Cocktail and Mocktail Recipes for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a special occasion to celebrate love and romance, and what better way to do that than with a delicious cocktail or mocktail? Whether you're planning a romantic dinner for two at home or hosting a party with friends, these easy Valentine's Day cocktail and mocktail recipes are sure to impress. 

Cocktail: Raspberry Rose Martini

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz raspberry vodka

1 oz rose liqueur

1/2 oz lime juice

1/4 oz simple syrup

3 raspberries for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine the raspberry vodka, rose liqueur, lime juice, and simple syrup.

2. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass.

3. Garnish with 3 raspberries on a toothpick.

Mocktail: Strawberry Basil Fizz

Ingredients:

1/2 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered

3 basil leaves

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1/4 cup simple syrup

1 cup club soda

1/2 cup ice

additional basil leaves and strawberries for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a blender, puree the strawberries, basil leaves, lime juice, and simple syrup until smooth.

2. In a glass, add the puree and club soda. Stir until well combined.

3. Add ice and garnish with additional basil leaves and strawberries.

Cocktail: Chocolate Covered Cherry Martini

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz vanilla vodka

1 oz cherry liqueur

1/2 oz chocolate liqueur

1/2 oz heavy cream

1/4 oz simple syrup

Chocolate shavings for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine the vanilla vodka, cherry liqueur, chocolate liqueur, heavy cream, and simple syrup.

2. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass.

3. Garnish with chocolate shavings. 

Mocktail: Pink Lemonade Spritz

Ingredients:

1/2 cup fresh raspberries

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup simple syrup

1 cup sparkling water

1/2 cup ice

additional raspberries for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a blender, puree the raspberries, lemon juice, and simple syrup until smooth.

2. In a glass, add the puree and sparkling water. Stir until well combined.

3. Add ice and garnish with additional raspberries.

These cocktails and mocktails are easy to make and are sure to be a hit on Valentine's Day. They are perfect for a romantic dinner for two or for a party with friends. So, whether you prefer a cocktail or a mocktail, you're sure to find something you'll love in this list.

What to Look for in a Home Bar Furniture

Home entertainment means getting a bar where refreshments and delicious food will be served. You don't need to go to a local pub to entertain guests. You can instead give them an aged wine and fruits while catching up with each other.

If you're planning to make a bar that's cozy and inviting, you need to look for a design that will complement the overall décor of your home. It should be comfortable where guests can wander into the kitchen when the food that they are looking for is not available in the bar. Make sure your design is still eye-catching and elegant, possibly with a pop of color from a neon sign or light from a website like Neon Mama to really bring the bar to life. The seats should be high enough, and there should be plenty of shelves for the drinks. 

What to Look For when Designing

1. Cozy and Dark

Dark colors and palettes are ideal for a home bar. You can mimic the ambiance and character of the bar where you frequent. The clubs usually have lights and several comfortable seats from a legitimate home bar furniture website that will give them a great time. Choose recessed lights and install them accordingly. Add some ceiling pendants if you feel like it for a more natural, cozy, and romantic ambiance.

Some of the darker colors may manifest when the room is receiving natural light. This is perfect when the other colors of the surrounding areas are blue, black, or neutral tones. The cozy atmosphere is where you can get into conversations that are meaningful and enjoyable. 

2. Know the Right Appliances to Add

When you're in the process of designing your home bar, it's essential to choose the right furniture and appliance. Decide whether it's ideal for you to get a dry or wet bar. You may want to install a fridge or sink nearby for easier preparation of delicacies. Some add microwaves so they can eat their morning toasts at the bar before they go to work.

Include the costs of electricity, plumbing, and other utilities into the budgeting. Many homeowners may add asymmetrical patterns on the shelves and geometric designs to emphasize their decors. Others may prefer higher stools. The wooden varieties can offer aesthetics and a more chic environment, especially when the bar is near the living area. Know more on how you can throw club parties at home in this link. 

