KITCHEN DOORS {seasonal gifting guide} Lisa Mullavey | Contributing Writer
QUEEN CREEK OLIVE MILL Queen Creek | queencreekolivemill.com A gourmet gift from Queen Creek Olive Mill will delight everyone on your list from the casual cook to the experienced home chef. This family-run business is Arizona’s only working olive mill and farm, making it the only place in the state that produces locally pressed, high-quality extra virgin olive oil. What makes this such a good place to shop for the holidays is that they offer so many wonderful and unique products in addition to their olive oil. Pick out a traditional EVOO or select one of their flavored varieties such as dark chocolate, jalapeño or blood orange. They also carry several kinds of specialty vinegars, including organic apple cider and cranberry balsamic. Finish your list with one of their robust barbecue or pasta sauces, a tapenade or a Queen Creek Olive Mill cookbook. Shopping for the office? They also have an array of corporate gifting options. Shop online or at one of their two retail locations.
ICONIC COCKTAIL CO. Various Local Shops and Markets | iconiccocktail.com Iconic recently released their seasonal Cranberry Thyme handcrafted cocktail mixer. Made like a traditional grenadine, this mix starts with 100 percent pure pomegranate juice. The flavor of the holidays comes from steeping in fresh thyme and the addition of cranberry juice and a touch of pure cane sugar. Pulp from the cranberries is also used to further infuse the flavor of the berries. Use to create a custom cocktail or refer to the mixer’s label for fun recipes such as the Cran-Hattan and Phoestivas. Either way, the result will be a drink that captures the essence of the season in every sip. Iconic has many other flavors to choose from including selections made for coffee, hot chocolate, sparking water and tea, all available in 17 and 4 ounce bottles. They also have a mini-mixer pack with five flavors and a TSA-compliant pack for the traveler in your life. Shop online or visit their website for a list of places that carry their products.
ZAK’S CHOCOLATE Scottsdale | zakschocolate.com Zak’s Chocolate is one of only a few shops in the United States that makes its chocolate from scratch. While most use chocolate that others manufacture, Zak’s sources organic beans then roasts, grinds, flavors and designs their chocolate in-house. The result is delicious artisanal chocolate that you won’t find anywhere else. Zak’s will release their holiday chocolate collection the first week in December. This year’s flavors are peppermint mocha, candy cane crunch, eggnog, pumpkin spice and gingerbread. Zak’s will also offer chocolate Santa and Christmas tree designs. Owners Jim and Maureen Elitzak can help put together the perfect assortment for that special someone, complete with holiday packaging. (Their powdered cocoa, hot chocolate mix or single-origin chocolate bars wrapped in beautiful paper from Nepal would make festive stocking stuffers.) You’ll have a hard time leaving Zak’s Scottsdale store without a little something — or a few things — for yourself! If you’re looking to purchase specific quantities or flavors, it would be wise to order ahead.
44 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | NOVEMBER 2018
