Breakfast Booze 2.0

Image source Mama Walker’s

Who doesn’t love a mimosa or a bloody mary with their brunch? Me…I live for morning beverages, so I’m delighted to report that the alcohol industry has just stepped up its game re: brunch cocktails. Or anytime cocktails for that matter.

Let me introduce you to my new BFF: Mama Walker’s new line of breakfast-flavored liqueurs. In case you want to get strange real early on your Saturday afternoon brunch outing, why not have some blueberry pancakes, glazed donuts or maple bacon… in your cocktail!

I know people hate on strange alcohol flavors ie: cake batter, peanut butter and jelly, dill pickle, etc., but breakfast is my favorite meal and bacon, donuts, and pancakes are all at the top of my food porn list.

Think of all the possibilities! You can mix the glazed donut into your morning cup of coffee and there you have it – you’ve already had your breakfast. Mama Walker’s has amazing recipe combos listed on their website – spoiler alert: Jelly Donut Martini, anyone?  And isn’t bacon better with everything, even in liquid form? This girl says YES.

I can’t wait til this stuff hits stores – I’m already developing recipe ideas in my head! Four Loko may soon be but a distant memory of my past beverage love life. My stomach is already rumbling…

Posted by Carolyn

Waiting to Inhale, Part Deux

Image source Vaportini.com

Remember a while back when I told you about the latest way to quaff your tipples (sidenote: not a sex act)? I thought you might! Well, I recently had a chance to experience an inventive approach to imbibing, and no it didn’t involve a tequila-soaked tampon. Let me explain…

A few friends and I were wrapping up a dinner of blue cheese and Sauternes (no really, it was a cheese master class with wine pairings), when one whipped out his newly purchased Vaportini.

“Guys! Check out what I just bought!” he squealed with glee. Amid the oohs, aahs, and WTFs that followed, I took the opportunity to enlighten the group about the gadget, pulling extensively from second-hand knowledge and research. And that’s when it hit me….

“Holy shit!” I thought. “This is it – my entry point to Gonzo journalism!”

I immediately asked Mr. Vaportini if we could break in his toy, eyeing the unopened bottle of Allen’s Coffee Brandy on the table (the Champagne of Maine, of course; only the finest). Within minutes, we were taking turns inhaling coffee-flavored booze vapors by the straw-full, the heady mixture of smoky brandy and a hefty glass of pinot noir turning all reason (and coordination) to swirling mush in a near instant.

So all this begs the question, would I do it again? Yes. I mean, I’m basically Hunter S. Thompson now. But with more expensive aviators.

Posted by Abby

Juice: The Next Cupcake?

While spring has yet to arrive in full force, consistently warm weather will soon be upon us making it the perfect time to add more fresh-pressed juices into your diet. Lucky for those of us who like to drink it, but not make it, a recent New York Times article makes me believe that the ease of finding others who are willing to juice for me is on the rise.

Whether you’re planning on doing a cleanse, or just adding more greens, juicing is a great way to detox and clean out what your body has been storing all winter long. But you don’t have to live in NY to benefit; its seems like a new juice bar or cleanse program is popping up daily in Boston. Here’s a few local juice options worth checking out.

Mother Juice Food Truck

Image source Mother Juice Facebook

Fresh pressed-juice served curbside? With their schedule stops in Copley Square on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I can quickly see this becoming my new juicing spot.

Mother Juice promises to serve local, seasonal, and organic produce to make their fresh juices and smoothies and a constantly evolving menu to feature the ingredients of the day. Can’t wait to see if they live up to their much hyped expectations.

Juice

Image source Juice

Wheatgrass is the new espresso. Need a quick shot before you head into the office? I know I do. Hit up this Back Bay location conveniently located adjacent to Back Bay Station. The only down side, their juices tend to be a little expensive. Fourteen bucks for a large juice and wheatgrass shot each morning really add up! On the plus side, you can call in your order so no waiting. I’ll take convenience over cost, any day!

Five Seventy Market

Image source South-End-Boston.com

This non-descript South End market has a pretty extensive juice selection. My favorite part about this juicing location is that you can easily make your own combination and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg like most places. I usually tend to stay away from adding fruit or vegetables with a lot of sugar to my juices (beets, carrots, etc.), so I always enjoy a trip to Five Seventy Market when I’m in the mood for just the greens.

Kombu Kitchen

Image source Kombu Kitchen

Our friends at Kombu Kitchen have started offering juice as well along with their weekly vegan meal delivery. Every week we get a quart of some yummy new combo we’d never have thought to put together. Add to that vegan dishes worth dishing over and we’re happy campers!

Happy spring and happy juicing!

Posted by Kerri

Catch Me Some Lucky Charms (And Don’t Tell Mom…)

As a kid, I’d often lie to my mom when she opened the box of Lucky Charms (a rare appearance in our house) and asked me point blank if I had picked out all of the marshmallows. I would vehemently deny it… when in actuality, I woke up at 6:00am to crack open the fresh box of sugary goodness to be the first to get my hands on the neon colored rainbows and pots of gold while I watched my cartoons. Somehow I thought she wouldn’t notice the resulting 1:100 ratio of marshmallow to colorless cereal piece.

As a now sensible adult, I can’t remember the last time I bought a box of Lucky Charms. But when I came across this article on Bon Appetit, I immediately knew what I was making for the dessert that would follow our holiday dinner of Shepherd’s pie.  I felt like that little girl again…scrolling through the pics of rice crispy treats, cakes, ice cream, and puddings. Even the Lucky Charms Martini was tempting…had I actually found a suitable replacement for my annual pint of Guinness?!

Needless to say, there was a sugar/alcohol combo hangover yesterday that had us cursing the leprechaun and debating his charm, but I’d recommend these recipes to anyone looking to keep the St. Patty’s Day spirit alive any time of year!

Posted by Amanda

Image source Bon Appetit

 

Caffeine With Style!

Image source Hypebeast.com

Earlier this month it was announced that Marc Jacobs had been named the new Creative Director for Diet Coke, and last week his limited edition cans were revealed. As part of the brand’s 30th anniversary campaign, Jacobs designed limited edition cans and bottles that will be available in 11 countries over the next year, with their first appearance in select markets starting next month. Sad news is they are only going to be available in Europe (boo-hoo).

Already the Creative Director for Louis Vuitton, Jacobs is excited to add this new gig to his impressive resume, saying “I feel very privileged to be the new Creative Director of Diet Coke and put my stamp on the 30th Anniversary campaign. Diet Coke is an icon.. and I love an icon.” Wow. Spoken like a true genius. Thirsty? Paris, it is!

Posted by Carla