BLEND USED: Heat Spell Limited Edition Grape Nectar
Tasting attributes: Sweet and just a touch spicy takes the bite off of any tequila.
If you want to turn up the heat this Cinco de Mayo (or any day, for that matter), you will definitely want to reach for our newest blend of Grape Nectar. It delivers not only a touch of sweetness to any cocktail or food you add it to, but an unexpected kick on the finish. And in true Domaine Santé fashion, Heat Spell does not over deliver either spicy or sweet - it brings the perfect amount to the party!
Our Heat Spell sugar alternative features a very simple "margarita" recipe on the bottle's label itself, but we decided to take it to the next level with this recipe. With four simple ingredients, you most likely have all the components in stock already! And don't be afraid of the egg. A classic sour doesn't always call for an egg white, but you will truly enjoy the creamy, rich texture the eggy froth adds. Another layer of dimension from both the grape nectar and the foam will surely leave you enchanted after one sip! Just don't let up on the shaking (shake your heart out!)
We love the collaboration with Boy Drinks World and their incredible Serrano Cocktail Spice creation. The cocktail spice is no joke - it is one of the most intense flavoring agents you could add to a cocktail, especially if you want to really turn up the heat! We loved how it reacted with the grapes and found the perfect (what we think to be) balance of sweet and spicy in our concoction. We broke down all the details and discovered founder Ram's inspiration on a fun IG Live segment when we launched the blend last November. Check it out!
Whatever the tequila you choose, make sure you mix it with our magical tequila sour recipe! And BONUS: Your skinny margarita just got a little extra protein with this classic egg white sour and is sure to go down smooth. Want to try another tequila recipe with our low sugar alternative? Try our equally refreshing Napa Margarita, Prickly Pear Cooler or the Ultimate Paloma too. Whichever you chose, make sure you #DrinkBetter this Cinco de Mayo and every other day of the year with any of our tequila cocktail recipes. Cheers from our kitchen to yours!
Difficulty
Medium
Ingredients
Preparation
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This recipe is the most decadent gluten-free dairy-free dessert of all time, no exaggeration! Once you make this 6 minute dessert, you will be shocked how much flavor our best selling grape nectar adds to such simple ingredients. Our Bored-O Rouge causes an explosion of chocolate jammy flavor as soon as you spoon into this warm, satisfying dessert. Your loved one will be shocked that it is refined sugar-free to boost, so make yours today!
BLEND USED: Bored-O Rouge California Grape Nectar
Tasting Attributes: Bored-O Rouge adds pop of flavor and richness in every bite
We were on a mission to develop not only the tastiest chocolate dessert around, but one that doesn’t sacrifice your health goals, and it seems like we nailed it! From first look, the recipe appears to have very basic, healthy ingredients. But after the first bite, you will be more than pleasantly surprised. “Tastes like heaven” has been the phrase we have been hearing around the kitchen. One of our biggest win-wins to date!
This dessert is both gluten-free and dairy-free, and of course made with no refined sugar, just our flavorful sugar alternative. The oats give the dessert a cakey texture, while still filling it full of fiber and goodness and the plant-based milk makes it creamy, and even dreamier than a dairy version. The sea salt, as in any baked good recipe, enhances the sweetness without adding additional sugar and calories. The surprise of nut butter filling adds another decadent layer that should not be skipped. We chose peanut butter, but any nut butter will add a delicious creaminess. And last, but not least, we add just enough of our wine grape sweetener to add the perfect balance of sweetness to counteract the cocoa powder.
This recipe absolutely showcases the magic of our sugar alternative. We had tested the recipe out with our white blends, and while they did taste good, they produced a very basic dessert. When we tested the recipe using our Bored-O Rouge grape sweetener, the chocolate gooeyness literally felt like an explosion in your mouth. There is so much incredible flavor in this dessert, it is shocking! Imagine a juicy malbec grape bursting into a stream of warm, rich chocolate lava and little sprinkles of creamy nut butter. Seriously. YUM.
We definitely recommend eating this one right out of the oven, as the warmth of the dessert is definitely satisfying. If you are making it ahead of time, make sure to undercook the pots initially by a couple minutes, then reheat in a preheated oven for 5-6 minutes. We used our Ninja Foodi for expedited reheating time, but a toaster oven or regular oven work just as well. Check out a step by step demo with our founder, Emily, on Instagram!
The sweetest, and easiest treat (check out how easy on our IG Reels) for your sweetheart this Valentine's! No need to sacrifice your health to enjoy an incredibly flavorful chocolate dessert with our Rougey Chocolate Pots. We promise you will be making this #SweetStuff all year whenever you have a chocolate craving!
Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients
Preparation
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Our first attempt at focaccia making and we are so glad we had the guidance of the lovely, uber talented Cambrea. Cambrea was initially drawn to our two original blends: Bored-O Blanc and Bored-O Rouge and has experimented with them in her kitchen in many creative ways. We were especially enlightened to see her use our grape nectars in the form of bread making. As she states, she "uses the nectars every time [she] make breads and doughs now and won't ever go back!!" Her nectar of choice for bread-making is Bored-O Blanc wine grape sugar, as it has the most neutral flavor, but also a rich and warming finish.
Cambrea also has used our Bored-O Rouge sugar alternative to prepare her Summer Fruit Galette (pictured below). Her talent and finesse with our grape nectars is mesmerizing and her attention to ingredient details as well as aesthetics has us craving more! Not only is she a trained pastry chef and grew up in a family of bakers, but she takes all of the food photography for her gorgeous website and social media. We highly recommend checking out her brilliance on her site!
But on to the bread! Cambrea chose to make a preferment dough the day before, which saves a lot of time on proofing the day of baking. If anyone else is saying "what the **** is a preferment dough?", don't be worried! It's just a small amount of dough, simply made the day before with a portion of the warm water (but not too warm so the yeast doesn't die), yeast and flour left to ferment the night before, and will eventually go into the final dough. Make sure to do this step ahead of time for ideal final texture and flavor of your focaccia, as it is a step that is not always listed in many other focaccia recipes.
The magic comes in when the final dough is prepared the next day. The rest of the ingredients are combined, including the Bored-O Blanc Grape Nectar. Our sugar alternative's role in this recipe can be summed up perfectly by Cambrea: "I decided to use the nectar in the focaccia because of its light and citrusy flavor. The lower sugar content allowed the focaccia to rise slowly and develop more flavor in the dough." She simply mixes them all in the mixing bowl of her stand mixer, as seen below.
Cambrea, we are so honored that you chose our grape nectars to make your creations and we hope you continue to find new and exciting uses. We hope you at home take a professional's input to heart and try out your next dough recipe with our wine grape nectar as your sugar alternative. You can also find all of the highlights from her focaccia making experience on her Instagram here.
Cambrea was also so kind to say, "The grape nectar is honestly the best sweetener, so good i could just eat it with a spoon!" We couldn't agree more and hope you try out her recipe for your next socially distanced #DinnerParty!
FOCACCIA FINESSE
Difficulty
Medium
Ingredients
MAKE AHEAD THE DAY BEFORE (Preferment Dough)Preparation
MAKE AHEAD THE DAY BEFORE
MAKE THE NEXT DAY
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BLEND USED: "In Mint Condition" Limited Edition Blend
Tasting attributes: The subtle mint and key lime flavors of the grape nectar are enhanced by the addition of their fresh counterparts for an ultra refreshing beverage.
As summer starts to wind up, don't sell yourself short moving on to the pumpkin madness too quickly. Squeeze the last few ounces of summer out of 2020 (literally) with our Cuke Cooler. We thought we had done it before with The Ultimate Paloma, but this one could be the absolute pinnacle of refreshment. Cucumber, lime, mint, and don't forget the defining ingredient: Limited Edition blend "In Mint Condition", that's it! One of our favorite ways to use our newest blend to date.
