things to drink – In Good Taste

Fall-Themed Brunch Party & Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria

Maris Callahan — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 19:23:35 +0000

If you love to entertain, but want to do it within a conservative budget, a festive brunch party is a great way to play hostess without breaking the bank. With the holiday season approaching, a fall-themed brunch party is the best way to start a weekend day. I don’t consider brunch to be a B-list meal. In fact, if you do it right, weekend brunch can be the only meal you need to eat all day. You can eat sweet and savory foods together and you can drink cocktails before noon. What could be better? As we look ahead toward the holiday weekend, I’m going to hazard a guess at some point between now and the end of the year, you’ll spend a least one weekend morning skipping your usual “stay-in-bed-til-noon” routine in favor of preparing or attending a meal that is equal parts social and juuuust substantial enough to make you want to follow said meal with an immediate nap. The staples of any brunch party menu, whether you’re throwing the party or bringing a dish to a potluck, are pretty consistent: Something fresh, like a bright green salad with all of the seasonal fixings. In the fall, I like to toss mixed greens with walnuts, blue or […]

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The 10 Best Rosé Wines You Can Still Drink This Summer

Maris Callahan — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 03:27:20 +0000

The rosé season is in full swing and there is no reason to stop drinking it when you put your white pants away after Labor Day. Club W, the world’s only personalized wine club, has some incredible bottles this summer, including their latest introduction, a 2014 Cocomero Rosato from Italy. Even though Labor Day weekend typically signifies the end of the summer, there are a few more weeks to go before the weather will cool off. Brian Smith, sommelier, winemaker and Chief Wine Officer at Club W (who doesn’t want that job title?), provided us with a list of his top 10 favoriterosé wines, or as I prefer to call it, my summer bucket list. He also guided us toward pairings that will complement these rosé picks…and help us embrace summer while we still can. Wine Pick: 2014 Cocomero Rosato (Club W) Pairing: Cheese and Charcuterie Why: Cocomero is our homage to Tuscany and the Italian love of watermelon, and it’s extra special because Italy’s not generally known for its rosé,” Smith said. “Aromas of watermelon and white nectarine and juicy fruit on the palate are balanced by high acidity for a lighter wine that’s easy to drink with a cheese and charcuterie plate.” Wine Pick: 2013 Jolie Folle Rosé Pairing: A Summer […]

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Frozen Negroni Slushies

Maris Callahan — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 05:00:33 +0000

This weekend, the heat index in Chicago is supposed to reach 110 degrees F. That’s pretty hot. It’s almost too hot to sit outside and sip a glass of wine, but it happens to be perfect weather for grabbing a frozen cocktail and hightailing it to the nearest swimming pool. In hot weather, you’ll want to batch up this frozen Negroni cocktail, a slushie version of the classic beverage. Though I only enjoy the occasional Negroni every now and again (i.e. when I’m at a restaurant, pretending that I live in Italy or somewhere more glamorous than northwestern Illinois), I’m well aware that the cocktail has somewhat of a cult following. There is an entire week dedicated to the might Negroni every June and it’s a mainstay on classic cocktail menus around the world. In the summer though, sometimes you want to shake things up a little bit, making it especially refreshing by whipping up a batch in the blender. As you’re enjoying the summer and all the lovely cocktails that the season brings, keep this frozen, boozy goodness in mind. Made with gin and equal parts Campari, and sweet vermouth, the Negroni is a simple and sophisticated cocktail that will make your summer that […]

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Avocado Matcha Smoothie

Maris Callahan — Fri, 06 May 2016 07:17:33 +0000

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SavvySnacking #CollectiveBias For your next snack fix, try Lorissa’s Kitchen high-protein, low-carb snacks paired with an avocado matcha smoothie topped with fresh mint. “Farm-to-table” is a big buzzword in food but when you think about it, nearly every food product begins on a farm. Wheat, meat, dairy or produce all eventually begin on a farm. “Farm to table” is more than just a definition, but it’s a cultural ideal, and lots of us spend a great deal of time and effort seeking the lifestyle that the “farm to table” phenomenon implies: active, balanced and responsible. Lorissa’s Kitchen, a satisfying healthy snack to help fuel your day, is helping us live that farm-to-table lifestyle with a delicious, portable protein snack. Lorissa’s Kitchen snacks are high in protein, low in carbs and low in fat, available in several globally-inspired flavors, including Lorissa’s Kitchen Korean Barbeque Beef, Lorissa’s Kitchen Sweet Chili Pork and Lorissa’s Kitchen Szechuan Peppercorn Beef. My office is big on snacks, and we’re always excited to find low-carb options to keep in the kitchen for mid-afternoon snack attacks. Even though I’m sure you’ll begin to see these bad boys on shelves everywhere, start by […]

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A Sweet and Simple Spring Brunch Party [Recipe: Tres Leches Martini]

Maris Callahan — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 05:21:56 +0000

This post was created in sponsored collaboration with Chila ‘Orchata. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For more information about Chila, visit on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest. This message is intended for those of age 21+, please enjoy Chila responsibly. A Tres Leches Martini made with Chila ‘Orchata Cinnamon Cream Rum is the perfect beverage to sip while wishing you were vacationing on a Caribbean island or while you’re spending an afternoon with your girlfriends on a patio. Though the trees are finally sprouting a few buds and we’ve had a few glimmers of sunshine here and there, Chicago isn’t exactly known for it’s warm, lush, spring weather. The expression “April showers bring May flowers” was probably coined here. Luckily, Chicago has a way of making you fall in love all over again, just when you’re about to hop on the next plane south and call it quits. This past weekend we had two beautiful, glorious, wonderful days of sunshine. I wish I could have captured that little slice of spring in a bottle, but being a realistic adult, I know that isn’t actually possible. The next best way to cure a case of the grey sky blues? Shaking up a batch of cocktails […]

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