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Tag: drinks

  • The Best Day Drinking Guide With Recipes

    The Best Day Drinking Guide With Recipes

    Sometimes day drinking just feels right. Football games, brunch with friends, a sun day, apré skiing. Here hte best day drinking guide with recipes to enjoy the day. The biggest rule is drinking enough water, it’s important to be eating throughout the day, an empty stomach can cause problems. Aside from those two, moderate and have fun.  While beer and Bloody Marys are the usual, try some of these to add zest to your day drinking adventure!

    Erik Hakkinen, Head Bartender, Zig Zag, Seattle

    “My favorite two low-octane drinks are Campari and grapefruit juice (2 oz Campari, 4 oz fresh grapefruit juice), and then Bonal and tonic (2 oz Bonal, 2-4oz good tonic, like Fever Tree, East India Imperial, squeeze of lime). So simple, so delicious! I like both served as long drinks.”

    RELATED: Here’s Why Food Tastes Better When You Have The Munchies

    Ramon Garcia, Bar Director, Alchemist, San Francisco

    KISS N’ TELL

    • 1 oz Manzanilla Sherry
    • 1 oz Dolin Blanc Vermouth
    • .5 oz Rosemary syrup
    • .25 oz Lemon juice
    • 1 bar spoon Laphroaig 10yr Whisky
    • 1 small pinch of salt
    • 4 oz La Croix Peach Pear sparkling water

    Shake all ingredients with ice except La Croix Peach Pear and double strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Top off with La Croix Peach Pear Sparkling Water. Garnish with 3 pear slices and a rosemary sprig.

    Rosemary syrup:

    • 1 cup Sugar
    • 1 cup Water
    • 3 Rosemary sprigs

    Bring water to a boil and add sugar, then simmer until sugar dissolves add the rosemary sprigs and let them steep for 30 mins. Strain the Rosemary and store in a nonreactive containers.

    Morgan Weber, Co-owner, Eight Row Flint, Houston

    ALL DAY LONG

    • 3 oz Lillet Rosé
    • 2 oz Topo Chico
    • ½ oz Fresh Lemon
    • ¼ oz Rich Simple
    • 2 dashes grapefruit bitters

    Build in Collins glass full of ice. Garnish with fat grapefruit peel, oil expressed into glass.

    Krissy Harris, Creative Director, The Wren, NYC

    RUBY ROSE SPRITZ

    “This cocktail is currently on our brunch cocktail menu (also, that’s my daughters name).”

    • 1 oz Martin Miller’s Gin
    • ¾ Aperol
    • ¼ Giffard Black Rose Liquor

    Shake & Strain into a Highball glass. Top with Schofferhofer Grapefruit Bier.

    LOOK MA! NO HANDS

    “We serve this at the Wren off menu, but we call it a Dirty ‘Delo.”

    • Modelo Especial can
    • Valentina Hot Sauce (or equally good brand)
    • Salt
    • Lime

    Use lime to wet the lip of the can new opening. Dip can into salt. Open can. Pour healthy dose of Valentina into and around the opening. Garnish with lime wedge.

    RELATED: Great Fall Whiskeys

    HIGH ROAD

    “I like to pre-spice the tequila by slicing 1-2 jalapeños and adding them to the full bottle of tequila. I taste every hour or so until I get to the desired heat level. That way, it’s a consistent drink every time. This was on our brunch cocktail menu and will come back!”

    • 1 oz El Jimador Blanco or Herradura Silver
    • ½  oz Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
    • 1 oz Pineapple Juice
    • ¼ oz Agave
    • ½ oz Lime Juice
    • 3 slices Jalapeno

    Add all ingredients to a shaker, add ice and shake. Pour into a salt rimmed rocks glass.

    COCCHI CUP

    • 2 oz Cocchi Americano Bianco
    • 1 oz Lime
    • cucumber & mint

    Add all ingredients to a shaker, add ice. Dump contents into a pint glass adding ice to fill glass. Top with Ginger Beer.

     

    Amy Hansen

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  • How To Make Limoncello

    How To Make Limoncello

    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.

    Emma Christensen

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  • Chilly? Make Some Marijuana-Infused Turmeric Hot Cocoa

    Chilly? Make Some Marijuana-Infused Turmeric Hot Cocoa

    It is cold outside, which means it time to turn to a classic warm drink – cocoa.  Except this modern version has marijuana and turmeric

    When the temperatures drop, people turns to they’re a classic love. A survey of those over 21 or found the nation’s favorite winter drink is a cocoa classic: hot chocolate. It is the top choice of women (35%), men (30%), and adults under the age of 50 (34%).  So why not give it al modern flair – make some marijuana-infused turmeric hot cocoa.

    RELATED: Gunpowder Green Tea Syrup: The Condiment You Didn’t Know You Needed 

    In India’s Ayurvedic medical culture, turmeric powder or juice is given to people with many gripes, particularly for pain and inflammation. Somewhere in the internet, golden milk was touted as an ‘ancient Indian secret’ and though it’s often added to milk in India, this concept seems to be an interpretation rather than an authentic classic. Interpretation being the specialty of any chef looking to stash the power of cannabis, a desire to take hot cocoa to the next level spawned this awesome take on two favorites.

    RELATED: When Alcohol Won’t Do: How To Make A Quick Marijuana Raspberry Shrub

    What you end up with is quite delicious and is the perfect vehicle to get maximum benefit from turmeric. Combining it with hot cocoa is utterly divine, adding the devils lettuce, makes it not only literally intoxicating, it’s ingredients push through both the THC and turmeric’s curcumin faster and better than most consumables. Black pepper and cardamom, both enhance your stone and help the turmeric work its magic, and since everything is fat soluble, it will play nicely together.

