It's the week before Christmas—we’re all either sprinting to finish Q4 what-nots and doo-dads, sprinting between the three CVSs within a 20 mile radius that miiiiight have wrapping paper left, or sprinting between the sofa and the refrigerator during the commercial break between ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas films (yes, I know it’s now called Freeform and I said what I said). But all that sprinting makes you hungry…and when you give a mouse a Christmas cookie, it’s going to want more, and probably a whole literary Christmas feast to go with it (as the ancient proverb goes…).

That’s why in this week’s newsletter, were going to be going through iconic recipes from our favorite books, sharing some ideas for easy foodie gifts that you can DIY last minute, and giving some tips for how to create a signature cocktail for your home.

Food in Fiction

Literature's most memorable meals aren't just about what's on the plate—they're about the moments they create, the characters they reveal, and the worlds they build. As someone who has literally attempted to recreate Mrs. Weasley's Christmas feast and has a folder of photos of “foods I read about” on my phone, this is a topic I care about greatly, so here are—

10 Iconic Literary Meals & Their Real-World Recipes

(A completely subjective but very lovingly curated list)

1. The Christmas Feast in Harry Potter

   

   • Why we care? …they’re literally magic

   • feat. Roast turkeys, mountains of potatoes, boats of gravy

   • Recipe: Yorkshire puddings (obvs)

2. Proust's Madeleine In Search of Lost Time

   • Why we care? The OG memory-triggering treat

   • feat. Madelines (delicate, French tea cakes)

   • Recipe: Classic French madeleines

3. Turkish Delight from The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

   

   • Why we care? They were somehow good enough to tempt Edmund into the ultimate betrayal

   • feat. multiple flavors that were “jewel-toned, rose-scented, and dusted with powdered sugar”

   • Recipe: Turkish delight cupcakes

4. Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs & Ham

   

   • Why we care? If you’re a foodie that’s grown up in this century, this is probably the breakfast that taught you about trying new things and so is how we all ended up here

   • feat. Green eggs + Ham (le duh)

   • Recipe: Skillet spinach eggs

5. The Mad Tea Party in Alice in Wonderland

   

   • Why we care? "It's always tea time"

   • feat. Various cakes, biscuits, scones, jam tarts, finger sandwiches, etc.

   • Recipe: London Fog lavender cookies

6. Gatsby’s Garden Party Spread

   

   • Why we care? Gatsby knew how to throw a party.

   • feat. Lemon cakes, cocktails, and Jazz Age excess

   • Recipe: Petit fours

7. Matilda’s Chocolate Cake

   

   • Why we care? Well, it was Bruce Bogtrotter's nemesis & triumph

   • feat. the most decadent chocolate cake ever

   • Recipe: Chocolate cake

8. The Three Bears' Porridge

   • Why we care? It’s the perfect breakfast…if you can get the temperature right

   • feat. energizing, protein-rich porridge that fuels a lot of bed hopping

   • Recipe: Cinnamon vanilla oatmeal

9. Little Women's Christmas Breakfast

   

   • Why we care? It is a great lesson in love and generosity of spirit. It was beautiful and the girls were so excited but it was given to the poor.

   • feat. Marmee’s hot muffins, coffee & cream, buckwheat cakes

   • Recipe: Sweet Dreams Homemade Pancakes

10. Maple Snow Candy from Little House on the Prairie

    • Why we care? Apparently it tasted like winter magic in edible form

    • feat. …syrup and snow

    • Recipe: Put maple syrup in snow!

Waited til the last minute? Here’s a DIY Gift Guide

For the hostess with the mostess

Infused Oils

How to:

Start by thoroughly drying your herbs or aromatics. Then warm oil to 180°F, add the aromatics in, steep for 2 hours, and strain & bottle.

Safety note: Always refrigerate and use within 1 month

Some classic combos are—

• Rosemary-garlic

• Chili-lemon

• Herbs de Provence

• Mushroom-thyme

• Basil-fennel

Other ideas include…

1. Custom hot chocolate mix with homemade marshmallows

2. Tea blends with dried flowers

3. Infused honey (lavender, rosemary, citrus)

4. Candied nuts with custom spice blends

5. Homemade crackers and cheese straws

6. Homemade granola with dried fruits

Check out more hostess gift ideas here!

