LYRA MAG.

NYC Coffee Festival  Mix It With : A 90's redux- 'retro' and new alcohol brands- serve it up to a new generation (or two). remember when Red Bull and vodka dominated the two buzz drinks' category? MR. BLACK -updates that combo w/ cold brew and vodka (roasted + distilled in Australia) FYI vegan, vegetarian and gluten free. Cocktail moue Even the thought of pouring a dram of Scottish whiskey over an ice cube -was scandalous. Now that Bourbon has replaced Scotland's aromatic export as a fav of 35 and under-one of the premier brands  imported single malt whiskey- Oban  ( Diageo owned)- is targeting that demographic-with cocktail suggestions. It reminded us of how Sherry is gaining traction-as an alcoholic ingredient in craft sips. For a sweetish  take on winter's staple Irish Coffee-add Coole Swan 's combo of Irish whiskey, Madagascar vanilla,  Belgian white chocolate + double creme into a steaming mug half filled with java. Good over ice c...

NYC COFFEE FESTIVAL The same humans that grew up with 'smart'screens- swiping ... are  becoming coffee (and tea) drinkers = born after Starbucks ubiquitously introduced caffeine consumers to better brews. Tastebuds have - evolved further (Starbucks now  'gets' that with its Reserve Roasteries) PREMIUM QUALITY-transparent chain supply-exceptional designs . Travelers sipping  un caffé  better tasting than the average American 'joe,  caring about sustainability+sourcing directly- and the specialty foodie culture- have all contributed to the wonderful world  of more coffee deliciousness. Part One: Single Origin=Small Batch : coffee beans (and chocolates) from a distinct region yield flavors-nuanced and bold. Similar to wine descriptions-(and what we wrote about recently -in coverage of the Fancy Food Show )-coffee beans have  distinct aromas and palate hints beyond dark-medium-light-courtesy of soil, altitude, climate and roasting techniq...

GO GLOBAL Americans embrace of 'hot' spices and global cuisines-merges nicely in a nifty gift-worthy collection of Artisan Pepper Sauces by Clark + Hopkins. ..featuring unique peppers and native flavorings from around the world. A SOFI award winner to pour on...! We had a laugh when we saw this at the Fancy Food Show-being from UWS- NYC-where the tap drinking water is blessedly terrific so why 'enhance' it. WELL-if you are missing that unique taste from far flung locales...these Tap Drops...in dropper bottles-will cure that ...aka 'water well traveled.'  Tempting mix of savory+sweet spices-our fav instant hot chocolate mix SOFI AWARD WINNER We never really thought of instant hot chocolate powders as having gourmet food status potential till now... COCOA SANTÉ by Harbor Sweets has a winning assortment of natural+ organic cocoa ingredients combined for lush  flavor blends for  this classic cold weather beverage that is also heavenly over ic...

Sipped standing up, sitting down or on the go...coffee is replacing tea worldwide as the buzz of choice... Most recent fav java location Bar Luce ...Prada Foundazione recreates a 'typical' Milanese café aka diner par excellence-as imagined by none other than Wes Anderson-American film director. Perpetually packed-and a 'hang' for the neighborhood as well as contemporary conceptual art fans... That hazel nut chocolate-vanilla (ish) spread/sauce hybrid Nutella ... has its own menu section. Not conversant in Italian we just pointed at random options...pictured-fresh apple slices, real whipped cream, underneath the main attraction

via GIPHY YES-you can have your caffeine and be sustainable too. Officially obsessed... The original Swiss Army knife company Victorinox has teamed up with single serve- pod royalty Nespresso...in a recycle program whereby 24 aluminum single serve capsules get the do-over melt-down treatment-morphing into the aluminum cladding-aka the textured scales on the outside of a limited edition PIONEER pocket knife/ multi-tool . There's even a Nespresso engraved stamp on a blade. Available online   $55 while supplies last ...and select Victorinox + Nespresso boutiques. the 411...fill up the the Nespresso UPS bag w/ used single serve capsules -give/drop off to UPS locations.... or drop off at Office Home Depot or Staples. FYI-part of Nespresso's Second Life Project pictured-on left this limited Victorinox Swiss Army Pioneer multi tool knife-packaged in recyclable box +Nespresso bag for UPS. PS: Tools for the Pioneer -large blade, reamer, punch, ...

Ancestral inspirations and distant islands/continents...turned up in new ways at the latest Fancy Food Show...with African, Haitian, and Australian spices livening up foodie goodies. Highlights... Departure Snacks -travels for you, no security checks-needed, tastes wise-with far flung locales-thematically adding flavors to dry roasted almonds. Pictured-Ethiopian Berbere-with smoked paprika, mild chilies, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and imo the new 'it' spice-cardamon=fragrant spice hits. Non-GMO, gluten free +vegan. 210 calories/pack.

To wake up -or to chill out-the latest Coffee and Tea blends -to help achieve the desired outcome-boast 'healthy' add-ons -with new blends aiming to make these popular sips-even better for you. via GIPHY EIGHT O'CLOCK was a 'mom' staple in our house...nowadays-this 100% Arabica coffee gets amped up with healthy for you-additions-perfect for the faster moving 21st century. ACAI GLOW-contains the anti-oxidant loaded superfood ACAI Berry,  a rich dark roast B6 Metabolism-that has just that , and a truly well balanced, aromatic  cinnamon+turmeric (anti-inflammatory) based super spice medium roast blend that's our fav-  tasty hot or iced cold. Have to say though-that the new ALERT medium roast-which gets its added oomph from the native Brazilian GUARANA fruit -is a guy pal fav-perfect for the early bird who needs the staying power of energy drink staples-without the jitters or weird taste. SALUT Ethical Bean Coffee. ..USDA Organic-and carefully sourced ...

