Recently, a strange craze has emerged on social media: a green-tinged wellness drink called the “Japanese Mounjaro.” No, it is not the most popular prescription medicine for diabetes or weight loss. It’s a term given to a handmade tonic made from matcha, umeboshi plum, ginger, and kombu, all of which are traditional Japanese ingredients. So, … Read more
The Drink That Made Me Love Spring Again The first time I had an Azalea Cocktail, I was at a spring party in Charleston, standing under a crepe myrtle tree and wondering if I’d worn the wrong shoes. A friend handed me a glass, pale pink, dewy with condensation, and garnished with a lemon curl … Read more
The first time I tasted the essence of what would become the Ocean Love Colada Recipe, I wasn’t on a pristine beach or sipping from a coconut shell. I was sitting on a rickety wooden stool in a tiny Costa Rican soda (a local eatery), soaked from a sudden downpour, laughing with Rosa, a grandmotherly cook who insisted … Read more
The Broth That Changed My Kitchen Forever I’ll never forget my first real batch of bone broth. I’d tossed some roasted chicken bones into a pot mostly out of curiosity, added odds and ends from my fridge, and walked away. What came out hours later was golden, savory, and far more satisfying than I expected. … Read more
The Mint Julep: More Than a Drink, It’s a Derby Day Tradition When it comes to iconic American cocktails, few are as instantly recognizable or steeped in tradition as the mint julep. Cold, crisp, and laced with bourbon and mint, this Southern classic has been the official drink of the Kentucky Derby since 1938. But … Read more
A few years ago, my best friend raved about apple cider vinegar (ACV). She said it helped her lose weight, cleared her skin, and even gave her more energy. I thought, “Why not try it?” So, I bought a bottle of raw ACV, mixed a tablespoon with water, took one sip… and nearly gagged. The sour, acidic … Read more
Three years ago, I was stuck. Despite clean eating, early morning workouts, and obsessive calorie-tracking, my body refused to cooperate. I felt bloated by lunch, craved sugar by 3 p.m., and saw zero change on the scale. I chalked it up to “getting older” until a close friend handed me a mason jar of purple … Read more
You’ve probably heard of the “pink salt trick” by now. Maybe it was on TikTok, YouTube, or the Today Show: someone sipping a colorful drink and claiming it helped them hydrate, detox, or even lose weight. As a chef and wellness enthusiast, I’ve seen the pink salt craze develop. From morning mineral drinks to viral … Read more
The Sazerac is more than a cocktail, it’s a liquid tribute to New Orleans’ vibrant past. Born in the 1830s at the Sazerac Coffee House (later the Sazerac Bar), this drink began as a cognac-based remedy crafted by Creole apothecary Antoine Peychaud, who infused his proprietary bitters into the mix. When phylloxera devastated France’s vineyards … Read more
Let me tell you a little secret. As a chef, I’m always on the hunt for ingredients that not only taste amazing but also tell a story. And then, there’s blue ternate tea, a drink so enchanting, it feels like it’s straight out of a fairy tale. Imagine a tea that changes colors, calms your mind, … Read more