Unicum is Hungary’s most iconic herbal liqueur. For this recipe, I’ll be using Unicum Szilva, the plum-kissed jewel of the Unicum family, whose dark, velvety sweetness brings a quiet depth to winter dishes. With it, I’ll be making Roasted Duck Legs with Red Wine Unicum Jus, Plum Compote & Parsnip Purée - a plate where richness, fruit, and earth meet so gracefully it almost feels like a little opera unfolding in the kitchen.

Aromatic white wines are a shortcut to impressing even the pickiest wine snob. Think bottles bursting with terpenes: floral Muscat, dramatic Zibibbo, bold Gewürztraminer, sharp Riesling, or flirtatious Torrontés. These grapes glow with citrus, flowers, and herbs, whether dry or sweet. When lost in a wine shop, just whisper “terpenes” and follow the aromas, your most fragrant allies.

This sweet Italian liqueur is like a cozy hug in a glass, with its delightful almond flavor that makes it perfect for sipping solo or jazzing up your favorite cocktails and desserts. Now, before you start imagining orchards of almond trees, let me spill the beans: many brands craft their amaretto from apricot pits, peach stones, or other stone fruit kernels. Yes, it's a nutty little riddle wrapped in a sweet package!