Sexy Night In Planning Guide
The Ultimate Valentine's Day Guide: Crafting Your Sexy Night In
The Art of the Intimate Evening with New Dawn Distilling
This Valentine's Day, redefine romance by creating a sanctuary of sophisticated pleasure in your own home. New Dawn Distilling—your Black woman-owned whiskey brand—is here to ensure your "Sexy Night In" is seamless, elegant, and unforgettable. It's time to put intention into your celebration, making your partner feel truly cherished.
A truly memorable Valentine’s Day is one that is unique to you. Make it a New Dawn night.
Order your New Dawn Distilling Whiskey today!
Ambiance
Your environment is the silent player in your romantic evening.
Auditory Bliss: Curate a playlist that evolves with the night. Start with romantic jazz, transition to smooth R&B for dinner, and finish with a sultry, low-key neo soul.
Decor: Create visual warmth by dimming the overhead lights and opt for lamps with warm bulbs and candles. Scented candles can be nice so long as they are subtle and don’t interfere with the smells of dinner coming together or your whiskey. Choose comfortable throws and pillows for lounging on the couch and a nice table cloth and petals or bouquets of your partner’s favorite flowers for the dining table.
Attire: The goal is to select attire and set a mood that genuinely elevates the confidence of both you and your partner, making you both feel alluring and sensual. Think beyond restrictive or highly uncomfortable lingerie. True sexiness often resides in comfort that allows for natural movement and relaxation. Think high-quality loungewear or even a simple, oversized cashmere sweater worn intentionally. The key is the feeling of the fabric against your skin and the way it drapes over your body—a feeling of quiet confidence and effortless elegance.
Details Matter: Start the evening on the couch to create an intimate moment around the charcuterie board before moving to the dining table for the main meal. Use your best glassware to give everything a luxurious feel. End the evening back on the couch so you can easily feed each other tidbits of chocolate cake while sipping your beverages.
The Pairing Menu
The heart of the evening lies in the perfect marriage of food and spirit. Our whiskey, with its complex notes, is versatile enough to carry you from a decadent appetizer to a sweet, indulgent dessert.
Here is a brief look at the menu:
To Begin: Forbidden Kiss
The Vibe: New Dawn bourbon, absinthe, and sparkling wine combine for a lighter and more sophisticated take on the Sazerac.
Pairing: A decadent charcuterie board encouraging you to eat with your fingers and feed each other tidbits.
The Main Event: Gold Rush
The Vibe: A bright, balanced, lightly sweet and sour classic to cut the heat.
Pairing: Paired with a sesame-crusted salmon with black pepper lime sauce and chili crisp glazed broccolini as the main course.
The Grand Finale: French Situationship
The Vibe: Amaretto and New Dawn bourbon end the night on a simple but seductive note.
Pairing: Paired with a dark chocolate olive oil cake with fresh raspberries and whipped cream.
Timings
The Night Before
Prepare the Black Pepper Lime Sauce and refrigerate.
Make the Chocolate Olive Oil Cake
2-3 hours before your sexy night in begins
Prep the salmon and refrigerate
Prep broccollini
1-1.5 hours before your sexy night in begins
Prepare the charcuterie board so that cheeses have time to come to room temperature
[Serve Appetizers and Forbidden Kiss]
1 hour before serving dinner
Pre-heat your oven to 450 F for the salmon and broccolini
Take Black Pepper Lime Sauce out of fridge and let come to room temp
25 minutes before serving dinner
Roast broccolini on lower rack
10 minutes before serving dinner
Roast salmon on upper rack
[Serve Salmon, Broccolini, and a Gold Rush]
5 minutes before serving dessert
Make whip cream and wash berries
[Serve Chocolate Cake and French Situationship]
Charcuterie Board paired with a Forbidden Kiss
Note: You will likely have more cheese, meat, and bread than you need. Save leftovers for omelets the next morning or sandwiches later in the day. Remember this is just a decadent amuse bouche, you don’t want to get full.
