I Can’t Stop Buying Cocktail Picks
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your account’s‘Saved for Later’section.
Comment
Cocktail picks are the perfect bar accoutrements: They come in all kinds of shapes and colors and add a little pizazz to anydrink you’re making at home. They’re also excellent for utensil-free entertaining: When I set out acheese boardor bowl of cut fruit, a little accompanying cup of picks feels more sophisticated and less wasteful because guests tend to hang on to a designated skewer rather than cycle through a whole pile of wooden ones.
Plus they’re justfun— I love looking over at mybar cartand seeing swim-capped divers, spooky owls, and multicolored gems. In fact, collecting them has become a hobby — I’ve taken to poking around shops wherever I’m traveling, like when I found a stall inThailandthis summer that sold mother-of-pearl pickscarved to look like elephants. But they’re also widely available on Etsy and eBay and at home-supply stores like Williams Sonoma. Here are some of the best cocktail picks I own and others I’ve got my eye on.
New! You can now save this product for later.
As seen inPunch’sultimate bar accessories guide(which features recommendations from Strategist writers), these stainless-steel picks are simple enough to not compete with layered garnishes.
New! You can now save this product for later.
For another minimalist option, I love these needlelike picks — the same ones that Paula November, the events vice president of Reed Exhibitions and Bar Convent Brooklyn, recommends inour comprehensive guide to bar tools and accessories.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Katipai Richardson-Wilson, owner of Gowanus barDirty Precious, “uses these stylish snake cocktail picks if I’m showing off.” The black-enamel-and-gold swizzlers are “guaranteed to kick even the most delicious cocktail up a notch,” shesays.
New! You can now save this product for later.
I couldn’t resist these kitschy (and borderline spooky) owl picks, especially since they come in an owl-shaped holder. They’ve become a guest favorite whenever I put them out nearHalloween.
New! You can now save this product for later.
I’ve given these as presents on multiple occasions — for a work friend who’d gotten a promotion and as ahousewarming giftto a new neighbor. The divers’ different-colored caps are an easy way to tell whose drink is whose, and they look great balanced on top of acoupe glass.
New! You can now save this product for later.
These gold-and-marble cocktail picks would be particularly elegant stabbed through an orange peel in a classic Manhattan.
New! You can now save this product for later.
It doesn’t get more whimsical — or meta — than olive-shaped cocktail picks.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Joanna Buchanan might be the queen of luxury cocktail picks — seriously, just peruseher website— and these flashy cut-gem picks have been in and out of my shopping cart for months now. They remind me of costume jewelry and Jolly Ranchers (in a good way).
New! You can now save this product for later.
Shaped like the ends of feather-tipped arrows, these would lend some decorative flair to a martini or rocks glass.
Some more home bar essentials we’ve written about
The Strategistis designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the bestacne treatments,rolling luggage,pillows for side sleepers,natural anxiety remedies, andbath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
