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Gift Lab: How to Make More Creative Cocktails (Through Science!)

April 6, 2015

Erica gives the Molecular Mixology Mojito Kit a Try | UncommonGoods

Product:  Molecular Mixology Kit – Mojito Set 

Research:
I’m usually a straight whiskey or red wine drinker, mostly due to laziness and complete lack of skill with any drink that requires shaking, stirring, or straining, but I was curious to see if the Molecular Mixology Mojito Kit could help me hone my cocktail skills. My idea of mixing a drink is adding a little Diet Coke to the whiskey, so there’s a lot of room for improvement. To prepare, I watched the product’s Youtube video, which led me to believe that I, too, could create fancy drinks in just a few steps and stocked up on rum and mint leaves.

Hypothesis:
I will be the best bartender since Sam Malone and impress my friends. Besides, Molecular Mixology sounds somewhat hipster, and with my recent move to Brooklyn, maybe this kit could help me better fit in to the new neighborhood.

Experiment: 
Materials Needed:
Molecular Mixology Kit
Hand Blender
Bowls
Mint
Rum
Club Soda
Ice
Sugar
Stove
Pots
Friends

I cut the recipes in half because they make a huge amount of mojitos and it was a school night. Since my mission this evening is to be fancy, I decided to start with the mint caviar recipe. What could be fancier than caviar?

Experiment 1, Mint Caviar:

Step 1:
I first read through the instructions and gathered materials.

Step 2:

Making Caviar Mojitos | UncommonGoods
Impatience won out over the instructions I just read, so rather than bringing the sugar, mint, and water to a boil on the stove, I used an electric kettle to boil the water and poured it over the sugar and mint leaves.

Blending the Mojito Caviar | UncommonGoods
Step 3:
I then blended the mixture together, strained it, and added the Sodium Alginate packet before letting the mixture sit for 30 minutes.

Step 4:
Watch an episode of something on Netflix while the Sodium Alginate mixture sits (for best results, try Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt).

Step 5:
Add Calcium Lactate to a separate bowl of water and stir.

Caviar Dropper | UncommonGoods

 

Caviar Dropper and Bowl
Step 6:
Fill the pipette with the Sodium Alginate mixture and add to the Calcium Lactate bowl in drops. This was by far my favorite part, because the mint caviar formed right away and this step felt the most like I was doing science. Having wine on hand helps the process and is good insurance in case the molecular mixology doesn’t end well.

Rinsing Mojito Caviar | UncommonGoods
Step 7:
Remove the mint caviar from the solution with a sieve and rinse with water.

Step 8:
Put the Caviar in the bottom of a glass and cover with blended ice, rum, and club soda.
Molecular Mojito | UncommonGoods
Step 9:
Stir and sip. This wasn’t the best mojito I’ve ever tasted, mostly because the mint flavor isn’t distributed throughout the drink, so depending on how much caviar you get in each sip, it tastes more or less like the cocktail should. But what it sometimes lacked in consistent flavor it made up for in cool factor, and I would eat those mint caviar drops by themselves. Next time—and they give you enough of the chemical packets for several next times—I would add food coloring to the mint solution so it is more festive and interesting to look at in the glass. I also might try making the caviar for different types of drinks and flavor combinations.

Experiment 2, Mojito Bubbles:

Mojito Bubbles | UncommonGoods
Step 1:
Put Calcium Lactate, sugar, mint, and lime wedges in a high ball glass and crush wish a muddler. Since I have neither a highball glass nor a muddler, I bashed them together with a spoon in a plastic cup. Less classy, but it got the job done.

Step 2:
Add rum and club soda. Mix until the calcium is dissolved and filter.

Mint Bubbles | UncommonGoods
Step 3:
Place mint leaves in the bubble mold and fill them with the liquid mixture. Freeze.

Step 4:
SCIENCE! Dissolve the Sodium Alginate in a bowl and blend. Unmold the iced mojitos into the bowl and stir. Because I didn’t read the directions first to see that they needed to freeze and started these late, I didn’t get to this part until the following morning.

Step 5:
Pick up the spheres with a slotted spoon and rinse them in a bowl of water.

Molecular Mixology - Mojito Bubbles | UncommonGoodsBreakfast of Champions

Step 6:
Enjoy! While slightly more involved, I much preferred these to the mint caviar mojitos. The bubble bursts in your mouth and fills it with an intense mojito flavor. Kind of like grown up Gushers.

