Buzz
Holiday gatherings aren’t truly festive without snacks, music, and, of course, some celebratory drinks. (Well, friends too, but let's focus on the drinks for now.) Choosing the right drink is key to a great holiday, but so is the proper tool for serving it. I’m often frustrated by how ladles always leave behind that last half-inch of delicious punch in flat-bottomed bowls, slow cookers, and Dutch ovens. It’s time we end this waste. Let's retire the ladle and welcome the turkey baster.
As endearing as tipsy friends are, their motor skills can be questionable. When they spot that final inch of cranberry punch, but every ladle scoop feels like trying to fish water from a horcrux bowl, they’ll likely take matters into their own hands. Attempting to lift a large glass bowl or, worse, a heavy 16-pound Dutch oven filled with hot cider is not the safest way to pour. This is where the turkey baster shines. Its pointed tip reaches the bottom of any container, allowing guests to avoid tilting or lifting the bowl. Plus, most people are familiar with liquid droppers, so even if the room’s spinning a bit, they should manage it just fine.
Ideally, a no-drip turkey baster is your best option. If you can get a couple, I recommend the dripless baster, which comes with an angled tip, a replacement tip, and a cleaning brush. The angled tip has a small silicon gasket inside that prevents drips until you squeeze the bulb. A baster also helps control portion sizes for heavy-handed guests. Typically, a turkey baster can suck up about one and a half to two ounces of liquid with a single press, so two dips are perfect for a solid drink on the rocks.
Originally designed to siphon boiling turkey drippings, basters are heat-resistant, making them perfect for serving hot drinks like steamy glögg, mulled wine, or hot apple cider. Simply insert a baster into your punch bowl or large cocktail vessel, and keep the ladles hidden away. If the pot has a lid, or you anticipate some confusion from guests, you can stick a piece of masking tape on the bulb side and label it with a helpful note like 'use me to pour drinks' or 'mulled wine baster.' It might also help to show others how it’s done—once a few guests see the technique, they’ll be eager to try. Keep a tall glass or spoon rest nearby to hold the baster and give it a designated spot for the evening.
