Have you caught up with Zeffer’s alcoholic ginger beer yet? It’s a snappy drop using zingy fermented ginger root and its famous freshly crushed apple cider. It’s no nonsense, with a big gingery hit, lots of delicate bubbles and a dash of spice, just the way we like it. Produced in the beautiful Hawke’s Bay, Zeffer cider is now pouring in all corners of the globe. Go, you good things! $12.99 for 1 litre. zeffer.co.nz
Elevate the everyday with The Ultimate Kiwi Mince from the talented crew at First Light. Using whole-muscle Wagyu and venison, and pork from the team at Freedom Farms, it delivers an earthy, salty, nutty flavour to pasta sauces and burger patties, and is equally delicious served simply on hot buttered toast. 400g pack $10.99. Available at selected supermarkets and food stores, and online at meatclub.firstlight.farm
This clever little product has sprung to life after spending its first 6-12 months marinating Telegraph Hill‘s multi- award-winning olives. Once the olives are done, all of that earthy, briney goodness is pasteurised and bottled, delivering a premium 100 per cent olive brine product. You can use this dirty little devil to add depth of flavour to all sorts of dishes – the best part is that you can now dirty-up your margaritas, Martinis and tequila shots in a flash! Dirty International Olive Brine 375ml $24.90. dirtyinternational.co.nz
You’ll need to get in quick to grab the last of this limited-edition release by Scapegrace Gin and Wellington Chocolate Factory. Combining Scapegrace’s unmistakable botanicals with WCF’s Dominican and Peru cocoa, this is chocolate like nothing else you’ll ever taste. It’s just like a G&T, but in the form of a chocolate bar – outstanding. 75g $12.50. wcf.co.nz
Level up your cocktail game with hospo pro and legendary barman Mikey Ball’s new Ballin’ project. We’re loving the Office Martini from his pre-batched freezer pour range using local botanicals and showcasing Roots Marlborough Dry Gin, vermouth, olive and citrus leaf. There are six Martinis in each 500ml bottle for $75. Check out the full range at ballindrinks.com
This super-crisp, straight-up lager is the latest creation from Matakana craft brewery Sawmill. It’s all about championing the wonderful producers and farmers in Aotearoa that are the reason brewing New Zealand beer is even possible. It’s a refreshing lager style that most of us are familiar with, all from here, all homegrown. Available in 6 x 330ml cans $19.99. sawmillbrewery.co.nz
The gals at Secret Kiwi Kitchen have done it again with this Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix, so you can slide into an easy breakfast with perfectly light and fluffy pancakes or crispy-edged waffles – job done! $6.99 secretkiwikitchen.com