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Throw a Colorful Cocktail Watch Party for the Premiere of ‘Bridgerton’ Season Four

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Two champagne flutes of a dark purple Lord & Lady Bridgerton cocktail with a lemon peel twist garnish, butterfly pea flowers below, and a bottle of champagne pouring into the background glass. It's all set against a blue floral background.

The ton is abuzz once more, and the return of Bridgerton season four calls for a celebration as vibrant and dramatic as the show itself. What better way to mark the premiere than by gathering friends for a colorful cocktail watch party filled with stunning drinks and indulgent treats that feature a touch of Regency-inspired flair? We promise each recipe below has Lady Whistledown’s approval, which means that you can host an evening worthy of the Queen. After all, the most intense drama is best enjoyed in good company.

Colorful Cocktail Recipes for a Bridgerton Season Four Watch Party

Lord & Lady Bridgerton Cocktail

Two champagne flutes of a dark purple Lord & Lady Bridgerton cocktail with a lemon peel twist garnish, butterfly pea flowers below, and a bottle of champagne pouring into the background glass. It's all set against a blue floral background.

Our Lord & Lady Bridgerton Cocktail makes for a mix between afternoon tea and a party. Lord Bergamot Tea leads the way here steeped in dried butterfly pea flowers. Then we layer Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, lemon, and a topping of Perrier Jouet Champagne Grand Brut for a beverage high society just must gossip about.

Aloe & Apple White No-Groni

ALOE & APPLE WHITE NO-GRONI greenery in the background

Skipping the alcohol? No problem! This mocktail version of a negroni features the coolness of aloe and tart shrub of apple. The herbal notes of the Seedlip Garden 108 gin replacement perfectly complement the various elements at play.

Aperol Sour

An above shot of two Aperol sour cocktails, light red in color, garnished by lemon slices.

The beautiful sun that always seems shining in Bridgerton makes us crave a cocktail that’s meant for the summer. An Aperol Sour adds a splash of gin to your zesty Aperol and bright lemon for a beverage that glimmers. Plus it’s a way to make sure you’re wide awake for the steamy scenes bound to ensue.

Matcha Mule

Two glasses hold a Matcha Mule with a lime wheel and sprig of mint on top of the glasses all on a white background.

We’re just saying, if Daphne, Francesca, Eloise, and the rest of the Bridgerton girls existed in 2026, they would definitely be in on the match craze. Using matcha powder in a classic Moscow mule adds a subtle umami profile that meshes with the heat of the ginger. Mix up our Matcha Banana Bread on the side and make it a true matcha feast!

The Fitzgerald Cocktail

Two pink Fitzgerald gin cocktails garnished with red currants and lemon slices on a white wooden surface.

Pretty in pink, this elegant gin drink that feels right at home in any Bridgerton-inspired soirée. Shaken with gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and a few aromatic dashes of Angostura bitters, indulge in a bit of subtle spice and sophistication. Talk about the perfect way to set the mood for the regency-era.

All Hearts Cocktail

Glasses of a red cocktail garnished with a blood orange slice, surrounded by strawberries, oranges, and mandarin orange slices on a white surface.

We’re red with passion for this All Hearts Cocktail. A refreshing blend of vodka, strawberry puree, and lemon juice, meets bubbly Prosecco for a touch of effervescent romance. Smooth and fruit-forward, its ruby hue makes it an ideal celebratory drink when your favorite ship becomes canon.

Snowbirds, A Festive Coconut Cocktail

A champagne flute on a black background, topped off with coconut flakes and surrounded by festive decor

Like two Snowbirds nestled together, this cocktail brings a wave of comfort with nostalgic and familiar flavors. It’s a creamy, dreamy mix of coconut rum, cream of coconut, and fresh lime that’s shaken and served over ice for a smooth sip. Plus a bit of the tropical in the winter season is always a welcome reminder of the warmth to come.

Snacks to Accompany Your Watch Party

Bridgerton Teatime Pecan Balls

A green plate full of Pecan Balls stacked in a tower as some sit open with yellow cake on the table.

Don’t go through your watch party without a succulent snack to nibble on during the most nerve-wracking of moments. These Teatime Pecan Balls tossed in powdered sugar gift you a buttery bite every time. Not to mention the salty pecans the embed in this deliciously crumbly cookie.

Lady Whistledown’s Bridgerton Snickerdoodles

Cookies in green and pink sugars spread over a table and plate.

These warm and soft Snickerdoodles are made special with pastel sugars that dust on top of each golden round. Infused with bright orange zest and ginger even if you’re not serving these cookies at a cocktail party, we recommend at least having them with your favorite cuppa.

Story by Kylie Thomas

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Lady Whistledown’s Bridgerton Snickerdoodles 

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Cookies in green and pink sugars spread over a table and plate.

Prepare yourself, dear reader, for a biscuit most delicious. These Lady Whistledown’s Bridgerton Snickerdoodles put a Regency-era twist on this beloved cookie. We choose to blend warm spices with bright citrus for a cookie that feels both comforting and delightfully scandalous. Ginger and orange zest lend an elegance tot his treat, while the tinted sugar topping adds a subtle hint of drama—because even the simplest indulgences should arrive dressed for society. Perfect for an afternoon tea, a watch party of season four of Bridgerton coming out on January 29, or a moment of quiet gossip, these snickerdoodles are sure to earn the highest praise.