For the cocktail enthusiast

Infused Simple Syrups

How to:

The basic ratio is 1:1 sugar to water, so just bring your water to a boil, then dissolve the same amount of sugar into it. After that, add flavoring elements—

• Fresh herbs, steep 30 mins

• Spices: Toast first, steep 20 mins

• Citrus: Zest only, steep 30 mins

Then just strain, bottle, and refrigerate. Some popular combinations are—

• Lavender-honey

• Rosemary-orange

• Cardamom-rose

• Vanilla-chai

• Ginger-lemongrass

Homemade Bitters

How to:

Start by choosing a base spirit like a high-proof vodka. Then add bittering agents like gentian or cinchona. Follow that by adding in aromatics like spices, herbs, or citrus. And finally, steep for 2 to 4 weeks, strain, and bottle.

Classic combinations—

• Orange-cardamom

• Cherry-vanilla

• Coffee-cacao

• Grapefruit-hops

• Aromatic (angostura style)

Other ideas include…

1. Brandied cherries

2. Preserved lemons or other citrus

3. Spiced olives in decorated jars

4. Candied citrus peel

5. Spice-infused sugars

6. "Emergency cocktail kit" with homemade mixers

Check out more mixologist gift ideas here!

For the home chef

Custom Spice Blends

How to:

The base ratios to keep in mind for classic blend categories are—

• Sweet blend: 3 parts sweet: 1 part spice: 1 part citrus

• Savory blend: 2 parts base: 1 part accent: 1 part heat

• Grilling blend: 2 parts salt: 2 parts pepper: 1 part herbs

Some popular blends are—

• Mulling spices

• Za'atar

• Pumpkin pie spice

• BBQ rub

• Persian rice spice

Other ideas include…

1. Compound butters (herb, citrus, honey-lavender)

2. Flavored salts (herb, citrus, wine, mushroom)

3. Homemade pasta in vintage jars

4. Preserved herbs in salt

5. Marinated feta

6. Homemade mustards (honey, wine, herb)

7. Homemade pickles (quick or fermented)

8. Herb-infused vinegars/oils

Check out more foodie gift ideas here!

Why Everyone Should Have a Signature Cocktail

A Love Letter to Personal Branding Through Beverages

It may sound that way, but having a signature cocktail isn't about being fancy or pretentious, and it’s also not Mad Men era old school. It's about having that one perfect drink that makes people think of you even when you're not there (so, really it’s about having an incurable case of MCS—Main Character Syndrome). It's your liquid business card, your potable personality trait, your "Oh, you simply must try Sarah's gin thing, it's incredible." You don’t even have to call it your “signature” it could really be as simple as “that gin thing.”

The Science of Signature Sips

There’s even science behind it. Remember in chemistry class when they taught us about memory formation and neural pathways? No? Well, that was really just a convoluted way to say that our brains process taste and smell in the same region that handles memory and emotion (yes, the fact that I mention it weekly is making me seem like I have an odd obsession with the limbic system). This is why certain flavors can transport you right back to your grandmother's kitchen or that one perfect summer night in Provence.

When you create a signature cocktail, you're essentially crafting a sensory memory anchor. Every time someone tastes that specific combination of flavors, they'll think of you…and ~tucks hair behind ear~ as they should ~bats eyelashes~.

The Psychology of "House Drinks"

There's something deeply human about having a "usual." It signals belonging, tradition, and identity. When Humphrey Bogart's Rick Blaine orders a bourbon neat in Casablanca, it tells us something about his character. When James Bond orders his martini "shaken, not stirred," it's not just about the drink—it's about the man.

During the holiday season, having a signature cocktail ready to go is like having a Swiss Army knife in your entertaining arsenal. It's:

• Your conversation starter

• Your welcome drink

• Your "oh, you had a rough day at work with your passive-aggressive boss? Let me fix you something special" solution

• Your "I brought homemade cocktail kits as gifts because I'm That Friend" moment

In a world of infinite choices, sometimes the most comforting thing is knowing exactly what you're going to order.