Tag: beverages

I Tried This Viral Red Wine Stain Removal Trick (Using More Wine) — And Immediately Regretted It

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After a hectic 2023, my best friend, husband, and I spent New Year’s Eve watching movies and drinking our favorite Noble Vines Cabernet Sauvignon. Although it was a low-key, cozy evening, I was inevitably clumsy and spilled wine on my favorite tea towel as I was pouring our second glasses. As an avid follower (and enthusiast) of #CleanTok, I remembered a video from TikTok’s beloved Grandma Babs as I got over my initial shock of possibly ruining my festive holiday tea towel. However, the process shocked me even more, as this was the first time a viral trick didn’t go as planned.

Grandma Babs’ red wine stain removal trick simply required one surprising ingredient: more wine! White wine, in fact. In Babs’ video, the white wine seemingly erased the dark red stain like magic after she absorbed the excess with paper towels. Thankfully, I had a roll and a bottle of sauvignon blanc that I normally use for cooking, but figured it could get the job done.

I poured the same amount of white wine as I spilled (a little less than 1/4 cup) and let it sit for about a minute. I started dabbing with the paper towels, even placing one in between the towel to absorb as much red wine as possible. I had some hope at first when I noticed some red color on the paper towels, but after a few more dabs my hope diminished, as the stain looked essentially the same as when I first spilled the wine.

My best friend, who loves a good cleaning hack as much as I do, suggested some baking soda. I sprinkled enough to cover the stain and rubbed it in lightly, leaving it for five minutes to do the work. After wiping off the baking soda, the three of us were horrified at the black spot now staining my poor tea towel.

Because home remedies didn’t seem to be working, I decided to put some OxiClean Stain Remover on the stain, let it sit for 15 minutes, and throw my tea towel in the wash as my last resort. I was relieved to find out it worked — for the most part, at least.

There was a very faint stain, but overall my tea towel was restored back to its cute glory. Even though Grandma Babs’ wine stain removal trick didn’t work for me, I’ll definitely continue to follow her sage advice, hacks, and tips and keep up with the trials and errors of home cleaning. Moral of the story? Always be skeptical of viral cleaning tips and tricks — and when all else fails, stick to tried-and-true cleaning methods (like these red wine stain removal tricks).

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L. Daniela Alvarez

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January 14, 2024
The Best Places to Buy Non-Alcoholic Wine

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We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

Psst… In case your social feeds haven’t filled you in, it’s officially Dry January. Whether you’re partaking in the trend to cut back on or completely abstain from alcohol (or if you’ve been on this journey for a while), you couldn’t have picked a better time to do so, since there are so many awesome non-alcoholic options out there these days. If you’re wondering where to find non-alcoholic wine, the good news is they’re readily available, even at your favorite retailers like Amazon. (Yes, you can have it conveniently delivered to your doorstep!) Surprisingly, even platforms specializing in alcoholic beverages, such as Drizly, offer a selection of non-alcoholic aperitifs — they’ve been hiding in plain sight!

Founded by friends Sean and Trevor, The Zero Proof isn’t just about beverages; it’s a lifestyle upgrade. Driven by their own quest for happiness and vitality, these founders have curated a superb collection of non-alcoholic options, perfect for those exploring Dry January or simply seeking a more fulfilling alcohol-free life. The variety at The Zero Proof is unparalleled, offering not just top-tier non-alcoholic wines in all forms but a plethora of spirits inspired by gin and bourbon. It’s more than a store; it’s a guide to a vibrant, booze-free lifestyle, and they’re having a Dry January sale right now!

Drizly delivers alcohol from local liquor stores in under 60 minutes. Simply use their app or website to order a variety of beverages, and the good news? They’ve expanded to include options like NA wine! It’s a very convenient way to shop, and they offer a wide selection. With Drizly, you get the same hassle-free experience whether you’re choosing wine with or without alcohol. It’s a go-to place if you’re looking for a sip on a deadline.

If you’re already an Amazon shopper, you know the vast selection of everything that’s on their site, and yes, that includes non-alcoholic wine. Whether you’re looking for a full-bodied red, a light and refreshing white, or a canned rosé that you can take on the go (see above), Amazon has your back. You can even Prime a majority of them to your doorstep!

Studio Null, founded in 2021, is a great source for top-notch non-alcoholic wines. Created by friends passionate about producing the finest alcohol-free options, its focus is on crafting original, dry, and delicious alcohol-removed wines suitable for any occasion. Sourced from family-run European vineyards, Studio Null uses innovative methods to remove alcohol from real wine without adding artificial flavors or colors. Each bottle provides details like harvest year, varietals, source region, and vineyard, so you know exactly where it’s coming from.

Just as Walmart may be your go-to for traditional wine shopping, you’ll find an equally diverse selection of non-alcoholic wines at great prices. Staying true to Walmart’s reputation for affordability, its range of non-alcoholic beverages is no exception. Whether you’re in the mood for a rich Cabernet, celebratory champagne, sweet Moscato, or any other variety, you’ll discover an extensive array to explore across multiple pages.

Wine.com is not just your go-to for traditional wines; it’s also a great place to find top-notch non-alcoholic options. With a broad range covering rich reds, crisp whites, and sparkling varieties, Wine.com caters to all tastes. Whether you’re into the classic or looking to explore something new without the alcohol, their selection has you covered. Offering detailed product info and user reviews, it is a reliable platform for those seeking high-quality, booze-free wines (that actually taste good).

