Product Review: DRY Soda Co: Lavender

Anyone who knows me knows that I love lavender. From the plant, to the scent, to the color I can't get enough of it. I even drink lavender tea. On a recent trip to the Fresh Market, I was almost doing cartwheels at the site of the DRY Soda Co: Lavender. While I applaud their bravery of featuring lavender as a flavor, I was slightly disappointed with the results. It wasn't horrible, but for my taste buds, the lavender could have been a bit stronger. On the last bottle I had added a good squeeze of lemon. It needed just that bit of tartness to balance it out. With lemon, it was really refreshing and I would definitely buy it again. I do wish they would up the essence of lavender though. If you're going to go for something that unique, go for it!

The packaging is Brilliant. I loved the Flavor Profile, Characteristics, and Pairing Ideas that were on the side of the box. The logo was appealing and even the bubbles delighted that part of my brain that sings, "it's pretty - must have".

They really did put a lot of detail into the packaging. Even right down to the bottle top.

Fresh Market had two other flavors: Lemongrass and Rhubarb. If you have a look at DRY Soda's website, they also have other interesting flavors.

Creating a more sophisticated soda for grown ups is a fantastic idea. Kudos to them, and I can't wait to try the others!

Drinks I Love: Rosemary Gin and Tonic

Being a huge fan of the Gin and Tonic, I like trying different variations of the classic drink. Two summers ago in Oxford, my sister-in-law and I made some delectable Rosemary G&T's. They are super easy to make and so refreshing on a hot summer day (or even on a cold day when you're dreaming of the sun). You need a glass, gin, tonic, rosemary, ice, and a muddler. Add your preferred measurement of gin to the glass, then muddle the rosemary to release the flavor. Next add ice, then fill with tonic water. ~ Enjoy!
* If you do want to garnish this, I would suggest using lemon instead of lime as I think lemon is more complimentary to rosemary. You could also use cucumber.

Bombay Sapphire is my favorite gin to use with rosemary.

Why Eat Bugs When You Can Drink Flowers?

While living in England, elderflower cordial and presse were my most favorite non-alcoholic beverage discovery. It is the most refreshing drink on a hot day. Elderflower Cordial is a soft drink made largely from a sugar and water solution and uses the flowers of the elderflower. Presse is the pre-mixed, bottled version made with sparkling water. The most popular companies that I'm aware of that make elderflower cordial and presse are Bottle Green Company, Belvoir Fruit Farms, and Duchy Originals (set up by Charles, Prince of Wales).

My heart was filled with gladness when I spotted Belvoir Elderflower Presse in World Market for $3.99!!! This was super exciting as we had just found it at a newer local market for $6.99 (shame on them!). It got even better as when we went to pay it came up as $3 - on sale. I heart World Market!!!
I love floral flavored foods and drinks, but Elderflower has a much more subtle flavor than rose, violet, and lavender products. It's like sunshine in a bottle.
If it says it in the bottle, it must be true...

... then you look at the ingredients, and it is indeed 100% good!

You can actually make Elderflower Cordial. Here is a link to a recipe, along with a few serving suggestions: http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/516164

Drinks I Love: Hendrick's Cucumber Gin and Tonic

Two summers ago while at the Trout in Oxford, I had the most exquisite Hendrick's Gin for the very first time. I was still fairly new to G&T's, but had discovered by that point that Bombay Sapphire was my favorite. But let me back up a little... the day: were visiting my sister-in-law and her beau and had set out for a walk around the outskirts of Oxford, stopping at various pubs along the way until we made it back to their house. Our first stop turned out to be a bit of a disappointment once we got there and realized that it had been burnt down to the ground. The Police tape going in should have been a sign. We pressed on taking in the lovely sights of Oxfordshire...until we came to the Trout. Located on the River Thames, it is a traditional country pub with a modern vibe. Immortalized by Inspector Morse, the Trout is the sort of pub you hope to visit when in England. With the sun coming out, we decided to sit out on the terrace to enjoy the views.
As it was getting warm, I wanted something refreshing. When I spotted "Hendrick's Cucumber Gin and Tonic" on the menu, I knew I had found just what I was craving. Hendrick's Gin is made in small batches, hand distilled in Scotland. It is infused with the essences of rose and cucumber. It has such a lovely, delicate, refreshing flavor. You really can taste the difference between Hendrick's and other mass produced gins. You can honestly taste the time and attention that goes into making this small batch gin. Garnished with a cucumber spear, I was in heaven.I hadn't had Hendrick's gin since that day at the Trout, but I was happy to find a bottle under my Christmas tree. The taste really took me back to that day sitting by the river in the sunshine, and what a nice tipple to end a hot Florida day.