Charcuterie Board
3 types of savory cured meats. We like salami, chorizo, and iberico ham
3 types of cheeses, a mix of milk types and hard and soft cheeses. Our favorites are brie, aged cheddar, and mimolette.
A toasted french baguette - skip the crackers here to tear pieces from a warm baguette.
A mix of bite sized veggies and fruits such as figs, strawberries, and grapes or bell pepper strips, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers.
Optional a savory dip such as spinach and artichoke, hummus, or babaganoush.
Cut soft cheeses like brie into a small wedge. Cut harder cheeses like cheddar and mimolette into slices aiming for 3-4 per person. Arrange items on a cutting board with cheese knives, small snacking plates, and cloth napkins on the side. Just before serving, toast the baguette for 5-10 minutes at 350 F
and cut in half. Wrap in a towel to keep warm.
Forbidden Kiss
1 ½ oz New Dawn bourbon
¼ oz simple syrup
¼ oz Absinthe
4 oz sparkling wine
6 dashes Peychaud Bitters
Stir bourbon, simple syrup and absinthe in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into Champagne flute. Top with sparkling wine. Float bitters.
Sesame Crusted Salmon with Black Pepper Lime and Chilli Crisp Roasted Broccolini paired with a Gold Rush
Pro tip: Mise en place is your friend here.
Black Pepper Lime Sauce
2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 cup lime juice, plus lime wedges to serve
1 1/2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoons fish sauce, divided
1 jalapeño OR Fresno chili, stemmed and sliced into thin rings (optional)
Combine ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.
Chili Crisp Roasted Broccolini
1 bunch of broccolini, cleaned ends trimmed (can also use broccoli)
Neutral oil
Salt and pepper
Chili Crisp (1 teaspoon - 1 tablespoon depending on how hot you like it)
Heat oven to 450 F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Toss broccolini in a bowl with 2 teaspoons of oil and a few dashes of salt and pepper (remember you’re topping this with chili crisp!). Spread evenly over the baking sheet and roast at 450 F on the lower rack of your oven until tender for about 25 minutes [Reminder: 10 minutes before done roasted salmon!]. Remove from the oven and toss with chili crisp.
Sesame Crusted Salmon
Neutral oil
2 6-ounce wild caught center-cut salmon fillets (each 1 to 1¼ inches thick), patted dry
Salt and pepper
1/4 cup white sesame seeds
1/4 cup black sesame seeds
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
Egg white from 1 egg
Heat oven to 450 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray or brush with oil. Pat salmon dry and season salmon with salt and pepper. Place egg white into a pie plate with a tablespoon of water. Place sesame seeds and garlic and onion powder in another pie plate or on a large plate and stir to combine. Dip salmon in egg white and then sesame seeds to coat and place skin side down on the baking sheet. Spray or brush coated salmon with oil. Bake at 450 F on the upper rack of the oven until just cooked through 8-12 minutes or until the salmon is cooked to your liking. [The salmon can go into the oven 10 minutes before your broccolini is done!]
Gold Rush
2 oz New Dawn Bourbon
¾ oZ honey syrup
¾ oZ lemon juice
egg white or Fee Foam
Dry shake ingredients in a shaker till foamy. Add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into coupe glass and top with foam and bitters.
Chocolate Olive Oil Cake with Fresh Raspberries and Whipped Cream paired with a French Situationship
Chocolate Olive Oil Cake
Adapted from Milk Street
113 grams (4 ounces) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
3/4 cup olive oil
21 grams (¼ cup) cocoa powder
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
214 grams (1 cup) white sugar, divided
4 large eggs, separated
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons water
43 grams (⅓ cup) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon table salt
Heat the oven to 325°F with a rack in the lower-middle position. Mist a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray.
In a microwave safe bowl heat the chocolate 1 minute at a time stirring as needed until chocolate completely melted. (You can also use the double boiler method). Add the oil, cocoa, espresso powder and 107 grams (½ cup) sugar; whisk until well combined. Add the egg yolks and lemon juice; whisk until smooth. Add the dry ingredients and gently whisk until fully incorporated.