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Haley Lyndes

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January 11, 2024
The “Penicillin” Cocktail Will Definitely Cure Your Winter Blues

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Rachel PerlmutterCulinary Producer

Rachel Perlmutter is a recipe developer, food stylist, and culinary producer at The Kitchn. Originally from Houston, Texas, she spends her free time trying to perfect kolaches and breakfast tacos that taste like home. Rachel currently lives in Brooklyn with her partner, dog, cat and rabbit, where they all share a love of seasonal local produce.

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Rachel Perlmutter

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January 11, 2024
12 Champagne Cocktails for When You're Feeling Festive

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We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

We all know Champagne is fantastic on its own, but it’s even better as a cocktail to raise a toast to with friends and family. And if you don’t have a bottle of Champagne at home, you can use other varieties of sparkling wine, such as Prosecco (it isn’t just cheap Champagne!) and Cava.

From classic drinks like the French 75 and Kir Royale, to fun and fizzy pitcher cocktails for a crowd, our Champagne cocktails make every moment a toast-worthy celebration.

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Jan Valdez

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January 6, 2024
Sugar and Gaining Weight | NutritionFacts.org

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The sugar industry responds to evidence implicating sweeteners in the obesity epidemic.

In terms of excess body fat, the “well-documented obesity epidemic may merely be the tip of the overfat iceberg.” It’s been estimated that 91 percent of adults—nine out of ten of us—and 69 percent of children in the United States are overfat, a condition defined as having “excess body fat sufficient to impair health.” This can occur even in individuals who are “normal-weight and non-obese, often due to excess abdominal fat.” The way to tell if you’re overfat is if your waist circumference is more than half your height. What’s causing this epidemic? As I discuss in my video Does Sugar Lead to Weight Gain?, one primary cause may be all the added sugars we’re eating.

A century ago, sugar was heralded as one of the cheapest forms of calories in the diet. Just ten cents’ worth of sugar could furnish thousands of calories. Dr. Fredrick Stare, “Harvard’s sugar-pushing nutritionist,” bristled at the term “empty calories,” writing that the calories in sugar were “not empty but full of energy”—in other words, full of calories, which we are now getting too much of. The excess bodyweight of the U.S. population corresponds to about a daily 350- to 500-calorie excess on average. So, “to revert the obesity epidemic,” that’s how many calories we have to reduce, but which calories should we cut? As you can see below and at 1:33 in my video, the majority of Americans who fail to meet the Dietary Guidelines’ sugar limit get about that many calories in added sugars every day: Twenty-five teaspoons’ worth of added sugars is about 400 calories.

There are die-hard sugar defenders. James Rippe, for example, was reportedly paid $40,000 a month by the high fructose corn syrup industry—and that was on top of the $10 million it paid for his research. Even Dr. Rippe considers it “undisputable that sugars…contribute to obesity. It is also undisputable that sugar reduction…should be part of any weight loss program.” And, of all sources of calories to limit, since sugar is just empty calories and contains no essential nutrients, “reducing sugar consumption is obviously the place to start.” And, again, this is what the researchers funded by the likes of Dr. Pepper and Coca-Cola are saying. The primary author of “Dietary Sugar and Body Weight: Have We Reached a Crisis in the Epidemic of Obesity and Diabetes?…,” Richard Kahn, is infamous for his defense of the American Beverage Association—the soda industry—and he was the chief science officer at the American Diabetes Association when it signed a million-dollar sponsorship deal with the world’s largest candy company. “Maybe the American Diabetes Association should rename itself the American Junk Food Association,” said the director of a consumer advocacy group. What do you expect from an organization that was started with drug industry funding?

The bottom line is that “randomised controlled trials show that increasing sugars intake increases energy [calorie] intake” and “increasing sugar intake leads to body weight gain in adults, and…sugar reduction leads to body weight loss in children.” For example, when researchers randomized individuals to either increase or decrease their intake of table sugar, the added sugar group gained about three and a half pounds over ten weeks, whereas the reduced sugar group lost about two and a half pounds. A systematic review and meta-analysis of all such ad libitum diet studies—real-life studies where sugar levels were changed but people could otherwise eat whatever they wanted—found that reduced intake of dietary sugars resulted in a decrease in body weight, whereas “increased sugars intake was associated with a comparable weight increase.” The researchers found that, “considering the rapid weight gain that occurs after an increased intake of sugars, it seems reasonable to conclude that advice relating to sugars intake is a relevant component of a strategy to reduce the high risk of overweight and obesity in most countries.” That is, it’s reasonable to advise people to cut down on their sugar consumption.

Findings from observational studies have been “more ambiguous,” though, with an association found between obesity and intake of sweetened beverages, but failing to show consistent correlations with consumption of sugary foods. Most such studies rely on self-reported data, however, and “it is likely that this has introduced bias, especially as underreporting of diet has been found to be more prevalent among obese people and it is sugar-rich foods that are most commonly underreported.” However, one can measure trace sucrose levels in the urine, which gives an objective measure of actual sugar intake and also excludes contributions from other sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup. When researchers did this, they discovered that, indeed, sugar intake is not only associated with greater odds of obesity and greater waist circumference on a snapshot-in-time cross-sectional basis, but that was also seen in a prospective cohort study over time. “Using urinary sucrose as the measure of sucrose intake,” researchers found that “participants in the highest v. the lowest quintile [fifth] for sucrose intake had 54% greater risk of being overweight or obese.”

