Oh snap, it’s officially gingerbread season. From ginger beer and cocktails to delectable gingerbread cookies and pastries, or any other kind of gingerbread delight, The Montclair Girl has you covered with the must-try places in the area. Keep reading for a full list of ginger-based beverages and treats.
Buck Hill Brewery + Restaurant | 45 State Route 94, Blairstown
Come visit the Buck Hill Brewery + Restaurant for the food, but stay for the Ginger Saison brew with notes of ginger. This brewery serves a full menu from bavarian hot pretzels to a warm brie salad dinner special. The beers are made from locally grown ingredients by a sustainable process where the used grain for the brewing process is given back to farms in the area as feed for the animals.
Read More: Where to Buy Holiday Desserts in the Montclair Area
Donaldson Farms Farm Market | 358 Allen Road, Hackettstown
Come visit Donaldson Farms for fun winter activities like horse-drawn wagon rides and amazing snowy views. The market is stocked with delicious holiday items and gingerbread-shaped cookies. Come check it out and try any of the holiday favorites.
Edible Estates | Montclair
(Photo credit: @edibleestates)
What do you get when you mix a love of architecture with gingerbread? A luxury gingerbread company, of course! Edible Estates is a female-founded company that creates and teaches how to make gingerbread houses with at-home kits. Depending on the season, there is a holiday house to make, and owner Molli Dowd is in full holiday mode. This could make for a great holidate or Friendsgiving.
PH Steakhouse | 111 Main Street, Chester
PH Steakhouse is in the historic building right on Main Street in the quaint town of Chester. Pop out there to do some great holiday shopping and stop into the Publick House for lunch or dinner. Make sure to order the Ginger + Oak cocktail. It’s whiskey-based with ginger, mint, and orange notes.
Sweet Melissa Patisserie | 56 Payne Road, Lebanon
Sweet Melissa Patisserie is owned and operated by husband and wife team, Christopher Rafano and Melissa Murphy. Melissa trained at New York’s French Culinary Institute and has won many awards and accolades including TV Food Network Challenge: Edible Ornaments in 2007 when she won the grand prize. Together they created an amazing French bakery and cafe where everything is homemade. During the colder months, a seasonal menu includes a Gingerbread Roulade, a rich gingerbread swiss roll filled with eggnog buttercream.
Torico | 20 Erie Street, Jersey City
Sure it might be cold outside waiting for the next snow day, but ice cream is delicious any time of the year. Torico in Jersey City has some of the best ice cream flavors in the area with different seasonal flavors depending on the time of year. A ginger cookie flavor is on the menu in the fall and winter. It’s creamy and sweet with the perfect amount of ginger taste. It’s a great treat to keep you cool while bundled up.
See More: Sleighs and Leis — a Tropical Christmas Pop-Up in Jersey City
Terhune Orchards | 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton
(Photo credit: Terhune Orchards’ website)
At Terhune Orchards, there is an endless amount of fun. From the pick-your-own orchards to the winery, it’s a great destination. There is also a farm store with so many items including flowers, apple cider, baked goods, and more. Don’t sleep on the ginger snap cookies or decorated gingerbread cut-out cookies.
