Americas Archives - Page 4 of 10

Herbal Blessings: Community and Individual Health on Farish Street

Herbal Blessings in Jackson, Mississippi is an outpost of herbal medicine in a notoriously unhealthy place. With healthy lemonades, herbal tea blends, tonics, bitters, and more, the community health store aims to bring more conscientious consumption to its community. On top of this, the store hopes that bringing businesses back to historic Farish Street can help to build a more vibrant and prosperous community. Its mission is both individual and community health.

LD’s Beer Run: the Bottle Shop at the Forefront of Mississippi’s Late-Blooming Craft Movement

Mississippi is far behind other states when it comes to craft beer. From both a consumer and legislative stand point, the industry has struggled to get off it’s feet. Larry Voss, co-owner of LD’s Beer Run, one of Mississippi’s preeminent beer stores, speaks about the challenges in the state and the opportunities.

In the Barchives: a Low Country Review

A review of cook books and culinary histories in Savannah and Charleston reveals a variety of herbal teas, complex punches, and foraged fermentable. While sweet tea appears in these texts, it seems that the drinks of the Low Country past were far more colorful.

Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium: a Church Themed Bar

In Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward, there is a bar that is themed with Christian iconography. The brainchild of an antique collector and artist, the dive is called Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium. Thanks to the unique decorations, the bar has drawn both admiration and condemnation. The divisive nature of its theme underscores the relationship of alcohol and religion.

Savoring a Sip of the South in Savannah: the Flavor of Praline in Drinks

Pralines are a staple for sweets in the South, but what about drinks? A look around Savannah proves that the nutty, buttery, and sweet flavor that the candy is known for can also be used in a variety of beverages. There are distillers making praline flavored whiskeys, mixologists infusing the flavor into cocktails, coffee roasters brewing up praline cups, and a broad variety of recipes for praline drinks.

Herbemont’s Madeira: the Forgotten Wine of South Carolina

South Carolina once had one of America’s most exciting wines. In the early 1800s, a Frenchman named Nicholas Herbemont discovered a productive, hardy, and tasty vine in Columbia, South Carolina, that would come to bear his name. Records suggest that it made world class wine. The vine, however, has been missing from South Carolina (and most of American viticulture) for well over 100 years. Today, there are local efforts to bring the vine and its wine back to the state.

The Tea Punches of the Low Country

Between Charleston and Savannah, there is a regional identity that includes cuisine. For over 200 years, tea punches have been part of that story. Starting in the 1700s, elite society clubs and military organizations developed eponymous recipes for tea punches that would come to represent their prestige in Southern society. Today, many of these punches are forgotten, but a few still exist in cocktail bars.

Summerville, South Carolina: the Birthplace of Sweet Tea and a Legacy of Tea Tourism

Summerville, South Carolina has recently dubbed itself “The Birthplace of Sweet Tea.” While some across the American South may take issue with the historical accuracy of the claim, Summerville has a unique history of growing tea, producing tea, and drinking tea. Tea has also long brought tourists to the quaint Southern town.

La Michoacana Frozen Mix: Mexican Ice Cream, Agua Fresca, and the Diversity of Latino Tastes in Manassas, Virginia

Manassas, Virginia has a large Latino population. It comes as no surprise that there are businesses selling agua fresca, sweet, flavored juices like lemonade. One such establishment in Manassas is La Michoacana Frozen Mix, which follows the Mexican model of La Michoacana ice cream shop. However, it is also acculturating to its clientele who are mostly Central American and have specific products they want to enjoy that you wouldn’t normally see in a Michoacana.

A New Era of Cigar Bars in Charlotte, North Carolina

North Carolina produces more tobacco than any other state. In recent years, the city of Charlotte has begun to consume more too. New cigar bars are opening in Charlotte, fitting in a legal niche unique to North Carolina that allows smoking in bars and serving liquor without food. A new approach to hospitality welcomes patrons to drink, smoke, learn about products, and develop a palate through pairing whiskey with cigars.

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