When it comes to Valentine’s Day, I tend to be a traditional girlie romantic – pink champagne all the way. Sure, I know it’s cliche and not very original at all…but when you find something you like, it can be hard to give it up!
However, much as I love a good flute of champagne, I know plenty of people who prefer a tasty cocktail instead. Of course, the colors of the day are pink and red – so it makes sense to go with something like a Cosmopolitan. Below is a recipe by created by ZYR Russian Vodka and AperiTeaTM …read more

If you’re not from Canada, it’s unlikely you have heard of a London Fog. Up until a few months ago, if I ordered one at Starbucks I was still getting the same slightly confused/more than a little condescending response -
“Oh, you mean an Earl Grey Misto. Sure.”
But now all of a sudden the London Fog has taken off. Starbucks has grabbed on and even brought in specialty Earl Grey tea swathed in silk bags. A big step up from the well known TAZO tea line.
But with such luxury comes a price. A fancy grande London Fog will set you back …read more

With the big game right around the corner, you may be looking for some beverages that are perfect for your Super Bowl Party. Instead of beer this year, why not serve cocktails instead?
Quick and easy, these Tequila Herradura-based cocktail recipes only require your guests to take their eyes off of the screen for less than 60-seconds (just long enough for a time out).
Herradura Football

2 oz Tequila Herradura Silver
2 spoons of sugar
1 lemon cut in quarters
crushed ice

In an “old fashion” style glass, put two spoons of sugar and the lemon. Crush these ingredients. Finally add Tequila Herradura and stir to mix.
AFC …read more

Over the past few years, it has become very popular to mix cocktails using Red Bull (or other energy drinks) and vodka. Now, you can get the energy you are looking for directly in a vodka instead.
p.i.n.k. vodka is an ultra-premium imported vodka from Holland that is infused with caffeine and guarana. Unlike energy drinks, p.i.n.k. has no unpleasant after taste and no additional carbs. You can mix it with soda, add it to martinis or drink it on the rocks.
p.i.n.k. is popular among celebrities including Jay-Z, Beyonce, Eva Longoria, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Pamela Anderson, Prince and many more.
Here’s …read more

Healthy soda? Isn’t that an oxymoron? Not according to Pepsi. Their new flavored, sparkling beverage called TAVA has no calories, no caffeine, is naturally flavored, and actually has vitamins added to it. It’s sort of vitamin water meets diet soda…and it’s surprisingly tasty.
The just-released beverage comes in three flavors: Brazilian Samba (passion fruit-lime), Tahitian Tamure (mixed berry), and Mediterranean Fiesta (black cherry). The flavors are subtle, more like flavored water than traditional soda. They come in four-packs of 12oz cans or plastic bottles.
My grocery (Giant Eagle in Ohio) had them for $2.50 for the four-pack and you can …read more

I’m a big fan of POM Wonderful’s Pomegranate Juice. It’s healthy, loaded with antioxidants, and delicious in cocktails, such as the POM Julep. I just got around to trying their new line of teas and I think I’m addicted. POM Teas come in regular and six flavors and use the same antioxidants that are found in the pomegrante juice. They also have less caffeine than regular ice tea, but are just as refreshing. Flavors include Blackberry (my favorite), Peach Passion, and Lychee Green. For those who find the straight pomegranate juice too “tangy,” the tea is a milder, yet …read more

It’s been too hot to do much of anything here the last couple days. It’s supposed to cool off this afternoon, and we’re supposed to get some much needed rain from the remnants of Gustav.
Instead of cooking I made you some tea today. I love this recipe for a quick refreshment on a hot day.
Iced Mint Tea Recipe
10 Sprigs of fresh mint (lemon balm works well too)
1 brown tea bag
honey to taste
Optional: lemon juice, or citrus zest
I make a cup of tea with the mint and tea bag. I put the mint in a tea ball, …read more

We’ve talked about the health benefits of Pomegranate juice before. Here’s a fun way to celebrate the end of summer and get your pomegranate juice as well, courtesy of the folks at POM:
POM Julep
1 oz. freshly squeezed pomegranate juice* or
POM Wonderful® 100% Pomegranate Juice
1 1/2 oz. vodka
1 1/2 oz. grapefruit juice
1/2 oz. honey syrup (mix two parts honey with
one part hot water and stir to dissolve, cool)
4 mint leaves, mint sprig for garnish
Directions:
Bruise 4 mint leaves in bar mixing glass with honey syrup. Add remaining ingredients and …read more

New this summer is a new tea brewing system, “Tea-Over-Ice” from Tea Forte. The tea starts with their special blends of tea infusions–things like white ginger pear, raspberry nectar, and pomegranate blackberry–and brews the fresh, immediately flash-chilling it to lock in the flavor and the healthy antioxidants associated with hot tea.
The dual pitchers, designed by Tea Forte founder, Peter Hewitt, are sleek, attractive and crafted from hand blown, heat-resistant glass. The top pitcher brews the iced tea while the lower pitcher holds the ice for flash-chilling. It can go right from kitchen to table.
Tea-Over-Ice systems are available at kitchen …read more

One of my favorite juices is POM, the 100% Pomegranate juice that comes in the hour glass-shaped bottle. Not only does it taste good, but Pomegranate juice is a great source of antioxidents and potassium. However, you can’t always drink it straight. Fortunately, the folks at POM have shared with us the recipe for their own special cocktail, the POMtini.
POMtini™
1 oz. POM Wonderful® 100% Pomegranate Juice
1½ oz. vodka
1½ oz. grapefruit juice
½ oz. sour mix OR ½ oz. freshly squeezed lime and ½ oz. simple syrup (equal parts sugar and cold water dissolved together)
orange peel for …read more