Liquid : Gadget

Punch Drunk

Sara Faith Alterman — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:00:00 GMT

One of the best things about college parties was that booze was always available in mass quantities — foamy suds streaming from an industrial-sized keg, mystery punch ladled from a plastic-lined trash can. Oh, the memories. You’ve grown up, though, and your cocktail vessels should too. One of the harsh realities of adulthood is that it’s painfully déclassé to offer to hold your guests’ feet while they suck PBR upside down from a plastic nozzle. Step up your super-sized entertaining with the Glass Beverage Dispenser ($225–$275) from Koo de Kir (65 Chestnut Street, Boston, 617.723.8111), a rotund, nozzled cylinder that sits atop a sleek pedestal, ready to accept gallons and gallons of your favorite homemade party drinks. It’s available in two sizes (1.5 gallons, 8-by-16 inches; 3.5 gallons, 10-by-25 inches) and is perfect for keeping the booze and conversation flowing, no plastic red cups required.

Ice Ice Baby

Sara Faith Alterman — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Is it a hipster bedside lamp? Some kind of gelatinous intergalactic space monster? Nope, just the most weirdly wonderful ice accessory your freezer will ever have the pleasure of hosting. The iceorb ($16) from Abodeon (1731 Mass Ave, Cambridge, 617.497.0137) is a vertical ice tray that doubles as a bottle chiller — and triples as a conversation starter. The dishwasher-safe silicone contraption freezes 21 cubes at a time in its convex mold and, thanks to the exoskeleton-like design, can hold an additional 30 inside a removable bucket. We love it when aesthetics and practicality collide, on the rocks.

A bright idea

Jacqueline Houton — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:54:00 GMT

In college, you mastered the fine artof pumping out term papers by day and partying hard by night. But be glad that your school's curriculum didn't include any required coursework in interior decorating -- let's just say that your penchant for lining up all your empties on that ledge in your dorm room did not attest to a sophisticated sense of design. You're much more mature today, of course, and once you've finished chugging their contents, you now diligently deposit your bottles in the recycling bin. But being eco-friendly doesn't mean you have to entirely leave behind your youthful flair for using booze bottles as decor. The ReMakeIt! Bottle Lamp ($40) offers a major upgrade on your undergraduate recycling habit. Available at Greenward (1764 Mass Ave., Cambridge, 617.396.1338), the kit comes with a lamp base, a cord, and a wire frame; you just have to provide the 13-watt CFL bulb and six bottles from your classiest of craft beers. Practical sorts can use clear bottles for maximum illumination, while funkier folks can use colored bottles to create some cool mood lighting. We can't think of a better reason to polish off a six-pack -- not that we really needed the excuse.

Booze bag

Sara Faith Alterman — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Wouldn't sunny summer picnics be even better if your fried chicken and charcuterie were accented with a freshly shaken cocktail? It's nearly impossible to cram all of the necessary martini accoutrements into an overflowing picnic basket, which is why we're incredibly grateful for the Martini Backpack ($60) available from The Boston Shaker at Grand (374 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, 617.623.2429). This adorably sporty portable bar kit comes with everything you need to whip up the perfect drink on the spot, including a jigger, a three-piece shaker, ice tongs, a strainer, a bar spoon, napkins, cups, and, of course, space for two 750 ml bottles of your favorite liquid refreshment. And most importantly, it's a whole lot classier than hiding your booze in a brown paper bag.

Make an impression

Sara Faith Alterman — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Protect your tables without sacrificing panache with these beautiful handmade paper coasters ($14) from local letterpress company Albertine Press. Inspired by delicate Chinese paper-cut art, the coasters come adorned with intricate patterns in bold hues, making each a fitting base for the most complex vintage or the burliest of brews. Every set features a dozen of the four-inchers, with two of each colorful design — wine-red flowers, a burnt-orange bird, chartreuse foliage, an emerald-green panda, a teal-blue butterfly, and eggplant blossoms. Albertine Press owner, paper princess, and new mommy Shelley Barandes hand-cranks most of her creations on antique letterpress machines in her Somerville studio, pressing her hand-mixed inks into 100% cotton paper for finished products that are old-school elegant and eco-friendly at the same time. We’ll drink to that … or, rather, on that. Check them out online at www.albertinepress.com.

Hip flask

Sara Faith Alterman — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 23:29:00 GMT

All of your friends can attest to your drunken douchebaggery; you might as well just own it. The Slang Flask ($18) from Urban Outfitters (11 JFK Street, Cambridge, 617.864.0070) says it all. A classic stainlesssteel booze vessel, it comes with “Douchebag,” “Bitch,” or “Asshole” stamped on the front — your choice. Or collect all three for whatever mood strikes your fancy. These make excellent bridal party gifts, but only if you’re positive that your men/maids of honor have a sense of humor ... and that nobody is primed to punch you in the babymaker, Bridezilla.

The Glass Is Always Greener...

Sara Faith Alterman — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:22:00 GMT

Do some good while you’re doing some good drinking by enjoying your favorite libation in 100 percent recycled glassware from West Elm (www.westelm.com). The greenhued carafes ($12) and tumblers ($5.50) are perfect for entertaining even your most ecoconscious of guests, and the sleek artisan design will mesh easily with most home décor. Order online and enjoy free shipping.

Ice Ice Baby

Sara Faith Alterman — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:13:00 GMT

Freeze up some extra cocktail-hour fun with playful Fred ice cube trays: cubes with ’tude. Schtick up your poison with one Chillers ($8), skull-and-crossbones cubes, or for twisted history buffs and Celine Dion fans (if such a thing still goes on), sculpt a mini-iceberg to go with Gin & Titonic ($8) cubes shaped like tiny Titanics. Oh, the irony. These colorful silicone trays are among a plethora of fanciful choices available online at www.fredandfriends.com or at Davis Squared (409 Highland Avenue, Somerville, 617.666.6700)

Chain Reaction

Sara Faith Alterman — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:27:00 GMT

Kicky kitchenware that cracks open a tall boy while staying green-friendly? Don’t you know it. The Resource Revival Bottle Opener ($12) at Bowl and Board (1354 Beacon Street, Brookline, 617.566.4726, and 255 Elm Street, Somerville, 617.661.0350) transforms an old bicycle chain into a new way to knock back a cold one. Also available online (in assorted rainbow colors) in case you’re already too soused to pedal. Visit bowlandboard.com to order this and other gadgety goodies.