Indulge in salty and sweet. The caramel and chocolate in this tart are a unique match for the round flavors of a Nero d’Avola from the Wines of Sicilia DOC.

Crust:

  • 7 oz hazelnuts
  • 6 dates, pitted
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil

Salted Caramel Layer:

  • 1/3 cup tahini
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons cacao butter, chopped

Chocolate:

  • 1/2 can coconut milk
  • 5 oz good quality dark chocolate, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt


Directions:

Pre-heat the oven to 300 degrees F. Blend the crust ingredients, except the coconut oil, until the mixture is crumbly and sticks together slightly when pinched.

Grease an 8-inch loose-bottomed tart case with the coconut oil – make sure you get the oil over every part of it, and then pour the mixture in. Press it down into the tart case, then transfer to the oven. Cook for 15-20 minutes until it darkens slightly.

Take the crust out of the oven, let it sit for a few minutes and then carefully remove it from the case. Set aside and let it cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes.

To make the salted caramel layer, fill a saucepan halfway with boiling water and put it on a low to medium heat. Place a glass bowl over the top and the cacao butter inside the bowl. Heat until the butter is completely melted.

Pour the tahini and maple syrup into the cacao butter. Add the salt, mix until smooth and then pour it over the crust. Transfer to the fridge for 1 hour.

Start on the chocolate in the same way by filling a saucepan halfway with boiling water, place a glass bowl on top and then add the chocolate to the bowl. Slowly melt it into a liquid on a low to medium heat.

To finish the chocolate, heat the coconut cream in a saucepan until warm. Pour the coconut cream into the melted chocolate and add the salt. Stir well, then pour over the tart. Cover and place back in the fridge to chill for another hour.

Top the tart with the nuts and serve. Makes 12 servings.

 

Big Hammer Wines

Looking for a new adventure in wine? Big Hammer Wines delivers wines to your doorstep with the best prices online. With personal relationships with family-owned growers in Italy and France whom owner Greg Martellotto visits twice a year, Big Hammer has access to wines you won’t find in grocery stores. With everything from unique single bottles, curated, six packs, hand-picked wines with 90 points and above, and wine club options, there truly is something for every wine drinker on your list, at every price point.

Recipe:

Creme’ Brulee

Ingredients:
• 2 1/2 cups half and half or 2 cups heavy cream
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 whole eggs
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup sugar in the raw
• Kitchen torch 

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
2. Heat half and half, milk, and sugar in a heavy saucepan to almost boiling on medium heat.
3. In a separate bowl, beat whole eggs and extra yolks together well
4. Gradually whisk the heated mixture into the eggs, then return mixture to the saucepan. Cook over moderate heat; stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the custard coats the back of the spoon, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla.
5. Pour custard into individual custard dishes (6) or into one shallow baking dish, about 9 inches in diameter ( I also use a 5X7 glass baking dish)
6. Set dish or dishes in an oven pan filled with water that is level with the custard. TIP: Start with a small amount of water in the pan as not to have it overflow when you place the smaller dish in it
7. Bake at 325 degrees for 45-50 minutes, until center of custard is set. When done, remove custard from water bath. Cool. Cover and chill.
8. Just before serving, sprinkle raw sugar covering the top of the custard. Start your torch and melt sugar until golden brown.

Club Kokomo

Crafted and produced in San Diego, California and founded by Mike Love of the Beach Boys, Club Kokomo Spirits focuses on distilling everything the Beach Boys represent into a bartender-quality cocktail in a can. They are naturally gluten free and feature only real ingredients. Flavors include:

Kokomojito— This is where it all started—famously coined by Mike Love himself. Our version of the classic Mojito delivers a smooth blend of lime and mint with a subtle hint of lemongrass. Those steel drums you hear are an added bonus.

Afternoon Delight— Yes you read that right. One of our most unique creations, this combination of citrus, maple, ginger and allspice will have you dancing on the ceiling. Feeling really adventurous? Try this cocktail hot for those chilly cuddling moments.

Excitation— We might be big fans of the song ‘Kokomo’ but we lean into some “gin and juice” on this track. (Shout out to you know who). This fresh and crisp gin cocktail will surprise you with notes of black cherry, passionfruit and citrus and a healthy dose of ‘Good Vibrations.’

Mystique— You won’t believe your taste buds with this bright and shiny rum cocktail. Your daily serving of fruit in a can features the tropical flavors of guava and lychee finishing delicately alongside our jasmine tea infused rum. It won’t be a mystery any longer.

Recipe:

Find your favorite glass, there is no mixing needed because this is a cocktail ready to be poured!

Fat Baby Bourbon

A just-launched bourbon brand out of New York. Each bottle is meant to represent resilience and strength in both appearance and color, with the founder naming the brand after his daughter who was deemed never able to walk or talk at two days old (she has since beaten the odds).

Santa’s Mule

(We may have changed the name of this for the holidays)

photo credit – Fat baby Bourbon

The weighty profile of bourbon melds beautifully with the sharpness of ginger beer, making the Kentucky Mule a drink that truly stands out. Served traditionally in a copper mug and garnished with a sprig of mint, this whiskey-based cocktail promises a refreshing and unique drinking experience. With a Santa’s Mule in hand, you’re set to explore an enticing blend of tradition and innovation in every sip.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces Fat Baby Bourbon
  • 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
  • Ginger beer to top
  • Garnish: sprig of fresh mint
  • Ice cubes

Steps

  1. Begin by filling a copper mug or a highball glass with a handful of ice cubes.
  2. Pour in 2 ounces of Fat Baby Bourbon, ensuring to measure it accurately for the perfect balance of flavors.
  3. Follow up by adding a half-ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice, introducing a tangy complement to the bourbon’s rich complexity.
  4. Top up the glass with your chosen ginger beer, filling it up to create a delightful fizz.
  5. Garnish the drink with a sprig of fresh mint, adding a refreshing aroma and a touch of elegance to your cocktail.

