Imbibe’s Tasting Notes Enewsletter, 02.07.21

Those chalky candy hearts that start circulating in early February always made me think more of antacids than of confections when I was a kid, even before I’d ever crunched into a tablet of Tums. But while some may find Valentine’s Day more a cause for heartburn than for sweet celebration, times like these make any excuse to create special moments all the more valuable in the grand scheme of things. 

Even if you avoid the holiday in typical years, with its crowded restaurants and high expectations, this year is all about doing things differently. Looking for something rich and engaging? Check out the Velvet Touch, from Palm Springs bar Truss & Twine. Or if you’ve hit the pause button on alcohol, keep things interesting with this fresh grapefruit soda flavored with classic chai spices, from food writer and photographer Nik Sharma. And if you’re looking for something to wrap a ribbon around, then check out our Valentine’s Day gift guide for ideas.

We’ve got plenty of great recipes, articles, and drinks ideas to keep you busy all month long. Head to our website at imbibemagazine.com to read profiles of this year’s Imbibe 75 People to Watch, like Beer Thug Life founder Edgar Preciado or Oakland’s Alkali Rye owners Jessica Moncada-Konte and Kori Saika Chen, or to discover ways to brew better tea, or mix a classic Champs-Élysées cocktail. 

We’ve been continuing our Imbibe 75 coverage on the Radio Imbibe podcast—check out our brand-new episode with Maxwell Britten from THIRST Group and New York State Assemblymember Robert Carroll (44^th District) about their work on behalf of bars, restaurants, and other small businesses. Keep up with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more day-to-day coverage—and if you’re not already a subscriber to the magazine, then we’d love to connect you with a print and/or digital subscription. Here’s how to subscribe. 

Today might be Groundhog Day, but I don’t care what forecast Punxsutawney Phil comes back with this morning—I’m betting that winter’s not sticking around for long. Bundle up for now, keep taking care of yourselves, and I’ll check back in with you again soon. 

Cheers,

Paul