The Merry Martini

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

2010-04-21T08:47:00.003-04:00

With Mother's Day right around the corner her are few gift ideas for Mom! Remember we wrap pack and ship everything to perfection. You pick the gift, we take care of the rest!
Heart of the home measuring spoons say it all. Handmade in the United States, these measuring spooks have sweet sayings on each piece. A sentimental and practical gift for mom.

The Beatriz Ball small bowl is a great gift for mother's who entertain. You can bake in it! Perfect for dips. No need to polish either! This aluminum dish makes clean up easy and has a timeless design.

Nora Fleming's interchangeable accent dishes are a great gift for mom's who love to celebrate the holiday's. Each dish comes with the "mini" of your choice and you can purchase additional minis separately. It is the perfect gift for someone you are often buying for, each holiday...just add to their collection. Starting at $42.

The houndstooth apron is a classic pattern that mom's from any generation will love. With a flattering shape Jessie Steele's houndstooth apron, is pretty and practical!

Karen Adams notecards are beautifully boxed and glittered. Each set has two cards of each design. Elegant and sweet these notecards are a sophisticated gift for mom.

Savannah Bee Company Honeycomb

2010-04-14T19:28:00.004-04:00

Savannah Bee Company honeycomb is a perfect springtime treat. It is 100% edible and is the perfect accompaniment to a cheese plate, scone or on toast. Savannah Bee Honeycomb would make a perfect Mother's Day gift, on May 9th. As always The Merry Martini includes free gift wrap on all orders.

The Merry Martini Now Carries Mari's New York Brownies

2010-04-14T19:07:00.003-04:00

Mari's New York, made from scratch, brownies are both sophisticated and delicious. Each Mari's New York mini brownie is made with only the finest and freshest ingredients like premium dark chocolate, Grade AA butter and Madagascar bourbon vanilla extract. No artificial flavors or preservatives. Each brownie is individually wrapped to preserve freshness and flavor. They come in flavors that will drive you wild such as:

Classic
Classic With Nuts
Caramel Sea Salt
Coconut
Thai Coffee
Heat
Blonde Bombshell

Mari's New York brownies make fantastic wedding or party favors. You can order them in a two piece box or as a single brownie. Either way you won't lose.

Introducing The Anthony Grace Collection

2010-04-04T20:07:00.003-04:00

The Merry Martini now carries The Anthony Grace Collection. The Anthony Grace Collection is all about using high quality favorites such as white hot chocolate or coffee and adding whole spices for an explosive flavor. Before trying the Anthony Grace's coffee I thought the only way to add flavor to coffee was to add cream, sugar or artificial syrup.....boy was I wrong! With flavors like habenero + clove and wasabi + lemongrass + ginger I couldn't be farther from the truth. White Hot Chocolate or Coffee from The Anthony Grace Collection makes a perfect gift for the adventurous eater who thinks they have tried it all.

Anthony Grace's hot chocolates start with a shaved white chocolate base. They don't use powdered anything. To this, they add whole spices. To prepare you must steep in warm milk, strain and then enjoy hot chocolate like you never have before!

Star Anise- Shaved White Chocolate + Star Anise + Cinnamon Sticks + Cloves

Bitter White- Shaved White Chocolate + Shaved Bittersweet Chocolate + Star Anise + Cinnamon + Cloves

Taiga- Shaved White Chocolate + Lavendar + Juiniper Berries Taiga makes delicious whipped cream! Just steep in cream instead of milk, let cool and whip.

Grace Anthony ice cream ginger fusion is a blend of crystallized ginger and ginger biscuits. Just mix in your favorite ice cream and enjoy.

Anthony Grace coffees awaken the taste buds with outrageous natural flavors. The Coffees come in cold brew or french press options.

Choose from the following flavors:

Loire-Ground Coffee + Cloves + Habanero Peppers

Star Anise- Ground Coffee + Star Anise + Cinnamon + Cloves

Zingiber- Ground Coffee + Ginger + Wasabi + Lemongrass

Sugah Cake's Giveaway

2010-03-27T19:57:00.006-04:00

The Merry Martini is doing yet another giveaway! Click on the link below to comment on your favorite Merry Martini item by March 31st. You could win Sugah Cake's red velvet, classic pound or pumpkin pound cake mix in a black and white recipe box.

Good Luck!

http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2010/03/merrymartini-giveaway.html#comments

Return Address Stickers

2010-03-23T08:58:00.003-04:00

Return address labels from Demby and Soloman have a fresh feel! Scratch and water resistant these labels will make it through the mail looking fabulous.