Fancy Food Show Part One: CALIFIA FARMS ENHANCED MILKS, COLD BREW, REBEL KITCHEN MYLK via GIPHY Human hydration needs for summer's heated up exercises -get amped up...one reason why powered up liquids are gaining favor and flavors from plants, spices, coffee/tea combos- and and a little bit of scientific know-how. CALIFIA Farm s elevated the niche cold brew coffee market-that we remember drinking up-back in the days  -in New Orleans.. encouraging so many hot/iced coffee drinkers to enjoy this cult liquid-that it's now widely available in retail outlets, nationwide. New single serve options now include tasty flavors of plant sourced, non-dairy, enhanced 'milk' -and athlete must-intense sips of their caffeinated cold brew, slightly sweetened with cane sugar-mixed in with protein packed almond milk. Pictured: good post workout-recovery option -is the- Maca-Nilla Almond Milk -new flavor addition joining the Choco-Maca Almond Milk version. With real deal vanilla...

Highlights From International Restaurant & Food Service Tradeshow: Geared toward professional providers of foods/drinks-anywhere from restaurants to summer camps...this recent NYC gathering of culinary provision provider- reflected the growing sophisticated tastes of a globally connected world...who may be staying home more -yet when venturing forth...expect a higher quality of eating offerings-that are healthier-and or/more indulgent. No surprise-quite a few vendors also seen at the Fancy Food Show-and overlapping of food trends, namely gluten free eats, natural (vs artificial) ingredients, a booming NY State distillery-craft-brew scene and new comer, raw cookie dough, Equipment: In addition to many pizza ovens to deliver gourmet outdoor grill worthy- wood fire style -crisp thin crusts, indoors...other most wanted industrial gadgets... SPACEMAN soft serve ice-cream -and frozen beverage-milkshake-smoothies machines. Pictured swirl soft serve -to use with mixes for cream...

a bountiful display of gourmet chocolate bars...from around the world... AN invite for a gourmet chocolate-wine pairing tasting-count us in! via GIPHY yes-chocolate is that good... A worthy reminder that single source and refined blends of planet earth's most fav 'food' -has caused worthy destinations-like the chic sleek Italian style coffee (ILLY) café 2Beans (Manhattan based-including convenient right near Grand Central station)...to offer discerning and curious customers-an outstanding assortment of chocolates from around the world-in custom confections -by the piece-or in beautiful packaged bars-to go..

Endurance Athlete Essentials: Travel All that training for a multi-hour triathlon/marathon-can be ruined when on the road...by eating/drinking foods prepared by others. Which is why we now travel to destinations afar with our own mini-coffee pot and pick up packaged pre-race basic eats at a local grocery store.  Unless there's a Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham in the area---as the thoroughly affordable lodging alternative allow guests to serve up their own tasty meals---made easier with Homemade@Hawthorn™- a new chef-driven in-room cooking program designed for guests to feel at-well home-when on the road.  Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham tapped acclaimed culinary minds Chef Hari Nayak – a New York-based chef, restaurateur, author and culinary consultant – and Chef James Rigato (pictured)  – former Top Chef competitor and owner of the award-winning The Root Restaurant & Bar and Mabel Gray in Michigan – to create exclusive flavor-driven recipes designed for hotel livi...

  Starting a new year usually ushers in vows of better fitness, health and nutrition-particularly in the eats and drinks category.  A worthy resolution-get a better buzz on-our top pick USDA ORGANIC Chameleon Cold-Brew . Since our first sip of refrigerated ready coffee from vending machines in Japan-decades ago(!!!) the buzz in a bottle/can has deliciously evolved to satisfy more sophisticated palettes -with a smooth less acid drinks. Stop choice -Chameleon Cold-Brew made from small batch, air roasted rich coffee beans slooowly processed (drip by drip for 12 hours)- with filtered Texas Hill country water. CHAMELEON COLD-BREW comes in 10oz RTD sizes of original USDA Organic Black Coffee, Vanilla-sweetened with cane sugar, and the complex Mexican flavor-has a rich blend flavors-almost almond-y...when we added unsweetened almond milk-the results were as tasty as a milk shake but with a lot less calories. Other flavors not pictured: Caramel, Mocha and Texas P...

Part 3 Feeling in an Empire state of mind...there was plenty from the hosting state that caught or eyes-and tastebuds... via GIPHY Some Highlights: SWEET SAM' S hails from the Soundview section of the BRONX...a hometown success story...making sweet indulgent treats using fresh eggs and  real butte r-for fresh bakery freshness-that are so much better than those mass brands-practically no comparison.  Pictured- gone in a New York minute cupcakes...large size Chocolate Coconut and Chocolate Peanut Butter. Crumbling piled high  buttery topped coffee crumb cake and streusel with walnut filling are both classics - grandmothers would approve of. OPRAH anointed-sweet, creamy crisp perfection- and sinfully indulgent  Aunt Butchies   crisp almond cone with slurge worthy cheesecake filling-are the most  textured heavenly divine sample we tried AND the only one we went back for seconds the next day. YES T...