Just as the inspiration for our new blend came straight from the garden, so did the contents of this creation! Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow and most beautiful ways to garnish, which is why we always have it on hand. But we did realize not everyone has the capacity to garden, which is why mint is one of the highlighted flavors of our latest blend. No mint, no problem with "In Mint Condition" Grape Nectar. And cocktail mixing is just the beginning with this blend: we love it on our waffles with coconut yogurt, or simply stirred into an iced tea. As always, the possibilities are endless with our refined sugar-free alternatives.
Why don't we muddle the mint in this cocktail, you ask? Our new blend of sugar alternative contains just enough mint undertone to give this beverage all the minty-ness it requires (trust us, we tried it!). Compared to the processed agave or honey found in many other cucumber cocktail recipes, our wine grape sugar takes the drink to an entirely higher level! The fresh squeeze of limes awakens the senses and adds a touch of acidity, while the mint spring enhances the aromatics. The cukes are always a summer favorite and pair exquisitely with some of our favorite gins for the perfect summer sipper!
The cocktail/mocktail making process is made exceptionally more enjoyable with barware from our friends at Standard Spoon. We love their gold line of classic jiggers and stirring spoons. Check out all of their gorgeous equipment to give your home bar the perfect quarantine makeover!
With the uber refreshing trifecta of fresh ingredients, this cocktail or mocktail is sure to be sipped down with ease. The perfect touch of sweetness with our latest and greatest blend of Grape Nectar ensures you will #DrinkBetter far beyond summer!
Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients for Non-Alcoholic Mocktail
For Alcoholic Cocktail:
Preparation
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BLEND USED: Bored-O Blanc California Grape Nectar
Tasting attributes: Grape Nectar calms the sharp character of the citrus and adds a round, caramel mouthfeel.
If you can manage to find a nice pool to lay by this summer, we guarantee you will want this drink by your side. You probably instinctually think poolside = margarita when you think of a tequila, but this creation upgrades your sour game significantly. A paloma replaces the predominantly lime juice component of a margarita with its cousin the more chic grapefruit. Our Ultimate Paloma also eliminates the standard sugar component with our original blend of Grape Nectar to take the cocktail to the next level. And who doesn’t love an elevated cocktail that they can shake up instantly?
While some are accustomed to grapefruit soda, we believe you can’t skimp on fresh grapefruit juice for a proper paloma. It gives an irreplaceable, fruity flavor that we think you will adore. In a pinch and don’t have the fresh stuff on hand? You can opt for a grapefruit sparkling water, turning two ingredients into one for the next best thing.
Not only do we love fresh grapefruit, we also have to mention the lovely combination with our Sauvignon Blanc blend of Grape Nectar. The round, caramel feel of Bored-O Blanc Grape Nectar balances out the astringent character of the grapefruit and gives the drink a nice full mouthfeel. A little dash of lime and some bubbly water make the mocktail perfectly refreshing and definitely not too sweet.
Tequila definitely can add a lot of different notes to the cocktail version of this drink as well. With all of the fruit and sugar elements, you don’t need to reach beyond a blanco tequila to keep with the clean flavors. Although we do love the Maestro Dobel Diamante Reposado for its complex, but smooth nature. They actually use aged tequila and filter off the color to leave you with a very high quality, clear product. Make it your own, and try out this cocktail with your favorite agave spirit.
And lastly: To salt or not to salt? It’s totally up to you! Just as you choose with your margarita, add a little of the white stuff if you’re feeling salty!
We hope you are looking forward to trying out this worldwide sensation at your next outdoor roommate gathering. We think you will find our Ultimate Paloma to be fiercely refreshing, not to mention the eye catching pinkish gold color it brings to your glass. Cheers to you to #DrinkBetter this summer!
Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients for Non-Alcoholic Mocktail
For Alcoholic Cocktail:
Preparation
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Antioxidants are calling, please pick up! This butternut squash soup is the perfect way to keep you and your family healthy this March. Vegan, warming, and hearty, the soup is so flavorful and delicious that it just might become a new favorite dinner recipe. We took this soup to the next level by adding a touch of our Bored-O Blanc grape nectar and the result was absolutely golden!
Blend Used: Bored-O Blanc California Grape Nectar
Tasting Attributes: Our Bored-O Blanc sugar alternative add a touch of sweetness and acidity to balance out the earthy, hearty flavors in the soup
Why have one pot of gold when you can have two? Our sassy and bright Pot of Gold cocktail pairs perfectly with this golden butternut squash soup, or as we like to call it, “Pot of Gold in a Bowl”. This soup is perfect for the shifting of the seasons from winter to spring, as it’s warm and captures the flavors of both winter and spring! We took this soup to the next level with some Bored-O Blanc California grape nectar to enhance and tie the many delicious ingredients together.
Not only is the butternut squash the main ingredient of this soup, it also has an abundance of health benefits. Squash helps to boost immunity because it is full of nutrients such as vitamin C and magnesium. This vegetable is also an excellent source of dietary fiber and, like our natural sweeteners, has a low glycemic index. The pairing of butternut squash with our Bored-O Blanc grape sugar sweeteners help to keep your blood sugar in check and the combination tastes incredible!
Another reason we love this recipe is because it’s vegetarian (and can easily be made vegan). Taking a break from meat is great for gut and heart health and good for the environment. According to Brian Kateman of the Reducetarian Movement, reducing meat consumption by at least 10% will help to reduce the harmful effects of climate change. The combinations of flavors in this butternut squash soup are so vibrant that you will not even miss the dairy that is commonly added to a soup recipe. Plus, with healthy ingredients and our healthy sugar alternatives, this soup is free from any guilt!
The Bored-O Blanc blend of our natural sweetener was chosen for this dish because it adds a subtle sweetness to balance the earthy taste from the squash and the juicy notes from the pear. Our Bored-O Blanc sugar substitute adds a unique taste unlike any other sweeteners. It captures the crisp and acidic notes from the sauvignon blanc and semillon wine grapes it is made from. Grape nectar elevates the overall flavor of this healthy soup without the pitfalls that may come from other sweeteners.
With a little help from our grape nectar sugar substitutes, this “Pot of Gold” soup is packed with unique flavor and may become a new favorite. Just another way to stay golden with your health and wellness goals. This soup is a fantastic addition to any #DinnerParty!
Difficulty
Medium
Ingredients (makes 6 servings)
Preparation
BLEND USED: All-Sass California Grape Nectar
Tasting Attributes: All-Sass pairs and enhances the citrus and floral notes of the local gin
As the weather starts to warm, we are already dreaming of refreshing spring and summer cocktails, with lighter spirits like gin. If you ever found yourself stuck between whether to make a classic gin fizz or the even more appealing corpse reviver, then we have the answer. Follow the rainbow and right at the end is the Pot of Gold. All the fun of a fizz with a little rinse of absinthe to really excite the palate. Plus, no refined sugar and all the sass of our All-Sass riesling blend of grape nectar.
We first reached for California based Benham’s Original Gin because of its outstanding craftsmanship. We love that it is distilled close to where we source our grapes, which gives this cocktail a natural synergy. There are gorgeous flavors from meyer lemon and buddha's hand and floral notes of chamomile and angelica, which pair perfectly with the white floral and bright citrus tones of our All-Sass sugar alternative. Another interesting aspect to this cocktail is the absinthe rinse as the botanical flavors of the absinthe pair harmoniously with the flavors of the gin, acidic lemon, and lush All-Sass California grape nectar.
We chose to use the All-Sass blend of our natural sweeteners, not only for its sassy citrus and white floral notes, but also for the slightly spicy elements that give extra depth in this refreshing cocktail. Due to the simplicity of ingredients in this cocktail, the All-Sass sugar substitute’s complex flavors are nicely depicted. Our riesling blend of grape nectar adds the necessary sweetness while it also cohesively blends with the citrus from both the gin and fresh lemon.