“Denying evidence that sugars are harmful to health has always been at the heart of the sugar industry’s defense.” But when the evidence is undeniable, like the link between sugar and cavities, it switches from denial to deflection, like trying to pull attention away from restricting intake to coming up with some kind of “vaccine against tooth decay.” We seem to have reached a similar point with obesity, with the likes of the Sugar Bureau switching from denial to deflection by commissioning research suggesting that obese individuals would not benefit from losing weight, a stance contradicted by hundreds of studies across four continents involving more than ten million participants.

For more on Big Sugar’s influence, check out Sugar Industry Attempts to Manipulate the Science.

You may also be interested in some of my other popular videos on sugar. See related videos below.

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Michael Greger M.D. FACLM

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January 4, 2024
How To Make Limoncello

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Prepare sugar syrup: Prepare a sugar syrup of at least 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar — bring the water to a simmer and stir in the sugar to dissolve; allow to cool.

→ You can play with the ratios of water to sugar. Start with 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar, taste the limoncello, and add additional sugar syrup gradually until you reach a flavor you like — up to 4 cups of water with 4 cups of sugar. More water will dilute the alcohol base, making a less alcoholic, milder, and smoother-sipping liqueur. More sugar will make a sweeter limoncello.

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Emma Christensen

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January 3, 2024
I Made This “Exploding Cocoa” Once and Now I'll Never Go Back to the Box

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So rich! So chocolatey! So fun!
READ MORE…

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Meghan Splawn

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January 3, 2024
You Only Need 3 Ingredients for This Creamy Strawberry Smoothie

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We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

My absolute favorite smoothies to sip are super creamy ones packed with big fruit flavor. It also helps that they’re really pretty. This classic strawberry banana smoothie checks all those boxes: It has the prettiest bright pink color, is bursting with the sweetness of strawberries and bananas, and is just creamy enough thanks to the addition of whatever milk you have in your fridge. Best of all, you only need three ingredients and five minutes to make it.

Key Ingredients in a Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Do You Need to Put Ice in a Smoothie?

You don’t need ice in a smoothie. Instead, go for frozen fruit. It adds more flavor, keeps the smoothie from tasting watery, and gives the drink that signature icy consistency.

How to Make a Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Strawberry Banana Smoothie Variations

This creamy smoothie is absolutely delicious as-is, but there are also quite a few variations, whether you want to add a boost of protein, squeeze some greens into your day, or just give it a fun twist.

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Kelli Foster

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January 1, 2024
This “Legendary” Hot Chocolate Is 100x Better than Boxed Mix

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We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

A good mug of hot cocoa is about balance. It should be sweet, but not headache-inducing. It should be thicker than a glass of milk, but not so thick that you feel like you should be eating it with a spoon. Its chocolate flavor should be deep and rich, not one-dimensional.

How to Make Jacques Torres’ Hot Cocoa

To make Jacques Torres’ Legendary Hot Chocolate, start by bringing milk to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. When the milk is just boiling, lower the heat to medium and whisk in 60% dark chocolate. When the chocolate has melted, add cornstarch and milk powder to the mixture and continue to whisk until the mixture is smooth and thick.

That’s it! Divide the cocoa into mugs and garnish with whipped cream or marshmallows if you like.

My Honest Review Jacques Torres’ Hot Cocoa

This is the best hot cocoa I’ve had in years. It’s a simple recipe that uses unconventional ingredients to achieve an elevated take on a classic winter treat. Cornstarch thickens the mixture to achieve a silky smooth texture and milk powder adds extra creamy flavor without relying on half-and-half or heavy cream for either.

I tested six hot cocoa recipes for our showdown and despite many different combinations of ingredients and flavor profiles, this un-fussy recipe came out on top.

If You’re Making Jacques Torres’ Hot Cocoa, a Few Tips

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Andrea Rivera Wawrzyn

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December 26, 2023
The 3-Ingredient 'Fancy' Cocktail I Serve Every Christmas

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A splash of orange liqueur and cranberry juice is the most festive way to upgrade a bottle of bubbly.

Serves1

Prep5 minutes

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

If you’re a Champagne-lover, this fizzy poinsettia cocktail is perfect for all your holiday entertaining needs — especially if you’re looking for a drink to toast to the new year. You only need three ingredients: cranberry juice, Grand Marnier, and your favorite Champagne or prosecco.

Making a poinsettia cocktail couldn’t be easier, but packs a surprising amount of flavor, thanks to the tart cranberry juice and orange-flavored liqueur. For extra flair, serve in Champagne flutes and top with fresh cranberries.

Ingredients in a Poinsettia Cocktail

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Elizabeth Van Lierde

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December 23, 2023
All the Editor-Favorite Coffee Essentials We Were Buzzing About in 2023

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We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

It is no secret, us Kitchn folk are no strangers to a good cup of joe. In fact, some of us love the stuff so much that we’ve incorporated coffee drinking into our personalities, insisting on showing up everywhere with a latte in hand (yes, I am included in that clan). I think it’s fair to assume that between all the members of our team, we’ve tried our hand at a plethora of beans and brewing machines. This year, we discovered more than a handful of gadgets, techniques, and bags of coffee that have earned permanent spots in our kitchens. So, we figured we’d be remiss if we didn’t share our findings with anyone and everyone we know. Life is too short to be drinking bad coffee! And, if we can help people upgrade their daily dose of bean juice, well, then we’ve done our job right.

