Bottles, gadgets and glassware for a spirited holiday season
Credit to Author: Mary Beth Roberts| Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2019 14:12:22 +0000
If you have cocktail or spirits aficionados on your holiday gift list, you are in luck—there is truly an endless list of things they’re craving for their bar carts. Here are just a few spirited gifts to tuck under the tree.
Vista Alegre Atlas whisky decanter
No one is going to complain if you present them with a few tiki mugs or Nick and Noras (these vintage-style glasses, halfway between coupe and martini glass, are available at Crate & Barrel for only $10.95 a stem), but what they really want is decanters. Decanters are both beautiful and functional, ideal for storing spirits and for pouring pre-batched cocktails. Any decanter will do, really, from thrift store finds to the ubiquitous $30 Riedel Merlot pourer, but for a really swellegant statement there’s the Vista Alegre Atlas whisky decanter, with its square-cut crystal overlaid with the map of the world in gold ($283 at Atkinson’s).
Cocktailians always need new tools and gadgets, from basic shakers and jiggers to high-tech sous vide machines, Vitamixes and dehydrators. For practical supplies like Boston shakers, bitter bottles and Japanese-style bar spoons, hit Modern Bartender. For your kitchen appliance needs, Cook Culture has you covered. And for gadgets that are perhaps just a tiny bit more stylish than they are purely functional, you could opt for a crystal Yarai shaker ($125 at Atkinson’s of Vancouver), the Dublin Martini pitcher ($75 at The Cross) or the Crafthouse smoking cloche ($263 at Pottery Barn).
Canadian Spirits: The Essential Cross-country Guide to Distilleries, Their Spirits and Where to Imbibe Them by Stephen Beaumont and Christine Sismondo (Nimbus Publishing, $29.95)
A new cocktail book is always a handy thing to have, and this season sees a few essential tomes to add to the library, including: Canadian Spirits: The Essential Cross-country Guide to Distilleries, Their Spirits and Where to Imbibe Them by Stephen Beaumont and Christine Sismondo (Nimbus Publishing, $29.95); Great Northern Cocktails by Shawn Soole (Mixellany, $33); and, for the well-heeled modern mixologist, The Aviary Cocktail Book, by Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas, owners of the world-famous restaurant Alinea (US$135 for the reserve edition; order at theaviarybook.com).
Of course, the best gift of all is a bottle of something delicious. Here are three tipples that will tempt the brown-spirits lovers on your list.
The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old
Classic Macallan, but with a touch of sweetness from American oak. Smooth and satiny, with notes of creamy butterscotch, candied orange, raisins, baking spices and a honeyed finish. $87
Those who prefer a bolder, smokier style of whisky will love the complexity of this 19-year-old Islay single malt. Think bonfires and charred pineapple, chilies, dark chocolate, smoked paprika and a long, smouldering finish. $335
This limited-edition Hennessy artist series Cognac features the Op-Art-influenced design of Argentinian-Spanish artist Felipe Pantone. Inside, the spirit bursts with aromas of fresh fruit and pecans and flavours of toasted almonds, apples and grapes. $67
This warming winter cocktail created by Pourhouse bar manager Adam Domet combines two holiday classics: spiced apple cider fortified with homemade “rum butter.”
Make the spiced cider: In a saucepan on low heat, toast cardamom, clove, star anise and allspice until warm and fragrant, but not burnt (about 3 minutes). Add cider, bring to a light simmer, then remove from heat and steep for 30 minutes. Strain out spices.
Make the rum butter: In a saucepan on low heat, melt butter and add the rum and apple liqueur. Stir until combined and remove from heat.
Combine spiced cider and rum butter in a pot over low heat. Serve in your favourite holiday mug, garnished with raisins, almond slices, cinnamon and dried apricots. Makes 4 to 6 servings.