While your dad may have smiled and thanked you for your tie, mug, or gift card on previous Father’s Days, let’s be honest: you should probably up your gift-giving game. This year, give Dad what he really wants: libation-related gifts that keep on giving. Some of these even offer the opportunity to swill together, because the best gift is time spent with you.

Gifts to Give

Is Dad sporting some whiskers? Help him protect them while he swills suds with the Whisker Dam. Use #Fatherhood to get a deal on the Whisker Dam plus a coaster and leather pouch.

If Dad loves sweets as well as booze, Parfections is the spot for sweet treats for Father’s Day. Brandied chocolate covered cherries (brandy infused cordial cherries) are an ideal option, as are flavored truffles like the Painkiller (named for the Caribbean-style cocktail), Grand Marnier, Tequila and Lime, Mojito and Mint, and Pineapple and Rum. They also offer nearly a dozen truffles infused with beer from Heavy Seas, Young’s, Stone Brewing Company, and Guinness.

Does Dad like to explore new booze? You’re in luck this year. If he’s a fan of whiskey, grab a bottle of either Sagamore or Old Line’s new whiskey, both brand new. If Dad’s not a whiskey fan, fear not. In the last few months, Baltimore Whiskey Company has created brand new bottles including their Shot Tower Gin, 1904 Apple Liqueur, and Charles Street Apple Brandy.

Blackwater Distilling produces a top quality vodka, Sloop Betty, with a label Dad will surely enjoy as much as the liquor itself. This distiller’s newest option, Picaroon Maryland Rum, will likely also make your father’s day. While not local, Rujero Singani is newly available locally, and is another boozy way to wow dad on his day.

Is Dad a drinker and a reader? Grab this book for him for Father’s Day to read while he’s sipping his favorite spirit: Forgotten Maryland Cocktails: A History of Drinking in the Free State.

Want to spend a little time with Dad and enjoy liquor? Gift Dad with a daytrip after Father’s Day. Drive just a couple hours to enjoy time together on the water followed by hooch and food. 

Bars and Restaurants to Visit with Dad

Alexander’s Tavern
Stop in to Alexander’s on Father’s Day and Dad gets both a free Natty Boy and a free scratch-off ticket. (710 S Broadway; 410-522-0000)

La Cuchara
If Dad is into the food scene in Baltimore, there’s no doubt he’ll be excited to be one of the first to visit La Cuchara’s brunch which launches on Father’s Day. The Woodberry-based spot is featuring twists on brunch classics, seasonal mimosas, and Bloody Marys from 11 am - 2:30 pm. (3600 Clipper Mill Rd.; 443-708-3838)

Rusty Scupper
If Dad is into Sunday-Funday, this reliable seafood spot should be the destination on Father’s Day. June 19th is the opening of Rusty Scupper’s new Sunday Funday on their topside deck with food and drink specials as well as live music from the Jimmy Buffett cover band Jerry Wade Music. The Sunday Funday menu, from 4 - 8 pm, will include Delaware oysters, jumbo Gulf shrimp cocktail, authentic Maryland lump crab cake sandwiches, and black angus burgers alongside their signature Scupper Sunset cocktail with coconut rum, triple sec, orange and pineapple juices, sprite, grenadine as well as martinis and wines by the glass. (402 Key Hwy.; 410-727-3678)

Photo via Flickr user Nico Kaiser