Recipe Mutiny steals recipes from food blogs and recipe sites. Then we publish them. With credit (Naturally).
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Chowhound Gift Guide 2018: Kitchen Essentials That Will Make You Feel Like a Professional Chef
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Between endless excuses to indulge in the very best food has to offer, and the chance to step up your kitchen game courtesy of friends and family who are eager to find you the perfect gift, the holidays are one season we wish would never end. If you’re anything like us, your kitchen wishlist is probably miles long—that’s why we rounded up the most essential kitchen gadgets, appliances, and culinary odds and ends that some of your favorite chef idols always keep on hand.
A Thermometer
Thermapen Mk4 Professional Thermocouple Cooking Thermometer, $91 on at ThermoWorks
Thermapen
Overcooked or undercooked meat is not very chef-like. That’s why a quality thermometer is essential to ensure your steak, chicken, or turkey is heated to the ideal temp. “I love the Thermapen Mk4 thermometer,” says Alex Guarnaschelli, Food Network star and executive chef of Butter in New York City. “It might not be the cheapest but it’s reliable, folds up, is waterproof, and most importantly, it displays temperature clearly.” Find it online at thermoworks.com or Amazon.See It
Fresh Herbs
AeroGarden Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit, $59.99 and up on Amazon
AeroGarden/Amazon
The pros always have fresh herbs on hand, and one way to avoid a last minute grocery run is to grow your own. The AeroGarden is one of the easiest home gardening systems on the market, harnessing the power of hydroponics and grow lights to produce fresh basil, mint, thyme, and more with minimal effort from you. Simply feed and refill the water when prompted and watch your garden grow! Choose from a variety of sizes and seed selections at aerogarden.com, Macy’s, Kohl’s, or Amazon.See It
An Air Fryer
GoWISE USA 5.8-Quart Electric Air Fryer, $79.99 on Amazon
GoWISE/Amazon
Gift-giving season is the perfect time to join the air fryer craze. These gadgets allow you to produce crunchy, crispy foods without dealing with the messy, stinky, unhealthy process of deep frying. Cat Cora, Food Network Iron Chef and host of ABC’s new show Family Food Fight, likes the Gourmia GAF575. “It’s the perfect gift for making anybody feel like a chef because it’s large enough for a family but compact enough to store easily. Plus, it’s simple to use,” she says.See It
Seasonal Dessert Gear
Cookie Cutters, Cake Pans, and Festive Sprinkles, $4.99 and up at NYCake
Chowhound
A professional chef is prepared for any special occasion, and one way is to keep themed items that are easily storable on hand. For holiday gear, cookie cutters and cake molds are a must. NY CAKE, the largest baking supply store in the world, has all your baking needs covered. Our favorites? Christmas tree cookie cutters, a snowflake-shaped silicone cake pan, and festive sprinkles.See It
“Bring the Sweet” Gold Pie Server, $6 at Edwards
Edwards
The holidays are also an excuse to pull out all the fancy stops. Fool your guests into thinking you spent hundreds with the Gold Pie Server from Edwards Desserts.See It
A Juicer
Hurom H-AA Slow Juicer in Rose Gold, $413.99 on Amazon
Amazon
You don’t need to be a health nut to own a juicer. These days, juicers can squeeze out everything from fruit and veggie juices to smoothies, ice cream, nut milks, and even hummus! Check out HUROM for a variety of styles, sizes, and colors (hello, matte black and rose gold!) that are sure to make your countertop pop.See It
A Wine Accessory
Üllo Wine Purifier, $79.99 on Amazon
Ullo/Amazon
Wine is essential, for both cooking and entertaining. Impress your guests with restaurant-quality vino by investing in a wine purifier, which aerates and purifies (aka removes sulfites that are responsible for that next morning wine headache) to create a smoother, tastier sip. The Üllo Wine Purifier is one of the best and is widely available at Amazon, CrateandBarrel.com, Bloomingdales.com, and more.See It
A Blender
Vitamix 5200 Professional-Grade 64-Ounce Blender, $399.95 on Amazon
Vitamix/Amazon
Whether you’re whipping up pesto, salad dressing, sauce, or a soup, you’ll need a blender to do so. Guy Vaknin, chef and founder of Beyond Sushi in New York City, opts for a Vitamix blender that’s 3-horsepower and up. “There’s no better tool that I have come across that will bind, combine, and force flavors and ingredients together to create a silky smooth texture for any of the dishes I create,” he says.See It
Braun Multiquick 9 ACTIVEBlade Technology Hand Blender, $130 on Amazon
Braun/Amazon
If you don’t have room for a full-size unit, an immersion blender is the way to go. One great option is the Braun MultiQuick MQ9037 Hand Blender—not only does it get the job done and come with extra attachments like a whisk and a masher, it’s Quiet Mark certified, which means it meets the company’s standards for noiseless or noise-cancelling products. Translation: If you get a hankering for homemade hummus at 3 a.m., blend away!See It
Quality Cookware
Macy’s
Give (or beg for) the gift of high-end cookware. Lagostina offers a variety of pots, pans, and any other cooking vessel you can imagine, made from materials likes stainless steel and copper (to really feel like a pro, we love the Lagostina Giada 4 Qt. Dutch Oven, a versatile product that’s part of a collaboration with chef and Food Network mainstay Giada De Laurentiis).See It
Looking to browse a bit more? Kohl’s and kohls.com offers cookware sets from Food Network, Calphalon, Rachael Ray, and more, and Target and target.com carry Ayesha Curry’s new line—all perfect for the namedroppers on your list!
