Day: November 23, 2021

Gift guide and cocktail mixes from Twang

Twang has gift ideas and cocktail mix recipes perfect for the holiday season. Photo: Twang, used with permission.

Twang is a manufacturer of premium flavored salts, seasonings, cocktail mixes and more based in Texas. This year, Twang is sharing several festive holiday cocktail recipes and gift giving suggestions to make holiday preparations easy. (Twang, 2021)

The company’s line of products make perfect gifts and stocking stuffers for foodies and cocktail enthusiasts alike and can be shipped nationwide. See below for holiday-themed cocktails from Twang that can be made at home and a list of Twang’s products and where they can be purchased, including some Amazon Prime options for quick shipping.

Cocktail recipes:

Pomegranate Moscow Mule Recipe

  • Ingredients:
    • 1.5 oz. premium vodka
    • .5 ounce fresh lime juice
    • 3 ounces of pomegranate juice
    • Crushed ice
    • Ginger beer
    • Copper mug
    • Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime 
    • One fresh lime
    • One mint sprig
  • Preparation:
    • Rim a copper mug with Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime
    • Add crushed ice to the mug
    • Combine 1.5 oz of premium vodka, .5 oz. of fresh lime juice, and 3 oz. of pomegranate juice and add to the mug
    • Top off with ginger beer
    • Garnish with lime and mint sprig

Sugar and Spice Recipe

**recipe courtesy of Owner/Bartender Aaron Peña of Amor Eterno in San Antonio, TX

  • Ingredients:
    • Twang-A-Rita Sunrise Spice
    • 3/4 oz cranberry juice
    • 3/4 cinnamon simple syrup
    • .25 oz allspice liqueur
    • 2oz bourbon
    • Garnish with dried cranberries in the cocktail

Twang Cranberry Mimosa Recipe

  • Ingredients:
    • Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime 
    • Simple syrup
    • 1 part Deep Eddy Cranberry Vodka
    • 2 parts cranberry juice
    • 1 part brut champagne
    • ½ cup fresh cranberries
  • Preparation:
    • Place Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime on a small plate. Rim glasses with simple syrup then press rims into the Twang-A-Rita.
    • Pour Deep Eddy Cranberry in a champagne flute, then pour cranberry juice and top with champagne.
    • Serve immediately. Garnish with cranberries. Enjoy wildly!

Gift ideas:

Twang Reserve Michelada Cocktail Mix – Twang’s michelada mix formula is 85% juice-based and uses all natural ingredients including a seven-vegetable blend, organic Worcestershire sauce, ancho chilies, real lime juice, and no preservatives or corn syrup. The mix comes in three flavors: Classic, Spicy and Pickle. The Spicy Twang Reserve Michelada Cocktail Mix includes notes of serrano peppers and extra hot sauce to give it an additional kick, while the Pickle Twang Reserve Michelada Cocktail Mix is made with real dill and cucumber to give it an authentic pickle flavor. 

  • Where to buy: 
  • Twang’s Price: 
  • mixes (available in all flavors): $7.00
  • Classic Michelada Mix: $13.00

Beer Salt – Inspired by the Mexican trend of salting the rim of beer bottles, cans, or glasses, the Twang family helped bring the trend to the US in the 1980s. Now anyone can add a little kick or extra flavoring to their favorite brew. Twang offers beer salt in Lemon Lime, Michelada, Pickle and Lime flavors. 

  • Where to buy: 
  • Twang’s Price: 
    • Beer Salt Variety Pack (6ct): $12.00
    • Pickle Beer Salt (6ct): $13.00
    • Lime Beer Salt (6ct): $13.00
    • Lemon-Lime Beer Salt (6ct): $13.00 
    • Michelada Beer Salt (6ct): $13.00

Twang-a-Rita – Twang-A-Rita is a line of premium cocktail rimmer blends for cocktail enthusiasts who desire a uniquely flavored, resealable and authentic product. The product is available in the following flavors: Classic, Citrusplash, Sunrise Spice, Nectarberry, Unwind Lime, Paloma Love and Safari Spice.

  • Where to buy:
  • Twang’s Price: 
    • Individual packs (all flavors): $4.00
    • Twang-a-Rita Classic tub: $4.00
    • Twang-a-Rita Fruit Pack (3ct): $10.00
    • Twang-a-Rita Cocktail Pack (3ct): $10.00

Twangerz  – Twangerz are bold, flavorful, granular blends that can be eaten by themselves as a treat or topped on an assortment of fun food and snacks. The seasoning is available in Lemon Lime, Chile Lime, Mango Chile, Pickle Punch, Hot Pickle, Sriracha, Clamato Chili-Lime, and Lime flavors.

