Bailey’s Boozy Coffee
I just love Baileys and if you do too, you should know by now that it makes a great combination with coffee. So here’s an easy recipe I found which makes for the perfect nightcap after a delicious dinner. Vanilla is another flavour which marries perfectly with the coffee and Baileys, so if possible go out and get a bottle of vanilla flavoured vodka. If not, plain vodka will do, but do add a few drops of good vanilla extract. Mmmmmmm…..
1 oz vanilla vodka
3/4 oz Bailey Irish cream
1/2 oz creme de cacao
1 cup hot coffee
1 oz whipped cream
Stir the vodka, Bailey’s Irish Cream and creme de cacao in a large preheated mug. Pour into boiling hot coffee, top with whipped cream, and serve.
Alternatively, for a cold drink, chill all the ingredients until ice cold. Mix in a chilled, stemmed glass and top with whipped cream. Add a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream if desired.
The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning
In Hampshire, England thousands brewed, drank and raised their coffee mugs to fight cancer at the “World’s Largest Coffee Morning”, organized to raise funds for the Macmillan Cancer Support.
One of the largest fundraising events of its kind in the UK, organizers hope to exceed the £175,000 it raised last year. Backed by the Daily Echo newspaper, the popular fundraiser, now on its 16th year was formed to help cancer victims and their families.
The event, which spread across the area found various clubs, schools, shops and even hospitals happily pitching in the event for a cup of coffee and even some cake. Although the coffee was free in most places, donation buckets were said to be filled by nearly everyone who passed by.
Graziella Campisano, Macmillan’s fundraising manager in Swindon said:
“I am overwhelmed by the commitment that people have shown for this year’s coffee morning and I am confident that we can beat last year’s totals.”
The money raised will go towards improving Swindon’s cancer services, which provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support for patients.
Technorati Tags: starbucks, seattle, cancer, fundraising, caffeine
Coke and Coffee: A Winning Combo?
Earlier this year, the giant of all soft drink makers Coca-Cola introduced Coke BlaK in France. With cool black bottles and just 45 calories for an 8 oz serving, BlacK is a coke-coffee mix with a tempting low-dose of caffeine.
Marc Mathieu, vice president, Global Core Brands of the Coca-Cola Company explains:
“Coca-Cola BlaK is not just a flavor extension. It is a blend of unique Coke refreshment with the true essence of coffee and has a rich smooth texture and has a coffee-like froth when poured. We believe we have created a new category of soft drink – an adult product in a carbonated beverage – and a whole new drinking experience. This brand is ideal for any part of the day when people are looking for renewed energy or simply to take a break”
In Japan, the company already sells “Georgia”, a canned coffee product which is doing quite well. However, when Pepsi launched its cola-pepsi beverage, it was a certified flop.
Why? Because in increasingly health-conscious America, fizzy, sugary empty-caloried sodas are losing popularity. In fact, in 2005 US sales for soft drinks dipped drastically for the first time in 20 years.
Tea and “energy” drinks, on the other hand is gaining popularity, and companies like Snapple are doing better than ever.
And so, this week, Coca-Cola is trying out some new coffee and tea-based beverages in Canada, with the aim to hopefully hit the US market later on.
Technorati Tags: coca cola, coke, canada, snapple, tea, energy drinks
Oreo Ripple Coffee Cake
Ok, so there’s no coffee in this, but its a perfect snack or dessert to be served WITH. Its easy, quick and delicious, and as it has no coffee, the whole family can enjoy it!
Oreo Ripple Coffee Cake
24 OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, coarsely chopped (about 3 cups)
1/3 cup flour
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, melted
1/3 cup miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 pkg. (16 oz.) yellow pound cake mix or your best pound cake recipe 3/4 cup water
2 eggs
1 cup powdered sugar
4 tsp. milk
Preheat oven to 350. Mix chopped oreos, flour and butter then chocolate chips. Set aside. Prepare cake mix with water and eggs as directed if using. Pour half of the batter into greased 9- or 10-inch tube pan. Sprinkle 2 cups of the cookie mixture evenly over batter; cover with layers of remaining batter and cookie mixture. Press cookie mixture gently into batter.
45 to 50 min. or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack 10 min. Invert cake onto wire rack; remove cake from pan. Cool completely. Mix powdered sugar and milk; drizzle over cake. Let stand until firm.
Coffee For Vegans
If you’re a vegatarian, a vegan or just mindful of your health, you can still enjoy a cup of coffee. Obviously, the key is in the dairy - if coconut milk isnt your thing, you can substitute soy or rice milk.