The final ingredient to this flavorful cocktail is the sometimes contentious egg white, which creates the beautiful and delicious foam in cocktails, including this one. If you are in search of a vegan alternative to the egg white, we suggest using aquafaba in its place. Aquafaba is a thick liquid that comes from legumes (such as chickpeas) and works magically as a vegan egg white replacement! Whether you chose to include egg white or aquafaba, both will add a foamy effect that gives a creamy richness you will love.
This cocktail is sure to help you transition to the warmer weather and with the addition of the All-Sass sugar substitute, it just might become your new spring favorite! Pot of Gold is the gold standard to #DrinkBetter this March!
POT OF GOLD (IN A GLASS) RECIPE
Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients
Preparation
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BLEND USED: Bored-O Blanc California Grape Nectar
Tasting Attributes: Bored-O Blanc adds the appropriate amount of sweetness to balance out the earthy and nutty taste that comes from the superfood incorporation.
Our specialty is finding healthy ways to enjoy classic indulgent treats, especially the crowd pleasers. This vegan French toast recipe is exactly that. Get all of the yummy, slightly sweet goodness in a traditional French toast, but with many more health benefits than your standard breakfast varieties. Our classic blend of grape nectar sugar substitute is the perfect stand in for maple syrup in this recipe, plus we figured wine not add some powerful superfoods to start the day out right. No matter yummy extras you throw on top of this toast, this plant-based recipe is sure to keep you energized all day long.
One of our favorite aspects of this healthier French toast recipe is that it incorporates superfoods that will keep you and your family going all day. One of these superfoods is maca root powder, which is low in calories, and has a great source of vitamins, iron, fiber, calcium, and protein! Maca root powder also can help improve mood and increase energy levels. The hemp hearts in the batter are also incredibly nutritious and packed full of vitamins. And don’t forget the bread! Crusty, local whole grains are what we reach for. These nutrient rich ingredients pair perfectly with our Bored-O Blanc sugar alternative to create the sweet and delicious taste we know and love of traditional French Toast.
So why sweeten your French toast batter with grape nectar in place of maple syrup or agave? All three are natural sugar substitutes, yet grape nectar, which contains grape sugar, offers much much more when it comes to nutrition and taste. We swapped the traditional sugar component in the batter with our Bored-O Blanc blend of natural sweeteners because we found that this blend of our grape sugar based sweeteners enhances the cinnamon and other spices without creating an overpowering flavor. Our original blend of grape nectar, the Bored-O Blanc, adds a bright and sweet flavoring that comes across to enhance the overall taste of the batter. Plus, grape nectar has a lower glycemic index compared to many other natural sweeteners, including agave and maple syrup. This helps keep blood sugar normalized all day and reduces the chance of crashing midday.
Each blend of our grape nectar healthy sugar alternatives also uniquely serves as the perfect topping to this French toast. The Bored-O Blanc blend is excellent if you are looking to match the flavor of the batter with some freshly chopped strawberries. If you’re feeling like veering off the beaten path for something different, our All-Sass Riesling blend offers a bright taste with floral notes and pairs well with a wide variety of fruits or granola. And if you want some bold grapey goodness, go for the Bored-O Rouge: our Merlot blend is popular for its intense berry and grape notes. The Bored-O Rouge is a great topping on its own, but also pairs excellently with berries.
With all the goodness this French toast has to offer, you can feel confident you are bringing the full package of health and deliciousness when serving it up to your loved ones. This toast is the trifecta: slightly sweet, extra flavorful and incredibly healthy. It’s an easy peasy recipe that is taken to the next level when you add grape nectar. This is just one of the many ways we can #WakeUp with a sweet breakfast that is also healthy!
DELICIOUSLY VEGAN FRENCH TOAST RECIPE
Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients (enough for 5-slices)
Preparation
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Kimberley has developed several recipes using California Grape Nectar, including the glaze on top of apple scones, vegan mayonnaise, sesame seed energy balls, and chocolate fig walnut dessert balls. Kimberley keeps rolling out the hits and we can’t wait to see what is next. She told us how much she loves the versatility of our grape nectar natural sweeteners and we could not agree more!
Kimberley’s Recipes:
Apple Scones with Bored-O Blanc California Grape Nectar Glaze:
This recipe uses grape nectar as a sugar substitute in the glaze for her gluten and dairy-free apple scones. Yum. These scones were made with fresh local Washington state apples and they turned out to be absolutely stunning. Kimberley used our original blend of grape nectar, Bored-O Blanc, in her glaze adding just the right amount of sweetness and fruity undertones, without overpowering the crisp flavors of the scone. The result was a major hit amongst her family, friends, and social media community. You can check out this masterpiece on her Instagram here!
Egg-Less Vegan Mayonnaise with Bored-O Blanc Grape Nectar:
This recipe includes just six simple ingredients that you can make in less than ten minutes. Plus, as Kimberley points out, store-bought vegan mayonnaise is far more expensive than making it at home. We asked Kimberley why she chose to use the Bored-O Blanc blend in this recipe, and she told us that it added the perfect subtle sweetness and flavoring needed to pair with the apple cider vinegar. Who would've thought to add a sweetener to mayo? This is a mayonnaise you have to try so head over to the recipe here!
Black Sesame Dark Energy Balls with All-Sass Grape Nectar:
Kimberley’s dark energy balls are full of health benefits and make the perfect superfood snack or on-the-go breakfast. Black sesame seeds are full of nutrients that benefit both physical and mental wellbeing, including reducing stress and anxiety. These energy balls are also vegan, paleo, and high in protein - quite the trifecta! Kimberley explained that she chose the All-Sass grape nectar as this blend matches the deep flavor notes that come from the cocoa powder. The All-Sass blend also adds a unique floral undertone to balance the boldness of the sesame seeds and dark chocolate. This recipe makes our mouth water just thinking about it. Find the full recipe here!
We love collaborating with talented recipe developers like Kimberley, and we are so grateful for their incorporation of our product in their craft. She has shown us new and uncharted ways to use our grape nectar sugar alternatives. We hope you join us in seeing what else she comes up with! To find all of Kimberley’s recipes, be sure to follow her on Instagram @therocksanddirtbakery and check out her website: therocksanddirtbakery.com. Plus, keep an eye out for Kimberley’s cookbook coming out soon!
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]]>Tasting Attributes: Bored-O Rouge adds a bold dark berry finish that compliments the flavors of the bitters and the vermouth
The reason we love this cocktail recipe is because it's far from an average tequila drink and is a great addition to any home bartender’s arsenal of recipes. While we personally love the original addition of amaro, we switched things up and substituted with an Italian bitter liqueur and vermouth, which are commonly blended together with gin to make a classic negroni. Both are also served by themselves after a meal in many European countries and becoming more popular in the states as well. But combined with tequila and grape nectar, the combination is sure to enlighten the palate.
The highlight of this drink is the true complexity of flavors: from the spirits, to our richest blend of grape nectar, to the start of the season strawberries and fresh lemon. The liqueur and vermouth maintain the bitter nature of the original cocktail and impart earthy and botanical notes, while the tequila adds nice warming, vanilla flavor. Don’t be afraid to mix spirits and try something new!
The Bored-O Rouge blend of our natural sweeteners is substituted for a strawberry liqueur in the original recipe and we chose this blend because it can stand up to the intense flavors of the spirits and adds that perfect touch of sweetness. Plus it’s high level of antioxidants and low sugar content compared to many sugar-laden liqueurs on the market are an added bonus! You will also find that it enhances the spiciness and adds a deep and lingering finish to the cocktail.
While we often use our cabernet blend of grape nectar to replace sweet vermouth in cocktail recipes, this recipe was not complete without the Padró & Co. Rojo Amargo vermouth. Just as they describe it, this is one of the most “charismatic” vermouths we have encountered and found it to be a must-have in this recipe. We love the fruit elements that finish off this recipe, as they add a nice balance and a touch of freshness to the deep flavors. Both you and your Valentine taste buds will be very pleased with the final product!
