The Drinks Issue

Can a drink create a lasting impression the way a memorable meal does? I can answer that in the affirmative, as I still recall the first time I sipped on a Kir Royale years ago as a college student in Paris. To this day, whenever I enjoy this French cocktail of crème de cassis and champagne, I am back at that café, delighting in the blend of bubbles and black currant liqueur.

Yes indeed, beverages can leave a lasting mark and are about so much more than quenching one’s thirst, even if the experience of getting drinks has evolved since its original usage. In the not-too-distant past the phrase meant a rendezvous at which alcoholic beverages would be served. These days, with the proliferation of coffee shops, juice bars and other non-alcoholic spots, social gatherings centered around grabbing a drink take on a whole different context.

When you look at the lineup in the Drinks issue, it’s clear that getting drinks has a very different connotation these days beyond grabbing cocktails or meeting up at a local bar. Read how the growth in the healthy drinks category motivated several local female entrepreneurs to launch enterprises serving this customer base (along with a list of other women-run beverage businesses to support in Northeast Florida). Seeking a bit of tranquility in your hectic schedule? Learn about a local restaurant’s tea ceremony and the peaceful state of mind that results from a cup of Chinese tea.

For an easy DIY, learn how to make your own drinking vinegars and add new flavor profiles to craft cocktails or alcohol-free libations. If one of your new year’s resolutions was to improve your home mixology skills, check out the guide to five essential bartending tools and recipes to use each one. Need some new recipes using beer and wine? We’ve got some tasty dishes in store for you, along with a pie using citrus juice not commonly used as a beverage (spoiler alert, it’s sour orange juice). And, though we don’t condone drinking and driving, we hope you have a chance to follow the trail of local breweries and distilleries. At press time, we compiled a list of 50 different stops for craft beers and spirits, each one a great representation of its neighborhood.

We hope you enjoy this issue while imbibing a glass of your favorite liquid refreshment. And if you’re out getting drinks, tag us on social media @edibleneflorida. Cheers!

Lauren Titus, Editor

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STORIES FROM THE DRINKS ISSUE