Happy Friday, gang! There’s something about mid-January that makes me crave a quiet night in — candles lit, music playing softly, and a little spread of good food shared with someone I love. And if you’re participating in Dry January (or simply want a break from alcohol), this week’s post is especially for you. Kelly and I are celebrating the art of the date night at home with sophisticated Aplos mocktails that prove you don’t need spirits to feel special, and a Whipped Feta with Roasted Garlic that’s so creamy and delicious you’ll want to eat it with a spoon. January doesn’t have to be about deprivation — it can be about savoring slow evenings, reconnecting over good food, and discovering that the best dates don’t require a reservation or a hangover. Just a cozy corner, something delicious, and the person you want to share it with.
🐾 Here’s What You’ll Find in This Post
- Aplos Mocktails & Whipped Feta with Roasted Garlic
- 🍹 Aplos Mocktails
- FAQS – Aplos Mocktails
- Recipe Card – Two Ways to Enjoy Aplos
- 🧀 Whipped Feta with Roasted Garlic
- FAQS – Whipped Feta with Roasted Garlic
- Whipped Feta with Roasted Garlic Recipe Card
- 🐾 Oscar & Ollie: Always in Our Hearts
- Date Night Style: What We’re Wearing
- 🥂 Cheers to Date Night
- More Cozy Night-In Inspiration
Aplos Mocktails & Whipped Feta with Roasted Garlic
Date night doesn’t have to mean going out — or drinking alcohol. Some of our favorite evenings have been spent right here at home with something delicious in hand and nowhere we need to be. These recipes are designed for exactly that kind of evening. The Aplos mocktails are refined, complex, and feel every bit as celebratory as a traditional cocktail, while the Whipped Feta is the kind of dip that makes you close your eyes with the first bite — tangy, creamy, and mellowed by sweet roasted garlic. Together, they set the stage for an evening that feels romantic, relaxed, and just a little indulgent — no alcohol required.
🍹 Aplos Mocktails
Aplos has completely changed how I think about alcohol-free drinks. Their Calme, infused with hemp and botanicals like yuzu, basil, and shiso, has this beautifully complex, herbal quality that feels grown-up and intentional. Mixed with sparkling lemonade over ice, it becomes something truly special — bright, refreshing, and surprisingly satisfying. And the Mandora Negroni? It’s a ready-to-drink option that delivers all the bitter, citrusy complexity of a classic Negroni without the alcohol. Whether you’re doing Dry January, cutting back, or just want a break, these are mocktails worth celebrating with.
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✨ Beth’s Tip: Aplos products are infused with functional ingredients like hemp (in Calme) and lion’s mane (in Mandora). They’re designed to help you unwind without alcohol. Find them at apolosdrinks.com or specialty retailers.
FAQS – Aplos Mocktails
Aplos is a line of non-alcoholic functional spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails. They’re crafted with botanicals and adaptogens to provide a sophisticated drinking experience without alcohol. The Calme variety is infused with hemp for relaxation, while Mandora contains lion’s mane mushroom.
Aplos is available on their website (aplosdrinks.com), at specialty liquor stores, and increasingly at retailers like Total Wine. Some locations carry it in the non-alcoholic section.
Aplos Calme contains broad-spectrum hemp extract, which may include trace amounts of cannabinoids but is THC-free. Always check the label and consult your healthcare provider if you have concerns
Aplos Calme has a complex, herbal flavor with notes of yuzu, basil, and shiso — it’s botanical and slightly bitter, similar to an aperitif. The Mandora Negroni tastes remarkably like a traditional Negroni with bitter orange and herbal notes.
Absolutely! Try it with tonic water, ginger beer, or plain sparkling water with citrus. It’s versatile and works well in many combinations.
Yes, Aplos products contain 0% alcohol.
We also love Seedlip, Lyre’s, and Athletic Brewing for non-alcoholic beer. The mocktail market has exploded with excellent options!
Recipe Card – Two Ways to Enjoy Aplos
Aplos Mocktails
Ingredients:
Aplos Calme Spritz
- 2 oz Aplos Calme
- 4 oz Fever-Tree Sparkling Sicilian Lemonade or sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon
- Ice
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Aplos Mandora Negroni
- 1 can Aplos Mandora Negroni
- Ice
- Orange slice for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Aplos Calme Spritz
- Fill a rocks glass with ice.
- Pour in Aplos Calme.
- Top with sparkling lemonade.
- Stir gently and garnish with a lemon wheel.
- Sip slowly and enjoy.
Aplos Mandora Negroni
- Fill a rocks glass with ice.
- Pour in the Aplos Mandora Negroni.
- Garnish with an orange slice if desired.
- Enjoy the bitter, citrusy complexity — no bartending required.
Did you make this recipe?
We’d love to see! Tag us @styleatacertainage
🧀 Whipped Feta with Roasted Garlic
I need to warn you about this dip: it’s dangerous. Like, “oops I just ate the entire bowl with a spoon” dangerous. Whipped feta has been having a moment, and for good reason — when you blend salty, tangy feta with cream cheese and a little olive oil, it becomes this impossibly silky, creamy cloud. But the real magic here is the roasted garlic. Roasting transforms garlic from sharp and pungent to sweet, mellow, and almost nutty — and when you fold those soft, caramelized cloves into the whipped feta, it becomes something truly special. Spread it on warm pita, crusty bread, or crostini, add a drizzle of good olive oil and a sprinkle of za’atar or fresh herbs, and suddenly you have the kind of appetizer that makes people ask for the recipe. It’s elegant enough for date night but easy enough for any Friday.