As always, we suggest using the highest quality of ingredients for this recipe and that includes the tequila. The best possible option to go for in any tequila-based drink is a quality craft 100% agave tequila. We played around and found a reposado tequila rounded out the cocktail nicely without overpowering the other ingredients or the deliciously bold notes of our Bored-O Rouge wine grape sugar. Blanco tequila was a little too sharp and anejo tequila was a little too sweet and soft, while reposado was just right. But you be the judge - make it your own.
This cocktail holds so many delicious flavors and with the California grape nectar twist, it may be one you will be making all year round. Bittersweet Valentine is the perfect way to #drinkbetter this Valentine’s Day!
BITTERSWEET VALENTINE RECIPE
Difficulty
Medium
Ingredients
Preparation
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be an overpriced dinner, in fact it doesn’t have to be dinner at all. Start the day off with a special Valentine’s breakfast. Get comfy and do breakfast in bed for your sweetheart or make a display at the table amongst friends and family. Skip drenching your pancakes in maple syrup and drowning your oatmeal with honey and grab your grape nectar to sweeten things up. Grape nectar is a natural sweetener, which means it only contains natural grape sugar from the California grapes it’s made from. All three of our sugar alternatives have a low-glycemic index, which will help keep your blood sugar at bay. Adding grape nectar to your Valentine’s Day breakfast is a simple way to make the first meal of the day healthier, plus tastier with because of the complex flavor profiles of these sugar substitutes. Need some inspiration? Check out some of our favorite grape nectar breakfast ideas sure to impress your sweetie on our Recipe Blog!
After fueling up on breakfast, it’s a great time to enjoy some Vitamin D outside with your significant other or friends! There is so much to enjoy about the outdoors and the best part is that it’s both free and healthy. An outdoor adventure is a great way to have quality time with the ones you care about (and keep your health goals on track). Whether it’s a nice walk along the beach, a midday hike or a snowy adventure, we are sure everyone involved will appreciate the thoughtful experience. To go the extra mile, pack some goodies, such as our chocolate covered strawberries made with grape nectar sugar alternatives. Find the recipe here!
If you are looking to enjoy a cocktail with your loved one on Valentine’s day, opt for making some creations at home. Add a little grape nectar to your cocktail to replace the simple syrup or agave in a recipe with grape sugar and your cocktail will be elevated to a whole new level. Our natural sweeteners are more than just a healthy alternative to other sugar substitutes, they are the ultimate flavor enhancer! Our Recipe Blog has an abundance of simple and delicious cocktail recipes to explore. Try out the “Pink French 75” cocktail, which was a festive take on the classic cocktail that we celebrated with last Valentine’s day! Not only will you not be dropping the big bucks on sugary cocktails out, but you are cutting out some unnecessary calories that no one needs on Valentine’s Day.
There are many ways to enjoy a fantastic Valentine’s day on a budget while staying true to your health goals this February. With grape nectar your day just got a little sweeter. No matter how you choose to spend your Valentine’s Day, we hope you are surrounded by love!
Get Your Grape Nectar Today!
]]>Trying to be healthier in the new decade, but don’t want to sacrifice taste? We have the perfect recipe for you! Our latest smoothie is full of vitamins, supports a healthy immune system, and is fantastically easy to make. Our Bored-O Blanc Grape Nectar tops it off with a little extra flavor as the ultimate low carb sugar alternative for this delicious tropical drink.
BLEND USED: Bored-O Blanc California Grape Nectar
Tasting Attributes: The sauvignon blanc blend of grape nectar eases the tang of the smoothie without overpowering the flavors
Our latest smoothie recipe is full of nutritious seasonal ingredients, easy to make, and tastes absolutely incredible! This smoothie consists of all vegan elements including coconut milk, banana, kiwi, and your choice of citrus, which gives a tropical and bright flavor. To balance out the tang of the kiwi and citrus, we have decided to use our Bored-O Blanc blend of sweetener, which is made from sauvignon blanc California grapes.
As always, we seek to use the highest quality ingredients that we can find. For this reason, we made sure to select fruits that are in season during the winter. Seasonal fruits are more tasty, fresh, and higher in nutrients than fruits that are out of season. We recommend your local farmers market for the fruit needed in this smoothie as you are assured the freshest of fruit and supporting local business, win-win! Local to the San Diego area? Stop by the Little Italy Mercato on Saturdays between 8a-2p to get both your fruits and our grape nectar sugar alternatives.
So why did we choose to use our original blend of natural sweeteners? The Bored-O Blanc grape sugar adds the perfect amount of sweetness to this smoothie without overpowering the tropical, fruity notes. The natural sweetener is included mainly to balance out the tartness that comes from the kiwi and citrus in this drink with its rich fig and apple notes. We found that adding just two tablespoon of our Bored-O Blanc sugar substitutes was the key to enhancing the overall taste without an overpowering sweet flavor.
We used coconut milk in this smoothie to help make it rich and creamy and keep it plant based. It can easily be swapped for any milk you prefer to use. The citrus of the grapefruit, or blood orange, provides an array of health benefits. Citrus fruits are full of vitamins, especially vitamin C, and are high in fiber and support a healthy immune system in the cold months. Want to go one step further with this healthy smoothie? Throw in a handful of spinach for extra antioxidants or chia seeds for additional fiber.
We would bet on it that this will be your new go-to breakfast smoothie or midday snack. As long as you have some grape nectar on hand, your smoothie game will be strong in the new decade. We’re making it easy to #WakeUp on the healthy side in 2020!
TROPICAL OASIS SMOOTHIE REICPE
Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients
Preparation
Blend all ingredients in a high power blender. Serve immediately and enjoy!
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]]>When making resolutions, it is best to plan out simple and reasonable changes rather than extreme goals that are difficult to stick to. For 2020 we want to help you maintain healthy habits that will last long term. We cannot wait for this year with you and we encourage you to be the best you possible. Below have listed a few suggestions for improving overall health in 2020, with a little help from our grape nectar!
Exercise Regularly:
Daily exercise can drastically improve health and help prevent disease including heart disease and diabetes. Exercising everyday does not necessarily mean you need to go to the gym each day. Even a simple ten minute walk can make a difference. Get up and move more in 2020 and we promise you will feel much better both physically and mentally. Exercise requires proper fuel from the food we eat in order to see the full benefit. Adding our sugar substitute into your diet in place of sugar is a great option because grape nectar is all natural and has a low glycemic index. While sugar and other alternatives may leave you feeling sluggish and tired, grape nectar will not interfere with your exercise goals!
Eat Healthier with Grape Nectar:
A great way to eat healthier this year is by integrating our sugar substitute, grape nectar, into recipes that call for sugar or alternative sweeteners. Grape nectar is a natural sweetener made from California wine grapes and has half the calories of other sugar alternatives such as honey, agave, and maple syrup. Our sugar substitute also has a low glycemic index, which is important for keeping blood sugar normalized in the long-term. On top of all this, grape nectar packs a delicious taste and can be used in baking, cooking and drink recipes. Keep checking our recipe blog all year long for healthy and creative recipe ideas using grape nectar.
Trade in Alcoholic Beverages for Mocktails:
Reducing alcohol consumption in 2020 will make you feel much more energized and healthier throughout the year! It is easy to make a delicious mocktail in place of alcoholic beverages with grape nectar. Each of our three blends of grape nectar have a unique taste and are fun to experiment with in cocktail, tea, and coffee recipes. We have a cabernet blend for a bolder taste, a riesling blend with floral notes, and a sauvignon blanc blend that are excellent for adding subtle sweetness to your drink. In need of inspiration? Our mocktail recipes are simple to make and taste as if you are drinking a well-crafted cocktail.
No matter your goals this year, we recommend prioritizing your health because #HealthIsALifestyle. Start with reasonable goals and that will help you form healthy habits that you will keep all year long and into this new decade. Get ready to make 2020 your best year yet!
