Want Some Violet In Your Next Cocktail?

Cocktails with Violet flavored and/or scented liqueurs are making a comeback. I read about it in Martha Stewart Living magazine and you can also read about it in this article from Imbibe Magazine or this one from Gourmet. If you or your boss wants to give a unique gift to someone who drinks -- Creme Yvette or Creme De Violette would be an interesting choice that they probably don't have or maybe haven't ever seen. If you want to add a bit to it as a gift you could pair it with pretty glasses and/or a few recipes. The trend is hitting big, so buy it before you can't get it.

For The Bacon Lover Who Has Everything

I've written often about the craze of bacon related gifts. I thought I'd heard of everything, but then this week I found out about two more crazy bacon items: Bacon Vodka and BLT candles. I won't be rushing to buy these items, but maybe you know someone who would love them.

Gifts For The Dad Who Has Everything Part Deux

Here's a couple more Father's Day Gift Ideas:

I like these Inside Out Martini Glasses. I've never seen anything like them before. You could pair them with a more unusual Gin, like this one.

If your dad is a foodie, how about this fancy Mac & Cheese of the Month Club.

If you want more ideas, New York Magazine put together a good list. You can also look at my original post, in case you missed it last week.

Blogged, Not Stirred

I read recently read about this cool book on mixing drinks (written by well known restaurateur Danny Meyer). If you took that book and added a few more pieces, it would be a great gift for anyone who likes entertaining and making cocktails. If I was going to put this together as a gift, this is what I would add with the book:

This really unique martini glass from Crate & Barrel gives a fun unexpected twist to what could be a boring gift. I love it.

If you wanted to add in some alcohol to get the person started, this artinsanal vodka from Crop Vodka puts a new spin on a product that people have seen a million times.

I also really like this Shaker Set. It's a bit more modern, but still classic enough to work for someone more traditional.

This gift could be great for Father's Day (if your day likes to mix drinks), for a housewarming party or an anniversary party.

Drink It Up

If you or your boss wants to send an alcoholic beverage to a client or friend, I have a couple of local places (and one in NYC) to suggest and a few ideas for what to buy. Be forewarned, in this town MAKE sure you figure out if the person drinks or is sober before you send, as I have seen that particular mistake happen before and it's never pretty.

Top 5 Places to Buy

1) Wally's Wine - They deliver, have a great selection and are incredibly helpful.

2) Du Vin - My friend Ainsley loves this place. They also deliver and have a helpful staff. She often speaks to Rob.

3) Vendome in Studio City - If you are working in the valley this is a great option, but I'm not sure if they deliver. They have a surprisingly extensive collection and a great staff.

4) Sherry Lehmann in NYC If you're in NYC, this is the one place I always use.

5) BevMo - If you need something for yourself or price is a big issue, this place (many locations) has good deals and staff that's helpful.

What You Might Buy:

Champagne/Sparkling Wine:

Veuve Cliquot is a good choice that's fairly reasonable.

If you want to do something a bit more special try this from Schramsberg. My cousin Leah who works in the wine business and knows all about wine loves their stuff.

Riondo Prosecco - Gary Vaynerchuk from Wine Library TV (which I love) really likes this one.

Red:

For a reasonable one try, a Mondavi Cabernet. If cost isn't an issue, try a Silver Oak Cabernet.

White:

One that is liked by many is Sauvignon Blanc. A good one to try is this one from Frog's Leap Winery. If you have a boss or a client that is very into being eco friendly (and hopefully everyone is), this winery is known for being very friendly to the environment.

I love sweeter whites, so if you do as well, try this Gewürztraminer or spend a bit more and buy this one.


Other Options Besides Wine:

Compass Box Whiskey - I have not tried this, but have given it as a gift for a boss and the recipient liked it quite a bit.

Crop Vodka - I just read about this over the weekend. It's an artisanal Vodka that is produced in a green/environment friendly way. It comes in some interesting flavors.

Frida Kahlo Tequila certainly has a cool looking bottle and has been well reviewed. If you want to break the bank, go for this Tequila .

Obviously this email includes lots of suggestions, but if you know your budget and a bit about the person, the best thing you can do is to go into one of the locations listed above and ask for help.