I don’t know if you’ve tried Simply Limeade or any of the “Simply” brand of juices, but if you haven’t you really should try them. I started out with the Orange because that’s all they had in the stores here. A few months ago, Apple came out and after trying it, I was hooked. I swear, all I drank was Apple Juice for a week.

Next came the Lemonade and Limeade. I have been switching those on and off as the weather has become warmer. I love the fresh, homemade taste of both, though lately the Limeade has been in my refrigerator more than the Lemonade.

Last night I was making dinner and spied some Cranberry juice next to the Limeade. I’m a huge Cranberry juice lover though Dominick is not as big a fan as I am. He likes it (so he says) though often complains of that strong Cranberry kick that comes with it. So, I decided to put the two together.

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When it comes to liquor I have my moments. I am not a big beer drinker unless you count Corona Extra, which isn’t so bad. So, when it comes to having something light I stick with the malt liquors on the store shelves these days. One of my favorite options is Smirnoff Ice.

I love the Raspberry Ice Tea along with the red and black labels, though I occasionally try some of the others. When it comes to categorizing them as liquor or beer I have never really thought about it, but apparently some people, at least in Maryland, have been.

The Governor, Martin O’Malley has to make a decision whether to classify Smirnoff Ice as beer or liquor. Those lobbying for liquor think that it should be marketed and sold as beer. However, this means that it is allowed to sit freely on convenience store shelves and groups like MADD do not like this idea one bit. There is also the question of taxes. Beer tax is a lot cheaper than liquor tax. Currently, the Governor has not made a definitive decision, so people are left to lobby.

I’m somewhere on the fence. I don’t feel its beer. Other than the fact that it’s cheaper in cost there really is no similarity to any beer on the market. I can see where it is more marketable on the shelves of nearly any store. I certainly don’t feel it needs to be behind a counter. Even if it were, if someone wanted to buy it, they would, so the deterrent does not really lessen any by calling a spade a spade. Liquor companies have more to lose here, because if the price of the tax is raised on their end, then the consumer price, at least in Maryland where this is all occurring, will likely go up, as well. (more…)

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Hendrick’s Gin is not a name I was familiar with before receiving some for review. Come to find out, this is nothing new because most people have no clue who or what Hendrick’s is. Unfortunately, these sad people have no clue what they are missing. One of the newer gins on the market, Hendrick’s has only been around for a short time. However, it has made quite an impression since it came on the market.

One of the first things anyone notices about Hendrick’s is the bottle. The squat bottle is almost black in color. It’s dark enough that you won’t notice the liquor floating around on the inside of the bottle. The apothecary style bottle is hard to pass up because it’s the sign of something good. When it came time to open things up, I was immediately impressed. The cork top was a nice touch and so much better than the average screw top that is found on most liquor bottles.

As clear liquor, one expects something smooth and subtler than your average option in the brown liquors, which tend to offer a sharper taste and more burn for your buck. Hendrick’s is 88 proof and it’s certainly smooth. The smell offers the distinctive, unique flavors of a fine mix of roses, cucumbers, and a burst of juniper. While roses and cucumbers are certainly not the typical Gin flavor, the essence of these items helps to create a flavor in gin that allows Hendrick’s to be known as the best gin that is currently on the market.

I have had gin in the past and find it to be generally pleasing for the most part. However, Hendrick’s blows all previous gin experiences out of the water. The mellow cucumber flavor mixed with the standout flavors of the roses and the light juniper taste is absolutely remarkable. While Hendrick’s may not be well known, fans of this premium liquor are loyal to the brand and the taste of Hendrick’s.

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