Check out our coffee making non-negotiables below:

Coffee: Beans, Instant, and Otherwise

Gadgets, Glasses, and Mugs

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Stella Totino

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December 22, 2023
Nike shares dive, company eyes $2 billion in cost cuts amid 'softer' outlook

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Shares of Nike Inc. tumbled after hours Thursday after the athletic-gear giant warned of a “softer second-half revenue outlook” on its quarterly earnings call, and said it is targeting up to $2 billion in cost cuts over the next three years as it looks to shed management and focus on women customers and its Jordan brand.

Nike
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+0.91%
said that the savings could come from simplifying its product selection and using more automation and technology. But the athletic-gear giant has also reportedly begun to lay workers off, and said it expected to book pre-tax restructuring charges of around $400 million to $450 million, much of it in the company’s fiscal third quarter, “primarily associated with employee-severance costs.”

Nike did not immediately respond to questions about job cuts at the company, or how many staff have been or could be laid off. But on the company’s earnings call, management said its plans included “reducing management layers.”

In Nike’s earnings release, Chief Financial Officer Matthew Friend said the company’s fiscal second quarter — in which per-share profit beat expectations while sales were roughly in line — marked “a turning point in driving more-profitable growth.”

But investors appeared skeptical after hours on Thursday, as shares slid more than 11%.

Nike announced the cost-cutting drive as clothing and shoe brands try to steer through weaker demand overall and a broader price-cutting battle in retail stores for inflation-battered customers. Those customers have had to set aside more money to cover the costs of ever-pricier essential goods, at the expense of things like sportswear and sneakers.

“We are seeing indications of more cautious consumer behavior around the world in an uneven macro environment,” Friend said during the call.

Nike executives said consumer demand was strong through the back-to-school season, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but lagged in between. Demand wobbled online, and in China and Europe.

They also said that the money they planned to save would be reinvested into helping Nike become more nimble and more responsive to consumer preferences, after years of shifting away from selling shoes and gear through traditional retail chains in favor of doing business through its own stores and e-commerce channels. They added that those efforts “added complexity and inefficiencies” as competition grew steeper.

Chief Executive John Donahoe said on the call that the Nike-brand women’s segment was already a $9 billion business. But he said new products — like bras, leggings, retro-themed running shoes and other offerings that span both sports and lifestyle — would help draw more women customers.

Within the Jordan category, Donahoe cited opportunities beyond basketball sneakers. Clothing and golf-, soccer- and football-related products, along with offerings targeted toward women and children, would also help drive growth, he said.

But for the rest of its fiscal year, Nike’s expectations were dimmer. The company said it forecasted “slightly negative” sales growth for its fiscal third quarter. For its fourth quarter, executives expect low-single-digits sales gains. And they said they now anticipate Nike’s full-year sales to increase around 1%, compared to an outlook in September for mid-single-digits gains.

In its fiscal second quarter, which ended on Nov. 30, Nike reported net income in the period of $1.58 billion, or $1.03 a share, compared with $1.33 billion, or 85 cents a share, in the same quarter last year. Revenue rose 1% year over year, to $13.4 billion.

Analysts polled by FactSet expected adjusted earnings per share of 84 cents, on sales of $13.39 billion.

Gross margin rose to 44.6%, helped by price increases and lower costs for ocean-freight shipping.

Outlooks this year from athletic-gear retailers like Foot Locker Inc.
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+1.89%
and Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc.
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have also been cautious, and Nike has faced competition from the likes of Adidas
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+1.01%
and On Running
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-1.05%.

Nike management also said in their previous earnings call in September that they aimed to do more to attract women and running-shoe customers. However, they noted that demand for the company’s products remained solid and they were “cautiously planning for modest markdown improvements for the balance of the year,” as the company tightens up its supplies of sneakers and clothing in stock.

On Thursday’s call, executives said that demand for higher-priced products had been “resilient,” and that they didn’t have to cut prices as much as their rivals. And they said new releases — like the Sabrina 1 and Luka 2 sneakers — were the best way to stand out in a sea of discounts.

“We know in an environment like this, when the consumer is under pressure and the promotional activity is higher, that it’s newness and innovation which causes the consumer to act,” Friend said.

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December 21, 2023
I Tried the Most Famous Hot Cocoa Recipe — And It's as Good as Promised

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4. The Hot Cocoa That’s Too Much Work: Giada De Laurentiis’ Triple Chocolate Hot Cocoa

Overall rating: 3/10
Get the recipe: Giada De Laurentiis’ Triple Chocolate Cocoa

When I read the ingredient list for this one, I had high hopes. This recipe incorporates chocolate hazelnut spread in addition to dark chocolate, and is the only one to include a pinch of salt. A little bit of salt with your sweet is terrific! This is also the only recipe to lead with non-dairy milk. The curveball for me was the cocoa nibs, which don’t melt and seemed like a possibly problematic texture-add. This recipe uses the blender in addition to the stovetop, putting it squarely in a higher-lift category than every other recipe I tested. Still, I was hopeful it would yield a good cocoa with some added depth of flavor.

Before heating the milk on the stovetop you add dark chocolate chips, chocolate hazelnut spread, cocoa nibs, and salt to a blender. Once the milk is warm, you carefully pour it over the ingredients in the blender and allow them to sit for 30 seconds. Then everything is blended until smooth. Unfortunately, despite blending for over 3 minutes (well over the 30 seconds the recipe called for), I could not get the mixture totally smooth. The cocoa nibs remained stubbornly “nibby” and resulted in a gritty cocoa.

While blending heated milk and a few other ingredients is not necessarily a lot of work, it was noticeably more (and created more dishes to clean) than every other recipe I tested. Grittiness aside, the flavor of the cocoa was a tad on the bitter side and while the use of almond milk is great for non-dairy folks, the cocoa itself had a distinctly thinner texture than other cocoas I tested.