With endless designs available for the ceiling pendants, you can create unique lightings that are more to your tastes. Some showcase their bars with silver and gold hardware, luxury materials, and many textures with pops of colors for accents. The velvet bar stools will never go out of style, and they are easy to clean as well. Two-tiered islands are also more common so that guests can socialize, drink, and eat simultaneously.

3. Eclectic Designs

With the popularity of these areas nowadays, it's not surprising that other people begin to convert their older carriage house into a modern and chic room. The interiors of an old carriage behind a Victorian mansion have undergone a complete transformation that it's unrecognizable from its old appearance.

Some owners decide that recycled bottles are still in, but this doesn't mean that they have to sacrifice style. They were able to turn the bottles into light fixtures and combined them with ceramic tiles for added patterns. The sleek and casual fixture was warmed up by natural wood seats and walnut walls that the creativity resulted in an excellent organic and glamorous space.

While many think that a home's interior should be formal and more serious than the outside, the impact of laid-back and casual spaces shouldn't be totally discounted. In many homes, the bar's aesthetic gets the guest into a playful mood, and these are usually the beginning of fun conversations in eclectic homes.

The wallpaper should complete the look, but you can also add some light fixtures like sun-shaped lamps if you feel like it. Personalized bars often have blackboards as well where guests can write their notes and quotes, and you'll never go wrong with these.

4. Luxury is Always Welcome

Grand and extravagant bars often feel welcoming if this is within your budget. In many homes, the luxurious setting made these areas a centerpiece of the house where the guests go first to have a drink and relax. 

Ceiling pendants and recessed lights can dim the environment, but you can also get an interior designer's help for other ideas. Read more about the pros and cons of recessed lights here: https://www.thespruce.com/recessed-lighting-pros-and-cons-1821552. You can upgrade to the glasses and silverware so that they can match the room's aesthetic ambiance.

When you're still deciding on the room's layout, you need to position the bar in a way that it's not going to be an obstacle. It should follow the rooms' natural flow, and it should be integrated between the dining and living areas so they can be versatile spaces. This way, both rooms' luxurious ambiance can be incorporated into the bar, and everything will look more seamless.

What Are the Different Types of Tequila Available?

Anyone who has tasted tequila can testify to its unique and exciting taste. It is a distilled drink that is produced from fermented blue agave plants. It originates from Mexico and has become a worldwide phenomenon. It is popularly consumed more in Mexico and the United States.

It is a unique liquor and can only be produced in certain regions of Mexico. These cities include Tequila, Jalisco, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Michoacán and Tamaulipas. Those produced elsewhere do not qualify to be regarded as such.

Tequila can be consumed in a variety of ways. This can be straight or neat without adding anything but taken as a shot. Some shots are taken with lime and salt. This is because the salt lessens its burn in the mouth and throat while the lime enhances its flavor.

Some people prefer to enjoy theirs by swirling it around a glass, taking in its aroma and then sipping it. A final way it can be consumed is by adding it as an ingredient in other drinks such as margaritas. You can check out this and more in this article.

Types of Tequila Drinks

Although tequila may be made from the same plant and the same region, they do not all taste the same. They are of different types and each one tastes differently from the others. Here are the five main types available.

Blanco

Blanco has several aliases. It can be referred to as Silver, White, Platinum, or Plata. It is the youngest tequila type and it is made from 100% pure blue Weber agave. Typically, it is freshly distilled and aged for only a few weeks which makes it sweet.

Because Blanco does not spend time in aging, it remains clear and silverish. Some distillers may age it for up to two months for a smoother taste. Blanco is also one of the best for making margaritas.

Joven

Joven is a Spanish word that means “young”. This drink is most times a mixto. A mixto means it is a blend of other drinks often Reposado, Anejo and Silver and other additives. It is golden in color and known by different monikers like Gold, Oro, or Dorado.

Joven gets its color from additives and flavoring agents such as caramel coloring and grain alcohol. If you find a Blanco bottle named Joven, it means is a mixto of some aged tequila with an unaged one.

