Julia Gómez Kramer – FoodWatcher

42 Gifts for Everyone in Your Family

Now that we’re officially settled into November, people who don’t procrastinate (I’m jealous of you) and want to avoid the mild panic that comes with last-minute holiday shopping (a feeling I know too well) are probably already starting to cross names …

Now that we're officially settled into November, people who don't procrastinate (I'm jealous of you) and want to avoid the mild panic that comes with last-minute holiday shopping (a feeling I know too well) are probably already starting to cross names off of their gift list.

If you're one of these proactive holiday shoppers and have begun the gift hunt—or keep telling yourself this is the year you'll finally become one—you're in luck. Shopping for family members can feel daunting, especially if you're someone with a large family. So to help, we've rounded up 42 gifts that are bound to be a fit for at least a few of the family members on your list.

The Simple, Subtle Difference Between Syrups & Shrubs

If you’ve ever looked closely at the cocktail bar you’re sitting at, you’ve probably noticed an assortment of small bottles—some filled with syrups, others filled with fruit or herbal infusions—near the garnishes, glass-rim seasonings, and bitters, or …

Earlier this year we talked about the obsession with the latest kitchen It girl (vinegar), but we didn’t dive into the different ways it can be utilized outside of salad dressings and drizzles. When mixed with other ingredients like fruit juices, spices, and herbs, it can then become a drinking vinegar—a sweetened, vinegar-based syrup that, linguistically, holds a close tie to the Arabic word sharab, which means “to drink.”

These 8 Furniture Essentials Will Upgrade Any Space

We’ve teamed up with our friends at Wayfair to share some of our favorite ways to upgrade your space. Psst! All of these products also happen to be on sale—along with others across the site that are discounted up to 70 percent off—as part of Wayfair’s …

We’ve teamed up with our friends at Wayfair to share some of our favorite ways to upgrade your space. Psst! All of these products also happen to be on sale—along with others across the site that are discounted up to 70 percent off—as part of Wayfair's Cyber Month sale.

Refreshing your space doesn’t need to be overwhelming, expensive, or a huge task—sometimes all it takes is upgrading your basics. It can be as simple as replacing that bedframe you’ve had since your first apartment, getting your pup its own couch to nap on, or making more space in your kids’ bedroom by swapping out twin beds for a bunk bed. The trick is to pick out functional and stylish furniture that will leave you with a space you love. If you’re not sure where to start, we’re here—with the help of our friends at Wayfair—to help. Keep reading for eight, easy furniture upgrades that could make any room feel brand-new.

A Totally Objective Halloween Candy Ranking

It’s that time of the year again. We’re rapidly approaching the final week of October and there are things that need to be discussed. I’m not talking about how to plan your Thanksgiving menu or decorate your home for the holidays. I’m not here to share…

It's that time of the year again. We're rapidly approaching the final week of October and there are things that need to be discussed. I'm not talking about how to plan your Thanksgiving menu or decorate your home for the holidays. I'm not here to share advice on how to make the best sugar cookie or pour the perfect espresso martini. I'm here to discuss far more serious matters: Halloween candy.

Sure, my trick-or-treat days may be long behind me, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy my share of holiday candy every October. Once the Duane Reade and Rite Aid in my neighborhood fill their shelves with bags of assorted candies, I can't help but grab one or two. After all, that's a perk of being an adult. You don't have to wait and see which treats the neighborhood elders drop in your pumpkin-shaped bucket—you can simply walk down the block and buy what you want.

7 NYC Spots That Out-of-Town Guests Will Actually Like

Everyone knows the feeling of opening that text from a friend, family member, or acquaintance they haven’t spoken to in years: “Hey! I’m going to be in [insert your town or city] next week! Where should I go / what should I do???”

For some, receiving …

Everyone knows the feeling of opening that text from a friend, family member, or acquaintance they haven't spoken to in years: “Hey! I'm going to be in [insert your town or city] next week! Where should I go / what should I do???”

