MOOSE MILK'S HOLIDAY SHOPPING LIST: Part Two
Christine Sismondo brings you some gift ideas to make the celebrations really pop
Why do we have to give people presents?
We all know we all have too much stuff. And we’re all trying to be mindful of over-consumption. It can be hard, though, to convince everyone in the family that it’s a great idea to give up gifts altogether. Why? Because they do serve a purpose, namely, as entertainment on the day of.
Here, then, are several entertaining gifts, designed to provoke conversation, inspire social media posts, or liven up the scene with a group activity like champagne sabrage—for a full day of fun.
Breakfast Drinks
Here’s a paradox for you: Most bartenders will tell you it’s uncivilized to drink a Caesar at any time other than breakfast. Most of the grown-up people around you, however, will tell you it’s a really bad idea to adopt breakfast-drinking rituals.
Fortunately, there’s one time of year when people won’t frown on your day-drinking habits—the Christmas holidays. And, since you can only drink Caesars once a year, it’s important to make it count.
My choice? Walter Craft Caesar’s Holiday Caesar Mix ($8.95), the lobster stock edition, which you could gift to someone, along with a bottle of Spirit of York Aquavit, early in the day, so everyone can enjoy aquavit-lobster Caesars. I don’t know that I can taste the lobster, but the texture is spot-on perfect and it’s delicious, natural-tasting and complex, with just enough kick. Act fast though, since it’s already sold out online, but, I’m assured, is still in stock in stores across the country.
Afternoon lull
If you gift a bottle of Empress 1908 Gin ($49.95) and some tonics to someone at the exact right moment (while everyone’s waiting for the turkey) this colour-changing gin will liven the party right back up. Trust me, it works, largely because people love to watch and video this gin’s magical transformation from deep blue to a lovely hue of pink when the tonic is poured in.
Table Wine
Serve up both Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Chardonnay 2017 ($44.95) and Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir, (also $44.95) two brilliant wines whose releases last month were widely-celebrated in Ontario wine circles. Why? Acclaimed winemaker Thomas Bachelder is once again at the helm of this single vineyard project, which makes use of old vines from a very special piece of land in the Jordan Bench of Niagara. These are celebratory wines to go with a memorable meal, both pairing well with fowl. Alternatively, if you have an oenophile in the fam who likes to drink local, they’ll certainly appreciate being gifted the pair.
After Dinner
This year, Dr. Bill Lumsden released a truly novel expression, Glenmorangie Allta Private Edition No. 10 ($177.30), a whisky fermented with wild yeasts cultivated from a barley field near the distillery in Tain, Scotland. We hear a lot about wild yeasts used in wine, beer or cider, but very little in spirits production, since whisky makers pretty much always use proprietary yeasts because, other than wood, yeast is the most important tool distillers have to impart flavour. This one’s got a lot of that classic vanilla, biscuit, orange peel and sweet heat we associate with Glenmorangie, but this one also has a little bit of tropical fruit and ginger—absolutely delicious.
And, for something a little less intellectually challenging, Lagavulin has recently released an “Offerman Edition,” ($119.95), an 11-year old Islay whisky that announces its smoky presence in the room the moment you remove the cap. Given Offerman’s typical on-screen persona, it’s not as much of a peat bomb as you might expect and, instead, is a restrained blend of peat and honey. And let’s get real here, somebody you know wants this for Christmas.
The Show-Stopper
Anyone who knows how to sabre a champagne bottle understands you don’t really need a special tool—a sturdy utility knife will do the job just fine. But, if you really want to splash out, we did spot a fancy stainless steel Champagne Sabre at Toronto’s Cocktail Emporium for a mere $140. Gift it to someone with a bottle of Ruinart Brut Champagne ($88.95) and cap off the night with a little excitement.