    Photo by Darnell Scott

    Cannabis Infused Golden Hot Cocoa

    Recipe by Danielle Guercio

    • 2 T Cocoa
    • 1 T Demerara sugar
    • 1 tsp Turmeric
    • 3-5 Black cardamom pods (OR dip a toothpick in essential oil and then dip in milk)
    • A few cracks of a black pepper grinder
    • A ½ inch nub of fresh ginger
    • ¼ c Half and half (you can use any milk here dairy or not)
    • ½ tsp Cannabis coconut oil or butter*
    • ⅔ c Boiling water
    Photo by Darnell Scott

    In a mug, add cocoa and sugar put aside. If you are using a milk frother, lightly crack spices except turmeric and add to mug with cocoa. Without a milk frother, use a dry saucepan to lightly toast the cardamom and pepper before heating milk, do not boil, do not pour milk over flame.

    Photo by Darnell Scott

    While milk is heating, boil water separately and pour over cocoa, stirring thoroughly. Remove milk from heat and stir in infused oil and turmeric. Let stand for a few seconds, then slowly pour over cocoa.

    Photo by Darnell Scott

    *Cannabis Infused Coconut Oil

    Put ¼ cup coconut oil in a clean mason jar with decarboxylated starting material (20 min at 225 in a sealed container for raw cannabis, 10 for hash and wax). Seal the Mason jar and placed in a warm water bath for 1 hour. Cool the Mason jar to room temperature and place in a freezer overnight. The next day, defrost and place in a water bath once more, just to heat through. Strain if using raw cannabis. If using a concentrate or hash you won’t have to strain the material.

    If you want to get really weird, you can use some boozy rum cream with the milk, and it will be mildly alcoholic, but incredibly tasty. Drink up when you’re feeling under the weather in any way–inflammation doesn’t just mean injuries and sore muscles, it counts for sinuses and PMS too.

    Danielle Guercio

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  • 6 Drinks That Help With Period Cramps (Beyond Water)

    6 Drinks That Help With Period Cramps (Beyond Water)

    Period cramps can be brutal, but there are several ways to reduce their severity and frequency. Keeping your body hydrated by sipping on drinks that contain anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic ingredients, such as magnesium drinks, beet juice, ginger tea, and chamomile tea, may be an effective way to reduce period cramp pain so you can get back to your normal routine. Certain supplements can also help ease painful symptoms—here are a few to look into.

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  • I Swear By This Delicious Non-Alcoholic Sip to Help Me Relax and Unwind at Night (Plus, It Helps Me Sleep!)

    I Swear By This Delicious Non-Alcoholic Sip to Help Me Relax and Unwind at Night (Plus, It Helps Me Sleep!)

    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 unpopular opinion is that I hate most seltzer and sparkling waters and am immediately suspicious of anything that looks like it could be one of the above. I find that it makes me more thirsty for actual water instead of refreshing. And as my friends and boyfriend would argue, once I have an opinion, it’s incredibly difficult to get me to change it. After complaining about six months ago to Tamara, our commerce managing editor, that I had been having trouble sleeping, she suggested the alcohol-alternative drink Recess. She said specifically to “get the one with the clouds on it,” because it contains magnesium, which can be considered a sleep aid.

    After four sleepless nights (and I am someone who must sleep or I am essentially non-functional), I capitulated and decided that I needed to try Recess Mood. Although, honestly, I didn’t think it’d do anything.

    Recess Mood is a sparkling water beverage with magnesium and adaptogens. (Recess Mood used to contain CBD, but it no longer does.) It does have magnesium L-threonate, L-theanine, and lemon balm — and only 4 grams of sugar. The variety pack includes five flavors: raspberry lemon, lime citrus, strawberry rose, and grapefruit tangerine. They also sell packs of individual flavors, like lime citrus, if shoppers would rather go all-in on one flavor.

    It was love at first sip — and now I like to have one Recess Mood a week to help me unwind. Where I would have wanted a beer, a glass of wine, or a cocktail before, I now want Recess instead, since it provides nearly the exact same effect. My thoughts stop racing, my body relaxes, and I’m able to take a beat and chill out with a book or a TV show. My boyfriend also loves them. I never thought I’d find a non-alcoholic beverage (other than coffee) that I liked. I’ve always exclusively been a water, coffee, and alcohol type of beverage drinker, but Recess has changed that. It also tastes great — it’s flavorful without being overpowering! I particularly gravitate toward the raspberry lemon flavor. The only flavor I’m not a huge fan of is the strawberry rose because it’s a bit too sweet for me.

    It even makes me pleasantly drowsy and helps me drift off to sleep at night. That being said, it is not a 100% easy-sleep success rate. I have had a few nights where after having my Recess, I have tossed and turned and spent many hours staring at the ceiling. I think of it more as a wind-down sip than a sleep aid. Although I will say when I wake up, I usually feel pretty refreshed.

    Recess can be a bit pricey, but honestly, I think it’s worth every penny. It’s definitely a drink I’ll be bringing into 2024. It also comes in a powder supplement form, though I have not tried that yet.

    Alicia Kort

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  • The Best Winter Ales To Usher In The Cold Weather

    The Best Winter Ales To Usher In The Cold Weather

     

    The holiday season and winter weather is upon us. If you are a beer aficionado, now is the time  to consider to something more adapted to the dropping temperatures. Maybe something which warms you from the inside out. Belgian brewers have a long tradition of making stronger, darker and sweeter ales for drinking during the cold winter months. They are also often flavoured with spices and other seasonal ingredients such as ginger and cinnamon.

    Fremont Brewing Bourbon Abominable Winter Ale and Winter Ales

    Two for the price of one brewery! The Bonfire ale warms your belly with a dark mild hop recipe, while the Winter Ale (formerly known as Abominable Ale), a barrel-aged version of the brewery’s winter ale, is robust and rich, complimented with caramel and vanilla notes. Fremont is a northwest treasure

    Deschutes Jubelale

    A deep, dark winter ale with joyous imprints of toffee, cocoa and dried fruit, this seasonal pleases craft beer nerds and their unsuspecting families alike. Perfect for setting out on a big dining table for your big dining family.

