for the cocktail aficionado: lone pine cocktail box
The Lone Pine Distillery offers cocktails in a box—two different warm cocktail recipes and everything you need to make them, including a 375 ml bottle of the limited-edition Lone Pine Christmas Gin. Order here: $60.
christmas morning necessities #1
We love Marsili, a lightly sparkling Pet Nat from Lipari, made from high altitude Pinot Noir and named after an active underwater volcano, a part of the Aeolian arc. It’s a lovely shade of morning sky and tastes of zesty citrus, herbs and savoury minerality. The ideal partner for opening gifts and eating smoked salmon and scrambled eggs in your new pajamas. Low production, find at better wine shops, like Color de Vino, under $40.
christmas morning necessities #2: strathcona spirits coffee and cream box
Need coffee Christmas morning? Open this first. Each box holds a 750ml bottle of delectable Strathcona Spirits Velvet Cream, a full bag of Grizzlar Coffee beans and a branded mug. Order here: $73.99.
the five bottle bar
Jessica Schacht, co-owner Ampersand Distilling Co., has distilled the art of the cocktail to five essential bottles—gin, whiskey, sweet and dry vermouth and Campari. Within that lies a world of creativity, tastes and flavours. The Five-Bottle Bar supplies a solid foundation in the essentials—tools, techniques, tips, glassware and garnishes—everything you need to know to set up your minimalist bar cart. Learn the classics and new contemporary drinks; there is even a chapter on zero-proof cocktails. It’s a wonderful gift for the bartender curious. Find at better books shops, $28 or buy here.
let someone else cook this year
The chefs at 5th St Food Hall offer delicious Christmas dinners—traditional turkey dinner from Meat Shack Barbecue, a tasty vegan Seiturken roast from Seitans, or something more unconventional? A non-traditional Thai chicken from HOM’s. The one thing for sure: yule be sorry if you miss out. Pre-order for pick-up December 22-24.
tomato top100: popowich meat company
Nominators found it hard to choose just one thing from Popowich’s in Wolf Willow Plaza—the impeccable cuts of beef, pork, lamb and chicken (and occasionally bison) and the ready-to-cook items like the stuffed pork loin, all the sausages, Maui ribs. And then there is the local condiments and goodies. It’s a one-stop shop for great food.
Mike and Treena Popowich
recipe of the week: chef serge belair’s mom’s tourtiere
Quebecois meat pie is a Christmas tradition and this recipe from Kitchen Party Gold Medallist Serge Belair is as classic as you can get. Serve warm or cold.
