Food & Spirits Headline Article

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Spirits Lover

Holiday gift ideas
Cash for your car

The holidays are a time for eating and imbibing. Take time out for you, treat your loved one in the midst of all the holiday hustle and bustle. The Rendition Room is a 1920s era speakeasy nestled behind the historic Vitello’s Restaurant in Studio City is one of Los Angeles’ best-kept secrets. Handcrafted cocktails with infused spirits are truly unique. From the cozy, intimate setting to the talented mixologists and the mellow jazz sounds this is a place like no other. What a great holiday date night out just for the two or you. Or more!

Rendition Room Holiday Cocktails

Inniskillin Icewine is the Perfect Holiday Delight
Nothing says cheers like an elegant, sleek bottle of Inniskillin Icewine. A lovely spirit for the holidays, a “winter’s gift for wine lovers.” Inniskillin Icewine is recognized as one of the world’s great wines.  Inniskillin Icewine is made from frozen grapes at the height of Canada’s crisp winter. The grapes reach full peak in October, are are left untouched on the vines under a cloak of protective netting of the deep freeze of the Canadian winter. What happens is, the grapes are naturally dehydrated by the elements, leaving a beautiful concentration of flavors, aromas sugars and acids. Then, when the temperature drops to a frigid -10ºC (14ºF) in December and January, the grapes are arduously harvested. A rare elixer. Treat yourself and your friends to something very special. Inniskillin.com

Inniskillin 2017 Vidal Icewine made from the premier Icewine grape in Ontario, this wine is known for its rich flavors and fruit-filled aromas, notably ripe peach and lively citrus. A perfectly balanced acidity, results in a wine of the highest quality, with a long fruit-filled finish. $49.95
Inniskillin 2017 Riesling Icewine a lively and crisp Icewine with an abundance of fresh aromatics including lemon, lime and white peach, this wine’s full concentration of flavors is mirrored on the nose and balanced by a crisp acidity. $79.95
Inniskillin 2017 Cabernet Franc Icewine is a luscious (and rare) red Icewine, this Cabernet Franc bursts with flavors of strawberry and cherry with hints of fresh cream. More than just a dessert wine, this sweet indulgence is the perfect gift for the red wine lover in your life. $84.99

Seasonal Wine Offerings from Cooper & Thief Cellarmasters

Billykirk x Cooper & Thief Bartender Bag ($250)
The perfect gift for your holiday host? Bring the party to them. Cooper & Thief teamed up leather accessories brand Billykirk to create a limited-edition leather carry-all that rivals the tired bartender bag fold-ups out there. The ruggedly handsome Billykirk x Cooper & Thief Bartender Bag comes stocked with all the essential mixology tools (a Hawthorne strainer, muddler bar spoon, Julep strainer, and jigger) and a hidden compartment for stashing a bottle of Cooper & Thief Red Blend. Billykirk.com

Cooper & Thief Cellarmasters

Cooper & Thief 2016 High West Rye Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon ($60)

Introduced just last year, the 2016 Cooper & Thief High West Rye Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP: $60) continues in the brand’s tradition of whiskey inspiration. This top-tier bottling is aged for six months in ex-High West Distillery Rye Whiskey barrels, blending a traditional Napa Cabernet with the distinct expression of rye whiskey. cooperandthief.com

Cooper & Thief 2017 Red Wine Blend ($29.99)
Aged for three months in ex-bourbon barrels, the new 2017 Cooper & Thief Red Wine Blend (SRP: $29.99) vintage is dark, jammy and holiday-ready. Cooper & Thief Cellarmasters isn’t afraid to do things differently, and this translates to the way they envision enjoying this delicious blend of Syrah, Merlot, Zinfandel, Petit Sirah and Malbec. To really explore the spirited, complex notes this inky wine has to offer, we recommend sipping Red Blend from a rocks glass, preferably cozied up by the fire, sharing among friends and family. cooperandthief.com

Riedel Bar Drink Specific Glassware Collection
You may be familiar with Riedel, long known for enhancing the wine and champagne tasting experience with its glassware. The are now pioneering cocktail enhancement with the introduction of the Riedel Drink Specific Glassware Collection. Mixologist Zane Harris has designed six cocktail-specific glasses for Riedel, a complete set of glassware shapes – Neat, Rocks, Highball, Nick & Nora, Sour and Fizz – that provides a serving template for more than 3,000 other cocktail combinations catering to an innumerable array of palates.

Riedel Drink Specific Glassware Collection

The six shapes: NeatRocksHighballNick & NoraSour and Fizz ($29.90/set of 2; purchase here) ensure the characteristic ingredients of each pour are enhanced in the glass they were designed for. Zane paid close attention to the glass size, shape, volume and capacity for ice, not only creating stunning glassware but glasses that play to the physical needs of each unique serve. Ultimately, each glass in the collection is specifically designed with the mixologist in mind, bringing the precision of a cocktail master’s pour to at-home cocktail creation.

