The 500 Calorie Bomb
The only grenade I would actually want chucked at me, the 500 calorie chocolate grenade! From our friends in Germany, at raphaelvolkmer.com comes one of the best looking chocolate molds I’ve seen in awhile.
$TBD
Check it out at raphaelvolkmer.com
Tallgrass 8-bit Pale Ale
Tallgrass Beers puts the party in LAN-party with 8-bit beer. If you’re going to throw a shindig, make it interesting – give people something to talk about or try for the first time. Why not a themed craft-brew for you and your fraggin’ friends? Oh better yet, what better way to enjoy a lonely retro-gaming session than getting completely sloshed with a beer that understands you?
Here, have a beer. Relax. Let’s beat Super Mario together.
More info here from Tallgrassbeer.com
$8.50 4-pack
Available to order via France44.com
Dry Soda Co.
Every once in a blue moon we here at MorningLemon.com HQ like to sip on a soft drink, rather than the harder fair we normally sip on. We’re also very cognizant of new mixes and their potential impact. Dry Soda has emerged as an opportunity to enjoy a soft drink while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. That’s a good thing. With Dry Soda we’ve got a unique, low calorie, lightly sweetened, highly interestingly flavoured soft drink that also arrives in a nicely formed and featured bottle. If there was ever a good time to be had drinking soda, I believe it can be had with the Dry Soda Co’s particular brand of soda.
Seattle-based DRY Soda Co. has re-imagined what soda can be: better tasting and better for you. DRY Soda uses only four, all natural ingredients and keeps the pure cane sugar to a minimum. Each twelve-ounce bottle of DRY contains just 45 – 70 calories and 11 – 19 grams of sugar. The result is a less sweet soda that allows its fruit, flower and herbal flavors to shine through. DRY Soda is available in eight distinctive flavors – Wild Lime, Lavender, Lemongrass, Blood Orange, Rhubarb, Juniper Berry, Vanilla Bean and Cucumber – each with a unique flavor profile that makes it refreshing to sip on its own, pair with a great meal or mix into the perfect drink.
$32.99 for a pack-o-24 bottles of mixed Dry Soda
Available from the Dry Soda Co. themselves here.
Row Boat Salad Bowl with Wood Serving Utensils
I think I’d like to have a nautical salad, very much so in fact. I’ll row a bit of fresh arugula back to me plate and up to me gullet, betcher-ass-I-would. I’ll drown in feta and oregano. I’ll ride that wave gently down the stream.
I wish I could visualize dimensions easier, 15″ L x 6″ W x 5″ H means what? Sort large? Kinda big? A touch small? Enough for four? What exactly do these numbers mean? Why can’t we be clearer? We should attempt to pander to the lowest common denominator of human at all times, that should be our goal.
No, no, that’s silly, I don’t mean that. What I really want is the world to bend to my every whim, and I’m trying to hide it, but that’s just me.
To a point though, just how big is this F’n thing?
New Wave
This extraordinary dish is sure to create a splash at your next dinner. The silver-plated bowl takes the familiar form of a rowboat, complete with “wooden” planks engraved along its hull. The boats oars are a pair of serving tools, carved from sheesham, a variety or rosewood which is renowned for its intricate, marbled grain. Whether you’re serving salad, holding fruit, or simply putting it on display, this bowl is sure to make waves.
Made in India.
Item ID: 21224
Materials: silver plated aluminum, sheesham wood
15″ L x 6″ W x 5″ H
Handwash, dry with soft cloth
$65
Available here from UncommonGoods.com
Hendrick’s Gin 750ml
We don’t drink a lot of Gin around the MorningLemon.com HQ, but I think we’re about to start. Not only because we’re about to become raving mad drunkards, no, not at all, but simply because the description of this particular brand of gin has me so enthralled that I’m going to be sampling its fine timbre as soon as I possibly can.
Hendrick’s uses a blend of spirits produced from a Carter-Head Still (constructed in 1948), of which there are only a small number in the world, and a small pot still, originally built in 1860 by Bennett, Sons & Shears.
Both have been restored to working order after being bought at auction in the 1960s by current William Grant Life President, Charles Gordon. The two stills produce strikingly different styles of gin due to their different construction and methods of distillation. The pot still is generally referred to as the Bennett still. The still itself is quite small, which in general will allow most of the flavour characteristics of the botanicals to pass into the spirit. The still is charged with neutral spirit and the botanical recipe added to the liquid, along with some water.