For some, receiving this kind of message is exciting—giving them an excuse to put on their metaphorical tour guide hat, scroll through the long list of places they have starred on Google or Apple Maps, and recommend a string of their favorite places. For others, it can be overwhelming, causing them to panic and momentarily forget their go-to spots, as if they've never left their apartment before.

Have You Tried a Stirred Piña Colada?

When you think of a piña colada, you probably picture the thick, white, typically frozen drink often found resting on pool- or beach-side chairs. It was the first drink my parents let me try while visiting our family in Puerto Rico, and I loved its perfect blend of two of my favorite fruit flavors (not to mention the resemblance it had to gas station ICEEs my teenage self loved). However, thanks to my college habit of making batched, blended cocktails for the pre-games my roommate and I would throw, it’s also a drink that, years later, I can no longer stomach.

In the same family as the mai tai, zombie, and jungle bird, piña coladas are a classic tiki-style cocktail that you’ll find on the menu at any bar with an affection for rum or a tropic-inspired cocktail program. Any bartender can make one, of course, regardless of the bar they’re behind, but something about ordering one at a dive doesn’t feel quite the same.

11 Hispanic-Owned Brands to Shop This (& Every) Month

We are teaming up with FreshDirect to show our favorite Hispanic-owned brands. From Siete Grain Free Taco Shells to Don Carvajal Café Costa Rican Light Roast Whole Bean Coffee, these Hispanic-owned brands are delivered right to your door. Order online …

If you're anything like me, you’re always on the hunt for a new snack or drink to add to your pantry and fridge. You step into the grocery store, list in hand, and while you focus on getting the essentials you've scribbled down, you're never opposed to something new catching your eye. In the summer it might be a seasonal fruit or juice and in the winter a bakery item or cheese selection from the deli counter—either way, it's something you're excited to try once you get home.

I Don’t Cook—This Italian Pasta Class (Almost) Made Me Want to Start

Blame it on years in the service industry or my tendency to avoid things I’m not immediately good at, but I don’t cook. I know that’s probably not something you’d expect an editor at Food52 to admit, but I won’t lie to y’all. When it comes to dinner, I…

Blame it on years in the service industry or my tendency to avoid things I’m not immediately good at, but I don’t cook. I know that's probably not something you’d expect an editor at Food52 to admit, but I won’t lie to y’all. When it comes to dinner, I’m often at a restaurant, leaning on my friends who love cooking for others, or reheating a bowl of roasted vegetables over rice (sad, I know). While some find the act of cooking relaxing, rewarding, or fun, I find it stressful, irritating, and unappealing.

Let me be very clear though: I love food. I’m always thinking of my next meal, I love doing deep dives into different cuisines and flavor pairings, and searching for new dishes to try. I enjoy baking—something about following a recipe exactly, to an almost science, is fun for me—and I bartend on the weekends, so you can trust me with making a pie or stirring your cocktail. But if a pot roast needs to be braised, I am simply not the girl you want nearby (although you can count on me to sneak spoonfuls of whatever you’re making on the stove).

Tools of the Trade: 11 Essentials for Throwing the Ultimate Outdoor Grill Party

This article is part of an interview series called Tools of the Trade, a column featuring expert-approved tips, tricks, and product recommendations. Food52 earns an affiliate commission on qualifying purchases of the products we link to.

If you beli…

This article is part of an interview series called Tools of the Trade, a column featuring expert-approved tips, tricks, and product recommendations. Food52 earns an affiliate commission on qualifying purchases of the products we link to.

If you believe that boxed wine can't be high quality, Woody Hambrecht and Ross Dawkins are here to change that. Career winemakers and decades-long friends, the pair are the co-owners of Ami Ami, a direct-to-consumer brand focused on providing high-quality, eco-conscious, and delicious boxed (yes, boxed) French wine.