    Sierra Nevada Celebration

    This Chico, CA brewery does things a little different when it comes to the winter season. Their holiday beer, first brewed in 1981 (everything from the 80’s is good, right?), is a hop-forward concoction with citrus and pine aromas stemming from the bright west coast hops the brewery is famous for utilizing.

    RELATED: Easy Holiday Whiskey Cocktails

    Anchor Brewing Christmas Ale

    Anchor’s Christmas ale is spicy with a lovely malt spine.  Anchor is know for capturing the mood and this ale is good for those 4pm sunsets.

    Ninkasi Sleigh’r

    One of the Pacific Northwest’s most popular holiday beers, this brewery (named after the Sumerian goddess of beer) produces a hopped winter beer that pairs well with duck and candied yams. You can practically hear the jingling bells of Santa’s ride shaking away as you sip.

    Athletic Brewing Co. Lodge Life Non-alcoholic Ale

    A stout-inspired campfire brew crafted with cinnamon, vanilla and cacao nibs. It has a smoked malt undertone and light hint of s’mores that make it deliciously decadent yet easy to drink. With roasty aromatics and a full-bodied pour, it’s reminiscent of nights by the fire with hearty brews in hand.

    RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

    Sam Adams Holiday White Ale

    This is perfect when you want to slip a bit of classic holiday cheer. It is crisp and zesty, with holiday flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and a dusting of orange peel.

    Maui Coconut Hiwa Porter

    Nothing says the holidays quite like a beer brewed in Hawaii. For some, the holidays means traveling to warm weather destinations. For others it just means drinking beers from them. And Maui Brewing’s dark porter uses the ingredient the island may be most famous for: coconuts! So, replace the chestnuts roasting on an open fire with the gift from the thriving island’s palm trees.

    Mele Kalikimake with the best ales to usher in the cold weather and the holidays!

    Jacob Uitti

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  • This “Amazing” Budget Bubbly Is the Only Bottle I’m Popping for the Holidays

    This “Amazing” Budget Bubbly Is the Only Bottle I’m Popping for the Holidays

    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 anything can bring about decision fatigue, it’s the holidays. This is why I recommend choosing a “signature wine” for the season that you use for neighborhood parties, last-minute gifts, New Year’s Eve mingling, and drinking out of a reindeer mug at 1 a.m. on Christmas Eve while wrapping all the gifts you procrastinated for weeks. This year my go-to has been Cleto Chiarli Brut de Noir Rosé, a fun, punchy pink bubbly from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region.

    What’s So Great About Cleto Chiarli Brut de Noir Rosé?

    When people shop for wine, they often feel under informed, intimidated, and pressed for time (51% of Americans open a bottle of wine within three days of purchasing it). This leads people to grab something that looks familiar, like Champagne or Prosecco from a famous brand. So lesser-known regions and styles of wine that don’t have that immediate shelf appeal are often amazing values.

    The wine-growing regions in Emilia-Romagna that make Lambrusco are one such area — especially because even people who do know about Lambrusco often have a negative association with it. (This region became known for sweet, one-note sparkling reds in the early 1980s.) But these regions and their signature grape varieties (there are a few different Lambrusco varieties) make a whole range of delicious sparkling wines, from bone-dry to sweet and from dark purple-red to rosé or even white. 

    Cleto Chiarli is one of the oldest and most established Lambrusco producers in Modena, the commune in Emilia-Romagna famous for its balsamic vinegar, and its Brut de Noir Rosé is full of zingy fruit flavors like tart cherry, raspberry, and watermelon. The texture is almost a bit creamy, and the finish is clean and mouthwatering. 

    Like Prosecco, it’s made using the charmat method, which tends to bring out bright, fresh, crowd-pleasing flavors. It’s made with 85% Lambrusco Grasparossa, the boldest of the Lambrusco varieties, so just a short amount of skin contact is enough to give the wine a bright pink color and lots of flavor, while the balance is Pinot Noir that brings a little acidity and aromatic intrigue to the party — and at under $20, you can afford to stock up! (Maybe just don’t mention the Lambrusco bit to older relatives unless you want that Riunite jingle stuck in your head until New Year’s.)

    What’s the Best Way to Drink Cleto Chiarli’s Brut de Noir Rosé?

    While this sparkling rosé is great on its own, like other wines from this part of Italy, it shines with food as well. (Emilia-Romagna is known for cured meats, Parmigiano Reggiano, and rich pasta dishes.) It’s got a little more body and tang than a lot of other sparkling rosés I’ve tried, so it’s great as an aperitif or stand-alone glass of bubbly; it would also be amazing with a charcuterie board or any of those delicious cheese-heavy appetizers we tend to make around this time of year (think: Aunt Kim’s port wine cheese ball or sweet and savory baked Brie).

    Buy: Cleto Chiarli Brut de Noir Rosé, $16.99 for 750 mL at Drizly

    What are some of your favorite sparkling wines for the holiday season? Tell us about it in the comments below.

    Diane McMartin

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  • At This Sprawling Vegas Buffet, You'll Quite Literally Eat & Leave No Crumbs

    At This Sprawling Vegas Buffet, You'll Quite Literally Eat & Leave No Crumbs

    I first learned of Bacchanal Buffet on YouTube. Several years ago, I watched as a vlogger dined through the iconic Las Vegas buffet inside Caesars Palace, sampling decadent dishes from every genre of food and country imaginable: seafood, Japanese, Southern, Italian… the list goes on and on. His review of the space was positive, so I knew I had to go myself and determine if Bacchanal Buffet’s price and cost are worth a top spot in a Sin City itinerary. One pandemic and several Vegas residencies later (Lady Gaga’s Enigma and Jazz & Piano shows are my favorite, and RuPaul’s Drag Race Live is a standout), I finally had the chance to try brunch at the over-the-top foodie destination (pro tip: they also serve dinner).

