asprin; that was an inspired touch!

justwannano: if you guys come to Monroe for Thanksgiving weekend, then I guess you’re invited! :slight_smile:

12

More booze.