Conclusion:
I could see using this kit to make drinks for a special dinner or event, but it was also very fun as an activity for a night in. The directions were easy to follow and provided fun science facts about the process. My friends all really enjoyed the science aspect of the kit, and there was something very satisfying about completing the full process and presenting a beautiful drink rather than just gulping it down. Next time, I might try experimenting with different drinks using the chemical compounds provided. While I won’t be leaving UncommonGoods to open my own bar any time soon, I learned something new and now have a fun activity to use again in the future.

Get the Molecular Mixology Kit!

Gift Guides

Hooray for Math! Planning the Perfect Pi Day Party

February 26, 2015

Whether you flew through calculus or crawled your way through freshman year algebra, a party with pie is something everyone can get behind. Enter Pi Day, a nerdtastic celebration of all things pi and pie.

For those of you who erased most of high school math from your memory (this writer who had to look it up on Wikipedia included), pi is the symbol used by mathematicians to represent the ratio of a circle’s circumference. Sure!

Since pi is an irrational number, it has an infinite number of digits in its decimal representation. However, the first few digits (3.141592…) are the digits used to designate the “Pi” holiday, celebrated on 3/14. This year is a special year, as 3/14/15 represents even more digits of pi! What a time to be a math lover!

Celebrate Pi Day | UncommonGoods

UncommonGoods loves math, to say the least, so we had our pick of great pi paraphernalia. Using math plates, bottle openers, and pizza stones, we were able to create a well-calculated (get it???) table spread that was just as delicious as it was educational.

Pi Plates | UncommonGoods

Pi(Z*Z)A Stone/I Eight Sum Pi Dish/ I Eight Sum Pi Plates
They look like regular plates when full, but each slice of lemon meringue or apple crumble reveals a nerdy lesson in pie consumption. The Pi Plates and matching serving dish spell out a mathematical equation that reads “I eight sum pie”, which is exactly what you should be doing at a Pi Party. The pizza stone’s equation for volume spells out pi(z*z)a, just in case you weren’t sure how much cheesy perfection you should be dominating.

Pi Bottle Opener | UncommonGoods

Pi Bottle Opener
Nothing says party time like a signature drink. We printed out these simple labels to jazz up our favorite soda, but you could also make your favorite cocktails using 3.14 ounces as standard measurements. You can also find your favorite key lime pie martini recipe, if you’re feeling really fancy and literal.

Pi Wax Seal | UncommonGoods

Pi Wax Seal, Pi Bottle Opener
Sure, a Facebook invite would do the trick, but who doesn’t love getting snail mail that isn’t a utility bill or questionable credit card offers? Our Pi Wax Seal makes a mathematical mark on all your correspondence.

However you decide to celebrate Pi Day this year, make it a celebration of math, geekery, and pastry. It’s the only day of the year when everyone can be a numbers nerd—even if you only ever used your calculator to spell funny words upside down.

Happy Pi Day! May your crusts be buttery and your fillings be plentiful.

Gift Guides

Gift Lab: Build Your Own Brooklyn

February 20, 2015

Rocky |UncommonGoods

Product: DIY Brooklyn Skyline Kits

Research:
I think images of artwork are great. But I think videos of artwork being created are so much better. That must mean that GoPro videos from the perspective of the artist creating a piece are the best! At least that’s my theory… which brings us to today’s Gift Lab. I took you out to the beach in my last blog post to demo a product. This time around, you’re going inside my head to see something cool get built from the bottom up.

Hypothesis:
Our DIY Brooklyn Skyline Kits offer the chance for you to craft a mini version of two signature structures in New York, the Kentile Floors sign and your ordinary rooftop water tower. It caught my eye after I saw the two shots of custom designed water towers on our product page.

DIY Watertower | UncommonGoods
DIY Brooklyn Skylines - Watertower | UncommonGoods

Perfect product to test my theory with! First off, these are hot. Nice job Zero Productivity and Atomiko. But more importantly, I can gauge how well we’re able to see something being constructed and designed, without spending hours on hours doing it. I haven’t drawn anything in years. A lot of effort would’ve been needed to produce something that gives my 5-year-old self some competition.

I was also glad to see that two different versions of the kit existed. While doing research on best practices for filming (read: watching GoPro videos on Youtube), I found it difficult to tell which GoPro dock to use for this; chest mount or head mount? So I bought both. I decided that I’d use one mount for one kit and another mount for the other.

Two DIY Brooklyn Skyline kits, two mounts, and one GoPro in hand later… the test was ready to begin.