Great gift for a new homeowner!

They start at just $20

View whole collection

Easter Cupcakes

2010-03-21T19:47:00.003-04:00

These chick and egg cupcakes are sure to get you into the Easter mood. This is a fantastic activity to do with children, since they are so much fun to make and ever so tasty!

Chick and Egg Cupcakes

Ingredients

Prepared Sugah Cake's Classic Pound Cake Cupcakes (use the directions on the box to make 24 cupcakes)
1 stick butter
1 box powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
dried coconut
green and blue food coloring
about 6 jellybeans per cupcake
one chick Peep per cupcake
white Airhead candy

Directions

First, prepare your Sugah Cake's Classic Pound Cake Cupcakes by following the recipe card included in the box.
While the cupcakes are baking, cream 1 stick of butter with an electric mixer. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then the milk, blue food coloring and vanilla or almond extract. Place your icing off to the side.
Place the dried coconut (sweetened or unsweetened) in a bag. Gradually add green food coloring and shake the bag until the coconut is green.
Cut the airheads to look like cracked eggs.
Once the cupcakes have cooled generously ice each cupcake. Sprinkle the top with coconut, place one peep on top with an airhead in front of it. Then sprinkle some jellybeans all around.
Enjoy with a glass of milk and a good friend!

Image taken from www.foodnetwork.com

St. Patricks Day!

2010-03-16T15:11:00.002-04:00

Not local to North Carolina??? You can still participate in the fun! Use the promotion code SHAMROCK to receive 10% any online item!

This Weeks Special- Buy 3 Get 1 Free

2010-03-08T20:08:00.005-05:00

This week purchase three items in-store or online and receive a fourth item of equal or less value free! Now here comes the hard part....what are you going to choose for your free item? Should it be Savannah Bee Company's Honeycomb, a Chrissie Schubert Gourmet Mix, Emily G's Jam of Love Jalapeno Raspberry Jam or maybe Das Chili Pecan Caramels. Whatever you choose make sure you place your order by March 14th to get your free item.

New Item- Monogrammed Trays!

2010-03-04T08:34:00.004-05:00

We are crazy about this idea! Pick from 6 different tray colors, pick your monogram color and style to create a personalized tray. Perfect for a bridal, shower, housewarming gift, or even just one for yourself.

Square Monogrammed Trays- $45 Rectangular Monogrammed Trays- $50

Chocolate Martini Recipes

2010-03-02T05:54:00.002-05:00

We just added to our website Bellagio's rich and decadent sipping chocolate. It makes the most delicious chocolate martini I have ever tasted! Here are a few of our favorite recipes.

Chocolate Martini
2 ounces prepared Billagio Sipping Chocolate
2 ounces of your favorite vodka
1 ounce Irish Cream Liqueur
1/2 ounce vanilla syrup
ice
optional: chocolate syrup

Directions: Combine ingredients in a martini shaker and mix until cold and blended. On the inside of your martini glass drizzle some chocolate syrup then pour the martini into the glass. Enjoy!

Chocolate Ginger Martini
Follow the chocolate martini recipe and add fresh ginger in the martini shaker. Wow!

Mayan Chocolate Martini
2 ounces prepared Billagio Sipping Chocolate
2 ounces Tequila
1 ounce orange liqueur
1/4 ounce vanilla syrup
ice

Directions: Combine ingredients in a martini shaker and mix until cold and blended. Yummy!

Mistti's Alfajores

2010-03-01T05:23:00.002-05:00

This weekend I met with Liliana from Mistti in Durham. Liliana makes these fantastic alfajores inspired from her mother's bakery in Peru. Alfajores are melt in your mouth cookies, filled with creamy, sweet goodness. With flavors like triple chocolate, dolce de leche and chocolate chip pecan....how could you go wrong? Liliana has agreed to do an in-store tasting for anyone interested in using her alfajores for an upcoming event in the Durham, Raleigh or Chapel Hill area. Mistti's Alfajores are perfect paired with wine or tea so they work well for weddings, receptions or even a summer tea party! They sell for $2.25 each and the minimum order is 30 alfajores. For more information look at their website at www.meetmistti.com or contact us at The Merry Martini.

