In this article
Quick answer: The best gifts for martini lovers match how they drink. Classic gin fans love good glassware like Nick & Nora or coupe glasses and a proper mixing glass. Dirty martini fans want great olives and brine. If they already own the gear, a funny martini-themed gift like our Martini Olive Plush Pillow ($19.99) is a fun bit of decor instead of another bar tool.
How to pick a gift for a martini lover
Martini people tend to have opinions. Gin or vodka, shaken or stirred, olive or twist, a little dry or very dirty. That's good news for you: listen to how they order and you'll know what to get.
Before you shop, ask yourself three things:
- Do they make martinis at home, or order them out? Home bartenders get real use out of tools and glassware. People who only order them at bars may like a martini-themed gift better.
- Olive or twist? Olive people are the easiest to shop for. There's a whole world of stuffed olives, brines and olive-themed gifts.
- What do they already own? Most martini fans already have a shaker. Few have a second set of nice glasses, a really good jar of olives, or a giant olive on their couch.
Gifts for martini lovers at a glance
| Who you're shopping for | Gift idea | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Has every bar tool already | Martini Olive Plush Pillow | $19.99 |
| Dirty martini fan | Good olives, olive brine, olive picks | Low; check current prices |
| Classic gin martini drinker | Nick & Nora or coupe glasses | Varies; check current prices |
| New to making martinis at home | Mixing glass, bar spoon, jigger, strainer | Varies; check current prices |
| Likes to read up on drinks | A classic cocktail book | Varies |
| Wants the whole experience | Bundle: olive pillow + olives + glasses | $19.99 + extras |
Prices for glassware and tools vary a lot by brand and material, so compare a few shops before you buy.
The funny pick: a pillow-size martini olive
Here's the gift we'd put at the top of the list (yes, we make it, so we're biased).
The Martini Olive Plush Pillow is a green olive with a red pimento center, about 11 inches wide and 9 inches tall. It's the garnish from their favorite drink, blown up to throw-pillow size. It sits on a bar cart, couch or reading chair and gets a laugh from everyone who walks by.
Why it works as a martini lover gift:
- It's not another bar tool. Most martini fans already own the shaker and the glasses. This one goes on the sofa, not in a drawer.
- It's under $20. $19.99 with free standard US shipping.
- Nothing to break. It's all soft fabric, with no plastic eyes or hard parts. No glass to chip, nothing sharp, and easier to mail than a set of glasses.
- It's easy to clean. Ultra-soft polyester outside, non-toxic hypoallergenic polyester fill inside. Spot clean or gently hand wash, then air dry.
It holds a 4.60-star average from 20 reviews. It also makes a great add-on to almost any other gift on this list. For more olive-themed ideas, see our full guide to olive gifts for olive lovers.
Dirty martini gifts
Dirty martini fans like their drink with a splash of olive brine, usually garnished with olives. Anyone who orders it "extra dirty" will be happy with gifts that improve the olive side of things.
Good olives
A jar of good olives is a small luxury most people don't buy for themselves. A few styles bartenders often recommend:
- Castelvetrano: bright green, mild and buttery. A good pick for someone who wants olive flavor without too much salt.
- Manzanilla: the classic Spanish bar olive, salty and often pimento-stuffed.
- Stuffed olives: blue cheese stuffed olives are a dirty martini favorite. You'll also find garlic, jalapeño and other fillings at grocery stores and specialty shops.
Get two or three different jars and you've got a tasting set.
Olive brine
Serious dirty martini drinkers go through brine fast. Bottled olive brine made for cocktails is sold at many liquor stores and grocery stores. It's a practical gift they'll actually use.
Olive picks
Reusable cocktail picks in metal or glass are a small upgrade from plastic swords. They come in all kinds of styles and make an easy stocking stuffer.
Classic martini gifts for the gin purist
Nick & Nora or coupe glasses
The tall V-shaped martini glass is iconic, but many cocktail fans prefer something smaller and easier to hold. The Nick & Nora glass is a small, bell-shaped stemmed glass named after Nick and Nora Charles, the cocktail-loving couple from the Thin Man films. Many are about 5 ounces, which keeps a martini cold to the last sip. Sizes vary, so check the listing.