    Originally opened in 2012, Bacchanal underwent an extensive renovation in 2021. The result? A truly gorgeous restaurant decor experience (think: luxurious marble tiles, ornate glass walls, and plush leather dining chairs perfect for when it’s time to unbutton those jeans). Widely considered the largest buffet in Vegas with over 25,000 square-feet of space, the venue houses 10 kitchens and over 250 dishes from around the world.

    Bacchanal Price & Cost Breakdown

    • Brunch: Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
      • Starting at $64.99 per adult and $37.50 per child (ages 4-10)
    • All-day Pricing: Friday – Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
      • Starting at $84.99 per adult and $47.50 per child (ages 4-10)
    • Crab Brunch: Monday – Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m.
      • Starting at $79.99 per adult and $44.50 per child (ages 4-10)
    • Dinner: Monday – Thursday from 3 to 10 p.m.
      • Starting at $79.99 per adult and $44.50 per child (ages 4-10)

    Yes, the myriad options are a lot take in, so prepare for sensory overload. Walking into the freshly-updated restaurant, I had high hopes for a one-of-a-kind meal. But uh, where to start? Drinks.

    Image: Caesars Entertainment
    Image: Caesars Entertainment
    Image: Caesars Entertainment

    After ordering a round of mimosas for the table (is it even brunch if you don’t?) I made my way to the buffet to start exploring the vast array of freshly-prepared global dishes. The selection of foods is so expansive that it can honestly be a bit overwhelming, so I grabbed just a few small bites to start. 

    We all know what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and no matter what you got into the night before (I had one too many martinis at dinner and slept in a bit), Bacchanal has the cure. After my late night, nothing could nurse my headache better than a combination of short rib Benedict and a slice of wood-fired pizza. These truly hit the spot, and I felt myself coming back to life. 

    Image: Caesars Entertainment
    Image: Caesars Entertainment

    After polishing off my first plate, I went back for more. I’m a sucker for Americanized Chinese, and the vegetable spring rolls and General Tso’s chicken did not disappoint. In the same Asian section of the kitchen, authentic items such as roasted duck, Japanese poke bowls, and Korean Kalbi short ribs proved that Bacchanal can serve legitimate global cuisines. 

    Image: Caesars Entertainment
    Image: Caesars Entertainment
    Image: Caesars Entertainment

    Making my way over to the vegan station, I grabbed a quinoa salad (because #health) before arriving at the seafood counter. There, I grabbed some chilled prawns and crab claws, both succulent and rich. Craving some freshness as well, the mini pineapple and dragon fruit smoothies hit the spot with a delicious fruity, light flavor profile. After all, who doesn’t love an Instagram-worthy snack?

    At Bacchanal, your meal can truly be endless, allowing you to return to the sprawling buffet as much as you wish. Over the next hour, I sampled everything from confetti pancakes to fresh sushi rolls, lamb gyros, and Quesabirria tacos—seriously, there’s something for everyone, including picky children and that friend known for only eating nuggets and fries. My stomach gave me no choice but to throw in the towel after three plates of food, but I still opted for a small scoop of strawberry sorbet to finish off the meal, as well as a petite chocolate cake from the lavish dessert bar. When in Vegas, right?

    Image: Caesars Entertainment
    Image: Bacchanal
    Image: Caesars Entertainment

    My expectations of Bacchanal were exceeded, and I left brunch feeling overly-satisfied. The sheer variety of cuisine makes this one of the funnest meals on the strip, a satisfying and delectable Vegas experience in its own right. I quite literally ate and left no crumbs.

    Jonathan Borge

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  • This Riff On Hot Chocolate Is Sugar Free & Great For Your Skin

    This Riff On Hot Chocolate Is Sugar Free & Great For Your Skin

    Win, win, win!

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  • How Starbucks Lost the Top Spot in China’s Coffee Race

    How Starbucks Lost the Top Spot in China’s Coffee Race

    Starbucks is losing its prime spot among chains racing to meet China’s growing thirst for coffee.

    Luckin Coffee has surpassed Starbucks as China’s biggest coffee chain by sales and units, company reports show, a comeback for the Chinese company after an accounting scandal that stalled its growth.

    Copyright ©2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

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  • If You Buy One Thing at Sam’s Club This Month, Let It Be This Shockingly Good $20 Dupe for a Holiday Favorite

    If You Buy One Thing at Sam’s Club This Month, Let It Be This Shockingly Good $20 Dupe for a Holiday Favorite

    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 your holiday soundtrack involves the sounds of bottles popping and glasses clinking, you’ve come to the right post. Sparkling wine is practically the official drink of New Year’s Eve (if not the entire month of December) — and yes that includes low– and non-alcoholic varieties as well. Those Wednesday morning meetings aren’t going to run themselves … yet. 

    While many of us would love nothing more than to toast the season with fancy bubbly from now through the ball drop, that’s not exactly the most economical (or realistic!) way to spend our hard-earned dollars. Enter: Sam’s Club.

    On a recent trip to The Club — via a Real-Housewives-esque party bus — I learned a lot about its Member’s Mark Champagne Didier Dumond Brut (aka the warehouse’s store-brand bottle of bubbly). The team, according to the Sam’s Club IG, “partnered with a family of winemakers with over 100 years of experience, and did multiple tastings” before landing on the bubbly in this bottle, which launched in October 2021.

    If you’re thinking hey, that bottle looks familiar, then you’d be correct. The Champagne bottle is strikingly similar to a name-brand favorite, from the gold-foiled wrapping down to the yellow-orange label.

    There is one very big distinction: the price tag. At the time I visited, the Member’s Mark Champagne was $19.98, compared to $59.48 for the name-brand bottle. That’s roughly a third of the price.  

    Of course, that discount means nothing if the Champagne itself is anything less than stellar. So I did what almost any grocery editor with a store credit courtesy of Sam’s Club would do; I grabbed a bottle of each and headed for checkout. The following week I brought both to our office Friendsgiving and asked coworkers to take part in a blind tasting comparing the two. What happened next was pleasantly surprising.