A downward angle of pink and green sugar snickerdoodle cookies on a plate and around a table.

Who Does Season Four of Bridgerton Follow?

Season four of Bridgerton, with part one dropping January 29 and part two dropping February 26, focuses on older brother Benedict Bridgerton. We’ve seen his story simmering for years but at last we’ll watch him fall for a mysterious woman who challenges him to see the world, and himself, differently. Of course we’ll still check in on all our lovely Bridgerton siblings and the fiery Penelope throughout the season, but plan to see plenty of Benedict as he contemplates his part in society.

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Cookies in green and pink sugars spread over a table and plate.

Lady Whistledown’s Bridgerton Snickerdoodles 


  • Author: Keith Recker

Description

Warm, citrusy, and just sweet enough for our romantic crew.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp of tartar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 to 2 tbsp fresh orange zest
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract (or almond, if you prefer)

For the topping:

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 or 2 drops gel food coloring of your choice
  • 1 tsp ginger, nutmeg, or cardamom


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with silicone baking mats or baking parchment.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, ginger, and salt.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter and sugar together until creamy.
  4. Add eggs and vanilla (or almond) extract. Beat until well combined.
  5. Scrape the bottom of the bowl with a spatula. Add the dry ingredients. Beat slowly until roughly combined. Scrape the bowl down and beat again for a minute.
  6. Roll cookie dough into balls. Use just over a tablespoon for each cookie. Roll the dough balls in cinnamon-sugar topping. Sprinkle extra cinnamon-sugar on top if desired. Arrange 3 inches apart on the baking sheets.
  7. Make the topping: In a Ziploc bag, massage together the granulated sugar and gel food dye until sugar is evenly colored. Add the spice of your choice and whisk together. At TABLE Studios, we prepared three different colors of sugar, and used a different spice in each bowl.
  8. Roll cookie balls in colored sugar. If using more than one bowl of colored sugar, divide the balls evenly so that you have enough of each color.
  9. Bake sugar-rolled cookies for 10-15 minutes. They will still be ball-shaped. Press down on them with a metal spatula to flatten. Try one for doneness. Return to oven if they are still a bit damp.
  10. When cookies are done to your liking, remove from baking tray to a cool, dry countertop. Immediately take a generous pinch of colored sugar and rug it gently into the tops of the cookies for extra color and flavor.
  11. Eat when cool with a glass of milk or a cup of tea! Store them for several days in a tightly covered container.

Wash down your snickerdoodles with our Lord & Lady Bridgerton Cocktail. It’s a refreshing spritzer where tea combines with sparkling water as well as your favorite white wine.

Recipe and Styling by Keith Recker
Photography by Dave Bryce

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.

Bridgerton Teatime Pecan Balls 

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A green plate full of Pecan Balls stacked in a tower as some sit open with yellow cake on the table.

Dearest lady and gentleman (or anyone in between)! These dainty, cardamom-kissed confections are as elegant as Eloise’s sharp wit and as delightful as Daphne’s first dance. We roll these Bridgerton Teatime Pecan Balls in a snowy puff of powdered sugar to pull out the delicate and buttery bite. Each little sphere evokes the refined charm of a Bridgerton afternoon tea, where every smile might conceal a secret and every nibble invites a new suitor. Whether you pair them with Earl Grey or a flirtatious glance across the room, you’ll want to be sure you have a few dozen for snacking.

Pecan Balls sit on a plate and cut open around cups of tea.

Where Do Pecan Balls Come From?

We call them Pecan Balls! But you’ve probably heard these cookies called Mexican wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes, or snowball cookies. Each variation carries roots from Eastern Europe to the Middle East. Ground nuts, butter, and powdered sugar are common in their celebratory sweets. As recipes traveled through Spain to the Americas, local ingredients replaced almonds or walnuts. In the southern United States, where pecans were plentiful, they make their way into may baked goods. Hence, the popularity of the Pecan ball in the United States.

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A green plate full of Pecan Balls stacked in a tower as some sit open with yellow cake on the table.

Bridgerton Teatime Pecan Balls 


  • Author: Keith Recker

Description

A buttery, pecan-filled delight.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup butter plus 1 tbsp, room temperature
  • 1⁄2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (or almond…or lemon!)
  • 2 1⁄2 cups sifted flour
  • 1⁄4 tsp salt
  • 1 ½ tsp ground cardamom
  • 2 or 3 drops of gel food dye in color of your choice (optional)
  • 3⁄4 cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds
  • Powdered sugar (for rolling after baking)


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400.
  2. Beat together butter and powdered sugar until creamy. Add vanilla, almond or lemon extract and beat to combine.
  3. Scrape down the bowl and add flour, salt, and cardamom. Beat to combine, scraping down the bowl a couple of times.
  4. Add 2 or 3 drop of gel food dye (optional) to achieve Bridgerton brightness.
  5. Add chopped nuts. Beat briefly to combine.
  6. Use a tablespoon to measure dough. Roll dough between your palms to form compact balls. Place on Silpak- or parchment-lined cookie sheets.
  7. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Break open one cookie. If the cookie is a bit dry and crumbly, they are done. If they are damp, return to oven for another 2 minutes and test again.
  8. Remove from cookie tray to cool, dry countertop. Let sit for a minute or two, then roll in powdered sugar. Let sit for an hour until completely cool and place in a tightly covered container with a clean, dry sheet of paper towel to absorb and excess moisture.
  9. Enjoy with a nice, hot cup of Earl Grey Tea.