This is left to steep for 24 hours, which begins the process of extracting the flavour from the botanicals. The still is then heated by means of an external steam jacket to boil the liquid. As the pot begins to boil, vapour moves up the short column of the still and eventually meets the condenser, where vapours are turned back to liquid and collected. First runnings can be as high as 92% alcohol, with a gradual decrease in the strength as the distillation progresses.
Once all of the alcohol is collected, the final spirit will be approximately 75% alcohol v/v.
This spirit is of a heavy, oily character with a strong juniper-flavour. In contrast, the spirit derived from the Carter-Head still is much subtler with light floral and sweet fragrances. Its method of production is quite different, with only the neutral spirit and water added to the pot of this still.
All botanicals used with the Carter-Head are added to a flavour basket at the very top of the still. Rather than boiling the botanicals, which produces the strong pungent spirit of the Bennett still, the Carter-Head bathes the botanicals in the alcohol vapours only. As these rise up through the still, they enter the base of the botanicals basket. Inside, the botanicals are contained in copper baskets, which hold them together while allowing the vapours to be fully exposed. As the evaporated alcohol moves through the botanicals it efficiently extracts flavours from them, which are carried out of the basket along with the alcohol until they reach the condenser. Only the lighter, sweeter and floral flavours are able to be extracted by this method, which gives the spirit its distinctive character.
The final Hendrick’s gin is a blend of these two spirits with an addition of Cucumber essence and Rose petal essence and the net net results is a rich, creamy Gin that has more in common with Grey Goose Vodka and say Bombay. I keep my bottle in the freezer and drink it neat.
$34.99
Available at DrinkUpNY.com
Demarle Silpat Non-Stick Baking Mat – More Home Made Cookies!
Look, I’ve got a couple questions I need to ask you. It won’t take long.
1. Do you like cookies?
2. Do you like home made cookies?
3. Do you want more home made cookies in your life?
If you’ve answered no to any of these questions, please click here.
If you’ve answered yes, my friend, I’ve got news. MORE HOME MADE COOKIES CAN BE YOURS!
The Silpat Non-Stick Baking Mat takes all of the stress out of baking. The crux of any baking project is always whether or not its “gonna stick”. With the Silpat Non Stick Baking Mat, you no longer have to worry about such trivial details. Just set it and forget it, come back when the oven’s binged it’s bong, and enjoy your hot, fresh, ooey-gooey-good home made cookies.
You’re welcome.
$19.99
Silpat Non-Stick Baking Mat, 11.6 x 16.5-inches, Half Sheet Size from Amazon.com
Silpat nonstick baking sheets are made of woven glass coated with food-standard silicone. Used daily by professionals, the sheets offer multipurpose uses for preparing, cooking, and heating up food. They’re also easy to clean–simply wipe them off using hot water and dish soap. Store them by either rolling them up or keeping them flat. Do not cut Silpat baking sheets with metal, but with DeMarle’s Exoglass cutters or knives. Silpat baking sheets replace parchment paper, and are heat-resistant up to 480 degrees F. The Silpat makes any baking sheet nonstick–no greasing necessary. The baking sheets are made in France.
Monkey Picked Tea
That’s a clever name I’ll bet you’re thinking. No, it’s not – it’s truth. Actual monkey’s picked these tea leaves.
RARE WILD CHINESE TEA
PICKED ONLY BY SPECIALLY TRAINED MONKEYS
CONTAINS POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANTSNo folks we’re not pulling you leg! This rare chinese tea is carefully picked by specially trained monkeys in a remote mountain rehion of China. Legend has it that monkeys were first used to collect tea ten centuries ago, because upon seeing it’s master trying to reach some tea growing wild on a mountain face, the monkey climbed up the steep face and collected the tea growing there and brought it down to his master.
This wild tea was considered so delicious that other people began to train monkeys to collect this rare wild tea. Nowadays the practice of monkeys picking tea has all but died out, except in one small remote village where they still continue this remarkable tradition. No monkeys are harmed or mistreated in order for us to bring this rare brew to you! In fact the monkeys and their ancestors before them have been doing this job for generations and are treated as respected members of their humn keeper’s families.