Testing GoPro with DIY Brooklyn Skyline Kits | UncommonGoods

Experiment:
I started with the Water Tower kit first, for no other reason than wanting to get closer to fantasizing about being a graffiti artist. After I laid all of the cardboard pieces on the table as instructed, I strapped the GoPro chest mount on, pressed record and got to work.

Here’s a closeup of the major pieces made for the water tower.
Build Your Own Brooklyn Watertower | UncommonGoods

Now it was time to design it. I grabbed a pack of Crayola markers and started doodling.

Finished Watertower | UncommonGoods

The first immediate takeaway – Tagging my water tower before building it would’ve been the better idea. The advantage of utilizing a flat surface didn’t cross my mind even slightly; until it was time to record myself doing it. That explains the split between the clips. I had to game plan.

The other thing was the actual video. In order to learn more about using the GoPro, I turned to Wistia.com’s #GoProWeek as a resource. Every day for that week, they shared a different pro tip (no pun intended) for getting the best shot. One of the techniques I used was the time-lapse recording feature that snaps pictures every few seconds, instead of actually recording straight through. I wasn’t a fan of the final result, because the footage came out too choppy. I think I set the timer in between shots too far apart. I decided to make sure to use the other recommended method for the next kit; shooting normally and speeding up the footage in a video editor.

Besides that, the rest of the process was smooth sailing and more fun than expected. The maker’s of the kits provided clear step-by-step assembly directions and all pieces worked as intended. Any edge that needed folding went over smoothly. The laser cut tabs and indents fit perfectly into each other. Connecting the pieces was a snap (that pun, intended). The biggest surprise was the glue; it did not leave a mess on my hands or the table I worked on. It comes already setup in drops that are separated by perforated plastic. When the instructions tell you to grab one, just rip one dot from the pack, peel off the plastic covering, and apply to the marked area. That easy.

Glue Dots

Next up was recording the Kentile Floors sign DIY kit with the GoPro attached to the head mount. You’ll notice that it begins with me filling in the letters first, and then moving on to putting it together.

The simplicity of the structure’s design made assembly much quicker. There wasn’t much of a surface to draw on but filling in the narrow letters required a little bit of time. I really like the point of view that the head cam captured. It feels like you’re actually putting it together rather than observing someone else do it.

Kentile Floors Sign Kit | UncommonGoods

Conclusion:
All in all, I’m convinced that my theory is correct. Watching art creation from a GoPro perspective is a cool experience that helps anyone appreciate the process behind the final result more. It’s amazing to see what goes into pieces, especially from our assortment, I’d imagine. We have a wide selection of uncommon goods that obviously require an uncommon approach to create.

In retrospect, I see where areas for improvement lay. In a future flick, I would:

  • Adjust the speed back to its normal rate at certain points in the video. There are some scenes where it would have made a better experience, such as when I was working on a small detail like applying the glue dots. It also would’ve been a great way to end it so you see the final product as it is just completed.
  • Angle the GoPro camera on the head mount down a few more degrees.
  • Add some background music.

DIY Skyline Kits as Desk Accessories | UncommonGoods

The Skyline Kits made for a great GoPro test run, and I’d definitely recommend them to someone looking for a fun and easy DIY.  What’s even better? I’m left with two new desk additions that visitors can stop and admire. Long overdue, since the Levitron Lamp had been retired for some time now.

 

Gift Guides

Non-Traditional (But Totally Adorable) Gifts for Your Valentine

January 25, 2015

Creative Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Valentine’s Day is a chance to show your someone special that they’re always on your mind. A card with a big, red heart smack-dab in the middle is a nice place to start, but these less-conventional gifts are perfect for taking it to the next level, at any stage in your love story.

 

A Twist on the Traditional
We’re not saying you should skip the chocolate, because chocolate is delicious, but adding one of these more unexpected Valentine’s Day gifts is sweet AND original!

Personalized Love Birch Cuff | UncommonGoods

You’re in love. You want to shout from the rooftops and immortalize this epic romance by carving your initials into everything. Show your affection without excessive noise or vandalism with a stunning Personalized Love Birch Cuff instead.

 

Hanging Heart Vase | UncommonGoods

Flowers are a safe bet for Valentine’s Day. But, as the old saying goes, presentation is everything! |  Hanging Heart Vase 

Joystick Future Fossil | UncommonGoodsShow your partner that when it comes to love, you’re game. | Joystick Future Fossil 

Anatomical Heart Pendant | UncommonGoodsIf you’re going to give her your heart, make sure it’s anatomically correct. | Anatomical Heart Pendant 
You Are Beautiful Earring Bowl | UncommonGoods

 

You already tell her she’s beautiful every day, but this little message is a nice added reminder. | You Are Beautiful Earring Bowl

 

Send the Message
From “Hey, I think you’re cute,” to flirtatious first date banter, to deep “You complete me” conversations, relationships are all about communication. Here are a few ways to say “Be my Valentine” that blow conversation hearts right out of the candy dish. 

