TOP PICK OF THE WEEK: Whole Earth Stevia Leaf & Monk Fruit Sweetener

We have been using noncaloric sweeteners for decades, starting with zero-calorie soda brands in middle school, then on cereal and other foods as packets of the sweetener became available. While we’ve tried every brand over the years, our reigning favorite was Splenda (sucralose), introduced to the U.S. in 1999. Not only did it have less…
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Mateus Rosé For National Rosé Day + Food Pairings

[1] Today’s Mateus bottle (photo © Mateus | Sogrape). [2] The original Mateus bottle was shaped like a water flask. The design underwent numerous design updates over the years, culminating in the modern bottle above (photo © Deli Portugal). [3] Because rosés can be made from any red wine grape, the resulting wines vary in…
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PRODUCT & GIFT: Zoku Ice Shooters

Want to drink your shooters from a shot glass made of ice? Evidently, lots of people do; because Zoku created these ice shooter molds. You can make four ice shooters at a time. But that’s not all! You can freeze any liquid, including chocolate, to make shot glasses. Simply fill the silicone molds with water…
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COCKTAIL RECIPE: Black Pepper Dirty Martini

For those who like things hot and spicy, here’s a variation on the Dirty Martini: Add black pepper heat! You get the salty brine from the olives, and heat from the pepper. You can purchase pepper-infused vodka like Absolut Peppar (photo #2), or infuse plain vodka with peppercorns (instructions below). (Pepper vodka is also great…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Cucumber Sandwiches…And Tea

Have you ever had a cucumber sandwich? It’s an English tradition that was likely arrived in the U.S. in the 1800s, along with the concept of afternoon tea, a formal light meal, traditionally served at 4 p.m. The high-class snack, meant to tide over wealthy people who didn’t eat dinner until 8 p.m. or later.…
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