How to Pick a Bottle as a Gift When You Have No Idea What They Drink

Buying a bottle for someone else is weirdly stressful. Maybe it’s for your boss, the neighbor who plowed your driveway all winter or the father-in-law who likes to remind everyone he knows a lot about wine. You walk in, stare at a wall of labels and end up grabbing whatever comes in the nicest box.

We see this every single holiday season, and we totally get it. The good news is that you don’t actually have to guess. A couple of easy questions narrow things down really fast, and there are a handful of bottles that almost never miss.

The first thing to think about is what this person drinks when they’re out. Are they a beer person, a cocktail person or a wine person? Even a tiny clue helps. Something like “I’m pretty sure I saw him with a whiskey at the work party” gives us a real starting point.

Next, think about the occasion. A hostess gift should be easy, something they can open that night or tuck away for later. A thank you for a big favor or a gift for your boss can be a little more special. A birthday or a retirement might be the time for something they’d never buy for themselves.

Then there’s budget, and please don’t be shy about it. There’s no wrong answer here. Some of the best gifts in the store are pretty affordable, and some are real splurges. Knowing your number just helps us point you to the best bottle at that price.

If you’re still stuck after all that, a good bourbon is about the safest bet there is. Most whiskey drinkers enjoy one even if they have a favorite style, it looks great with a bow on it and it works for sipping or mixing. If you know they’re really into whiskey, a small batch or single barrel bottle feels extra thoughtful.

Sparkling wine is another winner. A bottle of bubbles instantly says celebrate, and almost nobody turns it down. Real Champagne is the classic splurge, but a nice crémant from France or a good Prosecco still feels festive without the big price tag.

For a wine drinker you don’t know very well, a smooth Cabernet or a red blend is hard to get wrong. Those wines are easy to like and go with just about anything they might cook.

One of our favorite ideas is to go local. Colorado makes some really great whiskey, gin and craft beer, and a local bottle is the perfect gift for family flying in from out of state. It shares a little piece of where you live, and there’s a good chance they can’t find it back home.

Want to take it up a notch? Turn the bottle into a whole little gift. Pair a gin with some good tonic and a few limes. Tuck a bottle of bitters and a big ice cube tray next to a bourbon. Put a nice corkscrew with a bottle of red, or put together a margarita kit with tequila, limes and some flaky salt. Little extras like that make it look like you planned ahead, even if you ran in here on Christmas Eve. We won’t tell!

And don’t skip the note. A quick handwritten tag that says something like “Open this on a snow day” or “Thanks for always having our back” makes even an inexpensive bottle feel personal. It takes ten seconds and people remember it.

One quick reminder. If the person doesn’t drink, or you honestly aren’t sure, skip the bottle. A gift card or some local treats is a kinder choice than guessing wrong.

Come in and tell us a little about who you’re shopping for, what they’re into and what you want to spend. We’ll help you find something you’ll feel really good handing over. Gift shopping is honestly one of our favorite things to help with.