Lil Mib Message in a Box Recorder | UncommonGoods

“I love you” and “Happy Valentine’s Day” will get even bigger smiles when they come from Lil’ Mib.

Love Letter Kit | UncommonGoodsSaucy texts are fun and all, but a handwritten love letter is really something special. This Love Letter Kit even comes with calligraphy instructions for those with less-than-fabulous handwriting.

Crumple the Make-it-Yourself Bear | UncommonGoodsAnd if you don’t find the right words on the first try, Crumple The Make-It-Yourself Bear is the perfect place to stuff your less-than-perfect drafts.
Love Yarn Bowl | UncommonGoodsWhat better way to say “let’s get cozy together” than a little knitting? | Love Yarn Bowl

Our Love Story-A Journal | UncommonGoods
Our Love Story-A Journal, because your romance is one for the books.

Heart Book Box | UncommonGoodsSpeaking of books, sometimes what’s in the pages can surprise you. Stash a little treasure in the Heart Book Box to let your Valentine in on the secret.

 

Pre-Date Primping
We know that you love each other no matter what, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have a little extra sparkle on your big date night. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Mens Military Field Grooming Set | UncommonGoods

Clean up while you man up with this no-nonsense, vegan grooming collection. | Men’s Military Field Grooming Kit

 

 

Spa in a Bag | UncommonGoods

If you’re planning a destination Valentine’s Day (lucky!), or looking to recreate your favorite spa experience, this portable set is a must-have to achieve that head-turning glow. | Spa in a Bag 
Collar Stay Punch | UncommonGoods

Look sharp without rushing around trying to find those pesky collar stays! | Collar Stay Punch 

 

My Heart is Always Yours Necklace | UncommonGoods
Let your accessories speak for themselves. | My Heart is Always Yours Necklace

 

Romantic Evening In
Whether you’re cooking a candlelit dinner together, or ordering in from your favorite spot, these goods will set the mood for a delicious, cozy evening with your favorite person. 

 

Cheese & Crackers Serving Board | UncommonGoods

 

Because this special night is all about savoring “you & me” quality time. | Cheese & Crackers Serving Board

 

Pi(Z*Z)A Stone | UncommonGoods

 

Take another little pizza my heart now, baby. | PI(Z*Z)A Stone

 

Molecular Flutes | UncommonGoods

You might not be able to explain your bond, but you know it’s strong. Cheers to finding that allusive chemistry! | Molecular Flutes 
Ooma Bowl | UncommonGoods

You share everything else, so why not cozy up to your favorite snacks together? | Ooma Bowl 

 

You're Intoxicating Heart Bottle Opener | UncommonGoods
For all of the hopeless romantics who are guilty of being drunk on crazy, beautiful, intoxicating love. | “You’re Intoxicating” Heart Bottle Opener 

 

Get Steamy
You know how all that romance makes you feel sort of…sexy? Go with it.

DIY Soy Candle Kit | UncommonGoods

Set the mood by getting crafty together, and then ignite the flames. | DIY Soy Candle Kit

Fondue for Two | UncommonGoods

Incorporating cuisine into an intimate evening doesn’t have to be cheesy. Throw some chocolate in the Fondue for Two pot for an extra-enjoyable dessert.

Aromafork | UncommonGoods

 

Tease the taste buds with the AromaFork kit and let your senses of taste and smell have a little rendezvous their own.

 

Love is Art | UncommonGoods

Love can be a little messy, but in this case, that’s a good thing. Get a little dirty, make sweet art, and have almost as much fun cleaning up afterward. | Love is Art Kit

 

Wake Up Together
The stars have aligned, and Valentine’s Day is finally falling on a Saturday this year! Here are some essentials to enjoy a sweet, relaxing morning with your special someone.  

Love Bird Coffee and Tea Set | UncommonGoods

Two soy lovebirds with an extra shot of espresso, coming right up! | Love Bird Coffee and Tea Cup Set 

First Light | UncommonGoods
Your Valentine might not love mushy songs first thing in the morning. Here’s a more subtle way to say  “you’re the wind beneath my wings.” | First Light

What I Love About You By Me Book | UncommonGoods

At the end of the day–and the beginning of the day–it’s the thoughts that count. | What I Love About You By Me Book 

 

Happily Ever After
Whether you’re newlyweds or a self-proclaimed “old married couple,” Valentine’s Day is another chance to show that the spark is still there. (And it’s stronger than ever!)