    After chilling both bottles in the same fridge for the same amount of time, I popped them open and poured the Champagne into a mix of unmarked flutes and coupes. Several people leapt at the chance to drink free Champagne — the best kind. (Where were many of you when canned pumpkin came around?!)

    Tasters took one glass from each group and sampled them one after the other. In addition to asking tasters to describe each of the Champagnes, and what they liked (or didn’t) about them, they had to guess which was the Sam’s Club brand and which was the $$$ bottle. It wasn’t long before the glasses were empty and the results were in. 

    Nearly half of the tasters thought the Member’s Mark Champagne Didier Dumond Brut was actually the more expensive bottle. “I was convinced I could tell the difference between the two Champagne options,” says Cullen, our Home Associate Editor, “but I was SO wrong.” She thinks “both Champagnes have an elevated taste,” and even ended up mixing the two together. (She wasn’t the only one either.)

    Even the tasters who correctly matched the Champagnes to their bottles were impressed with the budget-friendly alt: “I really do like them both!,” says Camey. “I’d definitely bring the less expensive one to an event if I know people aren’t wine snobs.”  

    While Tom, a former bartender and our current Studio Producer/margarita-ologist, feels the pricier pick is “a bit more complex” with “a familiar taste of toast that can come with high-end Champagnes,” he also likes that Sam’s is “simple and light.” Adding, “I would happily buy either.”

    Buy: Sam’s Club Member’s Mark Champagne Didier Dumond Brut, $19.98 for 750 mL 

    Have you tried Sam’s Club’s store-brand Champagne? Tell us about it in the comments below.

    Mara Weinraub

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  • The Ultimate Guide To Day Drinking

    The Ultimate Guide To Day Drinking

    Day Drinking is definitely a thing – here is how to do it right – and to add a flair!

    The modern version of drinking in the morning has become more common, but are you doing it right?  Brunch, sporting events, an early morning flight, big music and other types of festivals all lend themselves to grabbing a cocktail.  But do you do it right?  Here is the ultimate guide to day drinking.

    First, within the correct bounds of drinking before noon, what is the norm are Bloody Mary’s, rosé, mimosas, screwdrivers, and beer.  Wine, bourbon, shots will all gain you a side eye from the people around you.  Of course, Bloody Marys have other options than vodka – Bloody Maria (tequila), Red Snapper (gin), and the Bloody Shame (non-alcoholic).  Also, the Mimosa comes with variety. The most popular is a change of the juice…but there is the Manmosa – which is champagne, juice and vodka.  Definitely a morning wake up.

    RELATED: Great Fall Whiskeys

    But if you are creative and serve it in a fun glass – you can break out and here are some fun ideas.

     

    Erik Hakkinen, Head Bartender, Zig Zag, Seattle

    “My favorite two low-octane drinks are Campari and grapefruit juice (2 oz Campari, 4 oz fresh grapefruit juice), and then Bonal and tonic (2 oz Bonal, 2-4oz good tonic, like Fever Tree, East India Imperial, squeeze of lime). So simple, so delicious! I like both served as long drinks.”

    Ramon Garcia, Bar Director, Alchemist, San Francisco

    KISS N’ TELL

    • 1 oz Manzanilla Sherry
    • 1 oz Dolin Blanc Vermouth
    • .5 oz Rosemary syrup
    • .25 oz Lemon juice
    • 1 bar spoon Laphroaig 10yr Whisky
    • 1 small pinch of salt
    • 4 oz La Croix Peach Pear sparkling water

    Shake all ingredients with ice except La Croix Peach Pear and double strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Top off with La Croix Peach Pear Sparkling Water. Garnish with 3 pear slices and a rosemary sprig.

    Rosemary syrup:

    • 1 cup Sugar
    • 1 cup Water
    • 3 Rosemary sprigs

    Bring water to a boil and add sugar, then simmer until sugar dissolves add the rosemary sprigs and let them steep for 30 mins. Strain the Rosemary and store in a nonreactive containers.

    Morgan Weber, Co-owner, Eight Row Flint, Houston

    ALL DAY LONG

    • 3 oz Lillet Rosé
    • 2 oz Topo Chico
    • ½ oz Fresh Lemon
    • ¼ oz Rich Simple
    • 2 dashes grapefruit bitters

    Build in Collins glass full of ice. Garnish with fat grapefruit peel, oil expressed into glass.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BKonbmMBwPJ

    Krissy Harris, Creative Director, The Wren, NYC

    RUBY ROSE SPRITZ

    “This cocktail is currently on our brunch cocktail menu (also, that’s my daughters name).”

    • 1 oz Martin Miller’s Gin
    • ¾ Aperol
    • ¼ Giffard Black Rose Liquor

    Shake & Strain into a Highball glass. Top with Schofferhofer Grapefruit Bier.

    RELATED: People Who Use Weed Also Do More Of Another Fun Thing

    HIGH ROAD

    “I like to pre-spice the tequila by slicing 1-2 jalapeños and adding them to the full bottle of tequila. I taste every hour or so until I get to the desired heat level. That way, it’s a consistent drink every time. This was on our brunch cocktail menu and will come back!”

    • 1 oz El Jimador Blanco or Herradura Silver
    • ½  oz Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
    • 1 oz Pineapple Juice
    • ¼ oz Agave
    • ½ oz Lime Juice
    • 3 slices Jalapeno

    Add all ingredients to a shaker, add ice and shake. Pour into a salt rimmed rocks glass.

     

    Anthony Washington

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  • Plug Power, Trade Desk, Doximity, Unity Software, Illumina, Wynn, and More Stock Market Movers

    Plug Power, Trade Desk, Doximity, Unity Software, Illumina, Wynn, and More Stock Market Movers

    These Stocks Are Moving the Most Today: Plug Power, Trade Desk, Doximity, Unity Software, Illumina, Wynn, and More

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  • Carlsberg CEO says the Putin regime stole brewery operations in Russia

    Carlsberg CEO says the Putin regime stole brewery operations in Russia

    “There is no way around the fact that they have stolen our business in Russia, and we are not going to help them make that look legitimate.”