Reposado

Have you like many asked what is a Reposado? Just so you know, it is a Spanish word that means “rested”. This name is in reference to this drink being aged in wood casks from between two months to one year. A lot of distilleries often age their Reposado in bourbon barrels. This adds bourbon flavors to the final product.

The process of aging Reposado adds some natural golden color and subtle hints of flavors like nuts, coffee and vanilla. This tequila can be enjoyed straight or used in cocktails. It makes margaritas more dynamic and full of flavors. 

Anejo

Anejo means aged. It is a drink that is aged for at least a year or more in oak barrels. What this does is that it loses its agave characteristics, turns amber and takes on the flavor of the barrel. It also results in a rich and smooth drink with hints of caramel and butterscotch.

Anejo can be likened to when tequila has been made to grow and lose its innocence. It is delicious and can be used as a whiskey substitute. The best way to enjoy it is neat or neat with water.

Extra Anejo

These are ultra-aged tequilas. They have been aged for a minimum of three years and are darker. It is mahogany in color with a complex and smooth flavor. They are usually best sipped alone instead of using it as a mix for other drinks.

Which Tequila Type is The Best?

This is based solely on what you prefer and whatever you intend to use it for. It is best to use either a Blanco or a Reposado for making margaritas. Anejo and Extra Anejo may also be used only that they would give your drink a caramel and oaky flavor.

Also, bear in mind that the more it is aged, the more expensive it becomes. This means Anejo and Extra Anejo are generally more expensive than the rest. You can checkout the guide to buying tequila here https://www.simplyrecipes.com/what_tequila_should_you_buy to learn more.

Conclusion

Tequila is one of the best liquors that you can drink. Like most drinks, it is available in different variants based on the age of the drink. The best type to choose is dependent on the drinker but the aged ones seem to taste better.

What To Know Before Opening a Brewery

The number of breweries in the United States has increased dramatically in the past ten years. People have steered away from the standard pilsners and are more interested in craft beers. If you've been experimenting with home brewing, you might find yourself looking to expand and open a brewery of your own. Here are some things you'll want to consider before you get started though.

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Choose a Location

It can be challenging to find the perfect location for your brewery. You need to find a place where people will feel comfortable and can relax and enjoy a beer together. However, your location also needs to be suitable to actually brewing the beer. The place you choose will set the tone for your brewery, so you want somewhere that gives off the right vibes for what you're going for. There are some really unique locations out there, such as an abandoned warehouse, an old high school, an empty factory, or you can always decide to build something more modern.

Know the Laws

Alcohol laws can get a little bit tricky, so it's important that you do your research in advance. Some places don't actually allow breweries to open in the county, so check before you make any big decisions. You'll want to look at whether you need a TABC permit or what other sorts of liquor license you might require. Some states allow people to buy cans from the breweries, while others only allow consumption on site. Check the laws in your area to find out more information.

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Find Your Focus

There are many different styles of beer out there. You'll need to figure out if you want to make a batch of each kind or whether you want to focus more on a particular style. For instance, some breweries are known for their sour beers, while others mostly put out India Pale Ales. While having a few different styles available is always a good idea, having a focus can help you master a particular style.

It may seem like a lot of work, but if beer is your passion, it can be well worth it to get to share your love of beer with others. Take your time and be sure you're doing everything the right way. Talk to other brewery owners and get help along the way. Once your brewery is open, you'll find that all of your hard work has paid off.

Celebrate National Root Beer Float Day With Your Family

Today, August 6th is National Root Beer Float Day! Yes, there's an actual national day for this great classic. A&W Root Beer helps create the perfect timeless family night treat: an A&W Root Beer Float!

The product, information, and gift card have been provided by A&W so that I could try the product and share my thoughts and information about A&W Root Beer. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of A&W.

