Stirring the Pot: Join Us in NYC for A Super-Sweet Thanksgiving Can Drive
Let's Come Together and Help Feed New Yorkers in Need!
November 7, 2025
Hi, everyone!
Exciting news! We’re teaming up with BonBon - A Swedish Candy Co. and City Harvest to help feed New Yorkers in need. Join my family and me this Sunday, November 9, from 12:30-2:30 pm at BonBon Upper East Side in New York City for a fun-filled, super-sweet Thanksgiving can drive and food rescue event!
Bring cans or scan the QR code onsite to donate, shop treats and the limited-edition Zakarian Candy Mix, and discover a few other surprises in the store, all to benefit City Harvest!
In celebration of this event, we’re launching four new fall recipes in today’s newsletter, each inspired by one of the candies in our special Zakarian Family Mix. Plus, we’ll even have samples of the Cranberry Apple Glögg to sip at BonBon on Sunday.
We’d love to see you there, so stop by, grab some candy, and support all of the phenomenal work that City Harvest does for New York City. And if you can’t join us but want to make an impact, click here to donate your virtual cans.
The Zakarian Family Candy Mix is available at BonBon Upper East Side starting today, so if you’re in the area, swing by for a taste or place an order on Grubhub! To watch this week’s featured recipes come to life, check out the two clips linked below.
Cranberry Apple Glögg
INGREDIENTS
Serves 4 to 6
1 (8x12-inch) square of cheesecloth Kitchen twine 1 tablespoon whole cloves 10 green cardamom pods 2 star anise, plus more for garnish if desired ¼ cup blanched slivered almonds ½ cup raisins 4 dried figs, halved 8 ounces cranberry juice (no sugar added) | 8 ounces tart cherry juice (no sugar added) 16 ounces apple juice (no sugar added) 3 cinnamon sticks, plus more for garnish if desired 2 oranges, 4 (2-inch) strips of orange peel, plus extra (2-inch) strips for garnish 3 black tea bags 2 tablespoons honey, plus more if desired |
INSTRUCTIONS
Place cloves, cardamom pods, star anise, almonds, raisins, and dried figs in the center of the cheesecloth square. Gather edges of the cheesecloth and tie with kitchen twine to secure; set aside.
Heat all three juices in a large pot with the cinnamon sticks, strips of orange peel, and the prepared sachet. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover, and allow to simmer for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small pot, bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat, add 3 tea bags, and steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags to avoid over-brewing.
Add the tea and honey into the glögg and stir to combine. Taste for sweetness and adjust as needed according to your preference. Ladle the glögg into mugs, ideally something clear and heatproof. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, star anise, and orange peel.
Glögg History
In ancient Rome, drinking spiced, heated wine was common. This not only tasted good, but adding ingredients like honey, herbs, and spices also preserved the wine.
This tradition eventually spread throughout Europe, and postmen traveling in the cold Nordic territories drank it to stay warm.
The Swedish version (glögg) became popularized further because King Gustav Vasa loved the spiced, sweetened wine. The term “glögdat vin” means heated wine.
The drink evolved into what we see today, and wine merchants began to produce and sell their own versions, which made it a staple drink at Christmas markets. The recipe we’ve provided here is a non-alcoholic variation, but feel free to use wine in place of the black tea.
More Recipes
 Orange Sweet Potato Casserole |  Pork Chops with Orange Miso Apples |  Spiced Pavlova with Caramelized Pears |
News & Events
NEWS: Chef Geoffrey Zakarian announces his new restaurant coming to St. Petersburg, Florida. Learn more here.
NEWS: Chef Geoffrey Zakarian has partnered with Tampa General Hospital, one of the nation’s leading academic health systems, to revolutionize hospital food service with a new clean, healthy menu and updated delivery model. Learn more here.
NEW Zakarian Pro Blender
Professional-Grade Blender At Home
The Blendtec Zakarian Pro Blender takes the power, precision, and reliability that professional chefs rely on straight to your home kitchen. The PRE-SALE STARTS NOW, available for delivery December 2nd. The first 120 customers to order will receive a signed copy of Geoffrey’s cookbook, Town | Country.