On a High

Now gulp down as much fruity cocktail as you want, since it has been proved to be a health drink, according to the U.S. and Thai researchers.

The reports said that adding up ethanol (the type of alcohol found in rum, vodka, tequila and other spirits) advanced the antioxidant nutrients in strawberries and blackberries. A dash of alcohol can make any colored fruit even better for your health.

The amazing finding was a matter of chance as Dr. Korakot Chanjirakul and colleagues at Kasetsart University in Thailand and scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture were exploring methods to help maintain strawberries fresh during storage process. But as they proceeded with their experiments, they found out that treating berries with alcohol augmented in antioxidant ability and free radical foraging activity.

Antioxidants are substances that can call off out the cell-damaging outcomes of complexes called free radicals and any colored fruit or vegetable is rich in them. For example, berries include compounds known as polyphenols and anthocyanins. Individuals consuming more of these fruits and vegetables possess a recognized poorer threat of cancer, heart disease and some neurological diseases.

Via - sabah

It has been known to scientists that white grapes arose as a variant of red grapes at some point in history - but how? This has not been known until a new study was conducted on it.

The origin of wines like Chardonnay, riesling and sauvignon blanc can be traced back to the era when dinosaurs romped the earth! It was more than 3,000 years ago, when the white grapes used to make these wines evolved by lucky genetic coincidence, or call it a happy accident, according to Australian scientists.

Studying the genetics of the grapevine species - Vitis vinifera - used to produce almost all the wine varieties sold today, be it white or red, Dr Mandy Walker from Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Plant Industry laboratories in Adelaide and her colleagues have satisfied their impertinent minds tracing back the first evolution of the white grape varieties of the species.

Dr Walker said,

This was a lucky coincidence for all the white wine drinkers around the world. Mutations in single genes happen at a fairly low frequency, but the grapes had to have mutations in two genes to turn from red to white and that’s just very, very rare.

Exactly when and where the switch might have happened isn’t clear. It most likely occurred before the time of Tutankhamen.

Increasingly high temperatures and intense rains are likely to threaten the quality of Tuscan wines. The research shows that while warmer temperatures favor wine quality, the rain that comes with them is often bad news.
An agronomist at Florence University stating that rise in temperatures cause grapes to over-ripen, said:

This rise in temperatures will continue in the next years, and they will be too high and unfavourable for the quality of wine,

The study, which was published in the wine magazine VQ, compares quality checks on some of Italy’s most famous wines Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti Classico, Barolo, Barbaresco and Amarone to the weather conditions of the past three or four decades.

Agricultural patterns will be majorly effected by global warming the world over. So do stock up on your favorites in Italian wines before they become unavailable.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Well if you do then, take a trip to Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido where you could have could have you sampling Bilk.

Source: Yahoo news

Good news for die hard vodka lovers as European Parliament finds a way to settle dispute between European Union including Poland, Finland and Sweden defining pure vodka as distilled product obtained from grains or potato.

This proposal is provoked by south European countries as they make distilled vodka from molasses and fruits.
I do not agree to this proposal of labeling vodka as pure when it is made from grains or potatoes. What about vodkas made from vegetables and fruits they too are distilled ones and do not have high content of alcohol in them.

European Parliament comes up with an agreement which will be raised in March explaining to brand (label) all those distilled vodkas that are made from more than one ingredient as blended vodkas.
MEPs(Members of European parliament) have said vodka not made from grain, potato or molasses should simply have its ingredients clearly labeled.

Finland, Sweden and Poland would like to have an upper hand as European Parliament succeeds in attaining its goal. EU main is to bring vodka in market made from grains and potatoes rather than from molasses, grapes and other fruits.

UK government spokesperson said

“We welcome the fact that today’s decision by the European Parliament Committee would enable all products currently sold as vodka to continue to be sold as vodka in the EU.”

History behind Vodka
Its native from Russia and Poland .Majority of vodka factories in United kingdom are located in Scotland.

I feel European parliament will succeed in its goal. Most of famous brands of vodkas are made from fruits and molasses.

Via: Bbcnews

Brazil’s national drink, made with limes, sugar, water and the sugar cane brandy known as Cachaca is an international favorite. Refreshing cocktail from Brazil the Cacha (distilled alcohol beverage) drink.

Would you like to prepare one for yourself? You crave for thirst will diminish in few seconds. An alcoholic drink which refreshes you would be loved by most of die hard drinkers of alcohol (especially wine). Caipirinha (k-eye-per-reen- yah) is how it’s pronounced.

Preparation

1. Rinse and dry limes: (not few but at least handful of medium sized lemons). Since you do not remove rinds from the drink, the skin should be clean.