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Andrea Rivera Wawrzyn

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December 19, 2023
“White Christmas Margaritas” Are All We're Dreaming of This Month

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They’re a holiday miracle.
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Cory Fernandez

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December 14, 2023
This family just bumped Walmart’s Waltons as the richest in the world
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The Walton family’s five-year rule as the world’s richest dynasty has come to an end.

The House of Nahyan, rulers of oil-rich Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, comes in at No. 1 on Bloomberg’s world’s richest families list for 2023, bumping the third-generation Walmart
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heirs that have long topped the rankings
The report released this week said that petroleum fortunes are “reshaping global business as never before,” and noted that the three Gulf families who made Bloomberg’s latest list of family fortunes are probably even wealthier than these “conservative estimates.”

The Al Nahyans of Abu Dhabi rule the list with $305 billion to their name, according to the report, which notes that the United Arab Emirates capital is home to most of the country’s oil reserves.

The Al Nahyan family holds $45 billion more than the Walton family, which owns 46% of Walmart — the world’s largest retailer by revenue. The Waltons have ruled the rankings for the past several years, but are now No. 2, worth $259.7 billion in the most recent fiscal year.

Rounding out the top three is the Hermès family, whose fortune can be traced to the French luxury house. The founding family is worth $150.9 billion, as they still own a two-thirds majority in the company.

As far as other Americans on the list, the Mars family’s confectionary collection of chocolate brands such as M&Ms, Milky Way and Snickers bars — not to mention pet products — land them in fourth place with $141.9 billion. And the Koch family, behind Koch Industries, is in sixth place with $127.3 billion.

The report added that the richest families have certainly gotten richer this year, with the world’s ultra-rich clans collectively adding $1.5 trillion — yes, trillion — to their wealth in the past year, a 43% increase over their already considerable fortunes in 2022.

So here are the world’s 10 richest families of 2023, as reported by Bloomberg.

Al Nahyan, ruling family of the United Arab Emirates, $305 billion

Walton, owners of Walmart in the U.S., $259.7 billion

Hermès, owners of Hermès in France, $150.9 billion

Mars, owners of Mars, Inc. in the U.S., $141.9 billion

Al Thani, ruling family of Qatar, $133 billion

Koch, owners of Koch Industries in the U.S., $127.3 billion

Al Saud, ruling family of Saudi Arabia, $112 billion

Ambani, owner of Reliance Industries in India, $89.9 billion

Wertheimer, owner of Chanel in France, $89.6 billion

Thomson, owner of Thomson Reuters in Canada, $71.1. million
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December 8, 2023
I’m a Former Barista, and This Is the One Coffee Maker You Should Buy This Holiday Season (It’s on Sale!)

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We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

I’ll be the first to admit it: I’m a total coffee nerd. Whether it’s pulling espresso shots, using a moka pot, or standing over a cup of pour-over while meticulously pouring concentric circles of water from a gooseneck kettle, I can never get enough sweet coffee gear and bags of delicious beans. (It’s probably a holdover from when I was working behind the counter making coffee after college.) However, I’ve been looking for something a little bit less time consuming to streamline my morning routine — and though I do love regular ol’ drip coffee, I’m in the market for something that’s both practical and palate-pleasing, and most cheap drip coffee makers lack the latter. I’m also not looking to break the bank, and with holiday sales in full swing, I’ve stumbled upon the one coffee maker that you should snag while it’s marked down: the Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Machine.

The Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Machine is exactly what I’m looking for this winter, and while I might not spring for something like this at almost $200, with the serious markdown it’s currently sitting at at Williams Sonoma, I’d practically be losing money if I didn’t jump on this deal ASAP. It doesn’t just look slick, either — this one-touch brewing system makes both regular coffee and espresso, with blend-specific brewing that ensures each cup tastes like something you’d get at a cafe. Plus, the machine makes two different sizes of espresso and three different sizes of drip — all the way up to 14 ounces — and uses fully recyclable capsules with the option of using the convenient and free!) Nespresso recycling program.

But here’s the coolest part: the Nespresso VertuoPlus leans on the knowledge of the coffee experts that helped design it: They created an all-new brewing system using Centrifusion Technology, a patented extraction technology developed by Nespresso. Thanks to its built-in barcode system, the coffee maker optimizes brew time and temperature for different capsules without you having to adjust any settings. Just pop a capsule in and close the lever to enjoy seriously delicious coffee in seconds.

And, I’m not the only one who’s drooling over this bad boy, either, since it has a 4.7-star average rating on Williams Sonoma from over 3,000 reviewers. The Kitchn contributor Dana also loves her Nespresso. “We get to thoroughly enjoy every cup of coffee we make,” she writes. “I thought the little burst of joy every morning would wear off, but it hasn’t. There’s just something so satisfying about pressing the button and watching my favorite mug fill with a creamy cup of coffee. In the summer I use the made-for-iced-coffee blends and, oh boy, are those a treat.”

So, if you’re looking to upgrade your current coffee setup but don’t want to break the bank, now’s the time to snag a Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Machine while it’s on sale. It makes for an excellent gift for any coffee lover (yourself included)!

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Ian Burke

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December 5, 2023
16 luxury hotels that go all-out for Christmas | CNN

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Editor’s Note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter. Get news about destinations opening, inspiration for future adventures, plus the latest in aviation, food and drink, where to stay and other travel developments.

CNN
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Twinkling lights, glitter, Champagne and petit fours. It’s time to treat yourself to some holiday cheer.