Many of us grew up enjoying a frosty A&W Root Beer float with our family and friends. There is something so satisfying about slurping one up on a hot summer's day. We love the classic version starting with two scoops of vanilla ice cream, and then filling your mug or glass to the very top with A&W Root Beer. It is the one drink where we don't mind any of it running over the edges of our glass, or getting a little messy. It's the perfect treat for the family to enjoy together!

I have never strayed from the classic root beer float, but I'm so intrigued by the different versions you can make. You can step up your float game by making a salted caramel root beer float. Simply start with two scoops of salted caramel ice cream, fill with A&W root beer, then top with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and a pinch of sea salt. YUM!

Looking for a more decadent option? How about a brownie sundae root beer float?! Put some brownie bits in a mug, add two scoops of vanilla ice cream, and fill with A&W Root Beer. Then you can top that all off with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, maraschino cherry, sprinkles, and additional brownie bits.

If you are watching your calories, you can easily use Diet A&W root beer along with a lower calorie or sugar-free ice cream product.

Be sure to grab a case or bottle of A&W Root Beer, and your favorite ice cream to share with your family and friends. School will be back before you know it, so make some delicious memories while you can!

For more tasty recipes, check out A&W Root Beer's website, and follow on Instagram.

How To Make The Perfect Margarita

Hello, April! It's that beautiful time of year where we get to see the changes of spring take place. I spent the weekend outdoors with my family planting flowers, weeding garden beds, re-potting plants, and doing our big annual clean-up. The warmer temperatures and longer hours of sunlight have gotten me excited for the warmer months. 

One of our favorite beverages year 'round is a good old-fashioned homemade margarita. We do not like those pre-made mixers at all. If you are looking for a very good margarita recipe (with a little bit of kick) you are in the right place. My neighbor shared this recipe with me a while back that she got from our other neighbor. It's so good and we make it all the time! The great part if you do not need any fancy bar equipment or even formal glassware for serving. This recipe is perfect for girls' trips, girls' night in, or parties. 

How to make the perfect Margarita

Ingredients: 

2 cups of good white tequila (we use Jose Cuervo)

2 cups of triple sec

2 cups of fresh or bottled lime juice (we use this one) 

2 cups *sugar plus 2 cups water to make a simple syrup

Directions:

The first step is to make your simple syrup. The key is to fully dissolve the sugar into the water. It's best to chill simple syrup before adding to the other ingredients. Stir all ingredients in a pitcher and serve over plenty of ice. If you prefer frozen margaritas, you can blend with ice. It's delicious either way. 

*I use a little less sugar because I don't like my drinks too sweet. You can adjust to your taste. 

Tips:

I serve mine on the rocks with a simple wedge of lime. You can use margarita glasses with salted or sugared rims. I will be experimenting with strawberry, mango, and raspberry purees to make some exciting flavors. If you want, you can make half the recipe or even double it.

If you have been on the hunt for a good margarita recipe, you will love this one. Let me know if you decide to give it a try. Thanks for stopping by today.

Cinnabon Introduces Cold Brew Iced Coffees

Coffee lovers can enjoy the velvety smoothness of cold brew with the indulgently satisfying flavors only experienced at Cinnabon. 

Cinnabon®, the brand that set the bar with fresh-baked cinnamon rolls, today announced the debut of hand-crafted Cinnabon Cold Brew Iced Coffees. These refreshing new beverages are available in three indulgent flavors reminiscent of the irresistible aroma guests crave:  Signature Cinnamon Roll, Vanilla and Salted Caramel. The cold brew process creates a perfectly balanced and distinctively smooth cup of coffee, providing a delicious on-the go treat enjoyed on its own or paired with any Cinnabon baked good.

Cold Brew Iced Coffee is steeped over time versus roasted, which delivers over 60% less acidity than traditionally brewed coffee and iced coffee. This method provides the desired boost of caffeine with a naturally smoother and sweet profile; the perfect base for the delicious flavors offered at Cinnabon. With spicy hints of cinnamon and creamy traces of the brand's beloved cream cheese frosting, The Signature Cinnamon Roll Cold Brew provides the irresistible Cinnabon experience in a cup. The seasonal Salted Caramel flavor is ideal for guests looking for their favorite sweet and salty fix, and Vanilla adds a classic, subtle sweetness popular among coffee lovers.