In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, whip the egg whites on medium-high 1 to 2 minutes until frothy. Gradually add the remaining 107 grams (½ cup) of the sugar, then beat on high until the whites hold soft peaks, about 1 to 2 minutes more. Add one-third of the whipped whites at a time to the chocolate mixture folding gently until well combined.
Gently pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Bake until well risen, the surface is crusty, and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with a few crumbs attached, 45 to 50 minutes; do not overbake. Set the pan on a wire rack and run a knife around the edge to loosen the sides. Cool in the pan for at least 1 hour before serving; the cake will deflate as it cools.
Whipped Cream and Raspberries
½ pint whipping cream
1 pint fresh raspberries
In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, whip the cream until soft peaks form.
Wash and pat dry raspberries
To assemble cake - top completely cool cake with dollops of whipped cream and sprinkle with fresh raspberries. Alternatively you can slice cake and serve whipped cream and raspberries individually.
French Situationship
1 oz New Dawn Bourbon
1 oz Amaretto
Stir ingredients in mixing glass with ice till chilled. Strain into cognac glass.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main goal of the "Sexy Night In" guide?
A: The main goal is to help couples redefine romance for Valentine's Day by creating an elegant, intimate, and unforgettable experience at home, centered around New Dawn Distilling whiskey.
Q: What recommendations do you have for setting the mood for a “Sexy Night In” for Valentine’s Day?
A: Ambiance sets the silent mood for the evening. Details like curated music, warm lighting, subtle scents, and comfortable decor are essential for creating a sanctuary of sophisticated pleasure and making the partner feel cherished.
Q: What is the recommended attire for a night in on Valentine’s Day?
A: Focus on confidence and comfort over restrictive clothing. Think high-quality loungewear or intentional, effortless elegance, like an oversized cashmere sweater or materials like cashmere or soft modal. Pieces that drape well. The key is feeling comfortable, alluring, and sensual.
Q: Where can I find the detailed recipes and preparation timelines for New Dawn’s Sexy Night In?
A: The full detailed recipes and preparation timelines are available in the downloadable "Sexy Night In Planning Guide."
Q: Is the Valentine’s Day menu difficult to prepare?
A: The menu is designed for a seamless and elegant night of simple dishes with bold flavors. Check out the timings to help ensure a smooth execution
Q: What is the recommended flow for a Valentine’s evening at home?
A: Start on the couch with the charcuterie board and the Forbidden Kiss cocktail. Move to the dining table for the main meal and the Gold Rush. End the evening back on the couch for dessert (dark chocolate olive oil cake) and the French Situationship cocktail.
Q: Can I prepare the whole meal the day before?
A: The Black Pepper Lime Sauce and the Chocolate Olive Oil Cake should be made the night before. The rest of the meal, particularly the salmon and broccolini, is best prepped and cooked closer to serving time to ensure freshness and optimal texture.
Q: I don't like fish. What main course can I substitute?
A: For a similar cooking time and elegant feel, consider a pan-seared or oven-roasted chicken breast or pork tenderloin. You could use the same Black Pepper Lime Sauce as a finishing glaze for the savory element, or try a dry rub instead.
Q: How far in advance can I make the Forbidden Kiss, Gold Rush, and French Situtationship cocktails?
A: These cocktails should be made a la minute (right before serving). The Forbidden Kiss relies on the sparkle of the wine, and the Gold Rush requires a fresh dry shake for the foam. Pre-making them will result in a flat drink. You can however premix the French Situationship and chill it in the fridge for easy pouring for your last cocktail.
Q: Can I use different vegetables for the main course?
A: Yes. Asparagus or green beans work well as substitutes for broccolini and have similar roasting times. Just ensure they are trimmed and tossed in oil and seasoning before roasting.
Q: Do I need a springform pan for the cake?
A: A 9-inch springform pan is recommended for easy release and presentation. If you don't have one, a standard 9-inch round cake pan will work, but you should line the bottom with parchment paper and grease the sides well to prevent sticking.
