Category Archives: Beverage

Revolution Brewing – Chicago, IL

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Revolution Brewing Coaster

Meet Revolution Brewing—a gastropub with savory grub and a broad selection of craft beers brewed here in Chicago. Their slogan, “come for a beer and join the craft revolution,” surfaces in the pub’s design and iconography. Take, for instance, the creative titles of their excellent house brews: anti-hero IPA, coup d’etat, mother of exiles, and local hero, to name a few. Trust me, these beers deserve their powerful names. And after having a few at the pub, you can purchase growlers (large glass containers that contain about six beers) to take home with you! read more

Afternoon Tea with our Neighbors

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Strawberry Cake, Chocolate fudge frosting, strawberries, strawberry hearts, romantic cake

I’ve recently participated in several teas, first at The Drake Hotel in Chicago, then an afternoon tea in Florida. You can’t blame me for indulging my tea obsession; it’s quite addictive and fun! Last weekend, my neighbor Annie and I created a lovely afternoon tea menu, which featured:

Oolong Tea

Black Mango Tea

Orange Blossom Tea

Pagan Alms Tea

Egg Salad Sandwiches with Dill

Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwiches

Ham Sandwiches with an Apricot-Mustard Spread

Cherry Chicken Salad Sandwiches read more

Afternoon Tea

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Afternoon tea, teapot, embroidered napkin

I had my first afternoon tea a few months ago at The Drake Hotel in Chicago, and words don’t do it justice–it truly is an event that needs to be experienced. A live harpist performs while you’re served traditional English tea fare, presented on gorgeous china and silver. Ever since going there, I’ve wanted to hold my own afternoon tea party.

Last week, I finally got to host an English afternoon tea. It was a wonderful day. Three generations—my sister and I, my mother, and my grandmother—worked together: my grandmother, the decorator of the family, set the table with china, hand-embroidered napkins, and Easter accoutrements, while the rest of us cooked. read more

Sparkling Red Wine Cocktails

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Sparkling Red Wine Cocktails, Cheddar Cheese, sweet pickles, cocktail onions, pickled onions, skewersAppetizers and cocktails make a great start to any party or gathering. It’s a nice way to tide people over until dinner is ready and everyone has arrived. These simple but good cheese-and-pickle skewers can be easily prepped beforehand. They combine sweet, crunchy pickles with mild, creamy cheddar cheese–the refreshing cocktail onions balance everything out nicely.

Sparkling Red Wine Cocktails, Lambrusco, Sparkling orange beverage, Orangina, Whiskey, Bourbon

The cocktails can be made in a pitcher, shortly beforehand, freeing you to socialize when guests arrive. But cocktails can be tricky: ratios do matter, as do individual ingredients. The first time I made this, I was a little impatient. I’d just made an elaborate dinner and thought I’d wing it. How much could ratios really matter? read more

Glühwein

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Glühwein, German mulled wine, German spiced wine

Glühwein (glow wine) is a German hot spiced wine, typically served during the winter months and is especially popular around Christmas time. Corey and I were first introduced to Glühwein this December when we went to the Christkindlmarket in downtown Chicago. The Chriskindlmarket offers a variety of tradional German fare, such as currywurst, sauerbraten, schnitzel, bavarian pretzels, sauerkraut, and variety of German beers.

Glühwein, Christkindlmarket Mug

The signature drink at the Christkindlmarket has to be the Glühwein, which is served in a cute boot-shaped mug. When we first entered the market almost everyone of drinking age, was holding a mug of Glühwein and I knew if I didn’t try anything else I would have to try the German mulled wine. Glühwein will warm the body and the citrus and spices add a pleasant touch to ordinary red wine. It is the perfect drink on a cold, winter night. read more