    That’s new Carlsberg CEO Jacob Aarup-Anderson, according to a Reuters account of a journalist call on Tuesday, after Russian President Vladimir Putin this summer ordered the seizure of Carlsberg’s stake in its Baltika subsidiary. Earlier this month, Carlsberg ended license agreements that allow for its beers to be produced in the country.

    According to the presidential decree, Carlsberg retains title to the shares in Baltika Breweries but no longer has any control or influence over the company.

    From the archive (March 2022): Carlsberg and Heineken both say they will exit the Russian market

    Carlsberg reported a 3% decline in organic volume growth, as a 6.3% slide in Central and Eastern Europe and a 5.2% decline in Western Europe was partly offset by a 1.5% rise in Asia.

    The brewer said two-thirds of the volume decline was due to bad weather and another one-third to consumer sentiment.

    Organic revenue, however, rose by 5.8%, on price hikes. It kept its operating-profit guidance for the year unchanged at 4% to 7% growth, and launched a new stock-buyback program valued at 1 billion Danish crowns.

    Carlsberg said comparisons in the fourth quarter will be positive in China, in light of the year-ago lockdown, but the weak macro environment in Southeast Asia will continue to impact markets.

    Carlsberg shares
    CARL.B,
    -0.83%
    were steady on Tuesday but have dropped 8% this year.

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  • Cannabis Cocktails And Other Fun Halloween Drinks

    Cannabis Cocktails And Other Fun Halloween Drinks

    The Boo Day is arriving and people either stay at home or head to some sort of party/bar/ thing.  In either case, what about a some cannabis cocktails and other fun Halloween drinks. Why do kids get to have all the fun with trick or treating and candy. Why not have some adult beverages which are even better than candy!

    Related: Rainy Weather Cocktails

    The Crypt Robber: Hot Toddy

    Ingredients:

    • 2 oz. Overproof rum (pot still)
    • 4 oz. hot chocolate (Bitter is preferred)
    • 2 oz. whipping cream
    • 1 oz. rich simple syrup- 2:1 dark (2 cups sugar in the raw to 1 cup boiling water)
    • scant teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
    • Mexican spicy mole bitters (of your choice)

    Prep:

    Preheat a ceramic mug with boiling water, pour out when steaming hot. Add the Overproof rum. Top with the bittersweet hot chocolate. Top with the whipping cream. Dot with the mole bitters. Scrape nutmeg over the top. Sweeten with dark simple syrup as necessary.

    You can flame this drink with a capful of the Over proof rum on top of the whipping cream and a sprinkle of the raw sugar, then set ablaze. Like a Baked Alaska!

    The Decapitation Waltz is a take on the classic rum punch with a few tricks thrown in for fun and seasonality.

    Decapitation Waltz

    A head banger of a drink!

    Ingredients:

    • 3 oz. raw rum (pot still rum is much preferred) infused with just the amount of THC that you desire
    • 2 oz. freshly squeezed orange juice
    • 1 oz. freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
    • ½ oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 1 oz. orgeat syrup (almond in flavor)
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly scraped nutmeg
    • 1 oz. Angostura bitters (for good gastric health)
    • grilled orange round
    • splash of grenadine syrup

    Prep:

    To a cocktail mixing glass: Add one or two large cubes of ice. Add the infused rum and the fresh juices. Stir to combine. Add the orgeat. Stir. Add the nutmeg. Stir. Add the Angostura. Stir again. Strain into rocks glasses with a few cubes of ice and a grilled orange round. Serve with a splash of grenadine for a blood curdling effect.

    RELATED: Does Marijuana Really Make You Frisky

    Slowly Dragged Across the Burning Coals

    Ingredients:

    • 3 oz. Smoky Scotch Whisky (your choice)
    • 1 oz. Mezcal, infused with the THC of your choice – at the strength of your own choosing*
    • scant sprinkle of espresso powder
    • scant sprinkle of charcoal powder
    • crushed coconut water ice

    Prep:

    To a Boston Shaker filled ¾ with regular bar ice: Add the Scotch and the Mezcal. Add the espresso powder and the charcoal powder. Cap and shake hard for 20 seconds. Strain over crushed coconut water ice. Serve.

    Boiled Bags of Brains

    Ingredients:

    • 1 oz. Bourbon Whiskey- infused with THC to your specific need and strength*
    • 1 oz. dry Vermouth
    • 2 oz. Raki or ouzo
    • ¼ oz. freshly squeezed orange juice
    • ½ oz. freshly crushed carrot juice
    • 1 teaspoon heavy cream
    • 1 teaspoon Peychaud’s bitters

    Prep:

    Add all the ingredients to a Boston shaker filled ¾ with bar ice. Pre-chill some coupes. Shake the Boston Shaker hard for 20 or so seconds. Strain into the coupes and spoon the heavy cream over the top. Spoon the Peychaud’s over the cream and serve.

    *Infusions

    To make a cannabis infusion, add 7 grams—or the dosage recommended by your caregiver—of ground, decarbed cannabis to 250 ml (about 1 cup) of a liquor of your choice in a heat-proof mason jar. Do not seal the jar, it could burst. Place the jar in the top of a double boiler on a hot plate or electric stove top.

    (Never, ever use a gas stove or an open flame.) Fill the top of the double boiler with enough water to cover the mason jar halfway.

    Simmer lightly at around 160ºF (71°C) for 30 to 60 minutes. Use a digital thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature. Alcohol flames just over 170ºF (77°C), so pay close attention to the job at hand, and don’t go running out for a pizza. Plus, a low heat will keep evaporation to a minimum.

    Let the mixture cool, strain it through a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth, then funnel it back into the empty liquor bottle. Top up the bottle with the remaining un-infused liquor until it’s back to a volume of 750 ml. This ensures that the THC will be dispersed throughout the infusion. Your infusion is now ready to use in your handcrafted cocktails.