Good Olive Oil
Premium Olive Oil, $21.95 and up at Domenica Fiore
Domeinca Fiore
Any foodie will appreciate the gift of quality olive oil that they won’t find at Costco. Try Domenica Fiore, which offers high-end extra virgin olive oil from Italy, or Greek olive-oil brand Gaea.See It
Coffee Gear
KRUPS Programmable Digital 12-Cup Coffee Maker, $51.91 on Amazon (originally $99.99)
KRUPS/Amazon
No professional kitchen is complete without coffee on-demand. For traditional drip machines, fancy espresso machines, or grinders, Krups is your one-stop-shop.See It
Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe by Breville, $99.96 at Sur La Table
Sur La Table
Too lazy to measure and pack your espresso shot? Pod machines like Nespresso (the OG that offers dozens of pod flavors) or Espressotoria were made for you.See It
Nice Knives
Culinario Series Knives, $39.95 and up at Princess House
Princess House
Professional chefs love their knives, so shove those dull blades in the back of a drawer and replace them with shiny, sharp ones that make chopping and slicing easier, safer, and more satisfying. For a splurge gift, shop the Culinario series at princesshouse.com—you can find singles and full sets made from German stainless steel.See It
For familiar brands like Calphalon, Farberware, and more, Target and Kohl’s are the way to go.
Multicookers, Slow Cookers, and Pressure Cookers
These days, there’s a “cooker” for everything.
Crock-Pot 6-Quart Cook & Carry Slow Cooker, $23.84 on Amazon (originally $44.40)
Crock-Pot/Amazon
Crock-Pot is the beloved brand-name slow cooker and now comes in a variety of models, including the Cook & Carry, which you can take on-the-go (tailgating essential!).See It
Aroma Houseware Professional 16-Cup Turbo Convection Multicooker, $140.34 on Amazon
Aroma Housewares
But you can also get multicookers from companies like AROMA—you can cook via turbo convection heat or induction heat, and its sleek design almost begs to be displayed on the countertop.See It
Ninja Foodi, $199.80 on Ninja Kitchen
Ninja
There’s also a new member of the Ninja family, the Ninja Foodi. It lets you pressure cook or air fry, making it the ultimate gadget.See It
Spices
Shutterstock
A professional kitchen isn’t complete without spices galore. Turn your loved ones’ kitchens (or your own!) into spice cabinet goals by stocking it with high quality spices you might not pick up on your regular grocery run. We love brands like Spice Island, Pereg, and Gustus Vitae for their unique variety and quality source ingredients (everything bagel spice or ground ancho chile, anyone?!).
Related Video: 5 Ways to Take Better Care of Your Knives, According to Chefs
All featured products are curated independently by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may receive a commission. For more great hand-picked products, check out the Chowhound Shop.
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Holiday Glassware Guide: The Essential Wine Glasses for Holiday Entertaining
When it comes to wine, the vessel matters. Consider your glassware when planning your Thanksgiving and winter holiday meals. If you have a set of Riedel stemware for each varietal—bravo. If not, stock up on a few essential glasses, focusing on red, white, bubbly, and possibly dessert wines too. The more casual oenophile can invest in some good all-purpose wine glasses, but make sure you have a dozen of them. Tell your guests to bring their favorite bottles of wine, provide a couple of your own favorites, pop that cork, pour, and salud! It’s the holidays. Let the wine and conversation flow freely.
