Shaker & Spoon

What's in the box: House-made syrups, mixers, garnishes, and bartender recipe cards for three original cocktails, enough for 12 drinks, with the spirit left to you.

Shaker & Spoon is a monthly cocktail kit built on a simple split: it sends the house-made syrups, mixers, and garnishes, and you supply the spirit. Each box holds three original recipes from award-winning bartenders, including James Beard Award nominees, with four servings of each for 12 drinks total. Every month centers on a featured spirit, and the site says full-pour and zero-proof options are built in. The current box, Mezcalloween VI, was created with Chicago bartender Ed Rey and has you brew your own mezcal infusions before mixing, a sign the service favors hands-on, playful drinks over basic pours. The main appeal is skipping the shelf of specialty bottles you would open once. The tradeoff is that you still need the month's spirit, which can be a hurdle if the theme is something you rarely stock. Plans run monthly or for 3, 6, or 12 months, and you can skip, swap, or cancel from your account. Shipping is listed as free. For home cocktail fans who want guided variety without building a full bar, this is a thoughtful option. If you want alcohol included in the box, look elsewhere.