  • Where to buy: 
  • Twang’s Price:
    • Twangerz (3ct) (Lime, Chile Lime, Mango Chile, Hot Pickle, Pickle, Lemon-Lime, Sriracha): $7.00
    • Clamato Chili-Lime Salt (3ct): $6.00
    • Twangerz Variety Pack (5ct): $10.00

Whataburger’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals

Whataburger’s Snowman and Santa inflatables. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

It is that time of the year again – Black Friday and Cyber Monday are here, and everyone is searching for the best gifts and even better deals. Luckily, Whataburger has them covered with new holiday items and the Whataweek of Deals. (Whataburger, 2021)

Whataburger is bringing big holiday cheer this year with the new Whataburger inflatables including a Snowman and Santa – both ready to adorn a front yard. Plus, break out the newest Whataburger holiday sweater with a design featuring Santa in his sleigh gliding over a Whataburger winter landscape. Need to bundle up even more? Fans can elevate their holiday look with matching socks and his and her beanies to complete the outfit.

Whataburger’s Whataweek of Deals include:

Wednesday November 24: 20% off all apparel
Friday November 26: 20% off stocking stuffer category purchase
Monday November 29: coupon for a free Whataburger, redeemable in restaurant, is included with every order of the Burger and Fries Brxlz Set.

The magic of Whataburger started on August 8, 1950, in a tiny burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. An entrepreneur named Harmon Dobson set out to build a burger so delicious that customers would take that first bite and say, “What a burger!” Today, Whataburger is known for delicious burgers, big flavor, and the brand’s pride in taking care of its guests, communities and employees, known as Family Members. Orange Spirit Week celebrates its founding and the foundation for success that Dobson created. Today, Whataburger is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 850 locations across its 14-state footprint, and sales of more than $2.8 billion annually. Whataburger has 50,000 Family Members (employees) and more than sixty million customers who like to customize their Whataburgers just the way they like it.

Texas Food & Wine Alliance holiday auction

Texas Food & Wine Alliance rings in holidays with blowout Taste of Texas fundraiser. Photo: Texas Food & Wine Alliance

Romantic Texas getaways, once-in-a-lifetime epicurean experiences, and gourmet gift baskets are up for grabs Monday, November 22 through Tuesday, December 14 when the Texas Food & Wine Alliance (TFWA) hosts the Taste of Texas Auction. The distinctive fundraiser, now in its second year, will support the organization’s statewide culinary grant and educational programs. (Texas Food & Wine Alliance, 2021)

What better way to support local food systems than bidding on irresistible packages tailored for wine lovers, cocktail fans, and foodies? The curated lots cover a wide variety of options suitable for holiday gifting, sharing with friends, or surprising a significant other. 

Bidding began at 12 noon, November 22 and ends at midnight, December 14. A “buy now” option is available to give supporters the immediate option to purchase. New items will be added throughout the auction as lots sell out.

Highlights of the Taste of Texas Auction include:

  • A swinging golf adventure at Horseshoe Bay Resort featuring a one-night stay, a round of golf for two, and a $100 resort credit.
  • A Franklin Barbecue party for ten featuring a branded Franklin Yeti cooler stuffed with a whole smoked brisket, five sausage links, and one bottle of Texas barbecue sauce.
  • A romantic Hill Country getaway at Fredericksburg’s Hoffman Haus luxury bed and breakfast with a $100 gift card to La Bergerie and a $150 gift card to Otto’s German Bistro.
  • A three-hour sunset cruise from Float On Boat Rentals stocked with two cases of Lone Star Rio Jade Mexican-style lager and a Yeti Roadie cooler.
  • A sweetheart Commodore Perry Estate experience featuring a one-night stay at the private retreat, complimentary Champagne, dinner for two at Lutie’s, and an intimate breakfast.
  • A VIP tasting for six at Southold Wine & Cellars with winemaker Reagan Meador.
  • A dinner for ten at San Antonio’s acclaimed Mixtli with wine pairings.

The Taste of Texas auction is boosted by the support of ABC Bank, whose contribution allowed the Alliance to aid Texas restaurants and bars. In addition, the auction was supported by BookPeople, Ken and Gina Burchenal, Casero, C.L Butaud Wines, Commodore Perry Estate, Drink. Well, Jessica Dupuy, Float On Boat Rentals, Fonda San Miguel, Franklin Barbecue, Kendra Scott, Lone Star Beer, Mixtli, Monger’s Market + Kitchen, Qi, Side Street Hospitality, Skurnik Wines, Spillers Honey Bees, Southold Cellars, Cathy Strange, Tom Sunstrom and Virginia Greenway, Texas Fine Wine, TLC, Two Hives Honey, Wicked Foods, William Chris Vineyards, and Your Hearts Desire.

The Texas Food & Wine Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering awareness, support, and innovation in the Texas culinary community through grants, educational programming, and events. Guided by an all-volunteer board of directors and committees made up of culinary-and-community-minded professionals, the Alliance’s commitment is to promote Texas food, wine, spirits, and craft brews and to increase appreciation of Texas’ culinary impact. The Texas Food & Wine Alliance serves as the umbrella organization overseeing the Austin Food & Wine Alliance, the San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance, the Dallas Food & Wine Alliance, and the Houston Food & Wine Alliance.

Photo: Texas Food & Wine Alliance, used with permission.