Intersection of Love Art | UncommonGoodsMarriage isn’t exactly a destination, but it is a pretty exciting point in your journey together. Celebrate the Intersection of Love with personalized art.

Have & Hold Stemless Wine Glasses | UncommonGoods

You’ll always have each other to hold. Consider these glasses to hold your wine. | Have & Hold Stemless Wine Glasses

Marital Bliss Card Game | UncommonGoodsNow you can literally earn points with your spouse. | Marital Bliss Game

Love Grows Here Terrarium | UncommonGoods

 

A rolling stone gathers no moss, but a happy marriage just might. | Love Grows Here Terrarium

 

Love a Little (One)
Cupid might not be aiming for your fur babies or newborn babies, but how could you possibly resist? These tokens will be sure to show your adorable Valentines what you mean when you gush “I love you!”

 

XO Booties | UncommonGoods

Time for your baby’s first Valentine’s Day? Cover those cute little toes with x’s and o’s! | XO Booties

 

Catnip Chocolate Covered Strawberries | UncommonGoods

More meow-worthy than Meow Mix, this sweet dessert is sure to satisfy the sassiest of kittens! | Catnip Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Squeaky Dog Donuts | UncommonGoods
As if your pups needs another reason to glaze you with kisses. | Squeaky Dog Donuts 

 

Uncommon Valentine's Day Gifts

Gift Guides

Gift Lab: In-Flight Mixology with the Carry-On Cocktail Kit

January 16, 2015

Emily test's the Carry-On Cocktail Kit

Product: Carry-On Cocktail Kit

Research:
As I knew I would be flying for work and the holidays, I thought it would be a great moment to test  the Carry-On Cocktail Kit. According to the description of the product, it had everything you needed to make an Old Fashioned on the plane. The product claimed to be carry-on size, and contained the bitters, sugar, spoon, and even a cocktail napkin.

Carry-On Cocktail Kit | UncommonGoods

Hypothesis:
My biggest concern about this product is whether or not you could get the true Old Fashioned experience on a plane. I usually would make it with a cherry or orange, which would not be available on the plane. I was curious to see if the drink would be as good without these elements. I was also concerned if it would truly pass airport security, as it does contain a liquid.

Carry-On Cocktail Kit Contents
Old Fashioned Instructions

Experiment:
The Carry-On Cocktail Kit is sized perfectly. It fit easily into the side pocket of the backpack I was traveling with, which made it easy for me to access on the plane. Once I got settled, I ordered Jack Daniels and a cup of ice. The kit has very clear and easy to follow instructions, which I used in my test. I poured in the provided sugar packet and then put a few drops of bitters into the cup. I then poured in the whiskey and stirred with the provided metal spoon.
In-Flight Bourbon Old Fashioned
Cheers!

Conclusion:
Overall, it was really easy to use. The cocktail itself was pretty good, though not as good as it would have been with a cherry in it. It was also a fun activity to do while on a plane. It makes two cocktails, so it would be great if you are traveling with another person.
Carry-On Cocktail Kit | UncommonGoods

Gift Guides

Gift Lab: Adding a Tropical Twist with Gourmet Island Sugar

December 22, 2014

 

Louise Geller | UncommonGoods

Product: Gourmet Island Sugar Set

Research:

I hadn’t heard of Old Salt Merchants until I saw their product on the UncommonGoods website, but their adorable packaging and interesting flavors prompted me to take a closer look. A family-run business out of Seattle, Old Salt Merchants makes a point of sourcing fair trade sugar, keeping their products cleanly and simply made, and focusing on a small product line of the highest quality. These are all values I really appreciate, and as an avid home cook I’m always looking for new ingredients and ideas for my kitchen, so I knew I’d have fun using the Gourmet Island Sugar Set to develop a great meal.

AllSugars

Hypothesis:

Using the Lime Slice, Jamaican Ginger, Rum Soaked and Coconut Breeze sugars, I will develop a full meal where each dish includes one of the flavors. They will elevate my recipes and inspire me to try out new ideas.

Experiment:

My boyfriend Paco joined me in my quest to find interesting ways to use the four sugars. We went shopping on a Saturday afternoon and came home loaded up with ideas and ingredients.

