A new study claims that keeping coffee beans cold can cause a more enjoyable drinking experience. Scientific Reports published the study titled The Effect of Bean Origin and Temperature on Grinding Roasted Coffee. Scientists from the University of Bath in the UK found that “cooling of coffee beans significantly decreases the rate of mass loss through volatile sublimation/evaporation. This, coffee that is ground up and brewed cold could potentially demonstrate increased aroma and or flavor in the eventual brewed cup.” Chilling pre-ground coffee beans would have the same effect. The study goes into great detail explaining the scientific processes that you can read here, but the true take-away for coffee fans is that you should be keeping your beans in the fridge for best flavor and more enjoyable mornings.
Claim your Free Slurpee at 7-Eleven
July 11 will mark 7-Eleven’s 90th birthday — and the convenience store chain is ready to celebrate. Participating 7-Eleven stores will give away free small Slurpees, fittingly from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. To further celebrate, as part of Slurpee Week, customers who purchase seven Slurpees between July 7 and July 18 and scan the 7-Eleven mobile app will receive 11 free Slurpees. Participants must join 7-Eleven’s customer loyalty program, 7Rewards to be eligible for the offer. The 7‑Eleven mobile app is available on the App Store and Google Play. Free Slurpee Day has been offered annually on July 11 since 2002. The frozen, carbonated beverage that 7-Eleven dubbed the Slurpee was invented in 1959 by Omar Knedlik, a Kansas City Dairy Queen owner. When his soda fountain machine broke down, he improvised by putting his sodas in a cooler to stay chilled. These frozen, slushy drinks got the attention of customers…
Celebrate National Piña Colada Day with Boozy Piña Popsicles
If you haven’t made it to the beach recently, you might be lacking on your piña colada consumption for the summer. Today, we fix that. July 10 is celebrated annually as National Piña Colada Day, and what’s best is you don’t have to be sitting on a beach or the deck of a cruise ship to celebrate. Just mix some rum, cream of coconut and pineapple juice, and shake with ice. Try this delicious recipe from Bon Appétit. For a more unusual take on the classic drink, try these easy five-ingredient piña colada popsicles! Boozy Piña Colada Popsicles Serves 4 Ingredients 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple 2 tbsp coconut rum + some 1/4 cup coconut milk 3 tbsp organic sugar 2 tbsp shredded coconut (optional) Directions Add pineapple to blender and pour rum over top. Let sit for 5-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to help the pineapple soak up the rum.…
10 Surprising Uses for Vodka
We know we can drink it — and drink, and drink, and drink it… — but did you know that vodka can be used from everything from dulling dental pains to banishing soap scum? Here are 10 surprising uses for the popular distilled drink. make the Crunchiest fried chicken Fried chicken isn’t even worth eating unless you can count on that delicious crispy crust. Did you know, adding a bit of vodka to the batter can help fried foods reach maximum crispiness? Because vodka evaporates more quickly than water, the batter will dry out faster, creating larger bubbles in the batter resulting in a crispier crust for your fried chicken. Everyday cleaning If cleaning with harsh chemical give you the creeps, consider vodka. First, soak a cloth in the clear liquid, and the tackle areas with difficult soap scum or water spots. Prevent mildew from growing by spritzing your bathroom tiles with vodka. Let the stuff…
8 Vegan-friendly Starbucks beverages for summer
Being vegan used to mean hauling around a purse full of food or only eating prepared meals at home. Today, it has become a whole lot easier with special menus, or at least a “V” symbol next to animal-friendly options, can have vegans dining along side any other diet or lifestyle in most urban restaurants across America. Starbucks, too, has come a long way. (Remember when crushed beetles were used as red food coloring in the Strawberry Frappuccino? Thankfully, that’s over.) While the company could do more, there are at least a handful of delicious options for vegans looking for a summertime sugar or caffeine fix at the beloved coffee giant. Caramel Frappuccino A few substitutions can make the iconic caramel frap vegan-friendly. Substitute the dairy, go “no-whip” and ask to omit the caramel drizzle as well. Unfortunately, the drizzle is made with 3 different dairy products. https://www.instagram.com/p/BV7jF0qj1JH/?tagged=veganstarbucks Strawberry Smoothie This cold, creamy…