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]]>There are many health benefits that come from participating in Dryuary. For starters, taking a month-long break from alcohol can improve sleep quality and leave you feeling more energized, which may make achieving your New Year’s your fitness goals easier to achieve! Dryuary also allows your organs to detox, improve health and may help you to lose weight. On top of all these benefits, taking the first month of the year off from drinking will likely help you reduce the amount you drink in later months. Making it much easier to drink less in 2020!
We have laid out three tips to help you accomplish Dryuary with the help of grape nectar:
1) Make a Grape Nectar Mocktail or Soda:
If you are choosing to participate in Dryuary this year, why throw away your efforts by drinking super sugary sodas in place of alcoholic beverages? Of course, that does not mean you need to stick to water for the entirety of the month, that’s no fun. With our sugar substitutes, it is both fun and easy to craft a delicious homemade soda or mocktail. With three blends of grape nectar to choose from, each with a unique taste from the California wine grapes they originate from, you are sure to have fun experimenting with them. It does not take a mixologist to make a delicious drink with our natural sweeteners. And if you need inspiration, our mocktail recipes are simple to make and tastes just as great as a crafted cocktail. We also have a variety of soda recipes on our recipe blog to explore as well!
2) Reward Yourself with a Dessert Made with Grape Nectar:
Participating in Dryuary is something to be proud of. It is important to reward yourself during the process! Indulging in a sweet treat is an excellent way to do this and when the dessert is made from our grape nectar sugar substitutes you can feel even better about eating it. Grape nectar is all natural, has a low glycemic index, contains zero refined sugars and has less calories of other natural sweeteners such as honey. Adjusting your favorite dessert recipe with grape nectar will also enhance the overall flavor, making it the perfect treat to reward yourself with! Need ideas? We have plenty of sweet recipes to explore here!
3) Drink Tea at night, sweetened with Grape Nectar:
The cravings for alcohol usually come at night, when you want to wind down from your busy day. One incredibly easy way to substitute this craving is by enjoying a warm cup of tea sweetened with our grape nectar sugar substitutes. Tea has been scientifically proven to reduce stress and improve overall mood for the majority of people. Plus, adding a bit of grape nectar to your favorite cup of tea will elevate the taste (we suggest using the Bored-O Blanc or All-Sass blends).
With grape nectar and these three simple tips it is easy to say goodbye to alcohol for the month! Whether you are participating in Dryuary or not, you can set the tone for a healthy 2020 with grape nectar because #HealthIsALifestyle.
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In honor of our appearance on Open Table’s Dryuary Blog two years ago, we wanted to bring you a new creation inspired by the list of mocktails that was featured. This recipe will take your love for green tea to the next level! Introducing our ginger mint green tea mocktail, lightly sweetened with our one and only riesling sugar alternative: All-Sass California Grape Nectar.
Blend Used: All-Sass California Grape Nectar
Tasting Attributes: Floral notes of the All-Sass bring out the fragrant elements of the ginger and mint in this mocktail.
With this new decade upon us, we know that many of you are making steps towards improving your health and overall diet and we want to support that! So we created a green tea-based mocktail that is packed full of nutrients and antioxidants and will actually leave you wanting more. The combination of ginger, mint, lemon juice, and of course grape nectar, make this drink both extraordinarily healthy and flavorsome!
We concocted this dryuary drink to resemble the taste of a refreshing cocktail. Ginger and mint are a classic flavor combination in many cocktails. This tea-based mocktail does an excellent job of capturing these flavors and has the health benefits of green tea with zero refined sugars, which is hard to find with most cocktails. Since this recipe is so simple, you can easily add to it or even take out the mint or ginger and it still would still taste absolutely fantastic.
Our natural sweeteners are made purely from California wine grapes, which have the benefit of a low glycemic index and retain many of the antioxidants found in the grapes. The inclusion of our grape nectar sugar substitutes in this drink adds the right amount of sweetness to compliment the bold flavors of ginger and mint. We chose the All-Sass blend for several reasons. The white floral elements of the sugar alternative accentuate the earthy flavors of the green tea. We recommend starting with a smaller amount of our healthy sugar alternative and gradually add until you find the perfect amount sweetness!
We personally love that this drink includes ginger because of the many health benefits associated with this root. Ginger is loaded with nutrients and bioactive elements that promote physical and mental wellbeing. This includes aiding healthy digestion, balancing blood sugar and includes anti-inflammatory properties. Not to mention, it packs such a fantastic flavor punch!
So, there you have it, a mocktail that captures the flavors of a delicious cocktail while promoting ultimate health and wellbeing. Let’s kick off this new decade right and #DrinkBetter!
GREEN TEA SASS MOCKTAIL
Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients
Preparation
BLEND USED: All-Sass California Grape Nectar
Tasting attributes: All-Sass Grape Nectar adds a bright and floral sweetness that beautifully compliments the tang of the ginger, lemon, dijon, and vinegar in the dressing.
Our latest recipe is a fun twist on Cookie and Kate's Blog Pomegranate & Pear Green Salad! We have changed up the salad dressing to incorporate our All-Sass grape nectar in the place of the maple syrup or honey it calls for. We found that the delicious pomegranate, pear, and pecan flavors of this salad are amplified by doing so!
The dressing of this salad is the absolute highlight of the dish. That being said, we sought to make the dressing as delicious as possible by adding our All-Sass grape nectar blend to the dressing. The All-Sass blend enhances the other ingredients of the dressing with its floral notes. It also compliments the pomegranates in the salad with its citrus undertone from the riesling wine grapes it is made from. In addition to all of this, the grape nectar brings out the natural sugars of the apple and pears in this salad. The pecans balance out the sweetness and add texture to pull it all together into one harmonious and flavorsome salad.
Aside from elevating the overall flavor of the salad, adding grape nectar proves to be a healthier alternative to maple syrup or honey. By comparison, grape nectar has half the sugar of honey and half the glycemic index of honey and maple syrup. You will feel even better about dressing your greens knowing that you have made the healthier choice of substituting for our natural sweetener!
No need to be intimidated by this recipe. Yes, there are a lot of different ingredients and it may seem complex, however the salad is super easy to prepare and assemble! Be sure to check out some helpful tips on preparing the ingredients of this salad here. The recipe makes a large portion, which is perfect for a holiday dinner party or to meal prep throughout the week.
Our favorite aspect of this recipe is that it promotes health and holds many of the holiday flavors we love! With this salad, there is no need to sacrifice those holiday cravings in place of health. We are sure that after trying this salad, you will be adding it to your holiday menu for years to come! Stay on the #GreenerSide this holiday season by making this easy, delicious, and festive dressing and salad combo.
HOLIDAY MEDLEY SALAD
Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients
Salad
Dressing
Preparation
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Get Premium Barware:
Start by building your bar with the appropriate and quality barware, both for crafting and presenting your cocktails. We have broken down the essential tools for crafting any cocktail at home!
San Diego resident? We suggest shopping local at Collins and Coupe for all the best barware needs.
Have an Arsenal of Spirits and Modifiers:
Stocking up on premium spirits and modifiers will allow for more versatility in the drinks you wish to create. Do not be afraid to put your budget towards the quality of the spirits you purchase, as it will improve the overall flavor of the cocktail. Modifiers (such as absinthe or maraschino) and natural sweeteners, such as Grape Nectar, are also handy for enhancing the flavor of your drink and impressing even your most critical guest.
Get Inspired by Our Cocktail Recipes:
We have a wide variety of Grape Nectar cocktail recipes on our blog, The Sweeter Side. Our cocktail recipes are easy to follow, flavorful and made both healthier and tastier with the use of Grape Nectar. Our natural sweeteners pack a unique flavor and elevate the taste of almost any cocktail, including a traditional Mojito or Old Fashioned. Check out our recipes here!