Blogger Julie Blanner notes that wine tastes better in glass than plastic, and it stays the proper temperature longer if held from a stem. The color of the wine can be more thoroughly enjoyed from clear crystal as opposed to colored wine glasses or cut crystal. But don’t despair if you can’t afford all these glasses or lack the space to store them.
“You don’t have to have everything under the sun to entertain,” Blanner says. “Who has the space? Use a dry erase marker on the base of wine glasses to differentiate. It stays on for the duration of the party and washes off at the end of the night.”
There are all sorts of tricks and shortcuts. So while we call our curated picks essential, it’s all good if you can’t keep up. The shabby chic aesthetic is alive and kicking.
“Don’t worry about not having enough matching glasses,” say the holiday entertaining experts from How to Decorate. “In fact, we say serving a variety of glasses or even a mix of vintage and new glasses makes a house party feel cozy and less formal.”
If you favor wine over beer or cocktails and you tend to entertain your guests the same way, chances are you’ll need a full range of wine glasses in your cabinets, according to Houzz, a home design, decorating, and professionals resource. “While the casual wine enthusiast can get by with just a standard set of red wine glasses plus a few champagne flutes, those who are more serious about vintage, tannins, and aromas will want to invest in a more expansive set,” Houzz says.
With dozens of wine glass varieties available, what are the best wine glasses?
In general, experts recommend clear, crystal glasses with large bowls and thin rims. They should hold 10 to 18 ounces of wine, taper ever-so slightly at the top, and be easy to balance when you hold them in your hand, Houzz says. Of course, this isn’t to say that plastic wine glasses won’t do. If you’re outside on the patio, plastic is the perfect durable choice for enjoying your bubbly beverage.
TOSSWARE Recyclable 6-Ounce Stemmed Flutes, 12 for $15.99 on Amazon
These crystal-clear plastic flutes are shatterproof, BPA-free, 100 percent recyclable, and good-looking, with multiple other glass styles available.
And more specifically, let’s use Houzz’s method to categorize the four main glass types:
• Red: These glasses generally have wider openings and larger bowls.
• White: Slightly shorter than glasses for red wines, with a narrower opening and bowl.
• Champagne: Also called flutes and suitable for all sparkling wines, these glasses are tall with a thin opening and bowl, which is sometimes tulip-shaped. The height allows aromas and bubbles to be trapped near the rim so you can enjoy them while you sip.
• Dessert: Smaller and shorter than others because most dessert wines are typically served in small quantities. Their bowls are usually tulip-shaped with a narrow opening.
For casual entertaining, you’ll want four to six glasses for red wine, plus four to six glasses for white wine—or 8 to 12 all-purpose wineglasses. You’ll also want four to six Champagne flutes or tulips. For more formal entertaining, you’ll want more of everything, plus more specialized options.
Look over a few of our favorite glasses and consider stocking up before you host your next gathering.
