Drinking

Back in the BCS Soda Lab again. Trying out the Spring flavors this time. Still looking for that magic flavor combination that will convert each and every cola addict of every age to a healthy soda pop drinker. So I cooked some strawberries and rhubarb.

That's the question at breakfast every morning ... if you're in Nepal. It's the hot morning beverage you drink with everything. It's really hot lemon and honey. Maybe ginger. No tea. Easily habit-forming. A very good habit at this time of year.

Even if your turkey's tender, you may think it's tough to find the right thing to drink with it. The good news: some unusual and relatively inexpensive wines work really well. I'd go for something bright, fruity, spicy. Something to refresh. Something to add interest to the next mouthful.

So what're you drinking for Thanksgiving? What're the kids going to drink? I'm working on it, mixing up food-friendly flavored sparkling waters. Refreshing, satisfying alternatives to wine and beer when you just don't feel like alcohol with your turkey or short ribs

Back in the BCS Soda Lab again. Trying out the Fall flavors this time. Still looking for that magic flavor combination that will convert each and every cola addict of every age to a healthy soda pop drinker. So I baked an apple.

A show-and-tell about the responsible, cost-effective use of organic agriculture and solar energy. And how they come together to produce strikingly delicious wine. What are you drinking on Labor Day?

Mix up these thoroughly healthy and flavorful ingredients; squirt in some of the bubbly water you just made. You get a better, cheaper soda that's great with chips and anything off the grill. Today I'm mixing watermelon, lime and mint to make a soda inspired by a fruit ceviche. Chili pepper optional.

Mix up these thoroughly healthy and flavorful ingredients; squirt in some of the bubbly water you just made. You get a better, cheaper soda - or wine - replacement. Today I'm mixing fresh pineapple, lime and mint to make a soda that's even more delicious than it is refreshing.

Mix some of the season's delicious and cheap peaches with semi-exotic flavors to make two very different, very refreshing sparkling beverages. One's great with hot dogs. The other's a terrific match for everything from Thai to ceviche to cheese.

In the never-ending quest to be cool during this overheated summer, I drink what I grow. Each week, I make and chill a big sweet-savory pot of herbal tea: lemon verbena, mint, lavender, rosemary. The definition of refreshing.