Recipe Notes

The beauty of the Santa’s Mule lies in its balance of rich bourbon and zesty lime against the spicy-sweet backdrop of ginger beer. For a remarkable experience, we recommend using high-quality ginger beer with a bold, spicy flavor. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even make your own ginger syrup and use club soda for the fizz. Remember, whether you’re using a copper mug or a highball glass, ensure it’s chilled to maintain the cocktail’s cool temperature longer.

Lifevine

Lifevine is an incredible line of ZERO SUGAR amazing tasting wines! There are over 60 FDA-approved wine additives for winemaking, and wine brands are NOT required to put ingredients on their label. Lifevine is one of the first wines to list both serving facts and ingredients on the bottle. They believe in providing you the transparency you deserve so that you can make the best choices about what you put in your body. Beyond zero sugar, Lifevine goes above and beyond traditional winemaking to ensure their wine is free of harmful toxins and pesticides, without compromising quality or flavor. Varieties include Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and more. Lifevine is lab tested for purity, certified pesticide free and committed to label transparency. And it tastes AMAZING!

Recipe:

White Wine Sangria

Ingredients

  • 2 apples, Cut in chunks
  • 2 lemons, Sliced
  • 1/2 cup green grapes, Cut in Half
  • 1/2 cup fino sherry
  • 1 Bottle Life Vine White Wine

Drinky Mixy

Holiday Craft Cocktails (or Mocktails) The Easy Way-Drink Mixy!

Don’t spend time behind the bar mixing drinks, when you could be mixing with your guests! Drink Mixy has released their holiday craft drink mixes: Joy-joyfully berry yummy, Red Sangria-fruit and spice and Peppermint Mocha-minty-dark and sweet. Serve mixology-type drinks, without the fuss! Drink Mixy’s jars of dehydrated pre-mixed flavors mean you don’t have to hire or be the mixologist at your next party! Their regular flavors are available all year round. Add 12 ounces of the spirit to the jar, let it infuse, and put it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Shake, strain and serve! Each jar makes eight 1.5 oz servings, and once infused can be used a second time for 16 servings! Substitute with a non-alcohol alternative and have a mock-tail GORGEOUS Gift Packs Are Available!

Recipe:

Drinky Mix give you everything you need for a great cocktail. Just add your spirit and enjoy. You can have these cocktails pre-made 2-3 days before your party.

2021 Fesstivity Brut Cuvée

Crafted to perfection, this sparkling wine is a symphony of flavors that promises to make your toast to the future truly unforgettable. Bright, fresh aromas of citrus and lemongrass with hints of biscuit and a subtle minerality, and flavors of green apple, citrus, and mineral notes ride a wave of fresh acidity giving way to hints of caramel and toast and a clean, crisp, balanced finish.

Recipe:

The 2021 Fesstivity Brutee Cuvée is not something you will want to add to a recipe. This deserves your best flute and enjoy each sip!

Duke & Dame

Salted Caramel Whiskey with only 1 gram of sugar per serving, is perfect for entertaining this holiday season. It can make many festive drinks, such as Duke & Dame Espresso Martinis, Caramel Pumpkin Pie, Caramel Apple Sangria, and more.

Duke & Dame Salted Caramel Flavored Whiskey is distilled and bottled in South Florida but is available in select liquor stores, bars and restaurants across Michigan as well as Florida and New York.

Recipes:

For more cocktail recipes or to find a location that sells the Duke & Dame Salted Caramel Whiskey, go to https://dukeanddame.com/.

 

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Duke & Dame

 

 

North Star

1 ½ oz Duke & Dame

1/2 oz Amaretto

2 oz Pressed Apple Juice

2 Dashes of Grated Nutmeg

2 Dashes of Cinnamon

Star Anise (Garnish)

Combine all ingredients in shaker tin and shake with ice until well chilled. Strain into chilled coupe glass and garnish with Star Anise.

 

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Duke & Dame

 

 

Espresso Martini

2 oz Duke & Dame

3 Dashes Orange Bitters

Orange Peel

Add Duke & Dame and bitters to a mixing glass. Add ice and stir until well chilled. Strain into a Rocks glass over a large ice cube. Express the oil of an orange peel over the glass, then add orange peel to the glass as garnish.

 

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Duke & Dame

 

 

Caramel Pumpkin Pie

2 oz Duke & Dame

1/2 oz Real Pumpkin Puree

3/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

1 Egg White

Grated Nutmeg (Garnish)

Combine all ingredients in shaker tin and dry shake (i.e., without ice). Add ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into chilled coupe glass and garnish with nutmeg.

The Newair Shadow-Tᵀᴹ Series Wine Cooler is a must-have for entertaining.

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The Newair Shadow-Tᵀᴹ Series Wine Cooler is the perfect choice for wine lovers, with its sleek and elegant design, with mirrored glass door, fingerprint, and smudge resistant and UV resistant. It holds 18 bottles and features a dual temperature zone to keep your wine the perfect temperature, in a compact, elegant, and quiet packet!

Looking for more cocktail recipes? Check out Salty and Stylish’s Holiday Recipes