Squash Soup with Winter White Honey

2010-02-28T06:52:00.001-05:00

As I am counting down the days to spring, this soup has made me remember what I love about winter. I use Savannah Bee's Winter White Honey which is delicious! However, any honey will work. This receipe was created by Alton Brown and found on foodnetwork.com. Serve with warm Stonewall Kitchen's Cheddar Herb Biscuits and you will think you died and went to winter heaven!

Squash Soup

Ingredients

6 cups (about 2 large squash) seeded 2-inch wide chunks butternut squash
Melted butter, for brushing
1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus 1 teaspoon
1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper, plus 1/2 teaspoon
3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
4 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon minced ginger
4 ounces heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Brush the flesh of the squash with a little butter and season with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper. On a sheet pan lay the squash flesh side up. Roast for about 30 to 35 minutes or until the flesh is nice and soft.

Scoop the flesh from the skin into a pot and add the stock, honey, and ginger. Bring to a simmer and puree using a stick blender. Stir in the heavy cream and return to a low simmer. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Introducing Chrissie Schubert's Handmade Cookies

2010-02-27T07:55:00.002-05:00

The Merry Martini now carries Chrissie Schubert's all-natural homemade cookies. Any design you can dream can be made into a cookie. You can use these cookies for favors, to say thank you, to ask someone to be in your wedding or even place tags!!! Here are a few of our favorite designs.

And the winner is.......

2010-02-22T20:05:00.002-05:00

Amy is our big winner!!!! She is able to choose The Pelican Bay Sticky Bun Mix or The Das Caramels in Ginger Pistachio, Honey Orange or Chili Pecan. I hope you enjoy Amy. :)

Don't Forget Our Giveaway

2010-02-19T07:27:00.004-05:00

You only have until February 22nd to enter our gourmet food giveaway. I wonder what you would like to try from The Merry Martini. Could be be The Savannah Bee Company's Honeycomb, or maybe it is The Mad Popper's Popcorn of the Month Club, or possibly Plantain's White Truffle Oil?
Whatever it may be just leave us a comment and you are entered to win!!! Good Luck.

Happy Valentines Day!

2010-02-14T21:27:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentines Day from The Merry Martini!

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Martini Recipe

Cocoa powder

2 ounces Godiva White Chocolate Liquor

1 ounce Chambord

2 ounces milk

1 whole strawberry

Directions: Dip the rim of a chilled martini glass in water and then into cocoa powder. Combine chocolate liquor, Chambord, and milk in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake gently for a few seconds. Strain into prepared glass and garnish with a strawberry.

Recipe from www.sheknows.com

Gourmet Food Giveaway!!!

2010-02-13T18:36:00.003-05:00

The Merry Martini is now carrying gourmet foods and party favors. Please check out the new section of our website. If you make a comment of what you are the most excited to try.....you could win it! Good luck.

Cupcakes Serving Tray

2010-02-12T21:42:00.001-05:00

Cupcakes serving tray is perfect for any cupcake connoisseur!

Pink Cupcakes tray- $38

Valentines Day Dessert Ideas

2010-02-10T01:00:00.000-05:00

Here are some sweet ideas from Martha Stewart to help make you Valentines day delectable!

Chocolate Eclair Hearts

Heart Pancakes

Pecan Linzer Cookies

Hot Chocolate Glass

2010-02-08T21:17:00.001-05:00

The chocolate coffee mug is the perfect Valentines Day gift for anyone with a sweet tooth! Handpainted, this Lolita coffee mug has a yummy recipe for a kicked up hot chocolate!

Hot Chocolate Mug by Lolita

On sale just in times for Valentines Day! Only 19.50

Valentines Day Gift Idea

2010-02-06T01:00:00.004-05:00

Looking for a sweet idea for the lady in your life for Valentines Day? The cupcakes apron is the perfect combination of function and fun!

Cupcakes Apron- $32

Vera Bradley Ties on Clearance!

2010-02-05T21:35:00.000-05:00

Vera Bradley Ties for men on Sale! 40% off while supplies last. Perfect for Valentines day!

View full tie collection

Introducing Stevie Streck Invitations!

2010-02-04T01:00:00.006-05:00

We are excited to introduce a new line of Stevie Streck invitations to The Merry Martini! This invitation collection is whimisical and adorable. All designs are die cut and glittered making this an unforgettable invite!

Baby on Board Invitation

Beer Tub Invite

Cake on a Plate Invite

Balloons Invite

New Lolita Glasses!

2010-02-01T20:24:00.005-05:00

We love the new Paisley collection from Lolita! The bright fun colors are perfect year round!

Lolita Glasses- $25