I have my suspicious about other companies using monkey’s for various tasks too. Strange that I actively avoid those companies, yet when promoted as a feature I am strangely drawn to the product. Curious.
£14.00 GBP
Check it out here.
Alien Chest-Burster Chopsticks
With a new prequel right around the corner (Prometheus), what better way to celebrate than with a set of Alien Chest Burster Chopsticks? Seriously, what better way? There is no better way. Try to think of one. You can’t, can you? You can not top Alien Chest Burster Chopsticks – what’ve you got, Aliens movie-marathon or some crap? That’s your idea? Lame bro, lame.
Kotobukiya is proud to brings the classic science-fiction franchise into the kitchen with the Chest-Burster Alien Chopsticks! Chest-Burster Chopsticks provide an unique, fun, and innovative way to eat at the dinner table! The fun chopsticks celebrates one of the most iconic film creatures of all time, Alien’s Chest-Burster, and features a high-quality sculpt painted with fine detail. Despite the realistic detail, don’t be afraid – Chest-Burster won’t bite. The chopsticks measure 9-inches long with the eating utensil formed from the creatures’ tails, the Alien Chopsticks are fully safety tested and fun for the whole family. Go ahead and slurp your noodles; in space, no one can hear you eat!
$9.99
Check them out at Entertainment Earth – Pre-Order for July 2012
The Glenrothes 1988
Vintages from the 1970’s and 1980’s are increasingly hard to come by. The Vintage 1988 is of that rare breed. Never before bottled the Vintage has benefited from more than two decades maturing in a combination of Spanish and American oak; previously seasoned with both sherry and whisky. The combination gives the citrus notes a delicious cooked orange flavour and plenty of fruit as well which are evident on the nose and the palate.
This expression is the next Core Vintage to follow the Vintages 1991 and 1994. It is the first of the vintages expressly laid down at origin to be bottled as Glenrothes on maturity . As a result it is anticipated that The Glenrothes 1998 Vintage will have greater longevity than some of the earlier vintages. It is also the first bottling to carry the label signature of Gordon Motion, who has taken over as ‘Malt Master’ with the recent retirement of John Ramsay. The comparatively youthful 1998 Glenrothes boasts a nose of spicy vanilla, golden syrup and lemongrass. The palate is gentle and quite sweet, with vanilla custard and cinnamon notes.
$65 approx.
Check it out here.
Kickstand Cold Brew Coffee
Kickstand Cold Brew Coffee is a niche iced-coffee distributor that will deliver your coffee concentrate by bike courier, and exchange any empty bottles for you, if you’re in the New York City area. Very much like the milk man of yore. Your retail operation can order the concentrate and have it delivered fast and fresh, when you need it too. Not a bad deal
Kickstand coffee was founded on the combination of our shared passions for coffee and cycling. In 2010, we hit the streets of New York City with our bicycle mobile coffee stand, bringing specialty coffee to its outdoor markets and events. One year later, we began bottling our much-loved iced coffee, and it’s currently available for bike delivery throughout New York City, and select retail locations.
ABOUT OUR COFFEE
Great coffee, no matter how it’s brewed, starts with great beans and we’ve got ‘em in spades. We proudly brew single origin coffee sourced and expertly roasted by our friends at Cafe Grumpy in Brooklyn, NY. So you know about the coffee you’re enjoying, we list the country, the farm, and the actual roast date. That’s a level of transparency rarely seen in ready-to-serve coffee.
Kickstand’s offerings evolve seasonally, and each one provides something unique. From a tea-like Kenyan coffee, to a chocolate brownie Nicaraguan, we work hard to demonstrate each coffee’s strengths.
HOW WE MAKE MAGIC
Our concentrate is made in a multi-hour cold brew. This allows for a gentle extraction of the coffee and yields a full-bodied, nuanced, coffee concentrate. We use multiple filtration systems to ensure the cleanest, smoothest iced coffee in your cup.
We are excited to be offering concentrate for a number or reasons. Firstly, it reduces packaging and bottling waste versus ready-to-drink products. It also gives your discerning customers the power to mix to taste with water and serve over ice, as hot coffee or even in coffee cocktails. Each bottle comes attached with instructions for use and we recommend a 1:1 ratio of coffee to water.