Luxury hotels serve up a glamorous way to brighten up the Christmas season, whether for an overnight stay or an elegant afternoon tea.

These lavish hotels are worth a closer look for a few hours of sipping tea and admiring Christmas decorations or for a spur of the moment escape or a future holiday splurge.

Natural mineral springs have drawn guests, including US presidents, to The Greenbrier for more than two centuries. The historic hotel opened in 1913.

Letters to Santa, a fun run and cookie decorating workshops are all part of The Greenbrier’s lineup in the days surrounding December 25.

On Christmas Eve, there’s a Season’s Greetings Dinner ($125 per adult; $55 per child) and a service in the resort’s chapel. On Christmas Day, puzzles and board games, indoor planetarium presentations and a Christmas musical will keep families entertained.

Rates start at $609.

The Greenbrier, 101 Main Street West, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

The Fife Arms: Braemar, Scotland

Fishing, foraging and hiking are just outside at The Fife Arms, an antiques-packed, 19th-century retreat within Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands.

The hotel is 14.5 kilometers (nine miles) from Balmoral, the Royal Family’s residence in Scotland.

For winter guests, there’s a seasonal alpine fondue hut with a cozy fireplace. On the menu, a traditional Swiss option of molten cheese is joined by a Scottish take on the rich classic – a blend of two local cheeses and a local pale ale.

Rooms start at about $650 in late December. There’s also a special Christmas package, subject to availability.

The Fife Arms, Braemar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

“Serenity Season” is right on time at the Ojai Valley Inn, where spa treatments, golf, tennis, yoga and more can be incorporated into a restorative stay at this 220-acre coastal valley resort.

In December, caroling, a nightly Menorah lighting, breakfast with Santa and story time with Santa’s elves are among the festivities. On December 24, there’s a Jingle Bell Jaunt across the resort grounds.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner will be served at both Olivella and The Oak, and there’s a grand buffet on Christmas Day at The Farmhouse ($195 per adult, including wine; $65 for children 12 and younger).

December room rates start at $795 per night.

Ojai Valley Inn, Ojai, California

Tea time and Christmastime coincide at The Plaza’s elegant Palm Court, where three holiday tea menus will be available through December 31.

The Holiday Signature Tea ($155 per person) features savories and sweets, including a foie gras macaron and an oolong tea cheesecake.

Eloise, the hotel’s famous fictional resident, lends her name to a children’s tea available for $118 per child.

There’s a Christmas Day buffet ($325 for adults). And for New Year’s Eve, a lavish grand fête offering comes with a price tag to match: $995 per person.

The starting rate at The Plaza for Christmas week is $1,800 per night.

The Plaza, Fifth Avenue at Central Park South, New York

Anantara Golden Triangle: Chiang Rai, Thailand

As far as memorable holiday experiences go, it’s hard to beat sleeping in a clear bubble with elephants roaming right outside.

It’s possible at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort in Thailand’s Chiang Rai province. The resort’s two-bedroom Jungle Bubble Lodge is transformed into snow globes for the holidays. Starlit skies and gentle giants add another layer to the magic.

The resort has a selection of more traditional luxury rooms, and guests can learn more about the beloved residents at Elephant Camp.

A Christmas Day brunch will showcase fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Rooms start at about $1,660, including meals, airport transfers and some activities.

Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, Wiang, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai

A sledding mountain, two outdoor skating rinks and a new Aurora Ice Lounge are just part of the annual Christmas at the Princess festival. Add 7.5 million lights, a train and more: It’s safe to say Fairmont Scottsdale Princess doesn’t believe in holding back for the holidays.

The festival, which runs through January 6, is open to the public. Free for hotel guests, the entrance fee is $35 per wristband with advance purchase; children three and under are admitted for free. Self-parking is $35 in advance.

Rooms start at $399. There are also holiday packages available.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 East Princess Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona

Rock House: Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

There’s certainly a lot to be said for a warm-weather Christmas that involves lounging poolside with a cocktail.

The luxury resort Rock House on the island of Providenciales in Turks and Caicos offers holiday programming from December 18 through January 3 including live music at al fresco restaurant Vita, a craft market, s’mores and more.

On Christmas Eve, guests are invited to a boat experience followed by brunch from chef Dennis Boon, and in the evening, a Feast of the Seven Fishes is followed by live entertainment at Vita.

A “Journey of the Mediterranean” Christmas dinner will features flavors from Greece, Morocco and Italy.

Christmas week rates start at $1,100 a night.

Rock House, Blue Mountain Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

Historic Hôtel de Crillon delivers a next-level Parisian holiday.

From December 11 through January 1, a festive afternoon tea service with pastries and canapés is available at the Jardin d’Hiver for about $95 per person.

A seven-course Christmas Eve menu at L’Écrin starts at about $650. A lavish Christmas Day brunch, featuring items such as scallop carpaccio, roasted veal rack and black truffle mashed potatoes, is available for about $250 including a glass of Champagne.

The five-star property, originally built in 1758 under the direction of King Louis XV, overlooks Paris’ Place de la Concorde.

Over Christmas weekend, rooms start at $2,265.

Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel, 10 place de la Concorde, Paris

In the United States capital, the Willard InterContinental will host free nightly performances by local choral and vocal ensembles in the lobby through December 23, and signature holiday cocktails will be available in the famed Round Robin Bar.

Holiday afternoon tea – with finger sandwiches and pastries – will be served every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from December 2 through December 30 ($90 per adult or $102 with a glass of champagne; $65 per child).

