Fall is officially here, and while the cooler temperatures haven’t quite made it to either coast quite yet (Jeff’s eagerly anticipating the return of his all-flannel wardrobe), we have a few favorites to help ring Autumn in true TONIC-style.
Drink: The Lion’s Tail
The perfect “transitional” cocktail to take you from the light and fresh citrus infusions of summer to the warm spices of fall. Lime and bourbon are totally MFEO. If you’ve never had or heard of allspice dram, you can find the St. Elizabeth’s brand at Total Wine or BevMo, or if you live in the boonies like Jen, make your own!). TONIC tip: Don’t skip that star anise garnish! It takes the smell level up to “out of control.”
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Eat: Quinoa Chowder with Spinach, Feta & Scallions
The first time we spent the week together designing our VERY first fall collection – way back in 2013 – we kicked off the trip with a dinner party with friends in DC and a life-altering, incredible concert afterwards (more on that in a second). Our friends shared a giant pot of this recipe with us that chilly November night, and that’s probably why we have all the warm fuzzies every time we makeit. It’s healthy, delicious, and all we want to eat the minute there’s a chill in the air. Tonic tips: Double (or triple) the garlic (and the jalapeño if you like a little heat), and don’t skip any of the garnishes.
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Brunch: Jeff’s Favorite Apple Muffins
Jeff’s love for apples run deep. His grandma used to stash a supply of hot apple cider in her purse when he was a kid for when he’d come into her work after an afternoon on the slopes, and he maaaay snack on an apple (with peanut butter, too, duh!) nearly every afternoon. So naturally, when fall rolls around, he loves baking all manner of apple treats, especially given all the freshly picked local apples in Seattle. Tonic tip: Pair these with chai lattes or hot apple cider and you’ll find yourself starting your morning #shipleystyle.
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Play: Lucius
Remember that life-altering concert we mentioned earlier? It was Lucius. Having seen some amazing shows in our lifetime, we had no expectations and no experience with this duo, and they proceeded to blow. us. away. The tightest harmonies, the catchiest hooks, the most charisma we’ve seen onstage in a loooong while (Think The Civil Wars meet The Supremes). They’ve blown up since 2013, but if they haven’t made it onto your radar yet… welcome to the party. Jen put together a whole playlist way back then to accompany our Lion’s Tail sips and sounds and “Wildewoman” is on that list, but you’ve gotta hear their new single now, too.
Enjoy: The Best Fall Candle
One of the markers of fall in Jen’s household is when she switches out her “Garden Mint” Sydney Hale candle for the “Tobacco & Sandalwood” – her favorite scent for fall (and life, really). The candles are locally made near her home in Bluemont, Virginia, and you’ll find that the branding is almost as great as the smell. Almost. Tonic tip: If you’re near Charleston, her favorite runner up is the Candlefish No. 01.
