Cucumber Water, Cucumber Vodka, Cucumber Cocktails

[1] No more bland water at the table (photo © Maria Bacarella | iStock Photo).   When warm weather brings a bounty of fresh produce, we want to fresh produce it everywhere—including in our water glass. While any fruit or vegetable can be infused into a glass or pitcher of water, we especially enjoy cucumber…
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RECIPES: Cocktails With Black Olives

Make a Dirty Martini with black olives instead of the green ones. Photo courtesy CalOlive.com.   Many people enjoy olives in their Martinis, or a Dirty Martini made with olive brine. But these are green olives, typically stuffed with pimento. Why give black olives (ripe olives) the cold shoulder? Here are some recipes from California…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Coconut Water Ice Cubes

Coconut water with coconut water ice cubes and a lychee garnish. Photo © Deasy Setiawati Widjaja | DRM.   If you enjoy coconut water—or the flavor of coconut in general—you can add a subtle touch of it to your favorite beverages via coconut water ice cubes. Use them in juice, iced tea, ginger ale and…
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FOOD 101: What’s A Kir? What’s A Margarita?

It’s a teaching moment: When is a Kir not a Kir? Or a Margarita not a Margarita? Or a Martini not a Martini? Every drink made with vodka is not a Martini, every drink made with Tequila is not a Margarita. Yet, each week we are sent a mis-named recipe that only serves to misinform.…
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TOP PICK OF THE WEEK: Whiskey-Infused Chocolate Truffles

If Dad loves chocolate and spirits, this may be the ideal Father’s Day gift! The Oregon Distiller’s Collection from Moonstruck Chocolate is nine-piece collection of truffles infused with spirits from five of Oregon’s finest craft distillers. The spirits are infused into chocolate ganache and hand-piped into hand-painted chocolate shells. The collection is a parade of…
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