✨ Kelly’s Tip: Make the roasted garlic ahead — it keeps in the fridge for up to a week and is amazing on bread, in pasta, or mashed into butter. You can roast multiple heads at once while you have the oven going.
FAQS – Whipped Feta with Roasted Garlic
Block feta packed in brine has the best flavor and creamiest texture for whipping. Pre-crumbled feta tends to be drier. Look for French, Bulgarian, or Greek feta — sheep’s milk feta is tangier, while cow’s milk versions are milder.
Yes! Goat cheese makes a lovely variation — it’s tangier and earthier. Use the same proportions.
The whipped feta can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving, and add fresh toppings just before serving. The roasted garlic can be made up to a week ahead.
The cream cheese adds creaminess and mellows the tang of the feta. You can substitute Greek yogurt for a lighter version, or increase the olive oil slightly for richness.
Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend made with dried thyme, sesame seeds, sumac, and other herbs. It adds an earthy, tangy flavor that’s beautiful with feta. You can find it at most grocery stores now, or substitute dried oregano and a squeeze of lemon.
Beyond pita and crostini, try cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, cherry tomatoes, or endive leaves for dipping. It’s also wonderful spread on sandwiches or dolloped on grain bowls.
Yes — use a blender, or mash everything together with a fork for a more rustic, chunky texture. The food processor gives the smoothest results, but it doesn’t have to be perfectly silky to be delicious.
Whipped Feta with Roasted Garlic Recipe Card
Whipped Feta with Roasted Garlic
Ingredients:
For the Roasted Garlic:
- 1 whole head of garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pinch of salt
For the Whipped Feta:
- 8 oz feta cheese crumbled (block feta works best)
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Roasted garlic cloves from above
For Serving:
- Warm pita bread or crostini
- Drizzle of olive oil
- Za’atar Aleppo pepper, or fresh herbs (dill, mint, or chives)
- Optional: honey drizzle toasted pine nuts, or pomegranate seeds
Instructions:
- Roast the garlic: Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut the top 1/4 inch off the head of garlic to expose the cloves. Place on a piece of foil, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Wrap tightly in foil and roast for 35-40 minutes, until cloves are soft and golden. Let cool slightly.
- Squeeze out the garlic: Once cool enough to handle, squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their papery skins into a bowl. You should have about 2 tablespoons of roasted garlic.
- Blend the feta: In a food processor, combine feta, softened cream cheese, olive oil, and lemon juice. Process until very smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Add the roasted garlic: Add the roasted garlic cloves and pulse a few times to incorporate, leaving some small pieces for texture (or blend fully if you prefer it smooth).
- Season: Taste and add black pepper. The feta is salty, so you likely won’t need additional salt, but adjust as needed.
- Transfer and garnish: Spoon into a serving bowl, create a swirl on top with the back of a spoon, drizzle generously with olive oil, and finish with za’atar, Aleppo pepper, or fresh herbs.
- Serve with warm pita, crostini, or crusty bread.
Did you make this recipe?
We’d love to see! Tag us @styleatacertainage
🐾 Oscar & Ollie: Always in Our Hearts
Fridays with Oscar carries its name for a reason — our sweet Oscar was the heart and soul of these gatherings, always nearby, hoping for a cheese crumb or a quiet pat on the head. Though Oscar recently crossed the rainbow bridge, his spirit remains woven into every recipe, every cocktail, every cozy Friday evening we share with you.
For now, we’re keeping his memory alive by sharing photos of our favorite Oscar moments — his gentle presence, his soulful eyes, the way he made every ordinary day feel a little more special. Ollie is keeping us company in her own way, reminding us that love takes many forms.
Thank you for holding space for Oscar with us. He would have loved date night in. 🐾
Date Night Style: What We’re Wearing
Beth’s Casual Date Night Look
I’ve always loved a good striped sweater, and this Cashmere Crewneck in navy, red, and cream feels like a winter classic. There’s something about the combination of stripes and a crisp white collar peeking out that just makes me happy — it’s preppy without being too precious. I’ve layered it over my No Iron Stretch Shirt (a wardrobe hero, honestly) and paired it with my Spanx EveryWear Wide Leg Jeans in a deep indigo wash. The wide leg silhouette feels modern and relaxed, and these jeans have just enough stretch to keep you comfortable through dinner and beyond.
Keeping things casual all the way to my toes, I have the Reagan Mule Sneakers in a neutral cream — because date night at home means comfort is non-negotiable. It’s an outfit that looks put-together but feels like a hug.
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Kelly’s Casual Date Night Look
Date night at home still deserves a great outfit — and these Patterned Ponte Pants have been on heavy rotation this winter. I shopped my closet for these, but a similar look can found with these Alternative Patterned Ponte Pants, from Gap Factory. The brown and black houndstooth print feels classic and a little bit retro, while the ponte fabric means they’re as comfortable as leggings but look far more polished. I’ve paired them with a Dark Brown Crewneck Cashmere Sweater, which picks up the warm tones in the pattern perfectly.
On my feet, Dress Penny Loafers in cognac, add that finishing touch of sophistication. It’s the kind of look that says “I made an effort” while still being comfortable enough to curl up on the couch — which is exactly the point of date night in.
Shop Kelly’s Look
🥂 Cheers to Date Night
There’s something beautifully simple about staying in — no reservations, no rush, just good food, a great drink, and the person you want to spend time with. Whether your date night is with a partner, a best friend, or simply yourself, Kelly and I hope these recipes inspire you to slow down and savor the evening.
Light a candle, pour that mocktail, and dig into that feta. This is the good stuff. (Even better with Pax, Oscar’s BFF, photo-bombing our moment! 🙂
🐾 With love from Beth, Kelly, and Ollie — and always, Oscar.
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