Lime_done

Lime Slice Sugar
We decided to start our evening with a cocktail. All four of these flavors could most certainly be used as cocktail ingredients and for delicious sugar rims, but we chose the Lime Slice sugar to try out with one of our favorite cocktails: the traditional Mojito. Paco muddled fresh mint and lime while I prepared a dish of the sugar and a bowl of water to line the rims of our cocktail glasses. The Lime Slice sugar is made with raw sugar, so the granules are large and have a great crunch. The lime adds a bit of acidity and a bit of bitterness – it’s not so delicious on its own, but I could tell when I taste tested it that it would add a lot as an ingredient.

Lime1

I can’t stand overly sweetened cocktails, so I liked the idea of a sugar rim that would allow me to control when I got a shot of sweetness and when my sips were more focused on booze and citrus. The raw sugar also added a textural element to the cocktail that we both found very pleasing. Our cocktails would have been delicious on their own, but the Lime Slice sugar rim definitely gave them a little something special. Although we were sitting on my couch and it was 39 degrees outside, I could have sworn we were poolside in Miami.

Lime2

After pre-dinner cocktails, it was time to get cooking! For the side dish to our meal, we decided to also use the Lime Slice sugar. It was autumn when we conducted the experiment, and that means brussel sprouts are everywhere. One of our favorite preparations for brussel sprouts is to sauté them in toasted sesame oil, then splash a bit of sriracha on top. This time, when they were almost done, we sprinkled on some Lime Slice sugar to temper the spice. The results were delectable – all the flavors married together with no one element overwhelming any of the others. We agreed that the Lime Slice sugar made a great addition to this dish, and I’m looking forward to making it many more times during brussel sprout season!

Lime2_Done

Lime2_1

Rum Soaked Sugar

There are many meats that work well with the use of sugar in glazes or marinades, but I definitely tend to think of pork products as standing up best to sweetness (eg pulled pork, maple bacon, glazed ham, spare ribs). The richness of the meat can hold its own next to a sugar-based topping. I generally don’t want to put too much sugar on my meat, but I thought a small amount of the Rum Soaked sugar would go a long way. A small taste test made it clear that “rum soaked” is an apt way to describe this sugar – it is obvious that there are no artificial flavors happening here. I mixed some garlic, cayenne, salt and pepper in with the sugar and rubbed it on both sides of the pork, then seared it on the stove before transferring to the oven (the best way to get a tender and juicy pork chop). As soon as the sugar started to caramelize, it was clear we were going to have some succulent pork chops on our hands. They were delicious – the rum blended fabulously with the other flavors, and the sweetness was present but not overwhelming. The chops were rich and juicy, and we made short work of them.

While I’m personally not a vegetarian, UncommonGoods is an animal-friendly company, so keep in mind that this recipe is my own. This sugar would also work well for vegetarian or vegan recipes, for those who don’t eat meat. Portobellos would make a good alternative to pork. Or, you  could also try this recipe with traditional meat substitutes like tofu.  The Rum Soaked sugar would also make nice glazed carrots.  Just remember that you’d need to add some oil or melted butter to the sugar and seasoning mixture for any of those, because they don’t have their own fat.

Rum_Done

Jamaican Ginger Sugar
The moment I saw the Jamaican Ginger sugar, I knew I had to pull out one of my favorite childhood recipes for chewy ginger and molasses cookies. The recipe calls for the cookie dough to be rolled into balls and then coated with granulated sugar before being baked. I figured this could only be improved by rolling them in sugar infused with the flavors of fresh ginger. The Jamaican Ginger sugar is also raw, so I knew there would be extra crunch on the cookies, which is a definite bonus in my book – I’m all about textural pairings, and crunchy + chewy is a winner. The ginger adds so much spice to the sugar that you can feel it in your sinuses when you taste it on its own. We were a little worried the flavors would be too strong, but we needn’t have been concerned – the cookie has enough sweetness of its own that the extra kick of ginger is nothing but a joy. This was a huge success, and I will soon be making these cookies again for the holidays!

Ginger_Done

Ginger1

Coconut Breeze Sugar
It’s getting chilly in New York, so hot chocolate has been on my mind. I never buy hot chocolate mixes; I prefer to make my own using unsweetened cocoa powder and adding sugar (again, I’m a bit of a control freak about sweetness). I’ve always loved the combination of coconut and chocolate, so I thought it would be fun to replace the regular granulated sugar I would typically use with the Coconut Breeze sugar. I am calling it CocoCocoa (feel free to use that).