2. Remove thicker rind from top and bottom and remove unwanted blemishes.

3. Remove pith: Cut lime into two halves and remove the seeds and pith (white spongy nerves of the fruit)

4. Cut the flesh into small pieces as required

5. Place these pieces into glass. Do not prefer wide glasses as you’ll need to crush them later to enjoy the taste.

6. Add 3 teaspoons of coarse sugar top aid grinding of limes

7. Add 2 teaspoon of ordinary granular sugar (to help in dissolving process and hence simultaneously adding flavor/sweetness to your drink.)

8. Mash the lime pieces in the glass with a mashing stick

9. Add ice to glass: add crushed ice cubes to your glass and enjoy chill. You really enjoy when these small chunks of ice reach your mouth in small sessions along with your drink

10. Add more sugar and cachaaga finally add a teaspoon of coarse sugar and pour 1 to 2 ounces of cachaaga over the crushed ice cubes

11. Add a small straw and stir. Straw with a bend is preferred. Mmmmmmmm... you’ll relish semi sour drink along with crunchy sugar and ice. When you are about to finish your drink remove the straw else you’ll be noticed by your neighbors (as you’ll make disgusting slurp sounds with your straw).

This is for those who can spend ample time and enjoy the final drink without creating any fuss. If you cannot spend ample time just adjust with your daily cocktails produced artificially with artificial colors and flavors. Enjoy this drink full of flavor and taste in any part of the world.

Via: Instructables

Vodka with tastes, flavors in Moscow mule for die hard vodka lovers. What is vodka is it alcoholic or non alcoholic drink? Its non alcoholic drink originally known as ‘the water of life’ derived from similar word in both Russian and Polish, the native countries from where these drinks arrived.
Vodka doesn’t cause hangovers; vodka makers aim to remove most or all of the ‘congeners’ or flavoring elements from the spirit by distillation and filtration over charcoal to make it as pure as possible.

You can refrigerate your vodka in your refrigerator because of low level of alcohol in it, it is the right temperature for mixing your vodka cocktails.
If running short of time in your family get together and parties you can prepare colorful and flavored vodka cocktails. So do not wait just go and fetch a cocktail glass and get ready to prepare one for yourself at your abode.
Most challenging job for preparing one of them is in choosing right glass in which you would like to serve your cocktail. The way you present your cocktails attract most of the vodka lovers.

History

In 1941, John G. Martin of Heublein, spirits and food distributor in east coast and Jack Morgan, Owner of the Cock’n Bull bar in Sunset Strip, Hollywood met in a bar in Los Angeles. Together they invented Moscow Mule by mixing Morgan’s singer beer with Smirnoff Vodka and lime in order to market the proprietor’s struggling Cock’n Bull’s ginger-beer franchise.
So here’s how you would enjoy Moscow Mule a vodka cocktail.

Ingredients

1 ¼ oz of Smirnoff vodka
3 oz of ginger beer
1 teaspoon of sugar syrup
¼ oz of fresh lemon juice
1 sprig mint
1 slice lime

Preparation

In a cocktail glass pour the vodka over ice
Add sugar syrup and lime juice.
Top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with mint sprig and lime slice.

Via: Cocktailtimes

Nuvo Wino a sleek and thin wine thermometer. This temperature controller is just similar to the Vinturi meter. Suits just die hard wine lovers who love to spend money o enjoy a glass of wine. Infrared wine thermometer is so designed to adjust the temperature without touching the wine.

After getting your wine to desired temperature you can simply chug it out from your wine glass.
Temperature plays an important role for die hard wine lovers as wine tastes changes dramatically at different temperatures (20 degree F and above). So enjoy your wines at desired temperatures.

Via: Gizmodo

Elegant looking tapering Martini glass designed by Lee Fain (comprises a concept of last drop) resembles glass vases. Swart martini comes with last drop glasses for die-hard drinkers. The light royal blue and velvety gray glass suspends dark blue droplet of gin enabling the user to enjoy last drop of gin in it. These glasses are so attractive and appealing that you can gift them and they can add beauty to your in build bars, restaurants and hotels.

The glass features tinted blue color with dark smoke gradient, 24k gold rim and a cap base with curve in the middle.

They can be placed in your show windows to add beauty to your dinning, drawing and living rooms. They can be used to serve guests on special occasions. If you want a change later you can use them as flower holders.

This glass offers everything you need for the novice to the connoisseur, so go and add one to your abode.

Via: yankodesign

A visually striking method for short term wine storage, Blomus Cioso Wine rack for die-hard wine lovers, your guests will stand still and stare; they might not leave your place. Stainless steel indispensable rack can hold up to eight wine bottles by neck.
Its small and compact design (Height 29.2″, Width 1.4″ and Depth 2.75″) adds attractiveness to your rooms, bars and restaurants.