Gracious Gifts For Summer Guests

A gracious invitation to spend a weekend at a beachside hamlet deserves a little somethin'-somethin' in return. Flowers wilt, and a bottle of wine is trite. Instead, pick from our collection of Good Guest gifts (each one made in New York) for a thoughtful present that may ensure a repeat invitation.

Most liquor cabinets could use reinforcements, so show up with Greenpoint's Greenhook Ginsmiths Beach Plum Gin Liqueur ($50 for 750 ml). Made exclusively with New York plums, the distillery's new second batch is brighter and more fruit-forward than its first. Every beach house should stock it in triplicate.

Beneficent hosts can enjoy their small-batch peanut butter from Better Off Spread ($10 to $13 for 9 ounces) by the spoonful after the hordes depart. A jar of the Every Rosemary Has Its Thorn, a dark chocolate blend with rosemary and sea salt, or the Szechuan-peppercorn-inflected Ace of Spice should have them swooning.

Arrive armed with no-cook breakfast fodder. Pair flaky, jam-filled handpies ($4) in flavors such as cinnamon or lemon curd from Magpies NYC with thick Sohha Greek Yogurt, made with Hudson Valley Fresh milk and sea salt ($4 for 6 ounces). Just add local fruit. 

Cecil & Merl, the retail arm behind Brooklyn's lovely James restaurant, has recently introduced cherry bitters ($26 for 5 ounces) to its line. With a bright pow of sour-cherry and vanilla notes, and a handsome package, they impart pizzazz with both the flavor and the look (no gift-wrapping required).