Martinis are known for their skewered olive garnish. These tiny skewers are aptly named martini picks. They are a must-have for anyone who enjoys happy hour at home.
A cocktail pick can be used to hold a variety of garnishes, such as cherries in a Manhattan or bacon in a Bloody Mary, though today, we’ll be focusing on their most popular use with martini olives.
Let’s go over the best 29 olive picks for martinis and how to choose which brand you want to stock in your home bar!
Best Martini Olive Picks
Bar Above Short Cocktail Picks
A Bar Above has an excellent reputation for home barware products at an excellent price. Their martini picks have ends that mildly resemble fishing bobbers, though they will work for both a nautical feel or a modern theme.
The A Bar Above stainless steel martini picks is our overall winner with four colors and two sizes. The 4-inch is great for a smaller drink though the 8-inch is more versatile for a bloody mary or tall cocktail. Shop for a combo set of both sizes!
Stainless Steel Martini Picks
Stainless steel martini picks are a crowd favorite since they are rust-resistant, dishwasher-safe, durable, and easy on a budget. They may not be as intricate as some other styles, but stainless steel cocktail picks will match all of your glasses and last you a lifetime.
Glass Olive Picks
A glass olive pick with martini olives on the ends is whimsical and provides an elevated look that will always impress your guests.
The downside of these glass picks is that they are susceptible to chipping. Dropping them into your martini or rocks glasses too hard can chip the tip. Just store them safely and use a gentle hand to prevent that.
Vintage Martini Picks
Pair a vintage martini pick with vintage glass or rocks glass for a style that is timeless. The intricate details of vintage martini picks are what make them so special. These are best suited for those celebratory occasions where you would want to throw some unique flair into the mix. Ensure that you hand-wash these to preserve their integrity.
Disposable Martini Picks
For large gatherings, disposable cocktail picks are the way to go. They can be used for drinks and then simply tossed. You don’t have to worry about guests who lose them or the work of cleaning them.
One note with disposable products is that you want to ensure the material is food safe like these disposable cocktail picks we have curated here.
Light Up Cocktail Picks
Light-up cocktail picks are far from classic but are a fun touch that anyone you serve will be talking about all night long. They will take even the most standard cocktails and bring them to be exciting and dynamic.
Christmas Martini Picks
Christmas isn’t complete without a tasty cocktail and a festive cocktail pick with your favorite garnish to accompany it. This set of Christmas martini picks adds holiday cheer to your drink or even appetizers.
Bamboo Olive Picks
Bamboo cocktail picks are eco-friendly and perfect for large gatherings. They come in a few sizes, making them a practical choice, no matter the cocktail or food menu. Of course, you also get to toss them at the end of the evening without guilt because they are biodegradable.
Sterling Silver Martini Picks
Unlike stainless steel, sterling silver does require extra care, though it makes for stunning martini olive picks. Most sterling silver martini picks are also hand-forged, which makes for a high-quality product. Expect the price of sterling silver martini olive picks to be one of the most expensive.
Plastic Martini Picks
One of the best things about plastic martini picks is that they come in a wide array of colors. You could rinse them off and reuse them once or twice if you would like, too though they are often meant to be disposable.
Sword Martini Picks
Sword martini picks are a fan-favorite style. Who doesn’t want to eat their martini olives off of a sword?! You have stainless steel and plastic options in the sword category, though their size makes them impractical for appetizers or a tall bloody mary.
Martini Picks Buying Guide
There is a lot of variety when it comes to martini picks. To help you narrow down your choices, here are the main factors to consider before purchasing.
Length
There are two main ways to place a martini pick or cocktail pick- horizontally across the rim or vertically in the glass.
Every glass is different in width and depth, so identify the length you need based on the glasses you plan to use them in and the way you intend to place the pick.
Reusable vs. Disposable
There are benefits and disadvantages to both reusable and disposable martini picks.
Reusable ones offer durability, a more beautiful design, and a wider variety of options, though rinsing them every time and figuring out how to best store them can be a pain.
Disposable ones are easy to just toss after use and great for large groups of people, but not all of them will hold up to the test of tough garnishes.
Material Its Made From
Each material has unique attributes and is definitely something to consider. Stainless steel is strong, rust-resistant, modern, and versatile, while bamboo is biodegradable and affordable. Plastic is budget-friendly and can be colorful. Shop depending on your preferences and how you’ll use them.
Size of Picks Set
Are you making drinks for large crowds more often than not, or will you only use a pick for martini olives in one cocktail at a time? Your lifestyle will determine how many martinis picks you should have on hand.
A set of four picks may be plenty for someone who just wants to make a drink for themselves, while a larger set is needed for someone who is always hosting gatherings.
Price
As a consumer, the price always matters. Disposable and plastic cocktail picks tend to be a less expensive option for large quantities, though a reusable cocktail and martini pick will save you money in the long run. Don’t forget to account for shipping costs which are usually calculated based on the delivery zip code at checkout.