Our final word of advice is to have fun! If you are entertaining a large crowd of people, multiply the cocktail recipe to create a larger batch, so you can step away from the bar faster. By following the steps listed above, you will be on your way to becoming a star-mixologist and everyone’s favorite host.
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]]>BLEND USED: Bored-O Rouge California Grape Nectar
Tasting Attributes: The deep grape notes gives each sip just enough sweetness that perfectly tames and enhances the tart notes coming from the cranberry and lemon.
In this bright and holiday-centric drink we really worked to curate the perfect ratio of sweet and tart. When combining ingredients like pomegranate, cranberries, and lemon it can be easy for the tartness to take away from the enjoyment of the drink. This is where grape nectar comes in. By adding a healthy sugar alternative, we add rich and bold jammy sweetness without sacrificing health. Speaking of health, this drink is saturated with Vitamin C and antioxidant properties. Between the cranberry, apple, pomegranate, and grape nectar you are ingesting more than enough of your daily dose of antioxidants. This blast of antioxidants will help your body stabilize the highly reactive free radicals and help protect your blood vessels. A pretty sweet deal, huh? Last thing to note about this yummy mocktail is alcohol can be added if you choose. We recommend a champagne or sparkling wine to brighten this beverage even more!
We chose to use our Bored-O Rouge blend in this cocktail for several reasons. The sweetness and jammy notes of our Cabernet blend enhance the flavor of the apple cider while pairing well with the sweet and tart profile that comes from apples, lemon, cranberries, and pomegranate. This blend of our natural sweetener beautifully tames the tartness that could make this drink overwhelming, into a smooth sip with the perfect amount of bitterness. With all of the delicious and diverse flavors in this cocktail, we find the Bored-O Rouge blend is key to tying it all together!
Not only are you enhancing the overall taste of this cocktail by adding Grape Nectar, you are also making the healthier decision when it comes to your sweetener of choice! While a cocktail like this could typically call for grenadine, we are saving you from the sugar overload and even the headache the next day. Our nectar holds many of the health benefits found in wine grapes, including an abundance of antioxidants. Plus, Grape Nectar is all natural and has a low Glycemic Index, so lucky for you this mocktail won’t send your blood sugar through the roof. We want you to #drinkbetter this Holiday season and feel good about going for a second glass!
Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients
Preparation
Why Make a Gift Basket?
Gift baskets make a great holiday gift and can be easily personalized with endless opportunities and accompaniments. Grape Nectar is a healthy sweetener option that compliments a wide variety of food and drink themed gift baskets. We have listed our favorite gift basket ideas below in the hopes you will find inspiration to create the basket for your loved ones.
Tea Basket:
Our Bored-O Blanc and All-Sass blends are perfect for sweetening and enhancing the flavor of tea, as it serves as a vegan replacement for honey. Our sugar alternative is infinitely more flavorful and will provide not the perfect touch of sweetness to the tea, but incredible flavors they have never tried before (think candied apple and fig for Bored-O Blanc and floral and citrusy for All-Sass). With Grape Nectar, putting a gift basket together for the tea lovers in your life is both easy and fun! Add a variety of local tea blends and top off the basket with some cookies or a decorative mug. Grape Nectar will take your tea lovers morning cup to another level.
Foodie Basket:
There are many food recipes that can be made with Grape Nectar. It is the perfect gift for the aspiring chef or baker on your holiday list. Set them up with a sample set of Grape Nectar, and perhaps some fun kitchen accessories such as wine stoppers, oven mitts and matching dish towels. Unsure of what they would need? We suggest adding a gift card to a store that specializes in home goods. Be sure to let them know about our recipe blog for endless inspiration!
Cocktail Basket:
Grape Nectar can most easily be used to replace simple syrup in your favorite cocktail recipes to take your cocktails to another dimension. If you have a cocktail enthusiasts on your holiday list, give a gift that will truly impress, a cocktail gift basket with Grape Nectar. Our favorite pick for nearly any spirit pairing: Bored-O Rouge. The rich berry and spice notes add a luxurious flavor to any cocktail, not to mention the beautiful burgundy color it imparts into any creation. Check out all of our cocktail and mocktail recipes to find your perfect gift basket ingredients now!
Along with the nectar we suggest adding in some glassware or a bottle of their favorite spirit. From the San Diego area? Check out our friends at Collins and Coupe for the highest quality bar goods and vintage glassware for all of your cocktail gift basket needs! They are open Monday and Thursday from 11-7pm, Friday from11-8pm, Saturday from 10-8pm and Sunday between 8-7pm. Collins and Coupe offers an array of spirits, barware and unique products to elevate any home bar.
Winelover Gift Basket:
Don't just give them a bottle of wine this year, give them the gift of wine grapes just as they taste right off the vine! Grape Nectar is the ideal compliment to the pantry of any wine lover. They will appreciate our sustainable and local sourcing, as well as the unique flavors of each of our blends. Plus: turn any white wine into an instant rosé with this recipe!
Bottomline:There are many gift baskets that can be made with Grape Nectar and tailored towards your loved ones. With the ideas listed above, we hope you have been inspired to put a holiday gift basket, or two, together this year!
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1) Make Grape Nectar Mocktails in Place of Drinking Alcoholic Beverages
There is nothing wrong with enjoying an alcoholic beverage with dinner, however Thanksgiving may not be the best day for over indulging. Drinking alcohol can activate the hunger switch in your brain (otherwise known as the dreaded “drunchies”), which makes it much more difficult to resist overeating. To avoid the feeling of hunger brought on by drinking alcohol this upcoming holiday, we suggest serving festive Grape Nectar mocktails! Our mocktail recipes taste amazing, have no refined sugar, and give the illusion of drinking a delicious cocktail. Get inspired to make the perfect mocktail with our natural sweeteners here!
2) Eat Before the Main Course:
A common mistake made on Thanksgiving Day is skipping meals leading up to the main dinner. The misconception is that by skipping meals you are “saving room” to eat more later on. The issue is that by ignoring your hunger all day, you are more likely to miss the cues that you are full, which leads to overeating.
We suggest the following:
3) Make a Healthy Dessert:
Desserts are the highlight to every Thanksgiving meal, and they do not need to be unhealthy to be considered delicious. After eating a large meal the last thing your body needs is a dessert that is high in sugar. Using Grape Nectar in your favorite Thanksgiving dessert is a simple way to make it healthier. Grape Nectar is a natural sweetener, which means it has only natural sugars, plus it has a low glycemic index. Adjusting your favorite dessert recipes with Grape Nectar is sure to reduce the guilt of eating something sweet this Thanksgiving Day. To get inspired check out some of our favorite Grape Nectar desserts here!
With these three simple tips it is easy to avoid overeating this Thanksgiving! That’s just one more thing to be grateful for this holiday… or should we say Grape-ful.
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]]>BLEND USED: All-Sass California Grape Nectar
Tasting attributes: All-Sass Grape Nectar adds a bright and floral sweetness to the strong pumpkin, clove, and nutmeg notes.
You all know how much we love our sodas and making new creations for you all. A soda with Smij, our neighbors at the Little Italy Mercato, was long over due. When we thought up this pumpkin delight, we knew it would be a hit. After a little bit of this and a little bit of that, we found the perfect combination of spice, grape nectar, fresh lemon and soda.
Smij Spicery home-makes some of the most flavorful and creative spice blends. When we tried their "Pumpkin Up the Volume" combo, we could not stop thinking about how great it would pair with grape nectar. All-Sass was an obvious choice because of the floral notes. This flavor profile really shines through in this soda, especially when paired with the cinnamon, clove, ginger, and nutmeg. The sparkling soda water adds the perfect finishing touch to this bright and spicy soda. This soda is delicious year round, but we can't help that it screams fall with the pumpkin spice flavor.