    Warren Bobrow, a.k.a. The Cocktail Whisperer, is the author of four books, including his latest: Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails and Tonics.

    Warren Bobrow

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  • Try The Best Halloween Cocktails

    Try The Best Halloween Cocktails

    Of all the holidays, Halloween ranks #5 in terms of overall alcohol consumption. Something while you think about your costume and then put on your costume.  The parties, the neighborhood events, all very boozy and fun.  But why not kick it up a notch?  Avoid campy drinks and go for an updated classic. Try the best Halloween cocktails for you to enjoy and share with your ghoulish friends.

    Created by two innovative bartenders and book creator  Piper/Keller, these cocktails are based on the upgraded classic recipes with an emphasis on pulling ingredients from the gastronomically diverse world. These drinks will add some fun to your hectic Halloween weekend  Have the Black Bomber with your brunch and relax in the afternoon with, well, the Death in the Afternoon.  Save the Sherry Twist Cocktail #1 for your pre-funk before a night out doing the Monster Mash!

    Death in the Afternoon

    Photo by Frankie Frankeny
    • ¼  ounce pastis, preferably Pernod
    • Champagne

    Pour the Pernod into a champagne flute and fill with Champagne

    RELATED: Rainy Weather Cocktails

    Black Bomber

    Photo by Frankie Frankeny
    Photo by Frankie Frankeny
    • 1 shot espresso
    • ¼  ounce anisette
    • 1 ½ ounces light gin
    • dash of orange bitters (optional)
    • 3 espresso beans for garnish

    Add ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.  The drink will be foamy, top the foam with the coffee beans.

    RELATED: People Who Use Weed Also Do More Of Another Fun Thing

    Sherry Twist Cocktail #1

    Photo by Frankie Frankeny
    Photo by Frankie Frankeny
    • 1 ounce sherry
    • ½ ounce brandy
    • ½ ounce French dry vermouth
    • ¼ ounce Cointreau
    • ¼ ounce fresh lemon juice
    • Pinch of ground cinnamon
    • Cinnamon stick for garnish

    Combine all the ingredients but the cinnamon stick in an ice filled cocktail shaker.  Shake until cold, strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with the cinnamon stick.  Serves one.

    ###

    Named one of the 100 Most Creative People in the US by Entertainment Weekly , Frankie captures images for some of the best names in culinary.  

    Frankie has helped create: The Art of the Bar: Cocktails Based on the Classics;The Model Bakery Cookbook; Miette: Recipes from San Francisco’s Most Charming Pastry Shop; The Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook and The Star Wars Cookbook Series. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

    Frankie Frankeny

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  • 5 Great Bourbons For Fall

    5 Great Bourbons For Fall

     

    As the day gets shorter and nights chillier, it might be time to put away the rosé, the margaritas, and the other fun summer drinks. As the leaves begin to change, it’s time to shake up your spirits selection with a favorite bourbon. Bourbon is an American Whiskey produced under a specific set of guidelines, and it seems the coziness of it is perfect for autumn.

    Like Pina coladas, Cosmos, and Aperol Spritz evoke the feeling of summer, bourbon and whiskey boast specific tasting notes and flavor profiles that pair perfectly with the drop in temperatures.  Holding the perfect drinks while cozying up by the fire with your favorite comfort foods is something bourbon is made to do. And it fits well with traditional fall foods like apple, maples, cinnamon and pumpkin.

    Related: 5 Weird Whiskeys to Challenge Your Ideas About Whiskey

    As you pull out your coats, slip on a turtleneck and start thinking about Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, here are 5 great bourbons for fall.

    Wyoming Whiskey Single Barrel Bourbon

    Not all the great bourbon comes from Kentucky. Wyoming Whiskey in Kirby, Wyoming, is quietly turning heads with its well-made, well-aged, and well-that’s-delicious whiskeys, including a regular single barrel bourbon release that impresses even the most entrenched craft skeptics. Wyoming Whiskey’s line of wheated bourbons was developed in partnership with Steve Nally of Maker’s Mark, so it’s no surprise they’re so tasty.

    Booker’s Bourbon Blue Knights Batch

    The Booker’s Bourbon is a yet another crowd pleaser—a 127.4 proof, six-year-old bourbon named after a local group of motorcycle enthusiasts who are all active or retired police officers. It’s spendier than past Booker’s releases, but die-hard fans won’t be disappointed.

    Old Forester Statesman

    This new limited-edition release from Old Forester commemorates the release of the latest Statesman flick: The Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Indulge your international spy fantasies with this rye-forward bourbon, bottled at a healthy 95 proof.

    Early Times Bottled-in-Bond

    Early Times’ flagship U.S. release isn’t a bourbon, but earlier this year the 157-year-old brand released a bottled-in-bond bourbon release seemingly designed specifically for cocktails.

    Related: Is Commercial Moonshine Really Moonshine

    It’s bottled at 100 proof, packaged in a one-liter bottle, and has a sweet, citrus-forward flavor and friendly price point that’s ideal for mixed drinks.

    Kentucky Owl Bourbon Batch #7

    Debuting outside Kentucky for the very first time this September, this cult favorite brand is known for its small-batch vattings that showcase different flavors every time. Batch #7 combines 11 barrels that are at least 13 years old with four eight- to nine-year old barrels for a whiskey with a sweet entry and spicy finish.

    As we wrap ourselves in all things autumn, bourbon does pair well with pumpkin spiced cookies.

    Anthony Washington

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  • What Can You Drink While Fasting? Drinks To Sip & Avoid

    What Can You Drink While Fasting? Drinks To Sip & Avoid

    Depending on your goals and the type of fast you’re doing, drinking beverages with a small number of calories (such as lemon water or coffee) should not interfere with your progress. In fact, taking a “dirty” fasting approach to beverages can make fasting easier to stick with for beginners and help keep your body properly hydrated.

