Photograph: Wendy Huang
Rothman & Winter Crème de Violette (LeNell’s, 416 Van Brunt St between Coffey and Van Dyke Sts, Red Hook, Brooklyn; 718-360-0838. $25)Speak to your giftee’s inner bar chef with this rare, purple liqueur conjured from the juices of Austrian Alpine violets. The potion’s subtle floral notes pair well with champagne, and also work in gin cocktails.
Photograph: Beth Levendis
Malaysian jerky (K.L. Malaysia, 95A Elizabeth St at Grand St; 212-965-0796. $1) Owners of this Chinatown jerky shop slow-smoke 11 types of the chewy meat treat, adding chili powder and orange juice for a sweet-spicy kick. We liked the pork and teriyaki-flavored spicy beef best. Pop it in the fridge for up to a month; the real deal is preservative-free.
Photograph: Chrissy Lush
Roni-Sue’s truffles (Roni-Sue’s Chocolates, Essex Street Market, 120 Essex St at Delancey St; 212-260-0421. A dozen for $18) Roni-Sue Kave’s diminutive truffles are proof that size really doesn’t matter. Varieties such as banana and strawberry-rhubarb burst with flavor, thanks to a blend of fruit puree, liqueur and Kave’s homemade “fruit powder.”
Photograph: Deniz Ozuygur
Beyond Nose to Tail by Fergus Henderson and Justin Piers Gellatly (Bloomsbury, $35) and
Taste: The Story of Britain Through Its Cooking by Kate Colquhoun (Bloomsbury, $34.95) These two vastly different but fascinating cookery books delve into the past and present of one of the world’s underappreciated cuisines. We speak of the Brits’, of course. What to expect from both: puddings, cabbage and more offal than you ever dared dream of.
Photograph: David Rosenweig
Tea tumbler gift box (Sanctuary T, 337B West Broadway at Grand St; 212-941-7832. $32–$40) For the crazy person in your life who has sworn off coffee, here’s a novel idea: a travel cup that allows you to brew loose-leaf tea to go. This gift comes with three two-ounce tins of Sanctuary’s blends, such as the White Rose: white tea with dried Chinese rosebuds.