Try our Earl Grey Negroni along with these Pecan Balls for the perfect teatime experience.

Naked in Manhattan Cocktail for Chappell Roan

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A cocktail in am amber color sits in a tall glass on a table in the evening light.

We know you want it, baby, you can have it, Naked in Manhattan! Bold, smoky, and unapologetically extra—Naked in Manhattan is a cocktail that captures Chappell Roan in a glass. This drink struts in style with mezcal’s sultry smoke, the rich sweetness of Cocchi Torino Vermouth, and the herbal draw of yellow chartreuse, all finished with a bit of stunning red Maraschino liqueur. Think of each sip as an invitation to try something new, try something more, and let all your inhibitions go—just the way Chappell intended.

An amber cocktail sits against a dimly lit wall as a woman's hand pushes it forward.
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A cocktail in am amber color sits in a tall glass on a table in the evening light.

Naked in Manhattan Cocktail for Chappell Roan


  • Author: Kayla Kobialka and the Andra Hem Team

Description

If you don’t try, then it’s your loss!


Ingredients

Scale


Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled.
  2. Rinse a Nick and Nora glass with Elisir Novasalus.
  3. Strain cocktail into Nick and Nora glass.
  4. Garnish with an Amarena cherry.

Do you also have a crush on Regina George? Then couple our Naked in Manhattan with our Regina George Mean Girls Cocktail in her signature pink style!

Recipe and Drink by Kayla Kobialka and the Andra Hem Team
Photo Courtesy of Neal Santos

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine‘s print edition.

On the Beach, for Better and for Worse: ‘Send Help’ Movie Review

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A woman stands holding a large stick in the firelight.
Rachel McAdams as Linda Liddle in 20th Century Studios' SEND HELP. Photo by Brook Rushton. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
A graphic for the Send Help movie featuring a screengrab of the two actors and other information.

Whenever Sam Raimi gets some time off from franchise filmmaking, he returns to his favorite pastimes: ambiguous characters, survival situations and (forewarning) indulgent grossness.

An Honest Review of Sam Raimi’s Send Help

For the past few decades, he hasn’t had much opportunity for passion projects. In the 2000s, he helmed the gargantuan Spider-Man trilogy, a blockbuster demonstration of the narrative power and global appeal of superhero tales. In 2013, he tried to get Disney into the Oz business, taking the reins on the visually inventive but forgettable Oz the Great and Powerful. (Perhaps the Mouse should’ve gone for the Wicked rights.) Later that decade, he returned to the comic-book game; after some delays, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness proved a mixed success.

In the past quarter-century, then, he’s had just two opportunities to return to his roots. The first is 2009’s Drag Me to Hell, a campy yet occasionally troubling tale about a mild-mannered woman driven to extremes to survive. Then there’s this year’s Send Help, a campy yet occasionally troubling tale about a mild-mannered woman driven to extremes to survive.

He likes what he likes. And it’s usually pretty entertaining.

Making Movies on the Workplace

He also, at least in Drag Me to Hell and Send Help, enjoys a bit of corporate commentary — or at least the appearance of it. The latter film stars Rachel McAdams as Linda Liddle, a frumpy middle-management type who toils in an undefined corporations strategy and planning department. She’s convinced her years of dogged service will land her a promotion and the attention of the dashing young CEO, Bradley Preston (Dylan O’Brien). Unfortunately, he’s got a fraternity buddy to promote — and he’s put off by Liddle’s unrefined exterior. (Casting the undeniably gorgeous Rachel McAdams as a Plain Jane stretches credulity, despite McAdams’ considerable acting chops.)

Preston invites Liddle to join a planned business trip to Bangkok, partially out of pity and partially to provide the boys’ club with a carry-on subject of ridicule. The plane crashes into the ocean in a harrowing sequence; only Liddle and Preston survive, finding themselves marooned on a desert island. Fortunately, Liddle is prepared; a devotee of the reality series Survivor, she’s been training for decades for just such a scenario. Whether Preston will accept that his former scapegoat is now his only chance at survival remains at question — all the way through the final reel.

Well… Maybe Don’t Send Help Too Quickly…

The marketing for Send Help has been primarily as a corporate satire, selling itself as an inversion of intraoffice power dynamics. To Raimi — and co-screenwriters Mark Swift and Damian Shannon, best known for the slasher-fight curiosity Freddy vs. Jason — this is just an opportunity for twists and shocks in an island paradise. (Drag Me to Hell had a similar relationship with current affairs, using the housing crisis as the backdrop to a tale of demonic curses.) The end product is far from cohesive and decidedly indulgent, but damn good fun — provided, of course, you’re comfortable with all manner of on-screen viscera and violence.

If it’s ever too much, just look at the sandy beaches in the background.

