beverages

Nespresso goes Single-Malt with the new Pure Origin Grand Cru

It looks like Nespresso – the Swiss company that's making a killing off selling individual espresso capsules for their popular machines – is taking a page out of the scotch whisky playbook with its latest release. Called the Pure Origin Grand Cru, the series comprises three special edition coffees, each coming from an individual plantation – not unlike a single-malt scotch – instead of most blends that draw from numerous sources. The idea, beyond providing a unique flavor, is to support the local ecosystems, making this a green initiative as well as a premium one.
The series includes the Indriya which hails from a plantation in India, the Rosabaya from Colombia and the Dulsao from Brazil. Although pricing and availability have yet to be announced, you can expect to pay a special premium for these premium roasts.

[Source: Sybarites]

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Tags: beverage, beverages, cappucino, coffee, espresso, grand cru, GrandCru, nespresso, nespresso grand cru, nespresso pure origin, NespressoGrandCru, NespressoPureOrigin

100 Years of Royal Albert Teas by Royal Doulton - Small Splurge

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Dining

Tired of drinking your tea out of some old mug you picked up at the office vendor fair? Try doing it the way the British do -- out of Royal Doulton china. The legendary company now offers "The 100 Years of Royal Albert Collection," which comprises two collections of 10 distinctive patterns that "capture the historical design statements and trends from the 10 decades of the 20th century that pay tribute to the Royal Albert brand's vitality, longevity and rich design history." Designed with classic shapes and delicate floral designs, this durable bone china will last long enough to become an heirloom. The two collections are "Best sellers from 1900 - 1940" (see below) and "Best sellers from 1950 - 1990" (this page). Each set is $130.

Gallery: 100 Years of Royal Albert Teas by Royal Doulton

Tags: beverages, china, Royal Doulton, RoyalDoulton, smallsplurge, smallsplurges, tea

US Airways Brings Back Free Beverages

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Just seven months after US Airways began charging customers $2 for sodas, coffee, and other beverages, it is reversing its policy and will now serve drinks for free.

MSN Money analyzed the situation and noted, "What happened? Well, in this airline's case, it was more about what didn't happen. First, other airlines didn't follow US Airways' lead. Sure, they were fine with fees for checking bags and other things, but they drew the line when it came to charging for drinks. Second, passengers didn't accept the fee. It became about more than a soda."

If you normally fly first class and don't ever pay for beverages, this won't affect you. But if you are watching your money a bit more and may now fly coach, at least you'll have a few extra dollars to spend on other things.

Tags: airlines, airplanes, beverages, drinks, free, travel, US Air, US Airways, UsAir, UsAirways

Kanye West Spoofs Self in Absolut Vodka Ads

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Endless self-promoter Kanye West -- who proves he has a sense of humor about himself after all -- spoofs his persona in a new line of Absolut ads. The first time I saw the print ad (which looked like, but didn't have the Absolut references, what you see here), I didn't get it at all, and I had no idea what was being advertised. A little research showed me the light. I can't show you much here, since you need to be 21 to get into these sites. Log on and check them out for yourself. And don't lie about your age -- it's bad karma.

Tags: Absolut, Absolut Vodka, AbsolutVodka, beverages, booze, celebrities, celebrity advertising, CelebrityAdvertising, drinks, Kanye, Kanye West, KanyeWest, liquor, Vodka

Dr. Dre Set To Market Vodka, Cognac

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

About six months ago Deidre noted that Dr. Dre announced a new beverage venture. And just a few days ago the official announcement was made that it's come to fruition. Dr. Dre's cognac and vodka brands will hit liquor stores in the next 60 days, according to celebrity liquor marketer Drinks America Holdings Ltd. The products are the fruits of a joint venture between Wilton, Conn.-based Drinks America and Dr. Dre's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label. The marketing for the beverages will be tied in with the release of Dr. Dre's long-awaited "Detox" album. In late July, Dr. Dre told USA Today that the album would be out in "November or December." Aftermath Congac will come out first, followed by an 80-proof flavored and unflavored sparkling vodka.

[Via The Washington Post via Reuters/Billboard]

Gallery: Celebrity Liquor

Tags: beverages, booze, celebrities, celebrity, celebrity liquor, CelebrityLiquor, cognac, dr dre, dr. dre, Dr.Dre, DrDre, dre, drinks, liquor, spirits, vodka

Sub-Zero Launches New Built-In Refrigerators

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Dining

Sub-Zero recently announced an overhaul of its line of built-in models, to be available this fall. What's especially interesting and appealing is that all the air in the line's models will be "scrubbed" by a purification system an average of once every 20 minutes to eliminate odors, viruses and bacteria that can lead to hastened ripening and, ultimately, spoilage. Additionally, the products offer something Sub-Zero states no refrigerator ever has -- a water filter that reduces viruses and bacteria, in theory reducing contaminants while keeping water and ice tasting fresh.

Other new features: brighter lighting, crisper drawers that have an improved glide system, an easy-to-use digital control panel and adjustable door shelves that can be moved in one-inch increments. The exterior can be customized, too, using one of these options:

Flush Inset: Flush with surrounding cabinetry. Has a smaller profile and facilitates inset installation. Available in Classic Stainless, Platinum Stainless or Carbon Stainless Steel panels, or can be fitted with custom panels.
Stainless Steel: Finished in Classic Stainless Steel, ready out-of-the-box. Works with any commercial-style kitchen. Redesigned with a new ventilation grille.
Framed: Consumer may slide a custom cabinetry panel into an existing frame so that the door better matches the kitchen. Has a new extruded handle and redesigned louvered grilles.
Overlay: Consumer may incorporate cabinet panels and custom handles into the doors and grille.

I have a Sub-Zero integrated model (similar to the model in the photo, a current Sub-Zero product) with an overlay that blends in so well that when the real estate agent was showing me the kitchen, I had to ask her where the refrigerator was. But buyer beware -- a Sub-Zero costs quite a lot, and definitely delivers on its promises, but can be expensive to repair. I learned this the hard way last year when my motor burned out because I hadn't "serviced" the system. Who knew a refrigerator required a yearly tune-up? It seems I have the Mercedes of refrigerators -- lovely to look at, performs like a dream, but even a simple oil change can set you back $300 (or, in my case, $1,000 for a new motor and yearly servicing).

Those who buy Sub-Zero appliances likely can afford any repair work on them, but why waste money? If you get one of these new models, be sure to ask the sales rep about yearly service.

Tags: appliances, beverages, food, kitchen, Sub-Zero

The $51 Margarita

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Spirits

When you think of environments where you might find an outrageously expensive drink a western theme with beef brisket and bull-riding probably doesn't come to mind. But then all kinds of strange things happen in New York, and the restaurant located in Rockefeller Center called Johnny Utah's is no exception. That expensive drink is a $51 margarita called the Vault, and it's made with Herradura Suprema tequila, grilled lime juice, and agave syrup. Seems pretty simple, but then usually simple is best.

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Tags: alcohol, beverage, beverages, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, johnny utah, johnny utah's, johnny utahs, JohnnyUtah, JohnnyUtah's, JohnnyUtahs, margarita, new york, new york city, NewYork, NewYorkCity, ny, nyc, restaurant, spirits, tequila, vault