Facebook survey reveals how we post about beverages
If you’re going out to a restaurant or bar tonight, there’s a 1 in 3 chance you’ll be posting a picture to social media — and it’s probably going to be food or drink. While it may be creepy that Facebook can anticipate your actions so specifically, it actually makes sense. People want to present the best versions of themselves and show their friends the experiences they’re having. This largely includes nights on the town. In a recent survey, Facebook found that, while out and about, many people will share their opinions of their beverages and tag them #coffee or #craftbeer, inspiring others to go sip for themselves. About 50 percent of the people surveyed said they’ve intentionally gone and tried the drinks that friends and family have shared and tagged online. People have always purchased drinks when they were thirsty, but smart phones are changing the path they take to purchase, making it…
16 Mimosas for Mother’s Day
Because without booze, it’s just breakfast. Give Mom what she really wants this Mother’s Day. Show that you love her — more than your siblings, obviously — and go beyond the basic OJ with one of these 16 simple recipes. STRAWBERRY PINEAPPLE MIMOSAS CRANBERRY ORANGE MIMOSA BELLINI STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE MIMOSA Creamsicle Mimosas TEQUILA SUNRISE MIMOSA Pomegranate Kombucha Mimosa Grapefruit Mimosa ORANGE SHERBET MIMOSA PUNCH Unicorn Mimosas APPLE CIDER MIMOSAS Mimosa Floats Lemon Mint Pineapple Mimosa Strawberry Cream Mimosa BLUEBERRY LIME MIMOSAS MIMOSA SANGRIA Blackberry Mint Mimosa
20 margarita recipes to make right now
A classic cocktail that needs no introduction. Try these twists on the basic lime blend — because one is only better than the next. Pink Lemonade Margarita BLOOD ORANGE MARGARITAS FOR A CROWD pineapple coconut margarita WATERMELON & BASIL MARGARITA Blackberry Lemonade Margaritas Sunset Margarita (Mango Pineapple Margarita) Champagne Lemonade Margaritas Fresh Peach Margaritas SPICY PINEAPPLE MARGARITAS Margarita Moscow Mules Best Blue Margarita Spicy Grapefruit Jalapeño Margarita JACK’S ULTIMATE FROZEN MARGARITAS Skinny Sparkling Cherry Margarita POMEGRANATE MARGARITA RECIPE SILVER CADILLAC MARGARITA LAVENDER MARGARITA Raspberry Mango Margaritas Prickly Pear Margarita rosemary ginger margaritas
10 Unusual Recipes Using Coconut Water
Coconut water is so much more than a basic beverage. Coconut water became a health food craze a few years back, and even though it’s not longer in the nightly news, hopefully it’s still a part of your diet in some way. Research on the slightly sweet, nutty-flavored liquid is encouraging. It’s said to have antioxidant properties, defend against diabetes and kidney stones, lower blood pressure and provide a perfect hydration blend of potassium, magnesium and sodium if consumed after prolonged exercise. Try these recipes for new ways to use your favorite coconut water. We all know it’s delicious on its own, but it’s fun to find new ways to incorporate the naturally sweet drink in your diet. QUICK COCONUT & CHIA SEED PUDDING PINEAPPLE, LIME COCONUT WATER COCONUT LAVENDER LEMONADE RECIPE Coconut Sorbet Coconut Water & Fresh Blackberry Gelatin Cucumber Noodles with Coconut Lime Cumin Dressing DEATH BY CHOCOLATE BLENDER BROWNIES COCONUT LATTE OVERNIGHT…
Homemade horchata adds authenticity to your Cinco de Mayo feast
In the Southwest, horchata is sold in convenience stores right alongside Coca-a-Cola. It’s sold in strip malls, Mexican taquerias and even makes a regular appearance at simple family gatherings. But I must admit, growing up in the Northeast, I was too long sheltered from the taste of this sweet, cinnamon-laden Mexican rice milk. I now order the creamy, cinnamon bespeckled beverage every chance I get, and rarely have I had a Northern friend in my presence who has tried it before. I encourage them to take a taste, and they are instantly hooked. Here’s my recipe for homemade horchata because sometimes in the Northeast, it’s just too long before you can find the good stuff. Double (or triple!) the recipe, and serve this up at your Cinco de Mayo feast for a taste of authenticity. Horchata Serves 6 Ingredients 1 1/3 cup uncooked long-grain white rice 2 cinnamon sticks 4 cups water, divided evenly in 2 2 cups milk (I…