Coconut_Done

I usually use about a tablespoon and a half of cocoa and a tablespoon of sugar to make my hot chocolate, but this time I used a one to one ratio because I was worried about the chocolate overwhelming the coconut flavor. My dutch process cocoa powder packs a big punch, and I still only got a hint of coconut in the finished product. It was delicious, but I was hoping for a more balanced flavor. Next time, I will probably use the coconut breeze sugar to sweeten my fresh whipped cream – I think that will help the flavor stand out more.

Coconut1

And of course, I can’t possibly enjoy cookies and hot chocolate without breaking out my UncommonGoods Face Mug!

FaceMug

Conclusion:

As I’d hoped, the Gourmet Island Sugar Set led us to a delicious meal that was outside the norm of what we’d usually make. We also came up with additional ideas for how to use the different flavors as we were working (lime sugar/sea salt margarita rim, ginger sugar with soy sauce and garlic as a beef marinade, and coconut sugar topping for banana nut muffins, to name a few). I felt good about using this product, knowing each flavor only had two ingredients, all the sugar was fairly traded, and that I was supporting a family-owned small business. I’m excited to use them again!

 

 

Gift Guides

Last Minute Gifts for Everyone on Your List

December 14, 2014

gift-guide-lastminute-main

Still looking for just the right thing for someone on your holiday shopping list? We gathered 20 of our favorite last minute gifts under $50 with all types of giftees in mind. So, whether you’re a secret Santa searching for something special, trying to stuff that last stocking, or just looking for a few final perfect presents, we can help!

Crumple the Make-it-Yourself Bear | UncommonGoods

1. Your favorite DIY-er will get a kick out of Crumple–The Make-it-Yourself Bear. A. Because he’s fun to make and B. because his name is Crumple. How adorable is that?

Faux Boise Sticker Clock | UncommonGoods

2. The punctual decorator on your list will love the Faux Bois Sticker Clock. The sleek shape and bold numbers make it a hit with fans of modern designs, while the “wood grain” gives it a nice, homey feel. Oh, and since it’s made of self-adhering vinyl, this gift is sure to stick with them.

Soup and Sandwich Ceramic Tray Duo | UncommonGoods

3. We all know someone who has “a thing” about their food touching. Give them this thing to deal with that thing. | Ceramic Soup and Sandwich Tray Duo

A Grand Adventure Activity Set | UncommonGoods

4. How do you put hours of fun, bonding, and memories into Grandma or Grandpa’s stocking? With A Grand Adventure Activity Set.

Camera Puzzle | UncommonGoods

5. This Camera Puzzle should get double exposure. It makes a great gift for any puzzle person, but a photographer will also love to take a shot at putting it together.

Love Story Journal | UncommonGoods

6. Need a mushy (in a good way) gift for the lovebirds on your list? Give them this chance to tell their story, with prompts to make sure they don’t miss any of the details of their epic romance. | Our Love Story – A Journal

Popcorn Kernels and Seasoning Sets | UncommonGoods

7. Whether they prefer sweet or savory, your favorite foodie will find gourmet Popcorn Kernel and Seasoning Sets irresistible.

Foldable Market Basket | Uncommongoods

8. It might be just a bit to big to fit into the typical stocking, but a fashionable on-the-go-getter will prefer stuffing a Foldable Market Basket to a big, fuzzy sock anyway.

Tortilla Baby | Uncommongoods

9. The perfect gift for a baby so cute “you could just eat him up!” | Tortilla Baby 

Wishing Ball | UncommonGoods

10. It’s not just wishful thinking to imagine that an introspective dreamer might enjoy a beautiful hand-blown glass accent piece that serves as a vessel for little messages of hope and gratitude. | Wishing Ball

Reclaimed Bike Gear Bottle Opener Coaster | UncommonGoods

11. Know a cyclist who likes to enjoy a refreshing beverage from time to time? This Reclaimed Bike Gear Bottle Opener Coaster is ride up their alley.

Constellation Mug | UncommonGoods

12. These days, “geek” is a compliment. Give an amateur astronomer something to geek-out over with the Constellation Mug. 

Tea Party Soap Set | UncommonGoods13. Tea drinkers expect to get leaves, bags, and cups for the holidays, but they’ll feel like they really cleaned up when they open this  Tea Party Soap Set.

Lunchbox Car | UncommonGoods

14. By grade school, most kids know better than to play with their food. Many, however, still like to play with toy cars. | Lunchbox Car

The Mug with a Hoop | UncommonGoods

15. Teenagers, on the other hand, might benefit from taking a break from teen angst to give the playing with food thing another try. | The Mug with a Hoop

Blacklight Putty | UncommonGoods16. Older kids, and kids-at-heart, will also love Black Light Putty. You’ll be able to tell by the way they glow when they open it. (Even before turning on the black light!)