Room rates in December start at $289.

Willard InterContinental, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC

Four Seasons: Hampshire and London, England

An hour from central London, Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire serves up a sophisticated country Christmas in an 18th-century manor on 500 acres of rolling meadows.

An equestrian center and other outdoor offerings will ensure a hearty appetite for holiday meals at Wild Carrot, afternoon tea in the Drawing Room or a cozy Swiss-inspired meal at the pop-up alpine restaurant Off Piste.

Hotel Hampshire rates during the Christmas season start at about $1,790.

For a sparkling city Christmas, guests at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane will find an enchanted forest of chandeliers in the lobby, Christmas afternoon tea and other special holiday menus. Room rates start around $1,050 this season.

Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire and Four Seasons Hotel London Park Lane, England

Madeline Hotel & Residences: Telluride, Colorado

With 14,000-foot peaks as your backdrop, why not have a ski and spa Christmas?

Madeline Hotel & Residences in Telluride boasts luxurious ski-in/ski-out accommodation, with a spa that offers treatments such as Alpine Remedy Muscle Relief for your after-ski rejuvenation.

There’s a three-course Christmas Eve dinner that can be packed to-go or enjoyed at Black Iron Kitchen + Bar, featuring juniper-glazed Cornish game hen or herb-crusted Colorado lamb leg, for $175 for adults, $55 per child.

A Holiday Maker’s Market will be held on select days leading up to Christmas, and the interactive art installation Alpenglow is returning for a second year. The resort has teamed up with a local holiday decorating service to offer a menu of in-room Christmas trees with choices from Tartan & Tradition to the sparkly All That Glitters.

The starting rate during Christmas is $1,799.

Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection, Mountain Village Blvd. Telluride, Colorado

The holidays are a gourmet affair at the Royal Mansour in Marrakech.

The property’s restaurants will feature special menus for Christmas and New Year’s Eve from Michelin-star chefs.

At La Grande Brassiere, which debuted at Royal Mansour on November 1, chef Hélène Darroze is introducing a festive afternoon tea featuring items such as an orange blossom tropézienne and a cardamom opéra.

Pastry chef Jean Lachenal and Darroze have created four bûches de Noël this year, including a mango and gingerbread yule log topped with a light cream with local cinnamon.

The hotel will host a Christmas market in its lobby on December 16 with handmade crafts, Christmas sweets and gift items for sale, with proceeds going to local charities.

Hotel rates start at about $1,420 per night.

Royal Mansour, Rue Abou El Abbas Sebti, Marrakech, Morocco

Founded by Standard Oil Co. magnate Henry Morrison Flagler in 1896, The Breakers Palm Beach carries its lovely traditions right through the holiday season.

The oceanfront Italian Renaissance-style resort dazzles with sparkling lights, and holiday tea is available at HMF on December 20-23 and December 26-30 for $120 per person.

The Circle will host a buffet brunch on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day ($285 per person; $100 for children 12 and younger). There’s also a Christmas Day buffet in the Ponce de Leon ballroom, and the resort’s Flagler Steakhouse will serve three-course, prix fixe menus on December 24 and 25.

There’s limited room availability in December with rates starting at $1,090.

The Breakers, One South County Road, Palm Beach, Florida

The Ritz Paris is putting on exactly what you’d expect from the elegant luxury property.

Christmas Tea is available at Bar Vendôme and Salon Proust, starting at about $75 per person with a hot beverage or about $95 with a glass of Champagne.

The Salon d’Eté will serve a lavish holiday brunch on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for about $325 per person. The Ritz’s new restaurant Espadon is offering a next-level New Year’s Eve tasting menu for about $2,220 per person, including wine pairings.

Rates around Christmas start at about $2,300 a night.

Ritz Paris, 15 place Vendôme, Paris, France

Guests at Claridge’s will be treated to horse-drawn carriage rides and carol singing over Christmas.

Three-night Christmas packages feature those festive events, plus a personal Christmas tree, Champagne, a visit from Father Christmas, a Christmas lunch, stockings for all and a full English breakfast each day. (Pricing available upon request).

Festive afternoon tea, served through January 1, starts at about $130.

Claridge’s enlists celebrated designers each year to create an eye-catching lobby Christmas tree.

This year’s tree, from Louis Vuitton, is a sculptural creation situated within two large LV wardrobe trunks. Both Claridge’s and Louis Vuitton were founded in 1854.

Rooms start at about $1,060.

Claridge’s, Brook Street, Mayfair , London

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December 2, 2023
8 Wines You Should Absolutely Buy at Aldi (They’re All Under $11)

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According to a former wine buyer.
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Mackenzie Filson

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November 28, 2023
Don’t ruin Thanksgiving by making these rookie mistakes

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A friend calls this day “Thanksscrapping.” He may have a point.

My favorite Thanksgiving story happened at a dinner on Park Avenue about 20 years ago when a lady with a large bouffant and a genial manner — let’s call her Mrs. Anders — raised a glass. Knowing I grew up in Dublin in a Catholic family, she said: “…and I’d like to raise a glass to Fair Eire and hope that the six counties of Northern Ireland are one day free from the British!” She did not realize that the host’s in-laws were Ulster Protestants. They were not amused.

…

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November 23, 2023
How to prevent a hangover, and 3 ways to treat one | CNN

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Editor’s Note: Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN’s Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being.

CNN
—

You had a little too much to drink last night, and now you’re nursing that dreaded morning aftermath — a hangover.