"Our new Cold Brew Iced Coffee is so over the top delicious, we know our guests will see this as another reason why they can't resist the temptation of Cinnabon," said Jill Thomas, vice president of global marketing. "With additional beverage innovations to come later this year, we're excited to offer a one-stop destination for out-of-this-world premium drinks to pair perfectly with our world famous cinnamon rolls."

Cinnabon Cold Brew Iced Coffees are now available in 16-ounce and 24-ounce sizes for the suggested retail price of $2.99 and $3.39, respectively. For the perfect pairing, fans can top any size bon with a creamy caramel drizzle and a salty toffee crunch for an additional $0.50!

For more details on the new Cold Brew offerings and to stay connected to all things Cinnabon, follow the brand on Twitter and Instagram at @Cinnabon, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Cinnabon, follow on Snapchat at TheRealCinnabon, or visit Cinnabon.com

Give The Gift Of Khortytsa Vodka This Holiday Season

The holiday season is quickly approaching and will be here and gone before you know it. It's time to start making those gift lists for family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. One of my favorite gifts to give to my over-21 friends is the 'gift of spirits'. Vodka is one of the most popular adult beverages that is the base of many of the cocktails we love. Whether it's a martini, mule, or in a Long Island iced tea, you have to start with the good stuff.

I was introduced to brand I have never heard of or tried recently. Ukraine’s famed Khortytsa (KHOR) Vodka is the world’s third-largest vodka brand and is now widely available in the American market. They offer a few different varieties and I received a cute gift pack with a bottle each of the Platinum and Pepper Honey Hot varieties.

The packaging makes this an excellent choice for easy gift-giving. You can simply add a bow or put it in a decorative bag, and you're done! If you want to make it a bigger gift, you can include items for mixing such as cranberry juice, tomato juice, a jar of olives, or a nice glass for serving.

My favorite way to enjoy Khortytsa Platinum vodka is shaken with either 100% cranberry or pomegranate juice, garnished with an orange slice. It is super smooth and kind of 'hits you' after the fact. Any vodka lover would enjoy the sophisticated and smooth taste. I am often surprised that a vodka at a lower price point can actually be this smooth.

Here are some details about each variety:

• This holiday season, the brand is available in a variety of gift boxes that feature a 750-mL bottle and a 100-mL sample.
• Khortytsa Platinum, which is the most popular item in the line, is available in a handsome gift box with a 100-mL sample of Khortytsa Platinum for a suggested retail price of $14.99.
• Khortytsa Honey Pepper, which offers a spicy zing to a variety of cocktails, is also available in an attractive gift set with a 100-mL on-pack of Khortytsa Platinum for the same price.
• A gift pack of Khortytsa Ice, specially formulated to be served frozen -- with the bottle turning blue when chilled -- features two branded shot glasses for $14.99.
• Finally, Khortytsa De Luxe – the line’s “super premium” vodka for connoisseurs -- has a stunning new gift box for a suggested retail of $19.99.

I am really loving these prices, especially for gift-giving. I can really stay within a reasonable budget.

For more information on Khortytsa Vodka, as well as recipes visit www.khor.com. Be sure to follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for product updates and promotions.

Raleigh Catering Company

Since catering has become a real trend nowadays, it was impossible for the Raleigh community not to benefit from such a service. Many people have tried for years the services provided by the Raleigh Catering Company and they ended up with beautiful events, enjoying them while being more relaxed.

This company has been offering their services to this area for many years now, having a friendly attitude and having a large array of courses and dishes, suitable for any kind of occasion and event that you might have. They take pride in having a personal connection with their customers, which is easy to understand, since most of the events a catering company needs to take care of have a personal character.