Riedel Veritas Cabernet Wine Glasses, 2 for $59.95 at Macy’s (originally $71)
Macy’s
By all means, you can use these glasses for all your red wines, not just cabernets. Made in Germany from high-quality, lead-free crystal, Riedel glasses are somehow also dishwasher safe. The custom-machining process pairs the charm of a handmade glass with precision of machine-blowing. This two-glass set is on sale through December 23.See It
Cristal D’Arques Lady Diamond Glass Goblets, 6 for $54.99 at Target
Target
These glasses are so pretty, it doesn’t matter if you drink red, white, or even pink wine from them. A Parisian brand, Cristal d’Arques has devoted over 40 years to marrying technology with creativity to inspire its exquisite and contemporary collections. Made of Diamax material, the glasses offer purity, transparency, and shatter resistance with a shine that will endure daily machine washes. They’re lead-free too. The set includes six glasses.See It
Schott Zwiesel Air Soft-Bodied Red Wine Glasses, $18 – $108 at Sur La Table
Sur la Table
Enjoy Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Burgundy, Chianti, and other soft-bodied red wines with these elegant wine glasses. The tall, large bowl gives the wine room to breathe, while the shape of the glass channels each sip to the back of the palate for maximum flavor. Created by Swedish design duo Bernadotte and Kylberg, the light yet durable Air series is exclusively sold at Sur La Table, by the single piece or in sets of six.See It
Luminarc Alto Wine Glasses, 12 for $19.99 at Target
Target
If you’re having a large dinner or party, you would do well with a few orders of this this super-affordable set of a dozen glasses, with a classic balloon cut.See It
Zwiesel 1872 Glace White Wine Glasses, 2 for $120 at Sur La Table
Sur La Table
Considered one of Sur la Table’s finest crystal glassware lines, the Glace collection is a throwback to the classic bar culture, developed with legendary bartender Charles Schumann as a symbiosis of aesthetics and enjoyment. Each glass features fine, delicate lines and a geometric style that refracts the light of your drinks with eye-catching grandeur. By replacing the lead in traditional crystal with titanium and zirconium, Schott Zwiesel created strong, clear, brilliant glasses with clarity that resists chipping, scratching, and breakage.See It
Waterford Lismore Diamond White Wine Glass, $70 at Macy’s
Macy’s
If there was ever a time to go all out, it’s when you’re entertaining for the holidays. This is the time to use the fancy china and crystal that you save for special occasions. Waterford crystal needs no introduction. Look at these beauties. Your dinner’s class level gets advanced to penthouse status when you’re drinking your wine from these gorgeous glasses.See It
Peugeot Esprit Champagne Glasses, 4 for $59.47 on Amazon
Sur la Table
Perfect for sipping Champagne, Prosecco, and other sparkling wines, these glasses have an angular silhouette that tightens around the globe. The design provides aeration for excellent bubble circulation and showcases Champagne’s unique aroma. The set includes four glasses.See It
GoVino Shatterproof Wine Glasses, 12 for $31.08 on Amazon
Amazon
For your potentially more raucous holiday parties, you might face some breakage if you don’t provide something like GoVino’s flexible, shatterproof, reusable, recyclable glasses. They’ve got an ergonomic thumb notch and they feel similarly to crystal. Use the 16-ounce tumblers for white or red wines. The set includes 12 glasses.See It
Godinger Dublin Cordial Glasses, 6 for $16.37 on Amazon
Amazon
For your cordials, ports, and liqueurs, these affordable Dublin leaded crystal glasses are ideal. The striking starburst design all around the middle adds a perfect kiss of elegance. The elongated shape is accentuated by a finely detailed, thin stem, but the glasses feel thick and sturdy. The set includes six 4-ounce glasses.See It
Vera Wang Wedgewood Duchesse Collection, $45 – $110 at Macy’s
Macy’s
Like Waterford, this is also what we consider pretty high-end in the wine glassware world. In a collaboration worthy of Wallis and Edward, renowned bridal designer Vera Wang and Wedgwood have created Duchesse stemware. The line features tapering round bowls and a blazing starburst cut over a flared pedestal. Choose the goblets, wine glasses, toasting flutes, flutes, and iced beverage glasses. They’re made of crystal and are dishwasher safe.See It
Related Video: Wine Decanters Explained
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Chowhound Gift Guide 2018: The Domestic Dad’s Holiday Shopping Guide
I always like to give my Secret Santa some inspiration so as to not leave a potentially clueless gift-giver up to their own devices. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, it’s the thought that counts. But some folks are so inept (read: thoughtless) when it comes to gifts that I’d rather just make a list. That way, no one is hassled, disappointed, or stressed. As an adult who really likes to eat, I’ve noticed that many of my ideas now involve bolstering my kitchen. So, whether you’re looking for things you want jolly old St. Nick to bring you, or for ideas to get the food-and-drink-lover in your life, here are 11 items from Amazon you should definitely consider:
Amazon
I have a 16-month old son who is a ball of pure activity. I need caffeine. I prefer cold beverages, and I don’t like anything too acidic. Thank you, coffee innovators, for giving me cold brew—a tasty, strong, low-acidic, cold coffee. My preference leans toward this OXO model. I get about 20 ounces of concentrate, good for ten 8-10 ounce beverages per brew. If your coffee-drinker likes his or her drink hot, no problem. Because you’re dealing with concentrate, you add water, milk and/or ice to make your drink, so just add hot water for a hot cup o’ joe. Oh, and one more thing: You can cold brew tea too!See It
