The only thing more comforting than a tall glass of iced tea on a hot summer day is knowing how to make that perfect iced tea yourself with confidence—for just pennies per serving. My mother-in-law, a proud Canadian, taught me the difference between proper iced tea and the “swill” most restaurants pour, which in her…
Hibiscus Pineapple Punch
This hibiscus punch, brightly sour with a hint of sweetness, makes a refreshing drink in the summertime. You can dilute the punch with sparkling water or intensify it with a shot of rum if you like. Makes about 4 servings 3 1/2 cups water 1/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers 2 tablespoons dried elderflower Juice of…
Pairing Wine and Food
Excluding breakfast, I consider a meal without a glass of wine to be a missed opportunity. I think of wine as an enhancement of food and a simple way to improve almost all victuals. Not every wine has to be great. Sometimes, a simple glass of simple wine is just fine. And while making the…
These Lemon Slushies Will Keep You Cool All Summer Long
A frosty lemon slushy is quintessential beach fare (I’m looking at you, Del’s), but you don’t have to head to the boardwalk to enjoy one. Amazingly, it only takes a few simple ingredients to whip one up at home, and it’s bound to keep you cool all summer long. So grab some lemons, a bag…
Iced Tea, 2 Ways
Growing up, I knew about sun tea from my books. I loved reading how my characters—mainly old-fashioned, romantic, Midwestern ones—steeped tea in the heat of the sun on their back porches, then served it in beautiful glass containers. I imagined sitting on a porch swing overlooking miles of cornfields, sipping on iced sun tea while…
Sun or Stovetop? Iced Tea, 2 Ways
Growing up, I knew about sun tea from my books. I loved reading how my characters—mainly old-fashioned, romantic, Midwestern ones—steeped tea in the heat of the sun on their back porches, then served it in beautiful glass containers. I imagined sitting on a porch swing overlooking miles of cornfields, sipping on iced sun tea while…
Olive Oil Flap
The word Champagne, legally, is capitalized because it’s a placename—the famed sparkling wine comes from that small region north of Paris. This is an example of why place-named products are unique and often lead to laws protecting their names and reputations. France, home to the world’s most important wine culture for hundreds of years, has…
Finding Italian Reds in America
Italy’s greatest contribution to all of Europe’s wine culture starts with the fact that wine wasn’t much of a tradition there until Roman legions planted vine cuttings they brought with them in the northern parts of the continent 23 centuries ago. What’s odd about this is that, of all the most popular grapes that took…
Summer Beers Are Here
Backyard barbecues and picnics in the park have returned for the summer. It looks like it’s going to be a hot one this year, so it’s time for some beer recommendations for when you need a cold one. Session Beers I’m a fan of hazy IPAs and I like to have one now and again….
Wine True or False
There are a lot of sayings about wine that simply aren’t true. However, a few are true, even though no one really ever tells you which is which. Usually, when we ask an expert, we end up getting a correct answer but without the proper explanation. Here are a few common ones. Red Wine Is…
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