    As Varady explains of her clinical experience with fasting, “Many of our studies run six to 12 months, and we want our subjects to feel comfortable while doing fasting. If we ask them to change their eating habits too much, they often drop out.” Plus, she adds, if weight loss is the goal, “these additives only contribute a very small amount of calories, so it does not upset their progress.”

    That said, high-calorie or high-sugar options like smoothies, soda, or broth will likely do more harm than good and should be avoided during your fasting window.

    And despite the health benefits of fasting, it’s definitely not for everyone. For example, some experts warn that intermittent fasting is trickier for women because fasting is a type of stressor, and women process stress differently than men.

    Amy Shah, M.D., a double board-certified physician specializing in hormones, previously told mbg that overly stressed women should skip intermediate fasting, as it can negatively impact female hormones (though more research needs to be done on the subject).

    Julia Guerra

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  • This Is the Only Martini Recipe You’ll Ever Need

    This Is the Only Martini Recipe You’ll Ever Need

    Crafting a great one at home can make you feel as classy and sophisticated as they come.

    Makes1 cocktail

    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 Martini is one of the most iconic and classic cocktails around. It’s also one that not a lot of people agree on when it comes to making it the best way. Gin or vodka? Stirred or shaken? Ice shards or double strained? Lemon twist or olives? Blue cheese stuffed? Dirty?

    Point being, how you like your Martini is probably different than how your aunt likes hers. Despite this, you and your aunt can both agree that crafting a great Martini at home can make you feel as classy and sophisticated as they come!

    Because there are so many options, it’s always good to start with the tried-and-true classic recipe for a Martini before you get to customizing your own (espresso martinis, anyone?). As we dive into the recipe, let’s take a look at how such an elegant two-ingredient cocktail can have so many people divided.

    A classic Martini calls for gin. Some people love it, while others feel like drinking gin is like biting into a pine cone. Gin is full of botanical flavors, most of which are juniper-forward. It’s like the friend who’s always wearing a bright, funky-colored shirt and despite how you feel about it, it just works. Gin works because it pairs really well with the herbal qualities of dry vermouth, the next key ingredient in a classic Martini. If you’re going the gin route, I recommend using something high-quality. Some common ones are Beefeater, Plymouth Gin, Tanqueray, or Hendrick’s.

    In the other camp, we have vodka. It’s a neutral spirit that tends to take a little bit of a beating amongst cocktail enthusiasts for being flavorless. Yet, it’s smooth and a lot of people prefer it over gin. If you like vodka, I recommend purchasing a premium bottle like a Belvedere or Ketel One. Don’t skimp on ingredients here because every drop matters. I’d say $25 to $35 is a great price range for a quality bottle.

    Who Is This Dry Vermouth Character?

    The second ingredient in a Martini is dry vermouth. It’s a type of fortified wine, blended and infused with different herbs and botanicals. Use a quality, well-preserved bottle of vermouth. By well-preserved I mean refrigerated after it’s opened. It’s still a wine and begins to oxidize after opening, so be sure you keep it cold. There’s nothing worse than a left-out bottle of vermouth that has turned to vinegar. Not tasty. A recommended bottle of dry vermouth is Noilly Prat or Dolin.

    Stirred or Shaken? (I’m Looking at You, James Bond.)

    By rule of thumb, if your cocktail contains only booze, then you stir. By this rule, a Martini should be stirred. James Bond would probably disagree. On any other day I wouldn’t fight him, but on this matter I advise you to stir your Martini, especially when going with gin. Shaking can “bruise” the gin and mask the botanicals you want to taste.

    Want an Ice-Cold Martini?

    The reason people shake their Martini is because they don’t feel stirring the cocktail yields a cold-enough martini. If you want your cocktail arctic cold with ice shards floating on top, shake it.

    A martini should always be served up in a chilled glass, but the garnish you use is up to preference. Squeeze the back of a lemon peel over the glass to release the lemon oils into the martini, then rub the peel around the rim of the glass. This enhances the aroma and brings a fresh zest to it. Either drop the lemon peel in, or discard and garnish with several fresh olives.

    Most importantly, drink your martini pinky up because now you’re fancy!

    Elliott Clark

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  • PepsiCo’s stock climbs after earnings beat consensus and company raises guidance

    PepsiCo’s stock climbs after earnings beat consensus and company raises guidance

    Shares of PepsiCo Inc.
    PEP,
    +0.67%
    rose 2.5% in premarket trading Tuesday, after the beverage and snack giant reported third-quarter earnings that topped consensus and raised its full-year guidance.

    Net income rose to $3.092 billion, or $2.24 a share, from $2.702 billion, or $1.95 a share, in the same period a year ago.

    Excluding nonrecurring items, core earnings per share of $2.25 were ahead of the FactSet consensus of $2.15.

    Revenue grew to $23.453 billion from $21.971 billion, also ahead of the FactSet consensus of $23.413 billion.

    “We are pleased with our performance as our businesses and associates displayed tremendous agility and resilience across geographies and categories in an evolving and dynamic environment,” Chief Executive Ramon Laguarta said in a statement.

    Revenue at Frito-Lay North America rose 7%, while it was up 5% at Quaker Foods North America. PepsiCo Beverages North America rose 8%, while Latin America was up 21% and Europe up 2%.

    Revenue for Africa, Middle East and South Asia fell 6%, while Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand and China Region’s revenue was up 4%.

    For 2023, the company revised its core EPS guidance to $7.54 from $7.47 previously.

    “For fiscal year 2024, we expect to deliver results towards the upper end of our long-term target ranges for both organic revenue and core constant currency EPS growth,” said the statement.

    The company’s long-term target ranges for both organic revenue growth — 4% to 6% growth — and core constant currency EPS growth– high-single-digit percentage increase– remain unchanged.

    The stock has fallen 11% in the year to date, while the S&P 500
    SPX
    has gained 13%.

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