What seemed like fun at the time is now causing your hands to shake, your head to pound and your heart to race, not to mention other unpleasant symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity and excruciating thirst.

Why are you suffering? Because the liquor that smoothly passed your lips is now wreaking havoc in your body, causing dehydration, stomach distress and inflammation. These ailments peak about the time all the alcohol leaves your body.

There is no scientifically proven way to cure a hangover, but experts say you can prevent one — or at least keep that morning-after misery to a minimum. Here’s how.

Forget a late-night meal after a night of drinking — that’s much too late, experts say. Instead, eat before your first drink and keep noshing as the night goes on.

“Food in the stomach slows gastric emptying and can reduce hangover symptoms,” said Dr. Robert Swift, a professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School in Providence, Rhode Island.

Why does food help? Because most alcohol isn’t absorbed by an empty stomach but via the intestinal tract just below it, Swift said.

“If somebody does shots on an empty stomach, for example, all that pure alcohol is not diluted by the stomach and is passed to the intestine very quickly,” said Swift, who has studied alcohol abuse since the 1990s.

“If the stomach contains food, however, there are gastric juices and enzymes that mix the food and the alcohol, and only small amounts of food are passed into the intestine,” he said. “Now the alcohol is diluted in the stomach, and only a small quantity of alcohol is absorbed at any time.”

The same principle applies to water and other nonalcoholic beverages, Swift said. “If alcohol is mixed with fluid, it’s diluted, so when it goes into your intestines, it’s not as irritating. You’re less likely to have inflamed intestines or an inflamed stomach lining.”

There’s another benefit to downing water between drinks, said Dr. John Brick, former chief of research at the Center of Alcohol Studies, Education and Training Division, at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

“The primary cause of hangovers is dehydration and the loss of fluids, along with vitamins and minerals,” said Brick, who authored “The Doctor’s Hangover Handbook” and published scientific papers on the biobehavioral effects of alcohol and other drugs.

Downing just 3½ alcoholic drinks can result in the loss of up to a quart of water over several hours, Brick added. “That’s a good amount of water that has to be replenished.”

Dehydration from alcohol may affect a woman even more, and she is more likely to suffer a hangover, even if she drinks less than a man, Swift said. That’s because a man has a higher percentage of body water than a woman of the same height and weight, so the same amount of alcohol will be more diluted in a man, he said.

The alcohol we drink, called ethyl alcohol or ethanol, is the byproduct of fermenting carbohydrates and starches, usually some sort of grain, grape or berry.

We use byproducts of fermentation in other ways: Ethanol is added to the gasoline in our cars, and methyl alcohol or methanol — a toxic substance — is used as a solvent, pesticide and alternative fuel source. Also called wood alcohol, methyl alcohol made by bootleggers blinded or killed thousands of people during Prohibition.

That’s not all — the list of byproducts or chemicals added by manufacturers for flavor and taste can read like a list of supplies at an industrial warehouse: ethyl formate, ethyl acetate, n-propanol, isobutanol, n-butanol, isopentanol and isoamyl alcohols. While these congeners, as they are called, are added in small, nontoxic amounts, some people are overly sensitive to their effects.

Overall, dark-colored beer and spirits tend to contain more congeners and thus may be more likely to cause hangovers, experts say. A 2010 study investigated the intensity of hangovers in people who drank the darker-colored liquor bourbon versus clear vodka.

“Congeners in bourbon … significantly increased hangover intensity, which is not too surprising since bourbon has about 37 times the amount of congeners as vodka,” Brick said.

Chemical preservatives called sulfites, known to cause allergic reactions in sensitive people, are also a natural byproduct of fermentation in small quantities. However, many manufacturers of beer and wine add sulfites to their products to extend shelf life. (Sulfites are also added to soda, cereals, sweeteners, canned and ultraprocessed foods, medications and more.)

Sweet and white wines tend to have more sulfites than red, but red wines contain more tannins, which are bitter or astringent compounds found in the skin and seeds of grapes. Like sulfites, tannins can trigger allergic reactions in people who are sensitive.

As a result, limiting your drinking to light beers, clear liquors and white wine might help keep hangovers at bay.

In the end, however, experts say there is only one true preventive — or cure — for a hangover: Don’t drink.

“There’s no simple cure because there are so many complex factors that are producing the multiple symptoms of a hangover,” Swift said. “And that’s why the only real cure for a hangover is to not drink alcohol or drink such a low amount of alcohol that it won’t trigger a hangover.”

• Drinking coffee can speed up recovery

• Electrolytes help

• Drink as much water as you can

We know that alcohol dehydrates, so a headache and other hangover symptoms may be partly due to constricted blood vessels and a loss of electrolytes, essential minerals such as sodium, calcium and potassium that your body needs.

And if you’re a coffee drinker, skipping your morning cup of joe may lead to caffeine withdrawal on top of your hangover.

“If you have a hangover, have a quarter of a cup of coffee,” Brick suggests. “See if you feel better — it takes about 20 minutes for the caffeine to start to have some noticeable effect.

“If coffee doesn’t make you feel better, don’t drink anymore.”

Replacing lost fluids with water or a type of sports drink with extra electrolytes can help boost recovery from a hangover, Swift said.

And while most alcohol is handled by the liver, a small amount leaves the body unchanged through sweat, urine and breathing.

Get up, do some light stretching and walking, and drink plenty of water to encourage urination, Brick said.

“Before you go to sleep and when you wake up, drink as much water as you comfortably can handle,” he said.

Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the process through which alcohol is absorbed in the body.

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November 22, 2023