Others Movies Coming Out at the End of January 2026

Elsewhere at the multiplex, Jason Statham has typical business to deal with in Shelter, an actioner about — what else — an assassin on the run. This one has a sturdy supporting cast, though, including the unimpeachable Bill Nighy and rising star Naomi Ackie (who had a phenomenal 2025 thanks to Mickey 17 and Sorry, Baby). Reviews haven’t dropped yet, but there’s slightly more buzz around this one than the typical January beat-em-up … A pair of curiosities are also theater-bound this weekend.

Iron Lung, a dark scifi/horror fable, is the feature debut of YouTube star Mark “Markiplier” Fischbach. He financed — and directed, wrote and edited — the picture himself, so it’s hard to know what to expect. (Given the size of his audience, though, it will hardly matter.)

Meanwhile, A24 releases the mockumentary, The Moment, starring Charlie XCX in a spoof of her own world tour…

On the small screen, build anticipation for the Milan Olympics with a viewing of the new doc Miracle: The Boys of ’80, an account of the underdog American hockey team that famously toppled the USSR’s squad at the Lake Placid games. The film, which features newly unearthed footage, should get even hockey novices to consider watching when the games kick off next weekend.

Story by Sean Collier
Photo Courtesy of 20th Century Studios’ Send Help

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.

The Food Trends Defining 2026: Comfort Cooking, New Proteins, GLP-1 Diets, and Smarter Grocery Spending

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An uncooked chicken sits on a cutting board.

In 2026, the way we eat feels both inventive and deeply familiar. For instance, comfort food is no longer an indulgence but rather a strategy. These recipes are built to soothe, nourish, and stretch the grocery budget in an era of grocery inflation. At the same time, high-quality proteins are moving from novelty to necessity, shaped by climate awareness and shifting dietary needs as processed foods meet their match. GLP-1 medications are quietly influencing not only the social sphere but the cooking world with extra virgin olive oil possibly becoming a solution.

Through it all though is a renewed sense for simple, high-quality ingredients that center around flavor, health, and tradition. Together, these shifts reveal that 2026 food trends are defined less by restriction or excess this year, and more so by resilience, intention, and pleasure in eating.

Food trends are not just about what’s new and hot. They’re actually a reflection of how we want to live right now. This year’s trends reflect a collective craving for food that feels intentional whether that’s for comfort food, flavors that travel without excess, and techniques that honor tradition while embracing innovation. Climate-aware sourcing as well as playful nostalgia and globally inspired comfort showcases our curiosity in 2026 and zest to better out world one step at a time. Engaging with these trends (no matter if you cook, host, shop or dine) is a way to stay up-to-date with the current state of our world while also lending a helping hand to your neighbors and locals alike. We invite you to savor those moments when food feels both expressive and deeply human.

Comfort Food

Flat-lay image of chicken and dumplings in small bowls on a weathered table.

Comfort food is called that for a reason. Whether it’s a warming bowl of stew, a juicy burger, or a casserole in a hot pan, we crave comfort food when times are hard and stress is heavy. In a year like 2026, comfort foods are a must when tensions rise across the globe and your own personal battles take hold. We’ll see a rise in recipes that bring nostalgia and remind us of better times like our childhood.

Beat Grocery Inflation with Budget-Friendly Recipes

A chicken fajita skillet with slices chicken, limes, and peppers. Then there are small bowls of pico, sour cream, and onions.

One of the scariest parts of entering a New Year is not knowing what is going to happen to the prices of everyday groceries. Will milk end up a nearly five dollars a gallon again? Will eggs reach into the double digits? Well, what we do know is that chicken, beans, canned fish, and pasta are all staying at a low cost, and if they see an increase, it will be far lower than other foods. This means we’re loading up on recipes that utilize these ingredients in a variety of ways to infuse different cultural flavors into your dinner.

Feeding a Family in the Shifting Economy

A woman grocery shops in a store with a basket on her arm.

Families are likely to feel the biggest impact of the shifting economy of 2026. Whenever you’re feeding more than just yourself and your partner, it’s difficult to come up with larger portions at an accessible price, while maintaining nutrition for young minds and bodies. In order to save more than a dime in 2026, we recommend taking tips from a real mom who spends each day feeding three wonderful children and a hungry hubby. As author Katrina Tomacchio says, “It’s [saving money] about identifying the habits that quietly cost families the most and learning how to replace them with smarter strategies.”

High Quality Protein and Analog Dining

A chunk of marbled meat on a dark marble table with coarse salt all over the table.

You’re used to eating ground beef, chicken, and fish but did you know there are high-quality protein options that are better for you? Local beef, tinned fish, duck, pork, and quail are just a few of the selections that are shining in 2026. Chef Maxine Sharf points out, “I think there’s been a real shift toward people caring more about the quality and sourcing of their food, especially animal proteins… I’ve definitely seen more interest in high-quality beef recipes.” Cooking these meats at home is also a great way to take advantage of the analog age. In a world of chaos, analog media and ways of living help us to slow down and savor what we have. It’s hands-on, it’s tactile, and it’s essential to 2026.

