The best food and drink gifts to buy this year

Give the gift of mindfulness with something from Basao. This locally based company specialises in artisanal teas that are sourced from plantations all across Asia. From its crisp black teas to grassy sencha, all of Basao’s brews boast their own unique flavour profile, and are designed as immersive experiences to be enjoyed, as opposed to just another beverage to be gulped down. Aside from its standalone teas, Basao’s also curated a Christmas gift set which includes a caddie of Smoky Bohea Black Tea, a special edition of assort tea bags pack and a Kinto Tumbler. 

Perfect for chocoholics with a keen eye for design, these cacao treats are the newest creations by artist Ryan L Foote, who previously worked with high-end chocolatier Vero. The geometric sweets, which draw from Foote’s experiences in sculpture design, are made by combining 3D-printing tech with traditional chocolate-making techniques, and feature a hand-piped ganache at their cores. Given that Foote shuttles back and forth between Melbourne and the 852, he’s created an Australian collection and a Hong Kong one, the latter of which includes flavours such as pineapple bun, egg tart, milk tea and French toast. $415 for box of nine; chocolatesbyrlf.com

It’s no secret that gin is having a moment. More and more bars are stocking everything from big brands from London to small-batch bottles from Spain and Germany. If you’re looking for a gift for the discerning drinker in your life, we recommend going for a bottle of Perfume Trees Gin. Co-created by local mixologist Kit Cheung, the spirit is infused with botanicals that evoke the flavours and aromas of Hong Kong, including aged tangerine peel, green tea and blossoms from the eponymous joy perfume tree. Officially launched this winter, the product is currently made in the Netherlands – the birthplace of gin – but there are hopes to open a distillery here in Hong Kong in the near future. $728; perfumetreesgin.com

Also known as the best cookies in town, these chunky, chewy and oh-so-buttery treats are one of our favourite things to gift. Each fist-sized cookie is loaded with top shelf ingredients and is baked fresh daily. There are seven regular flavours to choose from – the classic chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, double choc chip, white chocolate macadamia, red velvet, brownie-filled and the insanely decadent peanut butter chip – but there are also seasonal specials such as the red velvet matcha ganache cookie and the peanut butter and jelly cookie! Order these soft-baked treats via Instagram or head over to their pop-up store at Landmark Atrium before December 31 to try some before you buy some. $35-$40 (minimum order of eight cookies), $300 for holiday tin; @cookie.dpt

A mainstay at many local fairs and markets, these handcrafted confections are perfect for those with a sweet tooth. As the name suggests, they’re based on recipes created by the founder’s mother, so expect them to be made with plenty of TLC. There are no added oils, sugar or preservatives – only carefully sourced natural fruits and nuts, such as red dates from Xinjiang and purple apricots from the Middle East. What My Mom’s Cooking sells its candies at its production kitchen in Kwun Tong but you can also find its range at various health-conscious outlets such as Green Common. $85-$240