The ingredients are filtered water and specialty coffee roasted within 7 days of the brewing and bottling process. There are no additives or preservatives used. The recommend shelf life is 4-8 weeks after bottling and to be used within 2 weeks of opening.
Each 16oz bottles makes about 5 cups of coffee, the 32oz is about 10 cups.
Kickstand Coffee was founded by Neal Olson, Aaron Davis, Peter Castelein & Benjamin Schleif. Combined, we have 20 years of coffee experience.
$16.95 – 16oz bottle
$32.95 – 32oz bottle
Teavana Harmony Glass Tea Tumbler with Infuser
Great looking tea infuser, first hurdle passed. Double walled glass design keeps your drink hot, that’s good. Built in strainer steeps your tea for you, yes, check, also good. Dishwasher safe, that should make make the wife happy (geddit? dishwasher safe?). What’s not to love about a badass tea infuser, other than it may seem a bit gay? Hey, if you don’t like tea, don’t bother – but brother, believe me, there’s only so much coffee and soda a man can drink. Infusing your hot water with a bit of flavour is a decidedly awesome time. Drink tea!
Featuring a built-in strainer, this glass tea tumbler allows you to steep tea on-the-go. The clear glass design shows off the color of your tea while the double-walled construction keeps the tea warm and your hands cool.
$19.95
Check it out here.
Maine Wild Raspberry Honey – Bee Raw Honey
I’ll admit, I have a soft spot for honeys and syrups – the more unique the better. This Wild Raspberry honey out of Maine looks fantastic. The site says there currently out of stock, but I’m told there should be another shipment just after January.
Bee Raw Honey is dedicated to the artistry of beekeeping and collects honey from all over the country. This honey is harvested from Maine’s wild raspberry bushes. Wild raspberry honey has a warm aroma and a light, floral flavor with a smooth raspberry finish.
$225
Check it out here.
Tuthilltown Baby Bourbon Whiskey
New York state is not exactly known as a distillers paradise, there are very few true spirits raised in New York. That can’t be said about the Tuthilltown Baby Bourbon Whiskey, which is distilled and aged right in New York state, for a unique drink.
Hudson Baby Bourbon is the first bourbon whiskey to be distilled in New York. This single grain bourbon is made with 100% New York corn and aged in small American Oak barrels.
Each bottle is hand waxed and numbered. It is a true American classic.
$39.99
Check it out here.
Big Jug of Pure Organic Maple Syrup – BestMadeCo
Generally, if I’m going to have maple syrup, I want a lot of it – if there’s a Big Jug of it, even better. This is some of the best maple syrup available outside of Canada, the BestMade Co has been at it for years and know their way around a big jug of maple syrup.
Earlier this year our good friend Nell left New York and moved back to New Hampshire, just next door to the old Shaker village of Canterbury. We dropped a little bug in her ear about wanting to do the Best Made maple syrup, and before we knew it she turned us on to her neighbors with the sugar shack: when North Family sent the first sample of their pure maple syrup we didn’t gingerly apply it to our flapjacks, we guzzled it down like pirates. A half-gallon jug of the Best Made maple syrup will go a long way this holiday, but come January we bet you’ll be wanting more.
Aside from making the best maple syrup we have ever tasted, North Family is a small 60 year old, New Hampshire based family-owned business that harvests their syrup using renewable energy, biodiesel and sustainably harvested firewood. This certified organic medium amber maple syrup was made exclusively for Best Made.
Crown Royal Black
In Canada, if you don’t have a bottle of Crown at home, something must be wrong with you. Are you injured? Sick? Have you not had people over in a while? What’s wrong with you? That type of thing. The virtues of Crown are slowly starting to permeate throughout the world, and to that extent, we now have Crown Royal Black. A darker, higher proof and stronger tasting alternative to your regular Crown Royal regimen.
Crown Royal© Black is matured to perfection in charred oak barrels and blended at a higher proof to impart a more concentrated, full-bodied flavour that leaves a lasting impression. Make way for a darker and bolder whisky blend. Crown Royal© Black is a robust blend of rich bourbon notes with a deep oak background. It embodies Crown Royal’s signature smoothness along with subtle notes of fruit and vanilla that linger in every taste. Best served on the rocks or with mixed drinks.