Dietary Health

Mottahedeh's Tobacco Leaf Dinnerware: Prawn and Noodle Lettuce Wrap Dish

2026 is about being the best you that you can be. To help you feel just as good, you can follow a diet plan that takes your life and needs into consideration. Maybe you’re looking to cut out some meat, but not all. Or, maybe you’re thinking about giving keto a try but don’t know where to start. Each of these guides is designed to make starting a new diet as simple and as encouraging as possible. Remember as you dive in, there’s no “right” way to diet. It’s most important to listen to your body and supply it with what it needs.

Food as Medicine: Extra Virgin Olive Oil and GLP-1

A bottle of olive oil sits on a table with olives around it.

In the New Year, we’re exploring the concept of Food as Medicine. This applies not only for diets but also for specific ingredients that can support a healthy lifestyle. You’ve probably heard a lot about GLP-1 in recent months and its ability to help you lose weight. Nasser Abufarha, founder and director of Canaan Palestine, explains, “With more GLP-1 in your system you’ll feel full for longer, have improved glucose tolerance, have an increase in cardiovascular health, and your digestive process will slow so your body can absorb more of the vitamins and nutrients you ingest.”  But, before you go running for a shot, give extra virgin olive oil a chance. Olive oil naturally encourages your body to increase GLP-1 secretion without weekly injections. It’s also the reason you see olive oil used in the Mediterranean diet to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Food as Medicine: How to Cook, Sip, and Soothe with Ginger

Ginger chopped up sits on a cutting board with sliced lemon and a cup of tea.

You’ve probably used ginger can soothe a sore throat or a cold but there are plenty of other reasons to use ginger as well. In a year where taking care of ourselves takes priority, ginger can become a best friend for its support with nausea, inflammation, pain, gas, boating, and so much more. As author Kristen Palmer explains, “Its use in Southeast Asia and traditional systems of medicine dates back thousands of years, and modern research is rapidly catching up.” The best part is there are so many ways to use ginger besides just dropping it into a glass of hot water. Take our advice and see how ginger can shake up your life.

Keep working on taking care of yourself in 2026 with our Healthy Dessert Recipes for Your Dietary Needs. After all, everyone deserves a treat every now and then!

Story by Kylie Thomas

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine‘s print edition.

Food as Medicine: How to Cook, Sip, and Soothe with Ginger

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Ginger chopped up sits on a cutting board with sliced lemon and a cup of tea.

When I was young and had a stomach bug, my parents always gave me ginger ale with cinnamon toast. My dad was loyal to Vernors, though I was more of a Canada Dry girl. Only as an adult did I realize he knew exactly what he was doing. 

I assumed ginger ale was just a gentle, clear, fizzy drink for an upset stomach. But there’s more to this remedy: ginger is one of the most widely used culinary plants with medicinal properties that go far beyond easing nausea. Its use in Southeast Asia and traditional systems of medicine dates back thousands of years, and modern research is rapidly catching up. 

How to Use Ginger as Medicine Through Cooking and Sipping

What Ginger Really Is (And Why That Matters) 

First, a quick correction: ginger isn’t a root—it’s a rhizome. 

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a leafy, green, flowering plant that can grow several feet tall. The edible part grows horizontally underground, and while we casually call it “ginger root,” botanically it’s a rhizome, not a true root. Not all ornamental ginger plants produce an edible rhizome, but the culinary variety has become a global staple. 

Ginger thrives in warm, damp climates. Today, most of the fresh ginger sold in U.S. grocery stores comes from India, though it also grows abundantly in the Caribbean, China, Thailand, Peru, and Hawaii. 

Ginger in Traditional Medicine: Warming, Moving, Harmonizing 

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and many other traditional systems like Ayurveda, ginger is prized for its ability to bring harmony to the body. Its flavor is potent, warm, and comforting, and its actions on the body mirror that character. 

Ginger is considered “warming” and “moving.” It helps: 

  • Dry internal “dampness” by improving circulation and fluid dynamics.
  • Stimulate digestion by helping move food through the digestive tract.
  • Support respiratory health by helping move mucus out of the lungs.
  • Enhance circulation by improving blood flow through the vascular system.

That warming sensation you feel with ginger isn’t just flavor—it reflects a real thermogenic effect on circulation and metabolism. 

Ginger and lemon slices sit on a cutting board beside a bowl of lemons and a glass of water with a slice of lemon in it.
Photo Courtesy of Julia Vivcharyk

What Science Says: Ginger as Food-Medicine 

The traditional kitchen wisdom around ginger is increasingly supported by clinical research. Ginger is now one of the most studied culinary botanicals in the world. While my dad may not have read the clinical trials, his ginger ale choice aligned surprisingly well with the research scientists have been doing recently. 

Ginger as a Remedy for Nausea and Motion Sickness 

Ginger ale for a stomachache isn’t just an old family myth. Multiple modern studies show ginger can reduce nausea from a variety of causes: 

  • Pregnancy-related nausea: Systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials have found that doses around 1 gram of ginger per day can significantly reduce nausea in early pregnancy, with few side effects for most people (e.g., Viljoen et al., 2014, Nutrition Journal; Thomson et al., 2014, Obstetrics & Gynecology). 
  • Postoperative and chemotherapy-related nausea: Recent meta-analyses suggest ginger supplementation can modestly reduce nausea severity in some patients undergoing surgery or chemotherapy (Khorasani et al., 2020, Nutrition & Cancer; Apariman et al., 2021, Supportive Care in Cancer). 
  • Motion sickness: Classic experiments (including the famous “swivel chair” style studies) have repeatedly shown ginger can reduce motion-induced nausea and vomiting, at times outperforming or equaling standard medications for mild motion sickness. 