As it is ideal, the chefs and the personnel are highly trained professionals that know everything that is necessary in several types of techniques and various cuisines around the world. Besides offering a standard menu, they can also provide signature dishes created especially for a particular event, which is extremely useful if you need to host a fine dining event with high class guests. Their large experience is not just a thing they brag with, but it is very useful when you count on people to help with your event.

The quality of the ingredients is also extremely important. There have been cases with some companies that used bad quality ingredients and the result, of course, is not that delicious. For this reason it is important to provide fresh and pure vegetables and meat. Moreover, besides the quality, the Raleigh catering service offers a large and varied array of dishes. For people who want to host a different event, communities of expats or people of different origins, this matters a lot, since they can enjoy their traditional dishes by simply calling a catering company, instead of cooking for hours and hours in a row.

Prompt service and competitive prices are all the more reasons for which people choose to use the services provided by this catering company. Of course, a slow service is just as important as the ingredients, the type of dishes and the price, which should convince you to double-check before trusting someone with the success of your own event.

The staff here can even help you with part of the planning, and the advice of a professional is literally priceless, especially when you have tons of other things to take care of. Furthermore, it is really easy to find the company online and give them a call and it is advisable to do this as soon as possible, to make sure everything is ready in time.

Amazing Foodie Gift Ideas With a Difference

Thinking up the perfect gift for any foodies you know can sometimes be tricky. It’s best to make sure you have as much information as you can. So, check these ideas out, and use them to help you make the perfect choice of gift for the foodie in your life.

Spices

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One of the perfect gifts to get anyone who's a food nut is spices. That's because these last a long time, and they can go great with any kind of food or meal. So, you need to think about the perfect spices to get as a gift for someone. I would suggest taking a look at RawSpiceBar and the gift boxes they offer. You can find plenty of weird and wonderful spices here. These would make the perfect gift items for any foodies that you know.
 
Hampton Creek

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As well as using spices as a gift, you might also want to consider Hampton Creek products. They specialize in making eggless mayonnaise, and, recently, cookie dough as well. Hampton Creek represents the future of the way in which food products may develop. Though seen, and marketed as vegan mayo, it is also something that is enjoyed by those who want to be more healthy. So, if the foodie in your life fancies a health kick as well, then this would be perfect for them.

Hamper

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You might also decide that you’d like to go with a hamper. These are generally a great idea when you’re buying for a foodie. You can get lots of different hampers to choose from, and you may even be able to make your own as well. That's why it’s important to ensure you have a look at the types of things on offer before you start. A hamper is the perfect way of including a little bit of everything in the gift. That way you will be able to appeal to a much wider collective of foodies. Try to customize your hamper to suit the interests of the person you’re buying for.

Gin Kit

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Okay, so it’s not exactly a food, but who doesn't like a gin and tonic?! And, these days it has become very popular for people to make their own gin using kits. That's why this would be an ideal gift for someone who is a food and booze fan. You can choose from a lot of different options when it comes to gin kits. And, a quick search online will reveal many different kinds of kits to choose from. A gin kit is an excellent gift for anyone and will show a bit of thought and effort on your part. It’s also something a little different from what someone would normally receive.

You have to bear in mind that buying gifts for the foodies in your life can be a challenge. These are generally people who know a lot more about food than you do. So, it can be tricky to find the right kind of gift for them. That's why you sometimes need to think outside the box. Use the suggestions on here to come up with a few ideas to get you started.

Harmless Harvest Coconut Water Is The Real Deal

Do you ever have a taste of something or even a scent that transports you back to your childhood? I grew up in Miami, Florida and it was very common to see vendors on the street corners selling fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, and various goods. One of my favorite things to get was the fresh water coconuts as we called it in my culture. You would get a fresh green coconut that was sitting in a huge cooler of ice and watch the vendor chop the top off with a machete. They would then stick a straw in it and hand it to you to enjoy. There is nothing that can compare to drinking that gorgeous chilled coconut water straight out of the actual coconut. Once you have experienced the real thing, you can't have it any other way. Fast forward... I have lived in South Carolina for close to 18 years and it has been more than 20 years since I have had coconut water like I did in Miami.