Coupe glasses, with their wide, shallow bowl, are another classic choice. A pair of either makes a classy martini gift.
A mixing glass and bar spoon
Martinis are usually stirred, not shaken. Stirring gives a smooth, clear drink, while shaking adds air and can make it cloudy. If your martini lover uses a shaker for everything, a heavy mixing glass and a long bar spoon is a thoughtful upgrade. Add a jigger and a strainer for a complete stirring kit.
A quality shaker
Some people want their martini shaken, and that's fine. A good shaker that seals tight and doesn't leak is a solid gift for a vodka martini drinker who likes it ice-cold.
A cocktail book
A classic cocktail book makes a lasting gift for the martini drinker who likes to read about history and try variations. Look for one with a good martini chapter, or one by a bartender they already follow.
Martini gifts for her
There's no rule that martini gifts for her have to be pink. Shop for the person, not a category. A few ideas that tend to land:
- For the host: a pair of pretty Nick & Nora glasses plus a jar of good olives.
- For the one with the perfect living room: the Martini Olive Plush Pillow as a bar-cart or couch accent.
- For a girls' night or bachelorette: an olive pillow as the funny gift, with olive picks for everyone.
- For the dirty martini queen: a stuffed-olive tasting set with a bottle of cocktail brine.
Martini gifts for him
Same idea here. Think about how he drinks.
- For the home bartender: a mixing glass, bar spoon and strainer set.
- For the James Bond fan: a good shaker. Yes, we know.
- For the guy who has everything: the olive pillow for his couch, office or man cave. It's a gag gift that ends up sticking around.
- For the reader: a classic cocktail book.
Unique gifts for martini lovers
If you want something they won't already have, look past the usual bar accessories. Unique martini lover gifts tend to be one of three things: personal (an olive they love, a glass that matches their bar), funny, or decor.
A pillow-size olive checks two of those boxes. It's also a good pick for a gift exchange. If you're shopping for a party swap, our list of funny white elephant gifts under $25 has more ideas in the same price range. And if they love decor that doesn't take itself too seriously, browse our guide to food-shaped pillows.
(If your friend's martini is the espresso kind, the glassware ideas above still work. The olive pillow is for the olive crowd.)
Build a martini gift bundle
A bundle feels generous without costing much. Here's a combination that works for almost any olive-loving martini fan:
- The Martini Olive Plush Pillow for the laugh
- A jar or two of good olives (Castelvetrano, blue cheese stuffed, or their favorite)
- A pair of Nick & Nora or coupe glasses
- Optional: reusable olive picks or a bottle of cocktail olive brine
Put the glasses and olives in a basket and tuck the olive pillow on top. If you're shipping it, send the pillow from us and pick up the olives and glasses locally. That way nothing fragile has to travel far.
FAQ
What do you buy a martini lover?
Start with how they drink. Classic gin fans love Nick & Nora or coupe glasses and a mixing glass. Dirty martini fans love good olives and brine. If they already own the gear, a funny martini-themed gift like an olive pillow is a nice change.
What are good dirty martini gifts?
Good olives (Castelvetrano, Manzanilla or blue cheese stuffed), a bottle of cocktail olive brine, reusable olive picks, and olive-themed decor like our Martini Olive Plush Pillow.
What are unique gifts for martini lovers?
Go for something personal, funny, or decorative rather than another shaker. An olive-tasting set or a pillow-size martini olive both stand out.
What are good martini gifts for her?
Pretty glassware, a stuffed-olive tasting set, or a martini olive pillow for her couch or bar cart. Shop for her taste rather than a "for her" category.
Is there a martini gift under $20?
Yes. Our Martini Olive Plush Pillow is $19.99 with free standard US shipping. A jar of good olives or a set of olive picks can also be a budget-friendly add-on.
Is the olive pillow okay for a home with kids?
It's all soft fabric with no plastic eyes or hard parts, so there's nothing to break. Check the product page for age guidance, and as with any plush, keep an eye on pets that like to chew.
Raise a glass
The best gifts for martini lovers say "I know how you take it." Whether that's a jar of blue cheese olives, a pair of good glasses, or a giant olive for the couch, you can't go far wrong. You can see the Martini Olive Plush Pillow and our other snack plushies here. Free standard US shipping, and 30-day returns if it isn't quite right.
