Powdered DrinkI crave lemonade iced tea year round but that doesn’t mean I can find it in the dead of (even an unseasonably mild) winter.
I am happy to have found a powdered version that tastes yummy and Fruit Blooms‘ natural flavors and certified organic status doesn’t make me feel too white trash (or is the association of powdered drinks and trashy just a derogatory thing I made up?)
Just when you thought the neighborhood couldn’t take another coffee shop, one pops up that’s become my go to. Other great additions include an intimate wine bar,
a huge beer hall that’s kid friendly, and the spot that would easily win for the strangest interior (which I’ve learned since also has a fabulous brunch).
For staying in, one of the choicest local breweries got into the can business and a bottle of iced coffee concentrate saved many a mornings for me.
2. Troost
4. Trix
5. Spritzenhaus
1011 Manhattan AveFriends and I agree, Troost is a very pleasant place. Everything is just right and unobtrusive. The lighting is dim but not too dark, the service is extremely helpful (even offering sips of wines to taste) but not pushy, even the music is just the right volume and nice and jazzy without being disruptive.
A very nice addition to the neighborhood, Troost offers a spot to relax with cava or wine without battling a scene. The list of wines and beers is short but carefully selected and impressive.
I am looking forward to trying both their daytime coffee and the delicious sounding menu of small plates, sandwiches, meats and cheeses.
659 Grand St, BrooklynSeven bucks for two beers? Whaaa? Maybe I just haven’t been to happy hour in awhile but the price is right at the Second Chance Saloon, a dark, divey yet homey spot.
One pool table (occupied by serious players with their own stick carriers and everything) takes up the rear of the bar but there’s plenty of seating, a CSI ping pong table, a juke box and Americas Funniest Home Videos playing on the TV which is way better than sports because conversations are only disrupted by a man breast feeding a kitten.
Good beer selection and a pretty friendly environment. Seems like new bars are popping up all over the area and this ones nice and laid back, open to all sorts with a local hang out feel.
from SixpointI have to hand it to the Sixpoint guys. I am not one to order a pumpkin ale, but I just tried their seasonal Autumnation version and it’s got to be one of the most crisp, refreshing pumpkin spiced beers I’ve had.
It’s described as bold hop flavor on other sites, which has me rethinking my negative stance on hoppy beers. Hmmm
And, it packs a punch, whoooo.
Italian OrganicI always thought blood oranges differed from their more common brethren in looks only (silly me) but this Italian Organic bottle of blood orange juice has me rethinking that assumption.
I’m not a huge oj fan but have loved pouring this over seltzer for lunch. It almost tastes like raspberries.
Junmai Ginjo Nama GenshuNot since Wakatake have I fallen so in love with a sake. Eiko Fuji, like Wakatake was introduced to me by the ever excellent Zenkichi (the photo is a hand written reminder from the waiter).
It has the most pleasant scent and a pillowy, lush and almost creamy taste before ending cleanly.
It’s far more delicate than most namas (unpasteurized sake) we’ve tried and I hope I can wrangle up a bottle for a future special occasion.
Syrah RoseThe weather is telling me that summer is over, so does that mean I have to stop sipping rose? Not while I have a bottle of Cest la Vie in the fridge!
Dry yet fruity but not tart, this syrah rose is cheap and yummy.
A rare excellent find for being the only rose at our closest liquor shop.
Plus, the hand drawn label is darling.
Iced Coffee ConcentrateThe Grady’s Cold Brew stand caught my eye at the recent Smorgasburg. While there are plenty of great local iced coffee options, there is something nice, and more affordable about making a cup at home.
I was pleasantly surprised that this concentrate is as yummy as any good cheap cup of coffee you can find and for $15 it lasts two weeks (well, maybe less than that if you drinks lots of coffee).
Locally, at Brooklyn Kitchen and Urban Rustic, you can return your growler for cash off your next one.
228 7th Avenue, BrooklynAn iced hot chocolate is more than an oxymoron – it’s a very special thing.
It’s the rich. snooty older cousin to chocolate milk and Cocoa Bar in Park Slope mixes a mean one with chunky high end chocolate and creamy whole milk.
The pleasant cafe also offered lots of cakes and other chocolate treats.