Morning Brew - ☕️ Evermore

TOGETHER WITH

Happy Taylor Swift’s second album of 2020 day. On Monday, I'll discuss my feelings about evermore. Today, I want to thank you for overflowing my inbox with hot cocoa tips. A few standout recs: Add a tiny pinch of salt, spike it with Cointreau, pour the hot cocoa over a heaping scoop of mocha gelato, spice it up with chili powder, and—the most unexpected but in hindsight so obvious—stir in one tablespoon of butter.

— Rachel Cantor

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Hot Topic

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During the pandemic, we’ve replaced late nights in sweaty clubs with bar carts and cocktail-making TikToks. Here’s how to stun your friends and family with libation creations:

Signature cocktails from two dozen Italian-American bars that will transport you to a Tuscan veranda.
The Kitchn Essentials Bar Edition is a comprehensive guide to the best beer, wine, and liquor.
Stay holly, jolly, and buzzed with winter cocktails from pro bartenders.
Learn from the best: Follow the Apartment Bartender for premium, classic drinks and the Moody Mixologist for stunning cocktails that are almost too decorative to drink.

Brain Food

Read

Turns out Harriet the Spy wasn’t the only one with a secret life. The author, Louise Fitzhugh, had one too.
When you’re thinking of deploying a GIF, there’s a 42.3% chance you land on one from The Office. This New Yorker piece hits on why most of us have rewatched the comedic masterpiece during lockdown.
Regifting is like lying about your height on a dating profile: Everybody does it. These are the dos and don’ts of regifting.
To help with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder): this list of things that brought people joy in 2020.

Listen

An audio time capsule of all the songs that got us through 2020. You can even submit your own.
Today’s newsletter is powered by folklore (in anticipation of Taylor’s new album, evermore) and the Big Desk Energy work playlist. Completely opposite vibes, but they’re both great for writing.
Or, you can groove to the official Sidekick launch playlist. I added some new tunes this week.
You might be sick of pantry meals during quarantine, but you’ll never get sick of “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Dive into the history behind this timeless song on the 60 Songs That Explain the ’90s podcast.

Watch

It’s not every day that you can lean back in your grandma’s recliner and take a private tour of Versailles, the palace built by Louis XIV.
Ok, Google. Play the Year in Search 2020, and I’ll indulge in a good cry.
I still don’t understand how one day Nicolas Cage went from stealing the Declaration of Independence to exploring the origins of swear words. The Netflix series is coming to your flat screen this January.

Good Eats

LauriPatterson / Getty Images

Even if you don’t celebrate Hanukkah, I promise you’ll enjoy this classic latke recipe. Don’t let the chicken schmaltz turn you off. It’s optional.

Sponsored by Peepers

We just learned that more than 80% of adults report using digital devices for over two hours per day.

If you’re one of that 80% (we sure are), there’s Peepers, the Blue Light Reading Glasses and no-correction glasses that help prevent digital eye strain.

These stylish glasses filter 40% or more of harmful blue light. Which may reduce eye fatigue, headaches, disrupted sleep, and dry eyes.

For just $25, Peepers are a no-brainer (but your brain will thank you). Get a pair plus a free cleaning kit here.

Try It, Buy It

Try It

After you’ve completed the NYT 36 Questions that lead to love, run through this deck of date night questions for friends AND lovers.
If only I knew about this tool for organizing remote secret Santas earlier! Hit reply, and I’ll let you know what I bought for my gift exchange.
All I have to say: I NEED THIS.
Eater editors shared the best brownie recipes. I can’t believe they left out Claire Saffitz’s Malted Forever Brownies.

Buy It

This rec is brought to you by the Brew Crew’s resident tech expert, Ryan Duffy, who claims that smart plugs have changed his life. You can manage all your home devices and holiday lights through a voice assistant, and you'll feel ~fancy~ too.
I’m a ride or die oat milk gal, but the other day I was in the grocery store and the Chobani Coffee Creamer caught my eye. The cute packaging initially sold me, but from a taste POV it’s super smooth, creamy, natural(ish), and definitely tops Coffee Mate. They even have a peppermint mocha creamer.

Sidekick's 2020 Gift Guide

Will Varner

Meditation. Duolingo. Canasta Junction. What to get that ambitious person in your life who picks up a new hobby...and actually sticks with it?

Check out our gift recs for the Lifelong Learner in the Sidekick Holiday Gift Guide.

P.S. In the extremely rare case that none of these gifts interests you (it won’t happen), email sidekick@morningbrew.com with some deets about your giftee, and I will hand-select a few gift options.

Eye Candy

Mandy Rosenfeld's Instagram

Mandy Rosenfeld’s most recent photographs look like the movie The Polar Express brought to life. This train choo-chooing through a forest blanketed in snow is putting me in that winter wonderland mood.

I’ll be spending my entire weekend listening to the new Taylor Swift album. Let me know your thoughts after it arrives tonight at midnight, and I’ll see you on Monday.

Your internet Sidekick,
Rachel

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Morning Brew - ☕️ Evermore

Older messages

☕️ Back from the brink

☕️ IPO season starts now

☕️ Reformation reforms

☕️ Dentsu gets dented

☕️ Haircut

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