Fizz For The Holidays

The gift of bubbles are always fun. This could range from champagne to soda machines to gift certificates to a soda shop. There's nothing like the joy of fizz

Of course everyone appreciates champagne. Veuve Cliquot is the number one bottle of bubbly given out.It also comes in a very pretty yellow box.Its' notes are grape and apple and would be perfect with a varied charcuterie board.Moet Chandon is another good gift It has a very fruity, almost tropical taste with notes of pineapple and mango. There are under notes of mirabelle plum and apricot. A personal favorite is Asti Spumante which has a delicate blend of orange,pears, apricots and peaches. It's refreshing and not cloying  thanks to the crisp acidity of the Moscato Bianco grapes that comprise if champagne isn't our thing , then think soda. No, not your box of Coke or Dr. Pepper but a gift certificate at some of the new soda shops opening up.Victoria Peterson, a regular contributor covered this in Wednesday's New York Times Food section.  Chains like Swig and Fiiz have such delicious combinations as sparkling water with syrups to create Italian sodas, refreshing alternatives to the regular colas and lime sodas. The companies are mostly in Utah and the West. Some Italian pastry and coffee shops in other metro areas, like New York , Boston and Chicago can make Italian sodas in such refreshing flavors as tangerine, blood orange and lemon.

A soda machine is another great gift idea. Soda Stream has updated its' look and is a great addition to any one with a modern looking kitchen.It's has a new updated model,  Terra which is  sleeker and more aerodynamic looking. It comes in four colors from pale blue to red and the classic black or white. You could be generous and give the Hydration pack which has two extra bottles if the recipient wants to make two or three flavors at once. They also have the One Touch Electric which is much easier to use than the Terra and also the Aqua Fizz which is the sleekest of all the Soda Stream soda makers. It even comes with fancy carafes that go on any table from picnic to dining. What's really good about gifting this handy machine is the new updated flavors. Yes they still have the classic cola, cream and orange soda flavors along with their version of Dr. Pepper - Dr Pete's. Yet they also have Bubly drops for homemade flavored seltzer. Yet they also have a new line of craft soda syrups in such flavors as lemonade and pink grapefruit along with kombucha and passionfruit and mandarin kombucha

Give the gift of fizz for this Christmas. It could be a bottle of bubbly or a gift certificate at a cool soda shop. Better yet, give a soda machine where there's always a fresh amount of fizz. There's nothing like a fun holiday , full of bubbles and fun.

A Sweet Juneteenth Treat Homemade Strawberry Soda

 Everything red and traditional will be served this Saturday for Juneteenth, the holiday that celebrates the end of enslavement in the US. There are red velvet cakes and  red beans and rice. Some will have red barbecue sauce. What to drink? Strawberry soda. The old fashioned home made kind.

The first step is making the syrup. This is taking:

1 1/2 cups -destemmed  strawberries cut into halves or quarters

1 cup water

1 cup granulated sugar,

Combine all three ingredients in a sauce pan over a medium high heat. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer for twenty minutes, Strain the strawberries out from the syrup, Don't press down on them or they'll make the syrup cloudy. Save this mash for yogurt or ice cream. Chill the syrup in the fridge for an hour or two. Keep in mind you can use other summer fruits like peaches , blueberries and nectarines too.

After make the soda according to Soda Stream instructions add about three tablespoons to the carbonated water. Shake bottle to mix and chill until serving.

This is the perfect soda for the celebration but it's also a great drink for the summer. Add it to your Juneteenth celebrations. 

Wading Through The Soda Stream

 One of the best kitchen gadgets to have right now is the Soda Stream. This takes ordinary water and turns it into healthy plain or flavored seltzer as well as the base for homemade sodas. To be honest it took me a few years to actually get into mine. I'm sorry I came to the party late , wasting money on commercial sodas and seltzers.

This is the Soda Stream machine.

It's a long hollowed out canister with the charger being hooked up in the back. The machine itself ranges from $80.00 to an electric version costing $117. on sale. There's also the more deluxe version at $144.00 again on sale.  I bought mine at Target.All models come with a carbonating cylinder which lasts about three to four months, depending on how much you use it.  Bring back the empty to any store and you 'll receive a free replacement.  All come with a bottle or a carafe for the fizzy water.

You fill it with tap water and then set it into the canister.

My model has a large button on top and then it's just pressing so carbonation shoots (and I mean shoot - water does splash out of it) into it.  You can see the bubbles there. 

Afterwards it's then adding (and only adding afterwards) the flavors. 

I bought Soda Stream's cola flavor at my local Acme. I use only half a cap which give it a nice , light cola taste (and much better tasting than Coke or Pepsi.). I shake it up to mix and then pop into the fridge to chill. There are other flavors, like Dr Pete's which is a riff on Dr. Pepper along with their ginger ale. The company recently added Buble seltzer flavors - a definite must buy on my next Target trip. They also have fruit essences too - another must buy. Another plus  - I'm helping the environment by not buying all those cans and bottles. It's just one metal canister every few months.

Homemade soda is really the best. Get Soda Stream for a more refreshing take on soda and seltzer. Buy one today as an early Valentines' day gift for yourself. Then enjoy the fizz and bubbles.

January Is Kitchen Sale Times

January has always been the month for white sales. Sheets, pillowcases and towels were marked down to unbelievable prices. The same is now true with appliances and gadgets.If you feel like you need new gear or just over worked your blenders and toaster ovens over the holidays, then treat yourself to new ones this month.

Many stores from Targets to Kohl's are having major sales right now, especially on pots and pans sets. This is the time to buy them, especially with the great discounts happening. Some of the better brands such as LeCreuset can be bought with tremendous sales pricing right now. Kitchen Aid , always a chef's must have is also being offered at good pricing. A crock pot can be had at only twenty bucks and this is a steal at Target  , especially if you're big into slow cooking. Other must haves to pick up are electric griddles, rotisseries and grills. Any of these also make great shower or housewarming gifts too so stock up if you're going to have a few of these to attend.

Frill appliances are also going on sale right now too.If you wanted that cool Soda Stream, the aerator that carbonates regular water , scoop it up. Their  flavors are also being offered at discounts too at againlike stroes at Target and Kohl's.Those mini cake pop ovens  along with donut makers are also being sold at lower pricing too. Buy them now for some fun Valentine's Day baking later on. Keurig Coffee makers are being offered at lower pricing right now at some stores . Definitely take advantage of this if you're a big coffee maker,

January is a big sales month. Take advantage of these discounts if you need any appliance or just want a fun gadget. Pinching pennies is always good, better yet when thy're being saved on kitchen appliances.