Iced Vegan Coffee Mocha
300 ml coconut milk (fresh is better, but a carton or tin will do)
1 cup brewed coffee (organic, decaf or both)
1 tsp. cocoa powder (again, karob or organic variety works ok)
1 tbsp. muscovado sugar
Crushed ice
1. Fill a tall glass with ice.
2. Mix all the other ingredients and give it a good shake in a cocktail shaker or blender.
3. Pour into the ice-filled glass and serve!
Delicious, different and a real treat on a hot day - whether you’re a vegan or not.
Starbucks Hikes Its Prices
As if the coffee giant hasn’t annoyed the public already with the latest “free coupon- oh, sorry we changed our mind” fiasco, but now they’ve announced that they’re raising their prices (too many free iced grandes redeemed?).
The price hike will take effect on October 3rd and involves all its company operated stores in the US and Canada. Prices will be raised by US$.05 cents for its beverages, which is the second price increase in the past 2 years, the last one in 2004.
Whole bean prices at Starbucks are also on the rise for the first time in 9 years, now by a larger US $.50 cents a pound, which comes up to 3.9% on 23 of its 27 coffee blends.
The Seattle-based coffee chain said that the reason for this increase is due to higher fuel and energy costs. Isn’t that what they all say?
Hot Buttered Coffee
The words “Hot Buttered Coffee” just sound too smoothly scrumptuous for words. In my attempt to find deliciously different coffee recipes, I found this gem here, which is simple to make, and I swear will transport you to a balmy Carribbean island, Bob gently playing in the background.
Hot Buttered Jamaican Coffee
1 tsp. unsalted butter
1 tsp. brown sugar
6 oz. freshly brewed Jamaican coffee, steaming hot.
1 whole clove
Cinnamon stick
Grated nutmeg (from whole)
1 Tbsp. dark Jamaican rum
1. Put the butter in a mug or glass.
2. Pour over the hot coffee, brown sugar, cinnamon stick and clove. Stir. 3. Add the rum and grate the nutmeg over.
4. Serve!
Caribou Coffee Honours Starbucks Coupons
If you haven’t heard of Caribou Coffee, you will now, as the coffee with the distinct Caribou (I mistakened it for a reindeer at first) is doing what I consider to be a brilliant marketing move - honouring Starbucks’ “cancelled” coupons for free coffee.
According to media reports, Caribou will be honouring the Starbucks coupons for one day, and the holder will be entitled to a free medium cold press iced coffee, an iced americano or an iced tea.
Caribou coffee has shops all over the US and prides itself on its high quality beans, meticulous brewing methods, and unparalelled service. Relatively new to the industry, the company began in 1990, when its founders were inspired by the breathtaking views (which included a herd of caribou of course) from atop a mountain in Alaska .
Apparently it is not the company’s first time either to give back to the community. Neighborhood outlets regularly contribute free coffee to community programs, and through their website, you can even ask for a donation for your charity.
Coffee Carts, New York Streets and A Beautiful Film
The foreign film everyone is talking about today is about coffee. Well, actually its the poingnant story about a Pakistani man who pushes a coffee cart around Wall Street.
Written and directed by Ramin Bahrani, an Iranian-American who also worked as a coffee-cart-man himself, prestigious film festivals all over the world are touting this atmospheric film as a firm favourite of the year.
The film focuses on the life of Ahmad, a Pakistani immigrant who pulls his coffee-filled quilted metal cart around the Wall Street environs from dawn. He serves his coffee to friendly “suits”, but the story takes shape when he befriends a customer who is a fellow Pakistani.
“Man Push Cart” has a haunting score, brilliant cinematography and a universal message which transcends the boundaries of class and culture.
And most importantly, it will make you wonder, the next time you are at a coffee shop or more appropriately, coffee cart - about the person pouring your cup of java. Hopefully, you’ll end up asking him yourself.
Espesso: Solid Coffee Debuts in Chicago
At first I thought it was a typo - but Espesso (sans the “r”) is actually a play on the Italian word “spesso” meaning “thick.” And yesterday, America’s first solid Espesso was served at its Lavazza shops in Chicago for $2.49.
The intriguing Espesso is a creation of Catalan chef extraordinaire Ferran Adria (touted as the world’s most innovative chef) who has been obsessed with defying the elemental laws of food - coming up with things like frozen parmesan air and liquid ravioli at his acclaimed Barcelona restaurant.
Espesso made its debut in Europe 4 years ago, and consists of espresso and a secret ingredient which is put in a pressurised canister and left to set for 12 hours. When customers order the drink, it is then sprayed directly into the cup, where it is moussy, cold and solid.
You can get it as a plain espesso, or as an espesso cappuccino or espesso macchiato - the latter two come served with solidified milk, served together with the solidified coffee.
How cool is that?
