The Ultimate Food & Drink Gift List

Food and drink also solve that universal conundrum when a friend replies: I don’t need anything! Well, in our opinion, there’s always a little extra room in the pantry for a delectable little present which we know our friends and family will likely devour.

So, if you’re looking for some fresh foodie inspiration, check out our ultimate food and drink gift list. We’ll also keep adding to the list as we find new products we love!

Rock Rose Gin

A premium gin is such a splendid gift, and one that is bound to go down a treat as a thoughtful hostess gift. We admit, we are huge fans of the ‘Rock Rose’ aesthetic, and these beautifully designed bottles can be featured on any kitchen shelf long after the last drop of gin has been poured. We’re also pleased to report the gin itself is of exceptional quality: handcrafted in small batches, with a selection of local botanicals including Sea Buckthorn and Juniper berries, this delightful Scottish gin has become one of our personal favourites. Serve over ice with a good quality tonic water and sprig of rosemary to garnish.

Poon’s Extraordinary Chilli Oil

This flavourful, fiery chilli oil has reached almost legendary status, and can be spotted amongst the condiments of any well-heeled pantry. And for that reason, it had to make our ultimate gift list. Chef Amy Poon of Poon’s London is the creative force behind this unique aromatic oil which is made with salted black beans. The oil can be simply added to noodles for a quick supper, or any dish where you want a good hit of flavour. The ‘foodie’ in your life will be more than happy with this gift.

Fortnum & Mason Potted Blue Stilton

For any cheese-lover there’s no better gift than the ‘King of Cheeses’ aka the blue stilton! Presented in a decorative and reusable ceramic jar from the legendary Fortnum & Mason store. This cheese is full-flavoured and creamy, with the perfect amount of tang. It’s delicious served alongside chutney, dried fruit, and sweet grapes.

Rococo Luxury Dark 62% Hot Chocolate

This divine hot chocolate is the very definition of luxury. Made with Rococo’s signature 62% dark chocolate, it’s as though you are drinking the finest chocolate in liquid form, and in a way, that’s exactly what you’re doing. Simply add the chocolate flakes to warmed milk – we prefer using whole milk for extra creaminess – and you have the perfect hot drink. In addition, this hot chocolate is presented in a collectable tin with Rococo’s’ instantly recognisable blue print design.

Compass Box Whisky

Scotch Whiskymakers, Compass Box, are one of the most exciting distillers we have come across. Founded in 2000, their ethos is to make the often-stuffy world of whisky a more exciting place. We can confidently say they have achieved their goal with their latest offering which is one of our favourite new whiskies to hit the market. The ‘Nectarosity’ is a blended whisky with notes of toffee, fruit, vanilla, and toasted oak. It’s one of the smoothest blends we have come across and a great introduction to someone new to whisky.

Fearne & Rosie

We adore a good jar of jam, and as we’re being introduced to new brands all the time, we were thrilled to discover Fearne & Rosie. What sets this company apart is their commitment to using less sugar and more fruit. You’ll find a whopping 70% percent of fruit, and no nasties. This is a lovely gift for a friend with children who are looking to make healthier choices. However, we don’t rate this jam just for the ‘health’ benefits, it’s actually incredibly tasty. We’ve also used the jam as a topping for cakes as well as our morning toast.

Fortnum’s Chocolate Pearl Biscuits

Fortnum’s seal of approval is everything when it comes to a good biscuit, in fact, this legendary store is known for their perfect buttery biscuits. We have concluded that the Chocolate Pearl Biscuits is the ultimate please-all selection. What could be better than a classic butter biscuit studded with rich Valhorna chocolate pearls. They are the perfect teatime treat with that all-important satisfying crunch.

El Rayo Tequila

If you think tequila is just for margaritas or the occasional shot, think again. This brand is on a mission to make tequila more accessible. Now, we admit tequila hasn’t ever been at the top of our drink wish-list, but our mind has changed after trying this beautiful drink – it’s a crisp, clean tequila with a bright citrus flavour. You could say it is the modern tequila-drinkers’ drink!  We love this tequila over ice with tonic water and a wedge of orange or grapefruit. And just look at the bottle! Who wouldn’t want this as a gift?

Harvey Nichols Cut Comb Honey

The sticky sweetness of cut comb honey is one of life’s truly delicious pleasures. This honey is always at arms’ reach, and we think it’s about time you tried it, too. This aromatic sliced honeycomb is immersed in floral acacia honey, and the combination hits just right – the perfect amount of sweetness. The great thing about a good honey is that there’s endless possibilities: add to tea, spread on toast, drizzled over pancakes and cakes…wherever a dose of natural sweetness is needed.

Truffle Hound Gourmet Truffle Hot Sauce

For fans of hot sauce, nothing quite beats this decadent, gourmet version which turns this beloved condiment into an everyday luxury. Truffle Hound has created a hot sauce with the volume turned up in every sense – heat and flavour overload! It’s a decadent recipe of summer truffles, ghost pepper, and organic chile de arbol. The great thing about this sauce is that it’s at a reasonable medium heat so will appeal to most palettes.

Harrods Chocolate Pistachios

A gift from Harrods is always a treat, especially when enrobed in the finest milk chocolate. These pistachios are a cut above and have been hand roasted by German artisans to achieve that extra crunch. Best of all, you can choose from milk, white or dark chocolate depending on your preference. These make the perfect treat for family or friends especially if you know that pistachios are their nut of choice.

Everleaf Forest

For a delicious aperitif, without the alcohol, Everleaf Forest is our go-to for gifts. This is a complex and bittersweet blend with Madagascan vanilla, saffron and orange blossom. The soft, mellow vanilla notes are sublime, and it feels as though you’re drinking an exotic cocktail containing a myriad of ingredients – you barely miss the alcohol element. This aperitif can be used in a variety of cocktail recipes, but we prefer it over ice with tonic water and a slice of orange. Chin-chin!

SsamJang – Korean Soybean Sauce

For the consummate cook who has everything, often a little more thought is needed when choosing a ‘foodie’ gift. We think we have that conundrum wrapped up in this gorgeously designed jar of Korean Soybean Sauce. This wonder sauce is a staple of Korean cooking, such is the versatility of the ingredients. Quite simply, it brings that moreish umami taste to every dish. It can be added to stir-frys, rice dishes, roasted meats, as well as veggie dishes. It’s also incredible as a dip.

Fortnum & Mason Cassis Gin

Looking for a gin with a twist? This is the only flavoured gin we have found so far that gets the Plate & Place approval. The cassis is Fortnum’s own brand, which brings a vibrant, berry-sweet flavour to the gin. You’ll spot the notes of blackcurrant and liquorice, too. It makes for a great gift, but we guarantee you’ll likely be tempted to keep it for yourself!

Little’s Chocolate Orange Coffee

For a thoughtful house-warming gift, especially if they’ve yet to unpack, these quality instant coffees with the luscious taste of chocolate orange are a warming treat. You can also find other flavours in the range such as caramel, coconut, gingerbread cookies, to name a few. They’re the perfect little pick me up, and only hot water required! What we love about these coffees is that it feels like a gourmet drinking experience. The branding is also adorable – we have three and counting!

Biscuiteers Gin Biscuits

For the prettiest biscuits in London, there is one brand we instantly think of: Biscuiteers. Founded in 2007, the company quickly became the go-to for unique iced biscuits. Every biscuit is artfully decorated and packaged to perfection. We love the fact there is a biscuit selection for every possible milestone, including birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings. Our favourites are the ‘Gin and Tonic’ themed biscuits which are utterly adorable. And while the biscuits don’t contain gin, they do taste amazing!