The Keanu Reeves starring action series is known for being as stylish as it is entertaining. The drinking style of every character in the John Wickverse (so far) has been clean, classic, and elegant. The film shows that sometimes the biggest statement you can make is not through showy pieces, but through the simplicity of pure class.
In short, it’s a timeless and relatively easy style to emulate for your home bar.
These would also make great gifts for John Wick lovers and bar enthusiasts
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Table of Contents
Glassware
1. Tumbler
The glass John Wick drinks bourbon from is usually a simple glass tumbler with no embellishment. While he is served his bourbon in a snifter once at the Continental bar, he is usually seen drinking from a crystal-clean whiskey tumbler.
Occasion: You’re getting stitches from an underground doctor and need a pain reliever.
2. Snifter
This snifter is the one Viggo Tarasov is seen drinking from in John Wick 1. Before he completely loses his shit, Viggo is a man of style and taste. He uses this snifter to drink a high-end scotch as he fatefully decides to make enemies with John Wick.
The exact Viggo Snifter from John Wick available from WilliamsSonoma.com
https://www.replacements.com/crystal-williams-sonoma-dorset-brandy-glass/p/100408511
Or this snifter is pretty close from Amazon.
Set of 2 Large Snifters
Occasion: You’ve upset the Boogeyman.
3. Wine Glass
This stemmed cordial glass from Amazon is extremely close to the fluted wine glass Gianna is sipping out of shortly before meeting her fate with John Wick. This is helps add some flair by straying slightly from the expected path. As an Italian fashionista and wine goddess Gianna certainly knows how to drink wine in style.
Occasion: You’re about to take an unfortunate bath.
4. Shot Glass
This diamond cut shot glass is inspired by the shot glass John uses to make peace with the sole surviving Tarasov (as far as I know, I guess there could be more) at the beginning of John Wick 2. Of course, in the real world typically any old shot glass will do, but this really fancies up the place if you’re calling for the end of a blood feud.
Occasion: You’re making peace with the Boogeyman.
5. Martini Glass
Occasion: Assassin drama.
Tools
Onyx Colored Bar Tool Set
This black stainless steel shaker set is a perfect addition to a John Wick-inspired home bar. In addition to being reasonably priced, the sleek shiny finish reflects light in a flashy way. Yet it is also understated in its own way. I could definitely see John Wick using this, should he ever make a cocktail instead of just drinking straight whiskey.
I use this one at home and it’s held up great so far.
Crystal Clear Ice Maker
Okay, for this I’m going to give a couple of options. In my opinion nothing can really make a cocktail or even a whiskey on the rocks as impactful as having crystal clear ice. You’ll notice John Wick isn’t using cloudy ice cubes (and yes I know those are movie ice cubes, but you can achieve the same effect.
The first may be a little extravagant for a home bar, but for quick, reliable, crystal clear ice every time, a countertop machine will do wonders. For a one-time investment that ups your home drinks game, it’s a game-changer.
For a more budget-conscious route, you can try a silicone mold like this one that uses directional freezing to make clear ice in your freezer. Obviously, this one is a much slower option and with less output, but if you plan ahead you can impress at least one person or just feel fancy all by yourself.
Liquor
For this section, I’m going to name the brands shown prominently in the film (except for the gin). Is this seemingly just proof that product placement works? Perhaps. But they’re some solid choices and if you’re stocking a John Wick-inspired home bar you need to stay faithful to the source material.
Blanton’s Bourbon
John rarely drinks in the films but when he does, it’s always bourbon and usually, it’s Blanton’s. I will say that Blanton’s is a fine bourbon. It’s very easy to drink (especially the green label John drinks in part 2, that version is super low-proof) and smooth.
If you use it to make Manhattans or Old Fashioneds you should go light on the vermouth and/or bitters as Blanton’s has a very gentle taste.
Peligroso Tequila
This is the tequila that John Leguizamo’s character Aurelio takes a shot of with John in Chapter 1.
Honestly, I’ve never had it but I’m sure it’s a fine tequila.
Russian Standard Vodka
The Vodka of choice for most Russian-Americans I’ve met. This vodka won’t be as sweet as Grey Goose or Tito’s, it is more truly flavorless. It’s still smooth, and while I necessarily wouldn’t drink shots of straight vodka as the Tarasovs do, it makes a fine addition to a home bar.
Glenlivet Scotch
Another Viggo-inspired choice, Viggo sips The Glenlivet 18 as he sends the first round of hitmen at John in a futile attempt to save his dog-killing son.
Scotch in general tends to be about personal flavor choice, so find one that suits you. If you’re not familiar you should probably start with Glenlivet 12 and work your way up until you find something you really like.
Nolet’s Gin
Alright, so there is no specific gin brand shown in the John Wick series (so far anyway), but Gianna’s guardian assassin Cassian (played by Common), enjoys a gin drink with John after their fight brings them into the neutral ground of the Continental Rome.
As Cassian gives a new-world vibe over an old-world soul, I think he would drink Nolet’s Gin. Nolet’s isn’t as heavy on the juniper flavor as your common gins. It has more of a slightly sweet rose and botanical flavor. It tastes great with seltzer and a lemon, which is how Cassian takes his gin.
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