Mention the name Schnapps to a fellow drinker and you’re sure to elicit strong feelings. Some love this pungent distilled classic, while others find its fruit flavor to be downright offensive. In German it means, simply, ‘to swallow.‘ With so many different varieties on the market today, it can be used in conjunction with other spirits to create a slew of cocktails that go down more like candy than anything else. Wether you find that fact offensive or not, be aware that there are some well-crafted Schnapps-infused beverages out there that actually have surprising sophistication. As the dog days of summer continue to unleash record heat waves across the country, a refreshing Schnapps-based drink to consider utilizes the sweetness of watermelon, subduing it with the complex tones of organic cucumber vodka. It’s called a Watermelon Martini and the flavor is a lot more creative than the name. It’s also super simple [...]
Summertime Suds
Summertime and the living’s easy…as long as you have your hands on a few choice seasonal suds. If you haven’t had the pleasure of sipping on any of the following summer specialties, now’s the time to hit up your local grocer or brewpub. Nothing beats the heat like an ice cold craft brew and there’s a plethora of top-notch ales that only make their way to the shelves during these warmest months of the year. The crisp and refreshing characteristics of a wheat beer make this style the prevalent choice of summer. And while so many varieties of this popular ale border on bland and unremarkable, 21st Amendment (563 2nd Street) in San Francisco produces an unexpectedly delicious version called Hell or High Watermelon. Boasting a session-worthy 4.9% ABV with just a subtle hint of fruit, this straw-colored sipper appeals to drinkers on either side of the gender divide. And the fact that it’s available in [...]
Boozicles (in case you aren't cold enough outside)
By Clay and Zach at The Bitten Word Nothing makes us more nostalgic for long, lazy childhood summers than the idea of a Popsicle. Opening the freezer and seeing a Technicolor array of bright, sugary ice pops is one of life’s great pleasures. Unwrapping a Popsicle and then eating it — while your tongue slowly turns unnatural hues of blue, green or red — is one of the most refreshing and most quintessentially summer things there is. This past summer, we’ve been making our own ice pops, but with one great twist that’s decidedly un-childlike: booze!
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