Ginger as a Remedy for Inflammation, Pain, and Joint Health 

Ginger contains a family of active compounds, including gingerols and shogaols, that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. 

  • Inflammation and pain: A 2020 systematic review in Pain Medicine found that ginger supplementation was associated with modest reductions in pain and disability in people with osteoarthritis, likely through inhibiting inflammatory pathways similar to some over-the-counter pain relievers. 
  • Cellular protection: Ginger’s antioxidants help counter oxidative stress, a process linked to chronic diseases, aging, and environmental damage. Recent laboratory and clinical studies suggest ginger may have supportive roles in metabolic health, cardiovascular protection, and even cancer prevention, though these areas are still being actively researched and are not cures. 

Gingerol, the compound largely responsible for ginger’s spicy kick, can interrupt certain inflammatory processes and inhibit enzymes linked to pain and inflammation. 

Ginger as a Remedy for Gas, Bloating, and Gut Motility 

If pregnancy (or a heavy meal) is leaving you nauseous and gassy, ginger may help there, too. 

  • Digestive motility: Clinical studies have shown that ginger can help food move more efficiently through the stomach, improving gastric emptying and reducing sensations of fullness and bloating (e.g., Wu et al., 2020, Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility). 
  • Gas and cramping: Traditional medicine has long used ginger to ease gas and cramping; emerging research on its effects on gut motility and smooth muscle provides a plausible mechanism. 

In short, the “settling” effect people feel in their stomach after ginger tea or ginger ale is not just placebo. 

A glass of lemonade with basil, ginger, and line sits on a white square on a wood table.
Photo Courtesy of Kim Daniels

Choosing and Using Fresh Ginger in the Kitchen 

To bring ginger’s benefits into daily life, it helps to know how to choose, prep, and cook with it.  

Finding Fresh Ginger 

  • Look in the refrigerated produce section. 
  • The rhizome should be firm and plump, not shriveled 
  • Look for smooth, taut, light-brown skin. 
  • The ginger should feel heavy and plump.  

Prepping Fresh Ginger

  • Remove the thin peel with a paring knife, vegetable peeler, or by scraping with the edge of a spoon (this works especially well if the ginger is very fresh). 
  • Inside, you’ll find moist, fibrous, pale golden flesh. 
  • Grate, mince, or slice it depending on your recipe. 
  • For maximum flavor without the woody texture, grate ginger into cheesecloth (or a clean kitchen towel) and squeeze out the juice. Potent ginger juice is ideal for marinades, dressings, and cocktails. 

Dried and Ground Ginger: Concentrated Flavor, Convenient Medicine 

Ginger also appears in dried and ground form in the spice aisle. While we often associate ground ginger with pumpkin pie, cookies, and cakes, this form can have even stronger medicinal impact because it’s more concentrated by weight. 

Historically, once ginger traveled via the spice trade to Europe, its natural sweetness and warmth earned it a place in desserts and sweet breads. Legend (and Time Magazine) credit Queen Elizabeth I with popularizing the gingerbread figure—the ancestor of today’s holiday gingerbread man. 

How to Use Ground Ginger 

  • In baking: cookies, cakes, quick breads, and pies 
  • In savory dishes: rubs for roasted vegetables, curries, stews, and spice blends 
  • In warm drinks: stir into hot water with honey and lemon, or add to chai-style tea 

Both fresh and dried ginger work beautifully in the cuisines of East and Southeast Asia—think curries, soups, stews, stir-fries, and dipping sauces. In medieval Europe, ginger was commonly used in sauces and condiments served with rich meats, both to balance flavor and to aid digestion of fatty foods. 

Today, ginger has moved beyond the holidays and appears year-round in everything from salad dressings to mocktails and cocktails. 

Ginger in Winter: Teas, Soups, and Simple Rituals 

Bitter cold winter days are the perfect time to play with ginger in the kitchen—and in your cup. To make ginger tea, use store-bought ginger tea bags, or simply slice fresh ginger and steep it in hot water for 5–10 minutes. Add honey and lemon for a throat-soothing, immune-supportive cup. 

Ginger Tea Can 
  • Soothe sore throats 
  • Take the edge off body aches 
  • Warm you from the inside out 
Everyday Cooking Ideas
  • Add grated ginger to classic soups like vegetable, chicken noodle, or miso. 
  • Stir fresh or ground ginger into salad dressings with tamari, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. 
  • Use ginger juice in marinades for fish, tofu, chicken, or root vegetables. 
  • Shake ginger into winter cocktails or mocktails with citrus, sparkling water, or yes—high-quality ginger ale. 

Because ginger is so potent, you don’t need much: even a teaspoon or two a day can add both flavor and potential health benefits. 

A Note on Safety 

For most people, culinary amounts of ginger are very safe. In supplement form or high doses, some people may experience heartburn or mild digestive upset. If you’re pregnant, on blood-thinning medication, or managing a complex medical condition, talk with your healthcare provider before taking concentrated ginger supplements. 

