drinks

Free Tea from Twinings

Halfway through writing my summer wrap-up post this tidbit of good news came through my inbox: an offer from Twinings for free tea. I liked the offer. Thought you would too. After all, aren’t autumn’s stirrings in the air? Despite perfect, warm days the nights are taking on that chilly edge. What better way to cozy [...]

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7 Summer Fruits and Their BSF (Best Spice Friend)

So September is here, school has started and summer is over…not! Certainly the farmer’s markets and local growers agree. Stalls are still packed with berries, peaches, nectarines, watermelon, cucumbers, cantaloupe…all those summer goodies that are the epitome of soft, warm days and stretched out time. Are you with me? But seven weeks!! That’s how long the virtual [...]

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3 Ways to Have Spices for Breakfast: 1 indulgence, 1 blend, and 1 surprise

Good morning sleepyhead! What’s waiting for you on the breakfast table? Spices? Why not? Increasingly, more studies are revealing the healthy benefits of spices. Plus a little change-up in morning food lineup for some a.m. motivation is always welcome. Here are 3 new ways to eat your spices in the morning. One is sheer indulgence. One [...]

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Introducing the Exclusive Distillery No. 209 Spiced Gin Mini Cupcake

Guest Post by Amy Wolff, creator of FingerSweets I’m on a flavor quest…a cupcake flavor quest to be specific. Cupcakes, in my book, are a pure delight. Some food trend experts have declared that cupcakes are out of fashion. Based on the reviews and awards I’ve received I assure you that the word on the street [...]

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How to Get Fresh with A Bartender

Boing! Spring’s here. Judging by all the desperate antics I’ve seen for the sun to come out (umm, sorry dude…but wearing shorts when it’s 23 degrees outside isn’t going to change the weather)…we’re ready. With spring comes the earliest of edible harvests: fresh herbs. In my last post I described what to do with fresh or dried herbs. [...]

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Creme Brulee Martini with Vanilla Vodka Infusion

Guest Post by Jason Phelps of Ancient Fire Wines, The Infusion Making your own vanilla vodka is amazingly simple. Cut one vanilla bean lengthwise and place it in a clean jar with 8 oz of 100 proof vodka for 24 days. Shake it every day to ensure you get a strong infusion. After 24 days [...]

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Vanilla is a such a staple of our spice cupboards we hardly give it a second thought. It’s time to change that. The best tasting desserts use top quality ingredients. When it comes to vanilla that’s an expensive statement. Did you realize that you can make your own vanilla extract? It’s beyond simple. You need a [...]

2 Teas for Winter Weather (or Under the Weather)

Snow. Rain. Wind. Sleet. Whatever is beating on your window this winter you can keep the chill away with either of these teas. Both are winter elixers of heat and health. They’re simple concotions but hold an impressive list of benefits. Ginger Tea This golden liquid tastes like sweet sunshine. The ginger has just enough [...]

Coffee: 4 Twists on Classic Black

Coffee is an elixir. It wakes you up, soothes your soul, massages your taste buds, gives you a break in the day, revs you up, calms you down…all this and it’s legal. Ask ten people to define a perfect cup of coffee and you’ll get ten different answers. But regardless how you love your [...]