Filed under: Vodka , Newspapers , Spirits After lamenting the sweetness of the energy drink + vodka combination over drinks at a Los Angeles bar in 2004, David Mandell wondered whether he could caffeinate vodka itself. It turns out that you can caffeinate it, as Mandell has just introduced p.i.n.k. , a plain vodka infused with caffeine and guarana. The trick in developing it was not just to mask the flavor of the guarana and eliminate its color, but to remove all flavor from the vodka. The end product is intended to produce the same energizing affect as a drink like Vodka Red Bull without any of the extra sugars. One drink of p.i.n.k. contains the same amount of caffeine as a 3/4 full cup of coffee, or about 80 mg. By way of comparison, one can of Red Bull contains that much caffeine as well, so it is easy to see how much more concentrated p.i.n.k. is.

Filed under: Coffee , Organic , New Products After the mishaps with the Wolfgang Puck self-heating lattes , I am a little leery of any packaged coffee that makes itself. At least JavaVoo uses the microwave instead of a potentially explosive internal heating device.

Filed under: Beer , Raves & Reviews , America Since I am not a beer connoisseur, I tend to fall victim to marketing. Shopping the other day, I picked up the Lazy Days Pale Ale because it seemed so appropriate for the very warm weather we're having now. Spring is turning gradually into summer, and its name, the words "refreshing pale ale," and the image of relaxing on a beach seemed perfect.

Filed under: Wine , Raves & Reviews , America I think I've found a red wine I can handle. Red wine is tough for me for a number of reasons. For one thing, anything I drink, I like to drink it ice cold. I can't imagine the looks I'd get if I sat down in a restaurant and asked the sommelier to please chill the Merlot in a the sub-zero for a half hour. Secondly, red wine is usually just too "strong," tannic, heavy, alcoholic, bitter, and/or smelling of wood.

Filed under: Raves & Reviews , New Products , Soda I know that it's been a while since our original post about its release , but I finally got to try a can of Dr. Pepper Berries & Cream. Actually, I have to admit that it was the diet version, and not the regular. No matter. The soda really exceeded my expectations. I thought that it would be overly sweet, perhaps a bit cough-syrupy, but the soda was perfectly sweetened and the berry flavor wasn't overwhelming. You can definitely tell that the flavor is raspberry, though, which was a nice change from all the vanilla/cherry vanilla/ black cherry vanilla sodas going around.

Filed under: Juice , Recipes , Happy Hour , Soda Mint juleps (and anything else with whisky) are Kentucky Derby staples, but if you're not a big drinker, or are acting as designated driver, you might feel like you're missing out when it comes to celebrating the "run for the roses." There are plenty of non-alcoholic "mocktails" that you can mix up so you won't be left out of the party. These two recipes are both from the LCBO Mocktails  recipe section. The first is a non-alcoholic Mint Julep variation, which is both appropriate and refreshing. The second drink is known as the "Derby Mocktail" and is a fruitier, more colorful Derby choice.

Filed under: Whisky , Cocktails , Happy Hour , America , Spirits The Kentucky Derby, in its 132nd run, takes place this Saturday at Churchill Downs in Kentucky. It's called the "run for the roses" because of the huge floral wreath that is draped over the winning horse. This cocktail is called the Crown of Roses , after that very wreath. Though the mint julep is the classic Derby drink, there is no reason not to branch out and try something new on Derby Day this year. The Crown of Roses is more colorful and much fruiter than a julep, but still has the classic (and traditional) Derby whisky in it.

Filed under: Juice , Vegetarian , Vegetables , Far East , Fruit , Raves & Reviews , New Products , America , Soda

Filed under: Whisky , Recipes , How To , Southern States , America , Spirits We've seen mint juleps here on Slashfood before. There's a mint julep flavored soda  and the 132nd Kentucky Derby will serving ooh-la-la $1,000 mint juleps on Derby Day . If you'll be betting on watching the races from home, you can mix up a proper mint julep at your own home bar. But first, a little bit of historical trivia, or trivial history.

Filed under: Wine , Juice , Newspapers , Happy Hour , Spirits , North America Sangria is a Spanish drink, not a Mexican one, yet it is still one of the most popular beverages served during Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the US. Instead, suggests Julieta Ballesteros, owner of the new Crema Ristorante in New York's Union square, opt for the Mexican alternative: agua loca. The name means "crazy water" and makes the Spanish punch look tame by comparison because it doesn't water down its fruit and alcohol base with any filler, unlike many sangrias, which may use soda water for a light carbonation. As Ballesteros explained to the New York Times , "You're always told, when you start drinking, that mixing different kinds of alcohol will make you crazy."