Everyone who has tried this soda and has loved it has been shocked when we tell them how easy it is to make. Once you cook the spices with the grape nectar, the rest is a piece of cake. This soda was originally made virgin, but in this recipe we have the option to add some white rum for a playful pumpkin cocktail. Using grape nectar in this soda provides incredible flavor that you'll want to make over and over again. This is yet another recipe to help you #DrinkBetter.
PUMPKIN UP THE SASS SODA
TO MAKE SYRUP:
TO MAKE 1 SODA:
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]]>BLEND USED: All-Sass California Grape Nectar
Tasting attributes: All-Sass Grape Nectar adds a bright and floral sweetness to the strong pumpkin notes.
Like any good cheesecake, this one starts with the crust. Now this crust is not your typical crumbly graham cracker situation. This crust has a healthy twist, without sacrificing flavor and sweetness. The walnuts, coconut flakes, All-Sass grape nectar, and dash of salt leave you with an ooey-gooey base you'll want to make for all your desserts that call for a crust. It will be hard to not munch on this while you are making the rest of the cheesecake, but we promise the delayed gratification will be worth it.
After you have pressed your crust into the bottom of your pan, you will move on to the filling. You will want to strain out your cashews that should have been soaking for a minimum of 4 hours. After you put all of your filling ingredients into a food processor or a blender, you will simply blend and pulse till smooth and combined. It's fascinating the consistency this creates and just how tasty softened blended cashews can be when paired with the right yummy goodness! This filling mocks a pumpkin pie meets rich cheesecake perfectly.
Our favorite part of this recipe was playing around with the fresh spices and grape nectar. By adding the cinnamon, ginger, salt, nutmeg and clove it enhances the pumpkin puree beautifully. This bold pumpkiny spice was begging for some sweetness to take the spice edge off. Naturally, we broke out the All-Sass. All- Sass grape nectar in this recipe is the absolute cherry on top. After mixing all of these flavors together you won't want to put it away in the freezer.
Pumpkin, spice, and everything nice, aka grape nectar, makes this recipe the perfect combo of ingredients to make a killer dessert. A recipe that is vegan, low carb, no bake, and full of flavor is hard to come by. With the help of grape nectar, this cheesecake stands above the rest and your dinner guests will agree when they taste it at Thanksgiving dinner. We hope you enjoy the #SweetStuff.
Filling:
Preparation
Crust:
Filling:
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BLEND USED: Bored-O Blanc California Grape Nectar
Tasting attributes: Compliments the spice from the chai and sweetens the charcoal with stone fruit hints from Bored-O Blanc Grape Nectar
Preparation
In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine milk through Grape Nectar. Whisk to combine, stirring regularly until the mixture is hot. Add in charcoal last.
Adjust any seasoning to your taste and serve immediately. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. You can serve them chilled over ice, or reheat on the stove again.
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BLEND USED: All-Sass California Grape Nectar
Tasting attributes: The bright citrusy sweetness elements of the All-Sass Grape Nectar compliment the soy sauce and create a tasty salty sweet sauce.
Teriyaki sauce is a special sauce because it can go on so many different things. Meat or fish can be marinated in it, veggies can be sautéed with it, rice dishes can be topped with it, etc. A huge thing that sets teriyaki back from being one of the greatest sauces created is its sugar and salt content. Many teriyaki sauces are made with loads of brown sugar making it high on the glycemic index. We saw this as the perfect opportunity to supplement with grape nectar!
We decided to substitute brown sugar with All-Sass Grape Nectar. Using grape nectar in the sauce recipe lowers the glycemic index rating exponentially, while adding more dimension than any other sugar substitute ever could. Mixing the salty soy sauce (you can also a low sodium option like liquid aminos) with the florally sweet grape nectar, ginger, and garlic will make your mouth water. After letting all the flavors mix and marinate we poured the sauce into a sizzling saucepan of fresh veggies. After our veggies were looking crispy and slightly brown we added them to a quinoa and lentil mix.
We highly encourage you to have a #DinnerParty and make this grains bowl with our special sauce for your dinner guests. This sauce makes about two servings so you can store it in the fridge and try it on different meals throughout the week! Making your teriyaki with grape nectar helps cut way down on sugar and helps mitigate the amount or preservatives that are usually incredibly prevalent in store bought teriyakis. Grape nectar has once again made a good thing great! Don't miss out!
Ingredients
Teriyaki Sauce:
Grains Bowl:
(combine any veggies with any grain for your bowl)
Preparation
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]]>BLEND USED: Bored-O Blanc California Grape Nectar
Tasting attributes: Grape Nectar adds a perfect complimentary sweetness to the earthy prickly pear purée.
Prickly pear is a common ingredient in flavored margaritas, so we're taking this southwest favorite to the next level. We have turned this drink from your traditional margarita to more of a margarita spritz and we could not be happier with the result. The combination of prickly pear, lime, extra special bitters, soda, mezcal, and of course grape nectar will make your taste buds dance.
The key ingredient in this cocktail is the prickly pear. Fresh purée is a must: no frozen concentrate (because it's loaded with unnecessary added sugar). The more fresh you can get it, the more packed with flavor and nutrients it will be as well! The prickly pear provides this drink with a beautiful pink color, making it just as pretty as it is tasty. Then comes the tequila...adding the Mezcal will add a bold, smokey element to the cooler and adding a Reposado will add an oaky aged quality to the cocktail. Next, the mole bitters ties all the flavors together and compliments the subtle fig flavors of our sauvignon blanc blend. You read that right. Our original sauvignon blanc blend of grape nectar makes an appearance in this drink and it is absolutely delightful.
We chose to use Bored-O Blanc in this cocktail for several reasons. Its subtle golden raisin flavors compliments the prickly pear's earthiness without being too sweet. However, it adds the natural sweetness this cocktail would normally be getting from an artificial sweetener or other super high carb natural sweeteners. Grape nectar transforms a drink that would normally give you a sugar headache or be overpowered by the smokey tequila to a beautifully bright and cooling conconction.
Whichever way you chose, cocktail or mocktail, Mezcal or Reposado, there are so many layers of flavor to this cooler, making it easy to #DrinkBetter
PRICKLY PEAR SODA RECIPE
Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients for Non-Alcoholic Mocktail
For Alcoholic Cocktail:
Preparation
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BLEND USED: Bored-O Blanc California Grape Nectar
Tasting attributes: Grape Nectar adds a subtle sweetness and light caramel notes to the recipe
A common thought is that in order to make a healthy dessert it has to be a bland, cardboard tasting dessert. This could not be further from the truth and our number one piece of evidence is this recipe. Using a natural sweetener like grape nectar with pure cocoa in and of itself is a deadly combo. Then adding all the other lovely ingredients keeps making it better. There is nothing artificial, boxed, inflammatory, or aggravating about this recipe. Just pure goodness.Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line the bottom of an 8 inch pan with parchment paper.
Mix together the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
In another bowl, mix together the Grape Nectar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until combined. Don't beat too much air into the batter or the brownies will sink when cooking.
Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients and stir until well mixed. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Pour and press the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 26-28 minutes.
Once cooked, let the brownies cool for about 5 minutes and then put them in the fridge to cool for 45 minutes.
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You probably have seen a million different overnight oat recipes out there on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, recipe blogs you follow, basically everywhere you turn online. What’s crazy is that there can be so many out there, all with different twists. However, not all overnight oat recipes are created equal. Our Overnight Oats recipe stands apart because it is simple, but packed with flavor and naturally sweetened with grape nectar.
BLEND USED: Bored-O Blanc California Grape Nectar
Tasting attributes: Brighten the flavor of the oats with stone fruit hints from Bored-O Blanc Grape Nectar
Why have overnight oats been so popular, you may be wondering? There are multiple great aspects of this quick breakfast. The convenience is a huge plus. Overnight Oats are a great option to meal prep for breakfast. It is super simple with only 9 ingredients in total, to make a batch for multiple mornings at a time. Another great part about oatmeal in general, is what a healthy and hearty it can be. A little bit goes a long way with oats, to keep you fuller, longer. When you add the chia seeds, cinnamon, almonds, berries, and Bored-O Blanc Grape Nectar our recipe calls for, you consume a boat load of protein, healthy fats, energizing carbohydrates, antioxidants, and more!