I was doing some crowd sourcing on Facebook a month or so ago asking what natural food or drink was rich in potassium. One of my old friends from Florida mentioned coconut water. I told her that would be a winner if I had access to proper coconut water like I did in Miami. She told me to look for one called Harmless Harvest. She is also Guyanese so she knows I know what real coconut water is supposed to taste like. I finally got around to trying it with full hesitation. You see, I've tried about 2 or 3 brands already and I ended up pouring it out in the sink from pure disgust. I took into consideration that Harmless Harvest is refrigerated and is simply organic coconut water with nothing added. It is free of GMOs, toxic pesticides, artificial additives, and irradiation.

I poured some in a glass and was a little intrigued by the pink color. Honestly, I didn't realize that it can be that color (clear to pink). I took my first sip and guess what? I was on transported back to being a kid again. It was the real deal and what coconut water should taste like. No lie, I closed my eyes each time I sipped. I can finally have that taste back in my life all the way up in South Carolina. You can find Harmless Harvest Coconut Water in grocery stores including Kroger, Publix, and Whole Foods in the refrigerated organic/health foods section near the produce department. Check out the amazing story behind Harmless Harvest here.

The back of this t-shirt says "I'm Harmless" :-) 

Harmless Harvest coconut water is the perfect hydrating beverage to help beat the summer heat. Have you tried it yet? If you haven't, I really suggest you do!

I received product samples in exchange for my honest review. It doesn't get more honest than this.

HOT! Get An Iced Tea Maker For Under $20

I have been making my own iced tea at home for as long as I can remember. Living in the south, it's referred to as 'sweet tea', and you may likely get cut if you call it iced like I do. I have a Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker that was actually handed down to me a long time ago and it is seeing its last days. The pitcher has cracked and started to leak. Although I can easily order a new pitcher on Amazon, I was lucky to find a brand new unit for only $8.00 more. Check out this great deal for the Mr. Coffee 2-Quart Iced Tea Maker, Blue. It's under $20 and if you have Prime, you can get free two-day shipping.

I am thrilled that I can replace my old machine and also ordered a replacement pitcher as well (Mr. Coffee TP1-1 2-Quart Replacement Pitcher for TM1, TM1P) . If you are looking for an easy way to make iced/sweet tea, you have to get this! It makes a great gift as well. You can't beat the price and I'm excited about my gift to myself. Mine will arrive on Tuesday **insert the heart-eyed emoji here** This is the BEST way to make sweet tea, so go get one for yourself too!

*This post contains affiliate links 

The Benefits Of Red Wine

People have known about wine for a very long time. Just as much are known the benefits of red wine: in Asia, where about 7,000 years ago appeared winemaking, and in Egypt, and in ancient Greece, who had heard about this divine drink a thousand years before our era, red wine was drank primarily for health promotion, preservation of beauty, physical and mental strength. And only secondly the drink was considered as means of entertainment and relaxation.

The benefits of red wine are not surprising - it is an absolutely natural product conceived by nature. According to Canadian historian Rod Phillips in "A Short History of Wine" - each grape is a small winery, in it - inside or on the surface - there are all the chemical elements that will turn a berry in wine.

This feature of grapes – to be transformed and to transform - was the reason for its deification and special reverence in different religions - from pagan to Christian. In ancient times, red wine was consumed with meals, it was considered to be a necessary condition for healthy life. Doctors prescribed to drink it little by little, but constantly; patients should increase the dose to drinking half a liter 3 times a day.

The benefits of red wine are caused by a unique combination of substances in it. Magnesium, iron, chromium, zinc, rubidium, potassium, sodium, calcium, selenium, copper, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins in it are good both by themselves and because of their special biological activity. A set of substances and elements like specially intended for recovery, purification and as a result rejuvenation of the body!