Just as ginger brings harmony to body systems—warming, moving, drying, and soothing—it can also bring harmony to the kitchen, tying together savory, sweet, hot, and cold dishes with its complex flavor. 

On the days when you feel chilled, sluggish, or a little off, a simple ritual—a steaming mug of ginger tea, a gingery soup simmering on the stove, or even a well-made ginger ale—can be both comfort and quiet medicine. 

Ginger Recipes to Try for Yourself

Try TABLE Magazine’s fantastic recipes with ginger and see if you experience the health benefits of this ancient medicinal food.

Winter Cauliflower with Ginger and Turmeric Dressing

Roasted cauliflower with ginger and turmeric on a black plate, drizzled with a creamy sauce and garnished with fresh greens.

Farro with Beets, Greens & Ginger Dressing

Farro served with Beets, Greens & Ginger Dressing in a skillet with a spoon on the side

Chamomile Ginger Poached Chicken

A white plate holds a salad arranged with tomatoes and sliced chamomile ginger poached chicken on top with two gold forks off to the side. It all sits against a green background.

Banana Ginger Upside Down Cake

A Banana Ginger Upside Down Cake sits in a white loaf pan, cut into slices with bananas and raisins on top and two forks sitting beside the pan.

Gingerbread Cookies

A pile of gingerbread cookies decorated with white icing and red bulb sprinles.

Steamed Striped Bass with Ginger & Scallions

Delicately light steamed striped bass with ginger and scallion sitting atop a blue plate.

Haitian Ginger Tea

Haitian Ginger Tea with a cinnamon stick served in a glass

Ginger Mama Cake

Strawberries, berries, and flowers adorn a ginger cake with the sides non-iced, blue, pink, and purples color the cake.

Gingered Peach and Blackberry Pie

Gingered Peach and Blackberry Pie served in a glass plate with different-colored flowers in a glass on the side

Story by Kristen Palmer
Photo Courtesy of Milada Vigerova

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How to Watch This Year’s Oscar Nominees

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The actor in Sinners the movie sings in a barn.

35 features received nods for the 98th Academy Awards, and 33 of the Oscar nominees can be watched now (or soon) either in theaters or via streaming services. 

Where to Watch 2026’s Oscar Nominees

While a few films are running ahead of the pack — if you haven’t, you should probably get to Sinners and One Battle After Another as soon as possible — Oscar completists have a lot to watch between now and the big night. 

A total of 35 feature films received nods when the nominees for the 98th Academy Awards were revealed this morning (January 22) as well as 15 short films. The morning contained a record-breaking tally: Sinners earned an impressive 16 nominations, claiming the record for most nods received by a single film. (Previously, a trio of films were in a three-way tie with 14 nominations apiece: All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land.) 

One Battle After Another came in second with 13 nominations; Frankenstein, Hamnet, and Marty Supreme earned nine apiece. All five of those leaders are on the Best Picture list, alongside Bugonia, F1, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, and Train Dreams.

Looking to Watch Them All?

Those seeking to complete the fabled Oscars Death Race (seeing each and every nominated feature and short before Oscar night) have a tall order ahead, even in terms of simple logistics: The nominees are spread across theatrical screenings, streaming services and digital on-demand platforms, with some yet to see wide availability in the United States. 

For cineastes looking to catch up without the pressure of seeing all 35 features, though, there are plenty of options … for all but two films, as surprise Best Original Song nominee Viva Verdi! and Best Documentary nominee Cutting Through Rocks are currently unavailable outside of film festivals. 

Here’s our rundown of where to watch the nominated films, at least as of this writing; check updated lists on your favorite streaming services at the end of the month, and keep a close eye on showtimes near you for in-theater showings (which, of course, is the best way to watch). 

Currently In Theaters

Arco, Avatar: Fire and Ash, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, The Secret Agent, Song Sung Blue, Zootopia 2

Streaming on Netflix

Frankenstein, KPop Demon Hunters, The Perfect Neighbor, Train Dreams

Streaming on Max

The Alabama Solution, One Battle After Another, Sinners, Weapons 

Streaming on Apple TV+

Come See Me in the Good Light, F1, The Lost Bus

Streaming on Peacock

Bugonia, Jurassic World: Rebirth

Streaming on Disney+

Elio

Streaming on Kanopy

Diane Warren: Relentless 

Streaming on Hulu and Shudder

The Ugly Stepsister

Available for Digital Rental

Blue Moon, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, It Was Just an Accident, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, Mr. Nobody Against Putin, Sentimental Value, The Smashing Machine 

Coming Soon to Select Theaters

Kokuho, Sirāt, The Voice of Hind Rajab

Story by Sean Collier
Sinners Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures 

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Cocktail Shake-Off 2026, A Festival of Local Libations

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Six cocktails is different glasses on a black surface behind a white logo for cocktail shake-off.

TABLE Magazine to host Pittsburgh’s Top Bartenders in a competition for the Best Cocktail Recipe!

Twelve bartending teams from Pittsburgh’s top establishments will participate in a competition where YOU are the judge. Each team will be assigned a spirit provided by one of 12 participating local distilleries to build a cocktail worthy of your vote for Best Cocktail Recipe.

