In less than five hours those of you planning on attending the reader meetup this evening will finally be able to taste what I've been writing about for weeks. Yesterday I finally had an opportunity to sample the final, carbonated, dry-hopped Sai-Shan-Tea. To say that it's exceeded my expectations is an understatement. more ›

In the weeks since Goose Island's Jared Rouben, Rare Tea Cellar's Rod Markus and I started fermenting our lemon tea saison wort at Goose Island Clybourn, our individual schedules were such that the three of us couldn't nail down a time to taste the beer together. Meanwhile, Rouben updated us in the weeks following the brew day with rave reviews from someone new who had sampled the beer. the anticipation was starting to gnaw at me. What I found out later only heightened the anxiousness. more ›

Much to our delight, cocktail menus and restaurant beverage programs have been transforming in a great way - the revival of classic cocktails, gin based drinks and most recently the tea trend. more ›

(Part 1 of this series can be read here.) more ›

Few things are cozier than a good afternoon tea service. Most Chicagoans think of afternoon tea as a formal affair at the Palm Court at the Drake, or perhaps at the top of the Ritz Carlton in the formal lobby. For those who want a less formal (and much cheaper!) version of the ritual, Russian Tea Time is the place for you. Great tea, great food and a comfortable atmosphere, plus the chance to order vodka flights - what more could a person want? more ›

Hibiscus produces a vibrant red-orange tea with a pleasantly-tart taste and may lower blood pressure naturally. In 2009 researchers at Tufts University published results of their study that analyzed the effects of hibiscus tea on individuals with mildly elevated blood pressure. more ›

To recover from the holidays, and prepare for a few more months of winter, this healthy hot tea will give your digestive tract and immune system a powerful boost. more ›

Sad news for Soul Food fans this morning: Helen Maybell Anglin, who founded South Side staple Soul Queen, passed away yesterday at the age of 80. Take a pilgrimage to 90th and Stony Island this weekend in Ms. Anglin's honor. [Sun-Times] more ›

Ginger is one of the most common ingredients in modern cocktailing. It’s infused into vodka and gin; muddled into the bottom of martinis; and crystallized as a garnish. It adds an exotic, spicy twist to a ton of classic cocktails without turning them into something you’d find wrapped in cellophane in the candy aisle of the grocery store. So, the last time we were browsing the shelves at our local liquor superstore and found Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur, we decided to take a risk and try something new. After drinking almost an entire bottle, we’re glad we did. more ›

Today's free giveaway involves the Emerald Behemoth of the West. To promote the launch of their new Full Leaf Tazo® Tea Lattes and Tea Infusions, all area Starbucks will be hosting a tea time at 2 p.m., where they'll be offering free samples of their new tea offerings. more ›

We were wandering around Chinatown a few weekends back and picked up some beverages from the various bakeries we passed on Wentworth Avenue. Our grandmother regularly has these odd drinks on hand, but we'd never had the privilege of having these curious libations ever pass our lips. We decided to dive in and sample the following beverages. more ›

Chicago is a great city for tea drinkers. With all of its independent coffee shops, Argo Tea’s 10 locations and the opulent snobbery of high tea at the Drake, it takes something pretty special to get noticed around here. Operating out of a cute (but tiny) storefront at 1160 N. State, TeaGschwendner easily stands up to the competition. Their store carries more than 300 varieties of high quality, loose-leaf tea, tea brewing paraphernalia and many attractive china tea sets. more ›

In addition to an extensive (38) list of tea shops, Ms. Blumberg also includes 3 other sections. For tea tourists, or those who love the formality and dignity of an afternoon tea service, the guide lists everywhere in Chicago where you can find a formal Afternoon Tea, as well as how much they cost and what you can expect for your money. Ms. Blumberg includes a list of restaurants that serve "Bubble Tea" - that wonderful cold drink filled with tapioca balls that are sucked up with a giant straw. Links to popular tea websites are also provided. All the Tea in Chicago is attractive and pocket-sized, and it provides a needed look at an often-overlooked topic – go pick it up! more ›