Zico: The New Gatorade?

I met a rep today for Zico, a drink consisting of 100 percent coconut water and said to more naturally hydrate you and replace electrolytes. My new friend is supposed to be furnishing some samples, but I’m assured that the elixir is a tasty and refreshing fix after a tough workout. It’s not available locally—yet. Look for it soon in local Whole Foods and Central Markets.

National Ice Cream Soda Day? Really?

As you can imagine, we get some pretty ridiculous press releases here. But according to Kelly David at 5W Public Relations in New York–and, apparently, according to GQ and the New York Times, she says–root beer is all the rage! So, Dishers, do yourselves a favor and make an ice cream soda this Sunday, aka, National Ice Cream Soda Day! But if you’re going to do it, throw some vodka in the mix, will ya? Which brings me back to said press release–the company in question represents Three Olives Vodka, so she kindly sent along recipes for ice cream sodas, adult-style, featuring root beer, cherry, and vanilla vodkas. (One of Three Olives’ newly released flavors is tomato! Blech!) I can’t make this stuff up, folks. Stay with me after the jump for recipes. (more…)

Screen Door: Mint Julep Edition

Last night, I went to an early cocktail party for KidneyTexas at the Screen Door (too bad I missed you, Nance. Not so sad I missed the rain) and practically ran to the bar to try the mint julep I’d been hearing so much about.

Let me tell you, whatever those cute bartenders are mixing up and sloshing into julep cups is NOT a mint julep. Far from it. Instead of muddling and melange-ing (not a technically a word, but I think it works) the standard ingredients for a mint julep—mint, bourbon, and sugar—those kids threw in something that tasted like nectarines and melted orange popsicles with Maker’s Mark. It didn’t even have a hint of mint. Just pure, thick, sugary sludge that shouldn’t be served in a place as adorable as the Screen Door.

The lemon drop martini, however, was a zingy winner—and it actually had a lemon flavor, courtesy of a generous splash of Limoncello.

Re: Provoleta Por Favor

Sarah, I was just telling Nancy how potent those La Duni cocktails are! I had two caipirinhas, and I was in bed, asleep, before the sun went down. Sexy.

Bill “Freckle Face” Addison is a Weiner

Whoopsie-doodle, I mean winner. (What would I do without Spell Check?) Anywhoo, I just intercepted a secret DMN company memo announcing:

“Bill Addison will receive a national Association of Food Journalists award for restaurant criticism. The other finalists are: Will Ferrell for Talladega Dinner Nights and M.F.K. Fisher’s Recipes from the Grave. The ranking of the three awards will be announced at a conference in October.”

Kidding, so, so, so kidding. Way to go, Freckle Face, I hope you beat the pants off of your true rivals Lee Klein of Miami New Times and Tom Sietsema of The Washington Post-it.

Looking For Fabulous Lasagna? Wine?

Next October, a group of my friends and I are heading to Tuscany for ten days. Besides taking cooking lessons and a culinary tour, we are also hitting several (hundred) wineries. To prepare for our trip, I am organizing a series of get-togethers designed to pre-educate the group with all things Italian. Last night was Tuscany Wine 101 and our “teacher” was Alfonso Cevola, you know, the Italian wine director at Glazer’s who writes a wicked wine blog. Anywhoo, Alfonso showed up with six wines and I showed up with a couple of frozen sausage and meatball lasagnas from Jimmy’s Food Store. People, the wine was great, but the lasagna was even greater. A tin that feeds 6-8 is only $30. Our hefty group of ten barely touched the second one. I also picked up some tasty sesame crackers and several Italian cheeses. There is no better spot in Dallas for Italian food. And I’m including all of the restaurants that call themselves Italian. I’ll list the wines we tasted below. Good stuff. (more…)

Where to Find Dandelion Wine?

If Bradbury’s descriptions are even half deserving, why haven’t I seen this on a menu?

“Dandelion wine. The words were summer on the tongue. The wine was summer caught and stoppered.”

Drink Green

Austin-based Sweet Leaf Tea (you know, the drinks with the Snapple-like bottles sporting a pic of a grandma on the label that you can buy at Central Market and Whole Foods) has introduced a new flavor—Pomegranate Green Tea—to its lineup. But that’s not the point of this post. In honor of today, aka Earth Day, the company has distributed a couple of cocktail recipes incorporating its organic green tea blends. Jump if you’ve always wanted to learn how to make a Global Cooler or mix up some Earth Punch.

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Libertine Bar to Offer Beer Dinner

 Looking for a break from the usual wine dinner? No? I realize it’s a hard habit to break–there is nothing like the scents of red fruits, pine forest, and cherries in a Merlot brushing up against a hunk of lamb in your mouth. Hmm, I’m hungry for love. Anywhoo, the good folks at Libertine are raising the bar on beer dinners. They are hosting an Itailan-inpsired dinner on May 5^th and the menu sounds delish. The full five-course meal is below, but a tip the toque to this item: Gouda-stuffed chicken scallopini with Alfreddo sauce on herbed orzo and peas paired with St. Arnold Brown Ale . A deal at $40. 214-824-7900.
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Granny-Inspired: Sweet Leaf Tea

Speaking of Green Tea and au naturale drinks, you can’t forget Sweet Leaf Tea. They’re a Texas company that’s been doing the cane sugar, and simple ingredient dance for some time. It’s been sold in Dallas for 10 years, although I discovered them only last year. I highly recommend the Mint & Honey Green Tea. At 110 calories per bottle, it’s got more sugar than I’d like, but it’s also strong—not that it’s a bad thing. I cut mine with ice, and it’s ohsogood. If you’re not a tea fan, they’ve got lemonades, too. Plus, any company that describes their drinks as “granny-inspired” has got to be good.

Dry Soda Tasting Continued

The good folks at Dry Soda just stopped by to give me a complete tasting of all of their soda flavors. Stephen already told you about kumquat last week. The three other flavors are lemongrass, rhubarb, and lavender. Founder and CEO Sharelle Klaus started the company after a string of pregnancies left her feeling like she was missing something at restaurants when her dinner companions poured over the wine list in anticipation. She wanted something exciting to drink that was natural, non alcoholic, and would pair well with food. For that, Klaus recommends the lemongrass. It’s probably the most versatile and could even be served with spicy Mexican. For cocktail ideas and more about today’s tasting and food pairings, follow the jump.

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DRY Soda: Kumquat

Just tried DRY’s Kumquat Soda. 50 calories, 14g of sugar (cane), and only 4 ingredients—all of which you can pronounce. It’s quite nice, and I can see it working well as a tonic substitute for your 4 o’clock fix. Found mine at Central Market Whole Foods on Lemmon Ave. Will have to check out the Rhubarb flavor on my next visit.

Coming Soon: Root Beer Roundup

Pokka Green Tea w/ Jasmine

Lately, I’ve been trying different cold green teas. It’s healthy (sometimes), and a welcome departure from my normal diet of water, bourbon, or beer. So far I really haven’t found anything worthwhile. That is, until about an hour ago.

Picked up a can of Pokka Green Tea w/ Jasmine at the Whole Foods on Lemmon Ave. It tastes fresh, sweet, and the jasmine is unbelievable. At 72 calories and only 18g of sugar, it isn’t too bad, either. The unsweetened version (another brand I can’t remember that’s also in a can) was a bit too bland, and even a little bitter. This is just about perfect.

Grab one instead of an Orangina. I did.