If you are among those who love wine then you will definitely like this informative wine infographic I recently stumbled upon:

Infographic brought to you by Ocado - Wine Infographic

National Coffee Day: 9 Places to Find Complimentary Caffeine

Check out these 9 offers from chain and regional restaurants, and be sure to visit your local coffee shops for potential deals.

Dunkin' Donuts
Try the donut chain's new Dark Roast Coffee (medium cup) for free when you visit your local store.

Krispy Kreme
If you like your coffee black, Krispy Kreme is offering a free 12 oz. cup of their House, Decaf and Dark Roast coffees today. Those with more of a sweet tooth can enjoy a 12 oz. Mocha, Latte or iced coffee for $1 and participating locations.

McDonald's
The Golden Arches have been celebrating free coffee since Sept. 16 with its Free Coffee Event. Today is your last opportunity to score a free small McCafe during breakfast hours at participating restaurants.

LaMar's Donuts
Pick up a free 12 oz. coffee from participating locations of LaMar's Donuts today. Good luck avoiding their tasty assortment of confections!

Peet's Coffee & Tea
Bring a friend to participating locations of Peet's Coffee & Tea and enjoy a BOGO promotion in honor of National Coffee Day. Buy one drink, get the second one of equal or lesser value free (excluding juice and bottled beverages).

Caribou Coffee
Today, enjoy free samples of Amy's Blend coffee, a roast dedicated to a former barista who lost her battle with breast cancer. Through Oct. 31, 10-percent of Amy's Blend purchases will be donated to CancerCare, an organization that helps support cancer patients and their families.

Tim Hortons
The iconic Canadian coffee chain is offering any size Regular or Dark Roast coffee for $1 (go ahead, get the biggest size). This offer is not valid at Buffalo, NY locations or at Presque Isle, Maine locations, where patrons will receive a medium Dark Roast coffee for $1.

Kangaroo Express
Southeastern U.S. dwellers can pick up a 12 oz. bag of Bean Street Coffee for just $0.01 between 6 a.m. and and 10 a.m. today.

The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.
With locations along the east coast and one lone restaurant in Los Angeles, The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. is offering a free coffee with entree purchase today.

Information provided by CouponSherpa.com

The 5-hour ENERGY® Yummification Contest winners are in!

The 5-hour ENERGY® Yummification Contest winners are in and you can view the winning videos here. I'm excited about the third place winner because he is out of Lugoff, SC which is about 25 minutes away from where I live. Way to go to all of the winners!

First Place ($50,000 prize): “Pomelimelade” by Tim Merlau, Los Angeles, CA

This winning submission mixes a Pomegranate 5-hour ENERGY® shot with limeade, and then takes us on a musical journey through all that can be accomplished over several hours (spoiler alert:  it’s a lot).

“Pomelimelade”
§  1 glass Limeade
§  1 shot of Pomegranate 5-hour ENERGY®

Second Place ($30,000 prize): “Ramalamadingdong” by Mark Golembeski, Los Angeles, CA

The second place video helps us turn that 2:30 feeling frown upside down by mixing a 5-hour ENERGY® shot with lemonade.  This video has it all: a clown, a puppy, a guy in a tutu, and much more.

“Ramalamadingdong”
§  1 glass Lemonade
§  1 shot of Berry 5-hour ENERGY®

Third Place ($10,000 prize): “Arnold Power” by Zac Sheorn, Lugoff, SC

The third place winner reminds us that you don’t have to be good at sports, but mixing a Pink Lemonade 5-hour ENERGY® shot with decaffeinated iced tea helps keep you refreshed while practicing.  And practicing.

“Arnold Power”
§  1 glass Decaf Iced Tea
§  1 shot of Pink Lemonade 5-hour ENERGY®

The 5-hour ENERGY® samples, gift card, and information have been provided by the makers of 5-hour ENERGY®.