Make your holidays local this year with some of these gifts that are born and raised in Long Beach or at least inspired by our city.
Gin and juice: When Snoop rapped about “Roll’n down the street, smokin’ indo, sippin’ on gin and juice,” this wasn’t what he was talking about. But it was a long time ago, and he was a kind of different guy. Now, Long Beach has its own gin, and Snoop has his face on a bottle of wine (oh, how times have changed). Portuguese Bend’s hibiscus flavored gin + Snoop Dogg wine by 19 Crimes = the quintessential Long Beach cocktail.
The first distillery in Downtown Long Beach, Portuguese Bend, located at 300 The Promenade North makes a signature gin called Donna Rosa ($48) with hibiscus toned coloring and “regionally inspired botanicals.” While I wouldn’t recommend this gin for a martini, it is perfect for mixing, and how can you pass up the chance to blend floral flavored red gin with Snoop Dogg wine? Australian wine company 19 Crimes has just released a California red blend of petite sirah and zinfandel that can be purchased anywhere you can buy wine ($9 – $13). Sweet, jammy, and if you’re going to use a wine as a mixer, this is definitely the one. It’s the perfect gift for that Snoop Dogg fan who loves a cocktail that screams Long Beach.
A cider membership from Ficklewood Ciderworks: Know someone who is really into cider? The exclusive “Incider” membership program at Ficklewood Ciderworks, 720 E. Broadway, the only specialized cider brewer in Long Beach, gets your cider lover’s name on a barrel of Ficklewood Cider, along with the right to be among the first to enjoy a taste upon maturation. Membership ($200) also includes tickets for two to memorable “Incider” only events (twice per year), access to the VIP barrel aging lounge, and special invitations to taste new ciders before they are released. Also, a reserved “Inciders” tasting mug, a personalized tasting journal, and a Ficklewood shirt or hat. (How do you like them apples?) Or, grab a cider gift pack: ($47 ) with three bottles of cider, a Ficklewood cider tasting glass, and a holiday ornament.
A Long Beach brewery beer sampler pack from Stateside Crafts at 4242 Atlantic Ave. in Bixby Knolls. A one-stop shop where you can assemble a six-pack of locally brewed beer, and accessories. The selection includes beers from Ambitious Ales, Beachwood, Trademark, LB Beer Lab, Belmont Brewing, and Liberation. From 12-ounce cans to 22-ounce bottles, and stouts to sours, the complete selection is dizzying, and it’s one of the only places that carries more than two or three Long Beach brewers.
MADE by Millworks: 242 Pine Ave. An array of handmade crafts, artworks, clothing, body products and more, all locally made. Support local small craft makers and creatives by shopping this holiday at MADE, back again on Pine.
Long Beach T-shirts: “Traffic Circle Survivor” ($35) From LB Swag at 5304 E. Second St. in Belmont Shore lbswag.com ; “I got my bike stolen in Long Beach” ($25) From Songbird 2240 E. Fourth St. in Retro Row songbirdgoods.com; and finally: How to pronounce “Junipero” by Long Beach Post. Order online at longbeachpost.com.