Amazon
See above for why this wonderful elixir is worth your while. Unfortunately, it’s still tough to find cold brew coffee grounds at the store. You really want to get grounds made for cold brew to ensure the best taste and texture. Why? Grinding your own at the store or even at Starbuck’s might yield grounds not suitable or coarse enough, and leave you with too much sediment in your cup (pass). Try this stuff from Tiny Footprint and feel good about the taste, the price, and the environment! See It
Amazon
Another coffee-related item, this great device will turn the recipient into a full-blown barista (Not really, but let’s be real: a lot of folks go with a latte when hittin’ up the Starbies, so this is a good bet). I like this one from aerolatte. Just heat up your milk in the microwave, dip this baby in, fire it up for 30 seconds, and you have a froth fit for your mother-in-law’s skim latte. See It
Amazon
While cold brew and sun tea are great, they take a long time to make. When you find yourself in a thirst-induced jam leaving you in dire need of a tasty, zero calorie, non-carbonated refreshment, a “long time” will not do. That’s when an instant iced tea maker, like this one from Mr. Coffee (don’t let the name fool you), will take you from parched to pleased in no time at all.See It
Amazon
I’m not a trendster, I promise. I’m just a guy who likes good food, easy prep, and simple clean up. That’s why the cast iron is great. I use this Lodge 12-incher. From fish, to beef, to pork, to chicken, to sausage, to vegetables (okay, we get it), the cast iron cooks it. Light up the stove. The cast iron can cook there. Pre-heat the oven. The cast iron can cook there. Start the grill. The cast iron can cook there. Build a campfire (OKAY, WE GET IT!). The cast iron can cook there. Cast iron skillets last forever, give your food a nice sear, and wipe down easily (as long as it’s seasoned) once you’re done cooking. Oh, and they’re cheap! See It
Amazon
To cook meat well, I rely on tongs. Not a spatula. Not a fork (bush league). Tongs. Tongs provide precision and maneuverability. A quality kitchen needs them. If you have one pair, you could use another. I have three, and they’re all in frequent use. Try these OXO cooking tongs for your stainless steel or cast iron cookware. They also have plastic tipped models for your non-stick pans. I like these because they are sturdy, and they have a locking mechanism.See It
Amazon
Look, I know what you’re thinking: Who wants tupperware?! Hear me out. Tupperware can be an efficient cook’s best friend. It’s obviously great for storage. This is key when you make enough for leftovers. Make a box of pasta, five cups of rice, or chili and you need some quality tupperware to keep it fresh for as long as possible. This set from OXO gets the job done, and then some. Plus, you can use some of this stuff for bowls or dishes when you forget to run the dishwasher (again?!).See It
Automatic Salt-and-Pepper Mills
Amazon
Fresh-cracked pepper and sea salt are just better. The taste is fresher and more robust. Get a set of automatic mills, like these from Cuisinart, and you’ll be livin’ large and in charge. As a cook, I enjoy being able to wield these mills with one hand while I flip and turn with the other. Plus, guests love the novelty of using an at-home seasoning power tool! Most impressive.See It
Amazon
Anyone who has ever cooked knows that knives are important. The problem with knives is that they dull. Dull knives are brutally frustrating to work with, can leave your food lacking, and your fingers injured (hopefully not!). This is why it’s important to keep your knives honed and sharpened. I recommend this one from Chef’s Choice because it can sharpen and hone (a key distinction) European, Asian, and serrated blades at a reasonable price. See It
Amazon
Huh? What’s that? A butter bell is how the French (allegedly) use and store butter. In order to spread butter on bread, or appropriately get some on your knife, you need it to be soft. Soft butter, left out, turns a less-than-appealing yellow and goes bad. Soft butter stored in the refrigerator, while fresh, firms up again. How can anyone cook or eat under these conditions?! I couldn’t, so after seeing my uncle with a butter bell, I ordered one myself and never looked back. Here’s how it works: You load the bell with soft butter, fill the cup a third of the way with cold water, then invert the bell into the cup. The water creates a seal leaving the butter soft and fresh for up to the 30 days. All you have to do is change out the water every few days (now that you remind me…). This one by Butter Bell is clutch. After all, butter makes everything better!See It
Amazon
Let’s be real: Just because I cook doesn’t mean I make everything from scratch. That’s true of BBQ sauces and rubs. My wife and I love BBQ. It’s probably her favorite meal, so, naturally, I make it a lot. I’ve found two things to be true: 1) A rub is crucial; and 2) The sauce is personal. For my (call me basic, I don’t care) taste, I go with Famous Dave’s Rib Rub. Put it on anything, especially pork, before you cook it, and your name should be Bon Jovi ‘cause you’re halfway there (to good BBQ). Then, have Grandma Foster’s BBQ sauce on hand to slather on your ribs or chops and you’ll have some restaurant quality grub sure to impress.See It
Hopefully, I’ve given you some solid ammo for your own list or your holiday shopping responsibilities. I enjoy everything on this list, and think you (or your recipient) will too. Now go forth, visit Amazon, and get some shopping done.
