A gorgeous event that showcased the quality and craftsmanship that goes into each Jefferson’s Bourbon expression
Returning to BLACKBARN for dinner felt like revisiting a version of New York dining that many have missed. In the evening, the restaurant offers an escape, briefly transporting guests out of the city and into something closer to a ski-town retreat. It’s a dinner experience marked by assurance, the kind that comes from a place comfortable with its own pace.
For those who love a beautifully made cocktail, the infatuation doesn’t stop at the bar. It shows up in the details jewelry inspired by a perfect pour, art that nods to aperitivo hour, chic purses, candles, accessories and statement recipe books that bring a touch of that indulgent, spirited energy into everyday life. These are the best products for drink lovers who want to live the vibe, not just sip it.
RPZL Hair Accessories
RPZL is for the it girl. Not only do they deliver magnifique, outlandishly fast blowouts, but the female powerhouse behind the brand, Lisa Richards, also creates hair accessories that feel truly scrumptious. From the playful Espresso Martini and Black Olive clip to the I Need a Martini, Cosmo, and Spritz designs, the accessories capture the essence of sipping cocktails —featuring orange-ruby spritz hues, bright Mediterranean blues, refreshing cocktail motifs, and details inspired by Island to East Side’s iconic beaded handbags. Each piece feels celebratory, chic, and made for anyone who loves weaving cocktail culture into their everyday style.
Carrying a Cocktail
For cocktail lovers who want to carry a little happy hour flair wherever they go, these spirited accessories are a must. The Fiona Beaded Bag at Anthropologie comes in playful designs like Stripe Cocktail, Plaid Martini, and Cosmo, perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to any outfit. The Kelly & Katie Espresso Martini Beaded Clutch from DSW brings a pop of color to your night-out look, with a compact silhouette that keeps essentials close at hand. And the Kate Spade New York Charmed Leather Cocktail Book Bag Charm adds a fun, cocktail-inspired accent to any bag, blending playful charm with everyday sophistication. Together, they’re the perfect trio for gifting or elevating your own bar-side style.
Chic Cocktail Books
A great cocktail or tasting book should educate, delight, and look just as beautiful on your shelf as it is engaging to read. The Whiskey Bible by Noah Rothbaum is a 600+ page deep dive into whiskey’s history, culture, and cocktails, blending accessible storytelling with expert knowledge, making it essential for enthusiasts and curious sippers alike. How to Taste by Mandy Naglich guides readers to explore flavor and savor life, teaching you to engage your senses with food, wine, and cocktails in a way that’s fun, memorable, and deeply satisfying. And The Bartender’s Pantry: A Beverage Handbook for the Universal Bar by James Beard Award-winning and Spirited Award-winning author Jim Meehan, with Bart Sasso and Emma Janzen, is a professional guide that surveys and celebrates the culinary ingredients behind mixed drinks. Featuring over 100 recipes from the world’s most creative bartenders, this handbook provides insider knowledge on fresh ingredients, multi-functional infusions, and syrups—perfect for elevating cocktails at home, with or without alcohol. Together, these books expand your expertise while also making for stylish, must-have additions to any home bar or bookshelf.
Spirited Jewelry
For those who love to bring cocktail-hour energy into their everyday style, spirited jewelry is the perfect way to toast without a glass in hand. J. Rieger & Co. in Kansas City partnered with EB and Co. to create stylish cocktail earrings, locally made and designed to elevate any outfit with modern flair—ideal for special occasions or everyday elegance. BaubleBar’s Pop the Bubbly Earring Set adds playful sparkle with champagne-inspired bottle and flute studs, perfect for celebrations big and small. And Catbird Jewelry takes it one step further with their Cocktail Charm Collection, featuring the Quartz Coupe, Olive Garnish, Cherry on Top, and Cocktail Fork charms—each thoughtfully designed to bring the spirit of a cocktail into wearable, delicate gold jewelry. Together, these pieces let you toast in style every day.
Scentini Espresso Martini Candles
My love for the espresso martini hasn’t dwindled since it first took over the scene. What better way to pay homage to one of my favorite drinks than having one sit on my mantle at all times—in candle form. Meet The Original Espresso Martini Candle, handmade in Tampa, Florida. Perfectly scented to replicate the aroma of freshly brewed espresso, each candle is crafted in-house and finished with three real coffee beans for health, wealth, and happiness. Even the 9.25-ounce glass is part of the experience—an authentic martini glass designed to be reused long after the candle has burned down. Just don’t drink one too many real espresso martinis and mistake it for a real one!
I’ve lived in New York City for over a decade, but like everyone else, I started out here as a tourist. I’ve bought the obvious souvenirs, the disappointing ones, and a few things I still wonder why I ever carried home. Somewhere between then and now — after years of living here and scrolling past accounts like @WhatIsNewYork, @SubwayCreatures, and @NewYorkers — I learned what actually feels like New York. The city has a very specific energy, and not every product gets it right. Some gifts feel lazy. Others feel spot-on. This guide is a curated mix of the ones that work — the New York–coded finds that go beyond the basics and are actually worth buying, gifting, and keeping.
Our ultimate holiday gift guide edit is here.
To celebrate Christmas the Italian way, Piccola Cucina Estiatorio is serving its Feast of the Seven Fishes special through the end of December.
As Cabo San Lucas continues to evolve into one of Mexico’s most dynamic travel destinations, Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa is redefining what it means to stay all-inclusive—just in time for what’s shaping up to be an exciting year ahead.
Hooping into the Holidays! ESPN hosted Winter Season’s Swishes Holiday Portrait Studio at Bryant Park Winter Village on Sunday.
Tucked into an overlook in one of the busiest areas of New York City, ESPN created an NBA portrait pop-up for basketball fans to celebrate the holidays. Firstly guests were greeted with hot chocolate to sip on as they defrosted from the cold. They were then given a choice of jerseys to wear for the shoot and posed with a basketball on a festive basketball court set.
Afterward, guests had the option to receive their photos either printed or digitally. For those who chose prints, a stationery station was available where guests could decorate their photos and address provided envelopes to mail the flicks to loved ones. Following this, guests could mailed out the photos via an envelope drop location. This added a splash of whimsy to the experience, evoking the nostalgia of sending a Christmas letter to Santa.
The pop-up is in celebration of the NBA games airing on ESPN and ABC on this Christmas Day! See match ups below:
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks
- San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors,
- Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets.
Photo Courtesy: Tessa M. Dobrow
New York City is fully in holiday mode, and the festive energy isn’t slowing down anytime soon. From cozy, candlelit restaurants and seasonal pop-ups to bustling holiday markets and iconic winter experiences, the city is offering endless ways to celebrate. Whether you’re planning a last-minute outing, hosting visitors, or looking ahead to New Year’s Eve, there’s no shortage of things to do — including where to eat, where to shop, and where to celebrate the iconic ball drop as the year comes to a close.
Christmas in New York City is always such a wonderful time—there’s truly nothing better than experiencing the season through intimate, thoughtfully curated moments. One of those moments came this December at the newly opened Hyatt Regency Times Square, which kicked off the holidays with a celebration that felt both festive and distinctly New York.
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