Join us as we raise our glasses to passionate mixologists who will unleash their creativity to bring their vision to life in every shaken, stirred, and garnished cocktail. DJ Selecta will be spinning the hottest beats, bringing the party vibes to life.

Date: Thursday, February 5, 2026
Time: 6:30-9:30pm
VIP Entry: 6:30pm
General Entry: 7pm
Location: ROOST Pittsburgh
250 Forbes Ave Suite 201
Downtown Pittsburgh
Tickets: General Admission $75, VIP $130 – Purchase tickets here!

VIP Experience

Your VIP Experience includes early entry into the VIP Lounge, where you will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, a welcome drink, and more!

Participating Bar Teams

The Warren Bar & Burrow
Spirits & Tales at The Oaklander
Monterey Bay Fish Grotto
Bar Marco
Lo Bar Cocktail Services
Scratch & Co.
Palm Palm
Pizzaiolo Primo
Revel
Space Bar
The Commoner
Rival

Participating Distilleries

Big Springs Spirits
Lawrenceville Distilling Company
Lucky Sign Spirits
Stateside Vodka
Wigle Whiskey
Love, Katie Distilling
Inspired by Spirits Distilling Co.
Iron City Distilling
and more…

Want to experience some tasty cocktails now? Why not try mixing up one of our curated cocktail recipes?

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine‘s print edition.

 

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Her and Him

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A close up of a woman with brown hair wearing various heart necklaces and heart rings.

We know what you’re thinking… It’s too early to be thinking about Valentine’s Day gifts. However, would you rather rush around looking for a last-minute compromise or take the time to plan out a thoughtful gift that your loved one will love? Because we like the second option, we have a list of ideas to get you started. Whether your sweetie is into stylish accessories or loves to end the day with a special glass of wine, we’ve got you covered with gifts for her and for him from brands they’re sure to adore. 

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Her and Him

For Her

A bottle of NEST clementine perfume in a black bottle beside an orange creamsicle.
Photo Courtesy of NEST

Crème de Clementine Eau de Parfum

Get your darling a bottle of perfume that’ll thrill you (and them) each time they spray it on. NEST’s fragrances are made with the highest quality oils so your scent stays on all day. The Crème de Clementine scent is a sweet and mouthwatering combination of clementine zest, vanilla creme, blonde woods, and citron accord. You won’t be able to keep your lips off of her!

A close up of a woman with brown hair wearing various heart necklaces and heart rings.
Photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Bony Levy 14K Gold Heart Pendant Necklace

Hearts go with Valentine’s Day just like Christmas trees go with Christmas. Show your loved one just how much they mean to you with this simple 14K gold heart pendant necklace. The dainty shape and size of the charm and chain allow the necklace to be layered with other necklaces or worn alone as an everyday accessory. 

A set of earmuffs with a brown band and cream colored big puffs sits on a white background.
Photo courtesy of COACH

COACH Shearling Earmuffs

Since Valentine’s Day happens in February, chances are it’s quite cold outside during this romantic holiday. Don’t let your lover’s ears freeze in the chilly winds. These COACH Shearling Earmuffs come in a saddle band with big, colored puffs for maximum coziness. Perfect for a day out skating or just a walk to your Valentine’s dinner. 

A brown wine bottle with a monogram leaf heart with a monogram E in the center and a phrase inscription in white underneath it.
Photo courtesy of Williams Sonoma

Personalized World-Class Wine

Williams Sonoma has a way to show you’re thinking deeply about your partner. Choose from their selection of top wineries such as Caymus and Silver Oak and then pick a bottle of your choosing. From here you can engrave the bottle with monograms, a unique message, and various hearts or flowers. It’s a gift they’re going to want to keep long past when it’s empty.

For Him

A man in a white shirt has his arms crossed against his body, sporting a gold Nixon watch on his wrist.
Photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Nixon The Time Teller Bracelet Watch

Minimalism has been a trending in the past few years and this watch from Nixon combines sleek, simple style with your partner’s favorite color. Available in a variety of monochrome or mixed colors, this watchface has the sleek Nixon logo placed at the three o’clock position for a timeless look. Don’t miss out on this simple accessory that’ll dress up any outfit. 

A brown bottle of BOSS elixir fragrance sits against a glowing wood ember.
Photo courtesy of BOSS

BOSS Bottled Elixir Eau de Parfum

Let his confidence fly with a fragrance that takes on an elevated interpretation of modern masculinity. BOSS’ highly concentrated mix provides an ambery, woody scent for the man in your life. Warm top notes of incense and a cedarwood base will have you wanting to cuddle up to your partner and breathe deeply. 

A bottle of Japenese whiskey sits on a table beside a whiskey glass filled with the drink and an ice cube, all in front of a tree background.
Photo courtesy of The Whiskey Exchange

Hibiki Harmony Whiskey

Complete the perfect Valentine’s Day with a glass of Hibiki Harmony Whiskey, a Japanese whiskey with a special taste. It comes in the brand’s trademark 24-faceted bottle, representing the Japanese seasons, but the flavor is where it really shines. It’s a light and approachable whiskey with enticing notes of orange peel and white chocolate, two signature Valentine’s ingredients.

Story by Kylie Thomas
Photo Courtesy of Nordstrom

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