The first diet soda was called No-Cal Ginger Ale. It was created by Hyman Kirsch, a Russian immigrant to New York. Kirsch founded a soft drink company in 1904 but later became the vice president of the Jewish Sanitarium for Chronic Disease, in New York City. Kirsch wanted to create a sugar-free soft drink for the diabetic … Read more
Hooch has long been a common shorthand for cheap rotgut or prohibition-era moonshine. However, “hooch” had its roots in the rugged, icy wilderness of 19th-century Alaska. Most people associate the term with smoky 1920s speakeasies. Yet, the word actually traces back to the Hoochinoo Indians, a Tlingit tribe whose name translates to “grizzly bear fort.” … Read more
Although Seltzer has come to be a generic term for carbonated water or soda water, it was originally a brand of naturally carbonated water which came from Niederselters, Germany. This naturally carbonated water was bottled and sold as far back as 1728. It was brought into the US by immigrants from Europe and eventually came … Read more
Many enjoy a sweet-flavored alcoholic concoction, but have you ever wondered what actually makes it a liqueur? Although often confused with standard liquors, a true liqueur is a distinct craft that begins with a distilled base, such as a spirit. These versatile beverages are then transformed through a process of flavoring and sweetening, where the … Read more
If standard liqueurs are splashes of color and subtle nods, Crème liqueurs are thick strokes of oil paint. These spirits are defined by their luxurious, syrupy consistency and a sugar-to-alcohol ratio that makes them the richest bottles on the shelf. The iconic Crème de Menthe lent its minty bite to one of the most popular … Read more