It’s that time of year again: that still-digesting turkey dinner gives way to indigestion for many whose thoughts turn to gift-giving season. I’m here to offer you some Black Friday digestifs, or something like that, to help you at least check the boxes for the cocktail aficionados on your list. Here are a couple of things that I’ve enjoyed having over the last year:
Clear ice cube system by Tovolo. There are many ways to get clear ice, some more practical than others. I’ve heard, for example, that you can fill a cooler with water, stick it in your freezer, and then the next day take it out and cut off the cloudy portion of the ice and then carve clear ice cubes, spheres, or other shapes from the remaining block of clear ice. But for those of us who don’t have ice saws, or enough space in our freezers for a cooler, or even a cooler for that matter, there’s an easier way: a clear ice tray. They look a little funky, and a little bulky (though much smaller than a cooler), but they work:
There are a variety of configurations available. I use the four-cube system, which is about $27 on Amazon.
Mixing glass. Perhaps you’re shopping for someone who has just gotten started in making cocktails. Or maybe you’re looking for something for your spouse, who shakes your martinis when you prefer them stirred. In either case, a mixing glass is a perfect gift. It’s one of those cocktail staples that will enjoy years of use. Amazon is awash in options; here is one for under $15.
Activated charcoal powder. Heralded as an anti-toxifying agent with a broad range of applications, activated charcoal powder has come to the cocktail scene mainly as a means for turning drinks jet black (or, when used in very small doses, a shade of grey). Entire pages are dedicated to such recipes; I had a bit of fun with activated charcoal last month myself making a Halloween-themed drink, the Into The Dark. I used Viva Doria’s activated charcoal powder, available for about $7 in a 1.2 container (which will go a long way) on Amazon.
Motorized citrus press. If you’re shopping for someone who makes lots of cocktails, or who likes freshly squeezed citrus, or both – and are willing to spend a bit – consider the life-altering 800CPXL motorized citrus press from Breville. Last year I found that squeezing the lemons, limes, grapefruit and blood oranges for cocktails was just taking too much time for the quantity of drinks I wanted to make. I was reluctant at first to invest in a citrus press, but I knew from the first time I used it that it was worth the investment for me. It’s your own personal assembly line for making freshly squeezed citrus; and most of the parts can be cleaned in the dishwasher. About $160 on Amazon.
Cocktail books. There are so many great cocktail books out there these days. I’m currently reading the Drunken Botanist, which recounts the history and uses of the plants used both to make the liquors that are the building blocks of cocktails and the garnishes that make them look, smell and taste great. Not coincidentally, I’m also working on restarting that herb garden to take my cocktail garnish game up a notch. I recommend this one for the cocktail-making gardeners in your life. The Aviary Cocktail Book and the Cocktail Codex are recent publications that are on my wish list.
That’s my list for this year. Need more inspiration? Check out last year’s list for culinary torches, Prohibition-era whiskey prescriptions, and other ideas. Happy holidays!
. And I have no regrets. The joy of playing with fire speaks for itself, and it has practical applications, too. Use the torch to add a burnt finish to your citrus garnish (see my recipe for the 
) to smoke your glasses (see 