The seasoned entertainer knows the power of a well-paired glass of wine, and a true connoisseur knows the glass should match the varietal being served. The Riedel Performance Tasting Set facilitates proper glassware pairing for a bevy of varietals poured during the holidays including Pinot Noirs, Cabernets, Rieslings and Chardonnays. ($118.00/set of 4)

Reidel Performance Tasting Wine Glasses

Adobe Road Winery’s The Racing Series Gift Pack
Looking for an unforgettable gift for the racing fan in your life? Gear up for a great holiday season by gifting Adobe Road Winery’s The Racing Series Gift Pack (SRP: $279). This luxury set showcases Adobe Road’s newest line of four ultra-premium California wines paying homage to founder Kevin Buckler’s history on the track, as race-car driver and CEO of the winningest privateer racing team in North America, The Racer’s Group.

Adobe Road Winery’s The Racing Series Gift Pack

The line of four highly-rated wines is named for an element of the sport, and the blends are as exciting to taste as the sport they honor. Available in gift set and individually on TheRacingSeries.com, The Racing Series includes:

  •       APEX (SRP $76) blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Petite Sirah with a stunning metal Apex curbing on the bottle. To a race car driver, the apex is the optimal line of the corner and winning depends on hitting the perfect apex.
  •       REDLINE (SRP $35) is a rich blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Malbec. The bottle is silkscreened with a vintage tachometer representing Kevin’s very first victory.
  •       SHIFT (SRP $56) is a daring combination of Zinfandel, Barbera, Grenache, Petite Sirah, and Carignane. The bottle sports a cutting-edge, metal label that resembles a vintage, gated shifter and the cork is topped with a five-speed shift knob.
  • THE 24 (SRP $66) is a Rhone-style blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, and Syrah, with Malbec for added spice and character. The beautiful metal chronograph label pays homage to the Rolex timepiece, which counts down the thrilling 24-hour races at Daytona and Le Mans.

Sertodo Copper – Copper Marakan Shaker Set

Mix up a batch of cocktails in an eye-catching copper shaker. Ancient methods are used to handcraft each one in Mexico, where the tradition began over 1,000 years ago. The result is a highly textured surface that shines with rich history. $90

Mezcal Creyente x Glacce Crystal Ritual Mixology Kit
Mezcal Creyente just launched a really beautiful crystal mixology kit in partnership with Glacce. Crystals have officially taken over all things wellness, décor and beyond, as these mystical minerals have become one of today’s fastest-growing cultural fixations. These supercharged stones have made also their way into the food and beverage space, with luxury spiritual company Glacce paving the way with their crystal-charged water bottles loved by the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Kacey Musgraves and Halsey

Now, they’re teaming up with Mezcal Creyente to bring crystals into America’s cocktail glasses. The two brands are thrilled to launch the first at-home mixology kit designed to infuse cocktails with crystal energy with the Mezcal Creyente x Glacce Crystal Ritual Mixology Kit.“Creyente” translates as “to believe,” sparking this collaboration meant to embody the Mexican folklore and mysticism that is part of the tapestry of Oaxaca–the birthplace of mezcal. Creyente celebrates the rituals of discovery and intention, similar to the traditions that are also deeply embedded in the energy of crystals, which is what ultimately inspired this collaboration.The exclusive kit launches on Glacce.com today for $499, featuring two hand-blown crystal-infused rocks glasses, one glass mixing pitcher, and one crystal stir-rod. Each element of this kit has been carefully selected and lovingly made, from the Mezcal Creyente, to the hand-blown glass, to the custom-cut quartz crystals—making it the perfect gift for any mezcal, crystal or luxury lover.
Currently, they have a cocktail on the menu at the Proper in Santa Monica. It’s called Negroni Rosa, which has Mezcal Creyente, Bianco Vermouth and Aperol in it and is served in the crystal glassware.

Wine Sulfite Purifier & Aerator

Purify any wine to remove sulfites and make it taste better, with the Üllo Wine Sulfite Purifier & Aerator. It targets sulfites. Sulfites work as a preservative to keep wine fresh until the cork is popped.but they can also cause sensitivity issues for some people and even affect a wine’s flavor. It filters sulfites and sediments, returning wine to its natural state.

Just pour a glass or a whole bottle of wine through the sulfite capture filter and enjoy the improved flavor. Wine is now in its purest, preservative-free form. Bonus: If you’re sipping a red, the filter can serve as an aerator, too. Adjustable wine aerator can be switched off for white wines. Made with BPA-free plastic and silicone. The filters (4 incl) feature Selective Sulfite Capture™ food-grade polymer resin and a velour storage bag. Each filter purifies one bottle of wine. Modular design rests on any standard wine glass.  Carafe is not included.$79.95 www.thegrommet.com You can find multiple products for a variety of themes at

Moët & Chandon Celebrates its 150th Anniversary with Limited Edition Bottle
This holiday season, the pioneering champagne house is honoring another milestone by celebrating the 150th anniversary of Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut with a stunning limited-edition bottle and gift box of its flagship wine. For more than 20 years, Moët has been the drink of choice at the Golden Globes. Featured in Bespoke Unit’s Best Champagne under $50, is an undeniably popular Champagne house. It is one of the most popular labels in the world. 

Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut 150th Anniversary Limited Edition Bottle & Gift Box (SRP $39.99; available nationwide)

About the author

Aubrey Stevens