drink

The energy drink called Cocaine was pulled from shelves because of nationwide concerns about its name.

The FDA issued a warning letter last month to the distributer, Redux Beverages LLC of Las Vegas, saying that they were illegally marketing the drink as a "legal alternative" to the street drug and as a dietary supplement." On the company's website, the drink is advertised as “Speed in a Can,” “Liquid Cocaine” and “Cocaine — Instant Rush.”

The company argued that their energy drink has NO cocaine in it and nobody thinks it does. The drink provides a cocaine-like energy boost because it contains more caffeine than any other energy drink (and twice as much as coffee). The FDA is just concerned that although it's not actually "cocaine," the drink is glorifying the use of this illegal drug.

So the energy drink has been pulled from shelves until they come up with a new name for it (chances are low that they will name it Meth, but you never know). I guess we will just have to stick to Red Bull spiked with espresso.

Today's happy hour comes from one of my favorite new shows, Ugly Betty. I don't know if you guys watch, but on last week's episode, Betty and Christina find themselves at Club Prague where another club patron suggests that Betty orders a "Dirty Girlscout." Later, Betty (in a clichéd Betty moment) actually refers to it as a Filthy Girl Scout, which I somehow find even funnier.

To find out how to make your own Filthy Girl Scout (which gets its name because it reminds people of the Thin Mint Cookie), read more

When PartySugar told me that today was National Garlic Day, I immediately set out to find us a cocktail that uses garlic as an ingredient. And yes, yes, I know it sounds horrible, but done well I bet it would be good - think of a Bloody Mary, that sounds horrible on paper too...

At any rate, I was thwarted - turns out it may be a disgusting idea after all - and could not find any cocktail recipes featuring garlic. I did, however, find a recipe called Funky Garlic that actually sounds sort of refreshing (if not also somewhat terrible). It's a mixture of wine and soda, and it sounds dirty, yet light and bubbly. To check out the recipe (oh and if you know of any drinks that feature garlic, let us know), read more

Tick Tick Tick. Folks, that would be the clock counting down the minutes you have left to get your taxes done (you do know that taxes are due today, right?). For those of you that have successfully e-filed or mailed out your taxes, you can whip yourself up an Income Tax Day Cocktail and dream about how you're going to spend your refund. Or, alternatively, drown your sorrows and not think about how much you owed.

If you haven't finished up your taxes, I highly recommend waiting until they're out the door before partaking in a drink. Although, maybe it'll make signing those checks a lot easier...

To check out the Income Tax Day Cocktail, read more

Coca Cola isn't exactly a brand known for healthy drinks. But that may change as of 2008, when the multi-billion dollar company and the popular makeup line, L'Oreal are expected to launch their tea-based skin care drink called Lumae. Come 2008, don't go searching for the drink in the aisles of 7-Eleven or Trader Joe's, as it's rumored that it will only be sold in department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue. Lumae will be aimed at "active, influential, image-conscious women over the age of 25 who embrace health and wellness."

I absolutely love my Coca Cola but I don't know if I believe that Lumae will give me beautiful skin. Are you a believer?

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On Saturday night a big group of us went out to celebrate my sister's 22nd birthday. We started the night with dinner at my favorite new pizza place and then continued the party a few doors down at a few bars. My sister has bright beautiful red hair (think young Lindsay Lohan in her Parent Trap days) and for some reason everyone kept ordering her red headed sluts. As we were taking shot after shot of this red concoction, I couldn't help but wonder where did these drinks come from and more importantly who named them such horribly derogatory names (purple hooters, anyone?). Sure we were all close friends celebrating a birthday in good fun, but how is my sister going to feel when she goes into a bar and some random guy orders her a red headed slut? Although they may be straight out of Girls Gone Wild, in honor of spring break, here's the recipe - the drink itself isn't half bad so, read more

Sorry folks, guess you'll have to resort to your overpriced bottled spring water instead. Desperate times...

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A few years ago, while at a little taqueria in Sacramento, my friend purchased a small green bottle with a fancy maroon label that said "sangria." I immediately wondered what bottled sangria would be like and started to imagine the possibilities when I noticed the word "non-alcoholic" right above "sangria." And yet, somehow this made me more intrigued. So I purchased a bottle and gave it a try.

What I experienced was a spicy grape soda with a sangria-ish flavor. I found it to be a great complement to my spicy tacos. If you want to try it yourself, Senorial Sangria is available for $1.35 a bottle.

My guy is addicted, and I mean ADDICTED to coffee (in fact, we had to lose the microwave to make room for the espresso machine). When we go out he's always looking for a drink that involves coffee, Kahlua, espresso, etc. So yesterday, when I asked him to choose a drink for today's happy hour, it really should have come as no surprise when he said, "how about an Espresso Martini?"

Go figure! But, at least he's got good taste and found a delicious recipe for all of us.

Espresso Martini
From Drinks Mixer

1 1/2 oz vodka
1 1/2 oz Kahlua (or any other coffee liqueur)
1 oz Bailey's Irish cream
3 oz espresso - the stronger the better!

Brew espresso fresh.
Pour into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes and add other ingredients.
Shake well, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.

I was looking for a nice non-alcoholic drink to work with our spaghetti day, when I came across this one for a Sicilian Splash. This drink, which was supposed to be a seasonal summer drink over at Olive Garden, was such a huge hit with the customers, it stayed on the menu. It's a blended drink with the right amount of juice and sparkling water. I think it would probably be nicer on the rocks, and a little more season as well (although, a blended drink in the dead of winter might be a nice way to bring the summer zing into your home). To check out the recipe, read more