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If you’ve ever been to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, you’ve likely sipped some moonshine from Ole Smoky. It’s basically a rite of passage for Gatlinburg vacationers. Well, now they’ve got something new up their sleeves: Ole Smoky Creams. 

Ole Smoky Creams are flavored cream liqueurs that can be served chilled, on the rocks, or even over ice cream! These are perfect for the cold days of eggnog and cozy drinks.

There are a few different types of creams, but we’ll focus on these 4:

Bourbon Ball

“Just like the treasured whiskey confection, but in liquid form!”

Imagine the flavors of creamy milk chocolate and bourbon whiskey coming together - that’s what you get with Bourbon Ball. 

Tennessee Mud

“Whiskey comes in a softer, sweeter side in the form of a creamy, toasted caramel liqueur with little hints of chocolate that we like to call Tennessee Mud.” 

This one’s 35 proof and goes great in coffee or hot chocolate (drool!) or even over ice. It’s basically whiskey-infused perfection. 

Cookies & Cream

Everyone’s favorite flavor. This 35-proof whiskey has the flavors of cookies to create “an incredibly indulgent, creamy liqueur.”

You can enjoy this one on the rocks or even over ice cream (just imagine this over cookies and cream ice cream… all the cookies, all the cream, AND whiskey?!).

Red Velvet Cream

Is your mouth watering yet? That’s right, it’s red velvet. And whiskey. What’s better than that? 

This one goes great in cocktails, on the rocks, or in hot chocolate. It’s like having your cake and eating it too. 

As we head into the cooler months, it’s time to warm up with some of these new creams. The only question is, which one will you try first?

When it comes to New Year’s Eve champagne, especially after a year like 2020, you don’t want to mess around - you want the good stuff, right? You want the kind of bubbly that will make you let go of 2020 and look forward to 2021.

Our recommended bottle of bubbles to give 2020 the proper goodbye is the Bollinger Special Cuvée 007 Limited Edition.

 

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Why we love it:

Well, first of all, it was 007’s champagne.

That’s right, this is what James Bond drank in 14 of the Bond films. It first appeared when Roger Moore ordered it in 1973’s Live and Let Die.

Features:

The blend: 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier. Over 85% Grands and Premiers crus.

How it’s made: It’s aged for more than twice the time the appellation requires.

What it looks like: golden with very fine bubbles.

What it smells like: ripe fruit and spicy aromas, with hints of roasted apples, apple compote, and peaches.

What it tastes like: “a subtle combination of structure, length and vivacity; bubbles like velvet; pear, brioche and spicy aromas, notes of fresh walnut” (via champagne-bollinger.com).

What it pairs with: fish (especially sushi and sashimi), shrimp, crayfish, grilled lobster, white meat, parmesan cheese, and cured ham.

What makes it perfect for NYE 2020:

Who doesn’t want to feel like 007 when welcoming in the new year? And with “bubbles like velvet,” you can’t go wrong. It’s complex (like 2020 was) and rich (like we hope 2021 will be). We’ll drink to that!

Plus, you can find it in a limited edition Bond gift box. Just look at it!

 

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If this is your NYE champagne as well, be sure to share on social media and tag us.

Whether you’ve got a bonafide bartender or a bartender wannabe in your life, they can be a bit tricky to shop for. You can always grab them their favorite wine or spirit, or you can get them a gift that keeps on giving. Check out our holiday gift guide for bartenders below. 

A wine tasting journal to take note of all the wines they’ve loved (and maybe those they want to avoid). Perfect for the avid wine drinker who might need some help remembering what they’ve tried in the past.

A cocktail smoker. This one’s perfect for whiskey or bourbon lovers who appreciate smokiness from more than just a cigar. 

A whiskey wedge from Corkcicle so they can perfectly chill their favorite spirits. Perfect for anyone who loves smooth sipping. 

A full 11-piece bar set. Sure, they probably have a lot of tools, but do they have an entire 11-piece set?! 

A charcuterie board because what’s a good drink without some cheese?

A spirit infusion kit for the DIY enthusiast. 

A wine carrier bag for picnics, tailgates, and more.

A wine bottle and glass rack (bonus points if you can fill it up as part of the gift!). 

 

Nothing sets the stage for a great Thanksgiving like a good festive cocktail. That’s why we’ve gone through the grueling process of testing Thanksgiving cocktails to bring you only the best (you’re welcome for that). 

Watch out turkey, these recipes might take your place as the star of the show! 

Sparkling Thanksgiving 

Ingredients: 

• ½ oz Crop vodka 
• ½ oz apple cider
• ½ oz cranberry juice
• Prosecco for topping

Instructions:

Stir together all ingredients except the prosecco in a champagne glass, coupe, or highball glass. 

Top with prosecco.

Apple Mimosa

Ingredients:

• 3 oz apple cider
• 3 oz champagne or prosecco
• Brown sugar (optional)
• Apple slices (optional)
• Cinnamon sticks (optional)

Instructions: 

This one’s easy - just pour the cider into a champagne flute or coupe, then top with champagne.

Garnish with apple slices dipped in brown sugar and a cinnamon stick. 

Apple Cider Kentucky Mule

Ingredients:

• 4 oz. hard cider
• 4 oz. Cock-N-Bull Ginger Beer
• 2 oz Bulleit bourbon 
• Juice of half a lime
• Mint sprig

Instructions:

Add Bulleit, cider, and lime juice to a moscow mule mug or a highball glass. 

Fill with ice and top with ginger beer. 

Garnish with mint sprig. 

Apple Pie Sangria

Ingredients:

• 2 apples, cored and sliced (any apple will work, but we suggest green and red for the most aesthetically pleasing results!)
• ½ blood orange, cut into small slices
• 1 bottle Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc
• 1 cup caramel vodka
• 3 cups apple cider
• ¼ cup apple pie spice simple syrup (see below for recipe if you are unable to find one)
• Ground nutmeg
• Cinnamon sticks

Instructions:

In a large pitcher, combine apples, oranges, wine, vodka, apple cider, and simple syrup. 

Refrigerate and stir before serving. 

Garnish with ground nutmeg and cinnamon sticks.

Apple pie spice simple syrup 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp apple pie spice 

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Simmer until the sugar is dissolved and the syrup begins to thicken (about 10 minutes). 

Cranberry Margarita (Cranberrita)

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups cranberry juice
• ¾ cup fresh lime juice
• ¾ cup Playa Real tequila
• ½ cup orange liqueur 
• Fresh cranberries
• Lime wedge
• Blood orange, sliced 

Instructions:

Stir all ingredients together. 

Serve on the rocks in a margarita glass.

Garnish with fresh cranberries, a lime wedge, and a sliced blood orange. 

Try out a few of these and add them to your Thanksgiving menu. Let us know how they turn out! Tag us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, and follow along for more recipes.