Drinks I Love: St Germain au Cidre

This has been a very busy week with work, photography, and meetings. When I got home this evening I realized that I had been so busy that I had failed to notice that we were out of wine! We were out of mixers, G&T or Pimm's were not an option, so I had to get my thinking cap on... I have a draw in my fridge with ice cold cider, but after such a hard week, I deserved something a little more than 5% alcohol. Enter St. Germain Elderflower Liquor. I used to get a still elderflower/apple cider in the UK and the flavor combination was excellent, so I decided to give it a go. First I poured the bottle of cider into a glass, then I added roughly a shot of St. Germain. The results were divine. Definitely a good combination for a hot day, and a welcomed combination after a hard week.

Now I'm off to sort out some more photos so I can post more than day two of my trip over the weekend.

Until than - santé!

Je T'aime: Perrier Menthe (9/29)

Perrier Menthe is a brilliantly colored, very refreshing drink that is popular in cafes and bars across France. It is a mixture of Perrier (or any sparkling water / soda water) mixed with Mint Syrup. I would guess the ratio is about 7 (water) to 1 (syrup).

Yes, I was apprehensive at first to try something that had the potential of tasting like chilled carbonated mouthwash, but first sip aside, it was actually very enjoyable. I've been to France several times before, but this was a first for me. Served with a stirrer, you get to mix it up a bit again before drinking. This is a good idea as I found the syrup to settle, and the bottom did taste a bit like mouthwash. Next time I would probably have a few intermittent stirs.

We had originally stopped for a thé citron - but with the sun shining so warmly, I am glad to have opted for a more refreshing, quintessentially French drink.

Drinks I Love: St Germain Elderflower Liquor

This stuff is heaven! I was first introduced to it from an article in Food & Wine Magazine. We found it in England, but our suitcases were too full to bring any back. Our fantastic local liquor store, Norman's, were able to order it for us. I have to say I was not disappointed.

If you've never tasted elderflower before, it has a nice light flavor and is paired with lemon to give it a slight tart taste. St. Germain's website has a fantastic description: Neither peach nor pear, lychee nor citrus, the sublime taste of St-Germain hints at each of these and yet none of them exactly. It is a flavor as subtle and delicate as it is captivating. A little like asking a hummingbird to describe the flavor of its favorite nectar. Trés curieux indeed, n'est-ce pas?

While living in England, I used to drink elderflower cordial and presse all the time. It is the most refreshing drink on a hot day. Elderflower Cordial is a soft drink made largely from a sugar and water solution and uses the flowers of the elderflower. The most popular companies that I'm aware of that make elderflower cordial and presse are Bottle Green Company, Belvoir, and Duchy Originals (set up by Charles, Prince of Wales).

As it's hard for me to get Elderflower Cordial here, I'm elated to have Elderflower Liquor. Not only does St. Germain have a blissful taste, it also comes in this sublime bottle! I don't know which I like more. So far, and you can tell I've had just a few tastings (ha, ha), my favorite way to drink it is with ginger ale. Though it's not bad in a Gin & Tonic either. Their website is full of good drink recipes, but we've had fun experimenting with our own. Each bottle is also individually numbered with the year in which it was bottled, along with the number of the bottling order. This has definitely become a staple in our bar. It comes from France and is made of Elderflowers hand picked in the Alps. We will be on our way to the French Alps in just over a month, fingers crossed that I will be inundated with all things elderflower!!!

You can actually make Elderflower Cordial. Here is a link to a recipe, along with a few serving suggestions: http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/516164

To view St. Germain's website, please click the following link: http://www.stgermain.fr/index2.php

Drinks I Love: Is it Pimm's O'Clock?

During the past two years at the Highland Games, one of the highlights of the Sarasota British Club's tent was my version of Pimm's Cup. Not including our board, we caught a few attendees coming back for more!!! One lady in particular came back so many times that I ended up giving her just ginger ale with bits of cucumber and mint.

Pimm's No.1 is a Gin based beverage that is the color of tea and has a citrus/spice flavor. It is a popular summer drink in England, famously served at Wimbledon and the Henley Regatta, giving it the reputation of being an upper class drink. Fortunately, you don't have to be in England or even a member of the upper class to enjoy Pimm's. In the US, Pimm's No. 1 can be found at most larger liquor stores. (In the SRQ area, I've found it at Norman's, ABC, the Bottle Shop on St. Armand's, and Coastal Liquors)

Sprite or 7-up is traditionally used in the UK, however, I think it is much nicer with Ginger Ale. It is absolutely divine with Jamaican Ginger Beer. I made it for an event tonight featuring local celebrity, Cliff Roles, and had many compliments.

Here is my version of the summer time classic:

• Mix together in large pitcher 1 part Pimm's No. 1 with 3 parts Ginger Ale.
• Add to each glass 1 slice of orange, 2 slices of strawberry, 1 slice of halved cucumber and 1 sprig of mint.
• Add a little ice to each glass and top up with Pimms mixture.
• Enjoy, but be careful – it can catch up with you!

Here are the links to the official websites of Pimm's and Cliff Roles: http://www2.anyoneforpimms.com/ http://www.cliffroles.com/