This recipe is a low time commitment breakfast all around. It only takes about 5-10 minutes to combine the oats, almond slivers, cinnamon, chia seeds, Himalayan sea salt, vanilla extract, almond milk (or any type of milk you prefer, coconut milk is delicious too), and grape nectar, depending on how meticulous you like to be. Then you cover the oats and put them in the refrigerator overnight (at least 8 hours). This time sitting allows the oats to soften, the chia seeds to expand, and lets the flavors mix and marinate. In the morning pop it open and top your oats with blueberries, strawberries, a few more almond slivers, and enjoy! If you don’t have the time to top it off, the oatmeal is still full of flavor and tastes fantastic!
Overnight oatmeal is great because it is so customizable. Our recipe is fairly simple, but you can make it even more simple if you are low on ingredients. The must haves are oats (obviously), cinnamon, Himalayan sea salt, and of course Bored-O Blanc Grape Nectar. Every oatmeal recipe on earth calls for a sweetener because let’s face it without one they would be a little bland. Typically, overnight oatmeal recipes will call for honey, maple syrup, or agave. While these are great natural sweeteners, why not keep it a low sugar and low glycemic recipe with grape nectar?
Our Bored-O Blanc Grape Nectar mixes great with the oats and almond milk and doesn't glob together like honey can in cold mixtures. After letting the breakfast sit overnight the grape nectar has time to marinate the oats with the salt and cinnamon, making for a relish treat. Adding grape nectar to this breakfast is a must to get you the sweetness you deserve.
Preparation
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BLEND USED: All-Sass California Grape Nectar
Tasting attributes: All-Sass Grape Nectar adds a bright and floral sweetness that pairs exquisitely with the citrus and fruit in this smoothie.
There are many opinions in the health world about what it looks like to "detox" or "cleanse". The outlook we take, is that you detox by nourishing your detoxifying organs. The main organs that do the heavy lifting detoxifying are the lungs, liver, kidneys, skin, and digestive system. Since, these organs are doing the work for us, our job is too help support them and make sure they are not overloaded. When these organs become overwhelmed is when inflammation, low energy, dull complexion, etc. can start to occur. The great news is through whole foods we can combat toxins bringing us down.
Each ingredient in this smoothie is doing something to support your body's detoxifying organs and re-energize your body. We have created this smoothie using a whole rainbow of ingredients from bright red strawberries to orange All-Sass grape nectar to deep green spirulina powder. Our super special detox ingredients are lemon juice with its powerful magnesium, potassium, and copper properties and spirulina powder which is an ultra powerful superfood that is high in antioxidants and a surprising amount of protein. In addition to these two ingredients we added in mango, bee pollen, cinnamon, strawberries, chia seeds, spinach, almond milk, and of course, All-Sass grape nectar.
All of the whole foods, seeds, spices, juices, powders, and nut milks we put in this smoothie would not have been the same without a crucial sweetening ingredient: grape nectar. This natural sweetener is the finishing touch this smoothie needed to round out the complex flavor into one beautifully crafted taste. Using All-Sass grape nectar was an easy decision as well. The floral notes of this high quality sweetener brighten the smoothie in a way that just fruit is unable to do. In addition to the added flavor and sweetness the grape nectar adds, it also is giving the smoothie one more nutrient boost with its high antioxidant properties.
The last beautiful thing about this smoothie is you can plug and play with any of the ingredients. Swap strawberries for raspberries or spinach for kale or mango for pineapple. All combinations would taste delicious and provide great health benefits, but we recommend combining some fruit, superfood, leafy greens, spices, citrus, and nut milk, with a natural sweetener (grape nectar).
Preparation
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BLEND USED: Bored-O Rouge California Grape Nectar
Tasting Attributes: The deep grape notes gives each bite just enough sweetness that pairs perfectly with the tiny crunch from the seeds.
First things first, chia seeds are such a powerful and nutrient rich seed. These little guys are packed with fiber, antioxidants, protein, and high in Omega-3 fatty acids. What more could you want? With chia being this nutrient dense, how can you not want to make a pudding out them? Since chia seeds are naturally high in fiber and high in protein it does not take much to fill you up. One of the reasons chia is so filling is due to the gel like substance that expands from each seed when they become submerged in a liquid. Even if you don't have them in a liquid before you consume them, they will expand in your stomach. In this recipe in particular it only takes a small dose to expand into a sizable portion of chia pudding.
Something that is great about this recipe is how easy and customizable it is. We made our chia pudding using almond milk, but it would also be great in coconut milk, cashew milk, oat milk, or whatever milk tickles your tastebuds. We also decided to top it with blueberries because of how well it paired with the Bored-O Rouge Grape Nectar, but any berry pairs great with Bored-O Rouge, so if raspberries or strawberries are calling your name, go for it!
We love chia seeds, but let's face it, they don't have a ton of flavor. Bored-O Rouge adds the sweetness this recipe needs. A little bit of grape nectar goes a long way in this pudding. A chia pudding typically calls for honey, maple syrup, or agave so using grape nectar as a natural sweetener is a no brainer. Grape nectar is the perfect sweetener that is low carb and low glycemic, but plenty sweet! Using grape nectar also totally elevates this pudding in a natural way. It takes a basic chia seed pudding up ten notches by being a premiere and quality sweetener.
This recipe takes five minutes to put together and then needs to sit for a couple hours in order to give the chia seeds enough time to fully expand. The most convenient way to wait for them to expand is by putting the pudding in the fridge overnight and enjoy it first thing in the morning. Top this with your favorite fruit and maybe add an extra drizzle of grape nectar and enjoy!
Ingredients
Preparation
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]]>BLEND USED: Bored-O Rouge California Grape Nectar
Tasting Attributes: The dark and grapey flavor profile helps tone down the acidity of the tomatoes exquisitely.
Marinara sauce is something that is often overlooked when it comes to homemade recipes, but many people are still underwhelmed with the jarred sauce they are buying at the store. This marinara sauce will solve that issue for you. Inspired by a typical Italian marinara, this sauce has olive oil, shallots, dried oregano, garlic, basil and red pepper flakes. In addition we added in a few ingredients to make it our own. We squeezed some lemon juice in, a splash of red wine vinegar, sautéed some mushrooms, and added some salt and pepper to taste. The last components that help this recipe stand out are using whole and peeled tomatoes, so you can hand crush them and, of course, Bored-O Rouge Grape Nectar.
You may be wondering why on earth a natural sweetener would go into this recipe. Believe it or not, many, if not all marinara sauces have some sort of sweetener in them. Whether it be a dash of granulated cane sugar or much to our chagrin, corn syrup, they are often used to tame the acidity of the tomatoes. You read that right, corn syrup is often hidden in the label for a tomato paste or sauce. By making your own sauce at home you can bypass that risk of corn syrup laced sauce.
The Bored-O Rouge Grape Nectar in this sauce does a beautiful job of toning down the acidity of the plump tomatoes, while adding a little of its own flavor. Don't worry the grape nectar doesn't turn the marinara into a sweet sauce, rather keeps the savory profile while adding a bold undertone that compliments the existing flavors incredibly well. In addition, the grape nectar is a natural sweetener that is low carb, low glycemic, and going to treat your body much more kindly than an typical sugar or corn syrup.
Once you have your marinara, what should you put it on? Marinara is an incredibly versatile sauce that keeps well in the refrigerator. In this recipe, we put the marinara over zucchini noodles making it an ultra clean and healthy recipe. For the finishing touch, we sprinkled on some vegan parmesan cheese. Try it out! We promise it won't disappoint!
Ingredients
Preparation
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