Cocktail Picks That We Recommend

Although the cocktail pick might seem like a simple tool for bartenders, it actually serves a very specific purpose: to extract cherries and briny olives from your Manhattan or Martini base. The following cocktail picks, which range from vintage-inspired to stainless steel, bamboo, and bamboo, will elevate your happy hour and add style to your glass.

Best Overall: 20-piece Stainless Steel Cocktail Picks

You’re likely to have seen how fast these little Blacktail cocktail stick disappear in the sinks or in dishwashers if you’ve ever worked at a bar. You won’t have to worry if one of these martini picks disappears. This set is made from stainless steel and comes with 20.

There are five of each style, with four styles. All are minimalistic, perfect for perching on the side of a Martini glass or stabbing a small olive or onion with.

These picks are made with unbreakable, anticorrosive and rustproof stainless Steel. They will last for years. You can place them in your dishwasher’s cutlery drawer or wash them after each use.

Pro Tip:Are you tired of seeing your cocktail picks disappear? Keep them in a small cup on the top of your bar cart or bar.

The Best Style: Love & Victory Cocktail Picks

Love & Victory, a Brooklyn-based creative studio founded by designer Meg Moorhouse, has long been a favorite of the craft cocktail community, often partnering with spirits brands to create custom swag.

These striking cocktail picks will look stunning atop a chic coupe or rocks glass and can also be used as conversation starters for your guests. You can choose from four sets of metal with gold-tone and enamel finishes. These beauties will need to be hand washed.

Best Budget: 35-Piece Cocktail Choice

Although many cocktail picks come in a single size, this set has three length options. This makes it ideal for any and all types of cocktails. Place a few olives onto the 4-inch stick, and then place it on top of your Martini. The 6-inch length will work well in any rocks glass. The larger stick measures 8 inches long and is perfect for Highballs and Bloody Marys. Add your favorite pickles or bacon to it, then pop it in your drink.

The material is made with 304 stainless steel and is food-safe and rust-resistant.

Martini is the Best Treat: Martini for Him and Her

Martini Pic’s extravagant picks can be overlooked, but they are made to stand out in your drink. Two picks made from sterling silver are included in the set. They have been meticulously polished to a high standard. The one is slightly tapered and straight, while the other features minimalistic, modern curves.

Both come in a velvet black pouch. Are they expensive? Yes. This is a great gift idea for couples who love cocktails. Yes.

Best Design: FS Objects Spar Cocktail Picks

These unquestionably stylish picks can be used in a variety of ways. They can be used to bring olives into your mouth or pin them through small sandwiches. These small rods have tiny shapes that dot every inch and are vaguely inspired from the nautical (spot flags fishing bobbers and buoys).

Each pick is unique and allows guests to identify their drink. Four picks come per order. These picks are five and a quarter inches in length, so they can be used for most standard cocktails. These aren’t necessarily the most affordable option, but they have a great design and are worth every penny.

Cocktail Kingdom Stainless Steel Picks: Best Stainless Steel

These stainless steel cocktail picks by Cocktail Kingdom are simple, elegant, and durable.

These are dishwasher safe and made of durable stainless steel. They can withstand high-volume bars and happy hours with lots of drinks. You get twelve of these, so you have plenty to go around if one is lost.

They measure 4 inches in length and are perfect for making a Martini. However, they can also be used to fill standard cocktail glasses with ice.

Viski Gunmetal Picks: Vintage Inspiration

The gunmetal black Viski cocktail picks are a nod towards the classic cocktail movements. Each pick is finished with an Art Deco inspired fan detail. These picks are durable and heavy. The best part is that the finish won’t crack or flake in your drink.

The picks are also light in weight, making them easy to hold in your hands. The picks are made from stainless steel for easy cleaning.

These picks measure 5 inches in length and are slightly longer than standard cocktail picks. These picks can be used to garnish your favorite drink or as a tool to pick up small plates of cheeses, meats, and other snacks.

Best Bamboo: Handmade Cocktail Picks

Although stainless steel and last-forever cocktail picks are useful, it’s not a good idea to invest in high-priced picks if your goal is to entertain a large crowd or lose picks. Bamboo picks are the perfect solution. These picks, which are low-cost and high-quality, can be tossed.

They have smooth edges, so there are no splinters and burrs. These picks are slightly higher than the standard disposable Martini pick, with little gold balls on top.

Each set includes 120 4.7-inch skewers.

Mae Champagne Gold Cocktail Pick: Best Copper/Gold

CB2’s gold cocktail picks are sleek and simple, but they offer serious style. This option is made of 14/1 stainless and has a shiny Champagne golden finish. It looks great on a cocktail bar cart or a vintage glass. They measure five inches in length and come in six sets. They must be washed manually.

These can be added to a Champagne cocktail. You can also purchase a complete matching cocktail set from the brand, which includes an ice bucket and cocktail stirrer as well as a cocktail shaker.

Final Verdict

You can’t go wrong with this 20 Piece Stainless Steel Cocktail Picks from Amazon (view at Amazon)–with a variety of different sizes and a durable finish, there’s a pick for any drink you could ever need. If you’re looking to add a little style to your home bar, Viski Gunmetal Picks (view at Amazon) give a nod to the golden age of cocktails.

What to look for

Cleaning

How meticulous are you about cleaning your barware? Some cocktail picks can be washed in the dishwasher while others need to be washed manually after each use. Your dedication to cleaning your cocktail pick will determine how clean it is.

Size

All cocktail picks may not be the same size. Some are small enough to fit neatly into a Martini glass, while others are larger and can hold many garnishes. Consider which cocktails you like the most. Are you looking to find a place for your Martini olives or a pick for cocktail garnishes?

Price

The style and quality of your glass will be determined by the price. While you can shop within your budget, you should consider how often you might lose a cocktail choice. If guests are coming over, or you intend to wash them in the dishwasher, they may drop one or more. They can be expensive to replace.

FAQs

What is the average dimension/size?

Cocktail picks typically measure 4 to 5 inches in length, making them suitable for cocktail glasses and cocktail coupes. Some are longer and can be used in Collins glasses or Highball glasses.

It can be used for other purposes than as a garnish in cocktails.

Yes. They can be used as garnishes or to pull out olives or cherries from the bottom of your glass. You can also use cocktail picks to make appetizers and small bites.

How do you clean your home?

You can clean most cocktail picks in a dishwasher. However, due to their size, they can easily slip through the dishwasher and become stuck at the bottom. Instead, rinse them and wipe them clean by hand.

What is the average life expectancy of these products?

You can count on high quality picks to last for years. You must take good care of your picks, including washing them after each use and making sure they don’t get lost.