Make Your Own Body Butter | UncommonGoods

17. The woman who loves to treat herself can be tricky to shop for, but she’ll love the chance to give her skin a treat with a Make Your Own Body Butter Kit.

Old Fashioned Kit \ UncommonGoods

18. Wow a whiskey drinker with a good ol’ fashioned great gift. | Old Fashioned Whiskey Kit

Beer Pop Chart | UncommonGoods

19. Impress a beer-loving guy or gal with this infographic that doubles as decor. | Beer Pop Chart

Ceramic Pin Cushion | UncommonGoods

20. Finding the perfect little gift for someone who loves to sew has never been so easy. | Ceramic Pincushion 

 


Gift Guides

Gifts for Men: 14 Designs that the “Man Who Has Everything” Doesn’t Already Have

December 11, 2014

Gifts for The Man Who Has Everything That He Doesn't Already Have | Gift Guide for HIM | UncommonGoods

In a world with endless options, some of us suffer from some form of analysis paralysis. We over-think the pros and cons of our gifts, fearing buyer’s remorse or another oversight. This is especially true when we encounter those guys on our wishlists who appear to own every cool thing ever made. Whether he’s a modern-day Renaissance Man, or just a distinguished hoarder, he is completely immune to any fear of committing to a collection of very useful, fashionable, well made things. And why shouldn’t he? You only live once! But fear not! No one has it all and it’s not impossible to find him a gift he wouldn’t want to add to his collection. We’ve picked out 14 cool and unique items that will be sure to impress that special man who seemingly has everything.

 

Cloudy Day Toilet Paper Storage | UncommonGoods

1. Rain or shine, the guy who has it all should never find himself out of stock! Now if only he would remember to leave the toilet seat down. | Cloudy Day Toilet Paper Storage

 

Stone Drink Dispenser | UncommonGoods
2. Sticks and stones will break his bones, but they will also make for a very sophisticated drink dispenser. | Stone Drink Dispenser

Whiskey Wedge | UncommonGoods
3. Cheers to whiskey on the rocks that isn’t watered down! | Whiskey Wedge

Beer Opening Glass | UncommonGoods
4. He doesn’t always drink beer, but when he does, he’ll prefer the Beer Opening Glass.

Seven Deadly Sins Pilsner Glasses | UncommonGoods
5. Whether he’s lusting after a cold one, or indulging in the gluttony of a third, these witty glasses will ensure that his bros won’t lose track of their brews at the next house party. | Seven Deadly Sins Pilsner Glasses

Wise Beer Growler | UncommonGoods
6. It would be wise to gift this companion before the next beer run! |  Wise Beer Growler 

Boombox Touch Speaker | UncommonGoods

 

7. He has the newest smart phone, but does he have a smart speaker? |  Boombox Touch Speaker 

Foodie Dice | UncommonGoods

8. From his beloved Vitamix to his people-pleasing pasta maker, we know he’s got his home cooking routine down to a science. Shake things up by introducing this uncontrolled variable to his foodie lab! | Foodie Dice

Literary Cufflinks | UncommonGoods

9.  Help him suit up like a gentleman and a scholar. | Literary Cufflinks 

iPad Foosball |UncommonGoods

 

10. He already has the iPad, but we doubt he has a bunch of those little wooden soccer guys lying around!  iPad Foosball lets him transform his tablet into a Foosball table in no time.

Fixie Pizza Cutter | UncommonGoods

11. If he’ a pizza fan, he’ll love it. If he’s a pizza fan and a cyclist, he’ll love it even more and  burn off the extra calories during his next ride. Double win. | Fixie Pizza Cutter

Magnetic Bike Lights | UncommonGoods

12. Speaking of biking–really cool, super strong magnets first. Uh, we mean “safety first.” In this case, it’s actually both. | Magnetic Bike Lights

Laser Projection Keyboard | UncommonGoods

13. Why yes, that is a futuristic Laser Projection Keyboard with motion sensing technology that turns any flat surface into something that looks like it was pulled from a sci-fi film.

Men's Military Field Grooming Kit | UncommonGoods14. Good hygiene is one of the things the guy who has everything already has, so he’ll love this collection of high-end men’s toiletries. He’ll also love that they come in a real, upcycled US Army supply can, because that’s just cool. | Mens Military Field Grooming Set

 

Gifts for The Man Who Has Everything That He Doesn't Already Have | Gift Guide for HIM | UncommonGoods