Related Video: DIY Holiday Gifts – Insta-Infusions
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Sustainable Cocktails Are a Thing and We’re So Here For It
You buy your trout from a local fishery, make stock out of chicken bones, eat fruits only in season, and carry your own metal straw when you head out for bubble tea. But when Friday rolls around and you’re ready for something with a little more kick than the biodynamic wine in your fridge, is your cocktail planet-friendly too?
It should be, according to Carley Gaskin, bartender, and owner of Chicago-based Hospitality 201, a craft cocktail catering company. Gaskin is one of several bartenders across the country coming up with new ways to make mixology sustainable. “We’re really focusing on practices behind the bar to be more mindful of how much we’re wasting,” says Gaskin. “We want to reuse ingredients and throw less away because if you think about how much each bar tosses after juicing and prepping for every service, it really adds up.”
18th Room (NYC)
The thrust of the sustainable cocktail movement isn’t just about getting rid of plastic straws (which has been an issue of late for the coffee and tea industry too, especially since California enacted a statewide ban), but has more to do with reducing as much waste as possible from the cocktail-making process. Gaskin says this means being more mindful of over prepping, i.e. making too much of a big batch beverage or slicing up too many lemons and limes that will ultimately have to be dumped at the end of the night. Reusing ingredients that would normally end up in the trash (like using citrus peels after juicing to turn into a simple syrup) must also be a priority, as is using greens and fruits as garnish sparingly.
4 Stainless Steel Bent Drink Straws, $7.95 on Amazon
Get with the sustainable program with these sleek metal cocktail straws!
However, while sustainability and eliminating food waste is certainly on trend in the food world, even Gaskin admits that distinctive flavor profiles can’t be sacrificed in the process. In other words, if the cocktails suck, nobody will be drinking.
And yet the challenge of making, say, an undeniably delicious and sustainable tequila-based drink is an enticing one that forces a bartender to get creative. “There is an unlimited number of incredible combinations of flavors and ingredients, many of which can be sourced from ingredient components that are normally tossed into the trash,” says Joseph Boroski, bar director at Manhattan’s The 18th Room. “Think orgeat made from avocado pits or stale popcorn, sangria or condensed wine syrup made from day-old by-the-glass bottles, or candied, caramelized, or dehydrated fruit and vegetable peels.”
Sustainable cocktails at 18th Room (NYC)
For Bombay Sapphire’s 2018 Most Imaginative Bartender competition, Gaskin created a zero-waste cocktail called the Geb’s Reviver to win the event. “A few of my favorite flavor combinations have come from mixing contrasting flavors such as tropical and grassy,” she says. “I use leftover pineapple pulp and lemon peels to create a bright and citrus-forward syrup that I pair with a matcha tea.”
And yet, while anti-waste strategies are gaining traction among bartenders around the world, to call a cocktail truly sustainable can be a difficult, if not a seemingly impossible, endeavor when trying to parse what the word actually means in the beverage industry.
Repurpose’s line of 100% compostable straws
“Defining truly sustainable cocktails is tricky because there is a lot to dissect in even the simplest drink,” says Luke McKinley, creative director at Novo Fogo Organic Cachaça, a Brazilian organically-certified manufacturer of cachaças. “Consider a Caipirinha, for example. If you choose an organic, sustainably-produced cachaça as the base spirit, then 2 ounces of the drink can be confidently described as sustainable. But what about the lime—is it organic? Did it come from a farm that employs fair labor practices? What about the sugar? What is the carbon footprint of the ice machine that made the cubes? And don’t even think about putting a plastic straw in it.”
Still, regardless of whether or not your Manhattan ticks off every box, bartenders wasting less and getting inventive with scraps that really shouldn’t just be tossed in the bin seems like a natural evolution for mixology. Trash Tiki, an online anti-waste platform and pop-up started by bartenders Kelsey Ramage and Iain Griffiths, seem to sum up how bars will most likely be changing their menus and practices best. “It’s not about overhauling your whole program, but taking the smaller steps.”
Related Video: How to Make 5 LaCroix Cocktails
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7 Homemade Hot Cocoa Mixes to Give as Gifts
With homemade hot cocoa mix and a simply decorated jar, you’re all set with an easy and delicious gift for friends and family! And, if you’re tempted to skip the jar-decorating and skip the giving (and, let’s be honest, your goal is to just make and drink as much liquid chocolate as you can), then you should check out our How To Make Hot Chocolate From Scratch article—it has delectable recipes better-suited for enjoying at home than for gift-giving.
For giftable cocoa mixes, you’ll want to have a few items on hand:
- Mason jars or tins. These are the gift containers. They can be fancy or plain, and you can dress them up with some ribbon or a gift tag, if you’d like.
- Food processor or blender. For some of the recipes, machine-chopping up something like a bar of chocolate is required and, for others, you may find it nice to give the end product a few pulses in a food processor to make the mix smooth and uniform.
- Cornstarch. Only one of the below recipes calls for cornstarch, but adding a teaspoon or two will help prevent clumping in your mix.
- Mini marshmallows. Add these to any of your jarred mixes if, like us, you believe that a mug of hot cocoa isn’t complete without foamy, melting marshmallows.
Make any of these below recipes, put ‘em in a jar, and you’re ready to give friends and family the gift of cozy, chocolatey sipping.
Christmas Tartan Mug, $7.96 on Sur La Table
Always have the perfect mug on hand for a cup of hot cocoa!
Living a Sunshine Life
This recipe for The Best DIY Creamy Hot Chocolate Mix uses only powdered sugar, cocoa powder, dry milk, salt, and (optional) chocolate chips. If you include the chocolate chips, a food processor will help you chop them finely enough to dissolve quickly when hot milk or hot water is added to the mix. Get the recipe.
Shaken Together Life
With this recipe for French Vanilla Hot Cocoa Mix, French vanilla coffee creamer does all the heavy lifting to transform the flavor of your hot cocoa. This recipe also includes tips for using baker’s twine, bells, and gift tags to dress up a mason jar as a more festive gift vessel. Get the recipe.
A Mom’s Take
The simple addition of crushed candy canes converts regular hot cocoa mix into this Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix. Smash up the candy canes in a sealed plastic bag and layer with your mix, as the recipe directs, or blend up all the ingredients with your food processor for a smoother mix. Get the recipe.
A Southern Fairytale
For a spiced-but-not-too-spicy flavor, try this recipe for Mexican Hot Cocoa. Cinnamon and cayenne pepper make this mix extra-warming, and this is the recipe that explicitly directs you to use cornstarch (and a food processor) for a super smooth, easy-dissolving mix. The recipe also uses semi-sweet- and white-chocolate chips, as well as brown sugar. Get the recipe.
The Young Austinian
If your giftee might enjoy more spice and heat, you can put in a little extra effort with this recipe for Ancho Chile Hot Cocoa Mix. The recipe recommends infusing the sugar with ancho chile flavor by storing a dried, crushed pepper in a container with the sugar for a week, shaking occasionally. Afterward, you blend all the ingredients except the chile, and add the chile pepper back into the mix to slowly release any residual flavor. Get the recipe.
Cooking a la Mel
This recipe for Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix uses regular sugar and vanilla extract for the caramel-making portion, and coconut sugar (or brown sugar) for the final mixing of ingredients. The homemade caramel gets pulverized with the help of a food processor, and then processed once more with all the remaining ingredients. Get the recipe.
A Mother’s Shadow
While this recipe for Instant White Cocoa Mix still contains dark cocoa powder, it achieves its white chocolate color and flavor through the incorporation of white chocolate chips, pieces of a white chocolate bar, vanilla creamer, and white chocolate or vanilla pudding mix. Blend everything together, stick it in a jar, and hand to it a loved one! Get the recipe.
So easy, so tasty, so festive! Keep a few of these gift jars on hand and be prepared for those “Ooooooh, thank you so much for this gift! I…definitely…also…got you something…” moments.
For more tips, hacks, and recipes, check out our Ultimate Guide to Christmas and Holiday Entertaining Headquarters.
Related Video: 5-in-3 Hot Cocoa Mixes
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