Sipping on Serenity: The Tinto de Verano Affair
“My mother and I, sitting at an outdoor café in Seville, Spain, taking a breather from a late morning of wandering that had bled into the noon hour on a blistering September day. We wanted something refreshing and boozy, but the prospect of all that wandering still looming ahead of us held us back. That’s when the waiter offered us a way out – the tinto de verano.”
The scene was set, and the stage was primed for an unexpected encounter. As my mother and I tried to decide on the perfect thirst-quencher to power us through the rest of our day in the Andalusian capital, the waiter swooped in with a solution we had never heard of before: the tinto de verano.
Tinto de verano, it turns out, is a beloved summertime staple in Spain – a simple yet refreshing concoction of red wine and lemon soda. It’s like a wine spritzer, but with more sophistication and a touch of Spanish flair.
Discovering the Magic of Tinto de Verano
As we took our first sips, the tinto de verano quickly became the saving grace of our trip. It was the refresher we employed to break up and beat back sweltering afternoons, allowing us to power through the rest of our wanderings with a renewed sense of vigor.
Intrigued by this newfound elixir, I turned to a friend of mine, Carrie Jaxon, an American who had spent the past eight years living in Madrid, to learn more about the cocktail and how it fits into Spanish culture.
“Tinto de verano, it turns out, is part of many daily routines in Spain,” Carrie revealed. “It’s far more popular with Spaniards than the summer drink Americans most associate with that country – Sangria can be had, but is much less common for the local folk.”
This was news to me. I had never seen a tinto de verano on a menu outside of Spain, despite the ever-evolving cocktail scene in New York City and beyond, where bartenders are constantly on the prowl for something classic on which to place a new twist.
Bringing a Taste of Spain Home
Determined not to let my newfound love for this Spanish summertime staple fade, I’ve taken to making tintos de verano at home every year. And let me tell you, the simplicity of this drink is part of its charm – one part serviceable red wine to one part lemon soda, preferably of the artisanal variety.
Each time I serve a tinto de verano, I’m met with a surprising amount of praise, despite the fact that I’m really not doing anything special. It’s the ultimate solution for those who bemoan leaving red wine behind when the days get warm.
However, Carrie had one word of warning: “The tinto de verano really is what its name implies. You wouldn’t dare order it outside of summer – people would laugh.”
So, as the seasons change and the sun-drenched days of summer give way to the crisp, cozy evenings of fall, I dutifully tuck away my tinto de verano supplies, eagerly anticipating the arrival of next year’s scorching temperatures and the opportunity to once again indulge in this delightful Spanish tradition.
Sparkling Sensations: The Rise of Celsius
“Alongside decorative cell-phone straps and Instagram photo dumps, the latest qualifying signifier of trendiness is weirdly an energy drink. Celsius, essentially Red Bull marketed as a form of wellness, has popped up on my TikTok feed, in the check-out lines of overly expensive grocery stores, and in the hands of my coolest friends.”
It seems that the world of beverages is never short on surprises. Just when I thought I had a handle on the latest and greatest, a new contender emerges, seemingly out of nowhere, to capture the attention of the masses. This time, the culprit is Celsius, an energy drink that has managed to position itself as the darling of the wellness-conscious crowd.
A Wellness Warrior or Just Another Hype?
As someone who has never really enjoyed the taste of energy drinks, I was intrigued by Celsius’s seemingly quick rise in popularity. After all, it’s been around since 2005, so it’s not exactly a newcomer to the market. But the way it’s been marketed as a health-conscious alternative to traditional energy drinks has certainly captured the imagination of the masses.
Determined to see what all the fuss was about, I decided to embark on a weekend-long Celsius experiment, switching out my daily coffee for a rotation of the brand’s various flavors. And let me tell you, the experience was, well, interesting, to say the least.
Taste Test: Celsius Hits and Misses
The first morning of my Celsius adventure, I started with the Watermelon flavor, joined by my brother, a self-proclaimed connoisseur of trends. We tried to create the perfect influencer aesthetic by pairing our drinks with hummus toast, which, in hindsight, felt a bit ridiculous, but hey, who doesn’t love a little fun with their trends?
The Watermelon Celsius tasted like a flat La Croix, with an intense but less-than-appealing aftertaste that I can only describe as “liquid battery.” My brother felt the same way, but after finishing his drink, he randomly asked me, “Wouldn’t it be cool if there was some kind of fast-casual restaurant for toast?” I mean, who knows, maybe he was onto something, or maybe the Celsius had just gone straight to his head.
Later that day, I tried the Orange flavor, which I actually liked the best of the three I sampled. It tasted the least artificial, and the energy-drink pungency was less overwhelming in the afternoon than it had been first thing in the morning. I’ll admit, there was a certain sense of cool factor to carrying around the Celsius can, even if the packaging itself didn’t really appeal to me.
But then came the Wild Berry flavor, which, in my opinion, was the least palatable of the bunch. It tasted like a “melted Blow Pop in a can or an old Jolly Rancher” – not exactly the refreshing pick-me-up I was hoping for.
Separating Fact from Fiction
By the time I reached the end of my Celsius experiment, the novelty had worn off, and I was just ready to go back to my trusty cup of coffee. But before I did, I figured I should ask a doctor whether I should permanently switch to the buzzy beverage.
The conclusion was an unsurprising one: while Celsius’s claims of health benefits aren’t necessarily false, I’m better off sticking with my regular caffeine fix. After all, coffee and Celsius have similar amounts of caffeine, and most people in the United States already get the vitamins and minerals they need from their diet, without the need for supplementation.
So, while the Celsius hype may have momentarily captured my attention, I don’t think I’ll be making it a permanent part of my routine. The thrill of being part of the latest trend was fun for a little while, but when it comes to my daily pick-me-up, I’ll take the simplicity and reliability of a good old-fashioned cup of coffee any day.
Embracing the Unexpected: Cocktail Trends that Captivate
As I reflect on my adventures with both the tinto de verano and Celsius, I can’t help but be reminded of the ever-evolving nature of the beverage landscape. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, something new and unexpected comes along to shake things up.
The Allure of the Unique
Perhaps it’s the human desire for discovery, or the thrill of being on the cutting edge of the latest craze, but there’s something about a unique or trending cocktail that seems to capture our collective imagination. Whether it’s the tinto de verano’s quiet elegance or Celsius’s wellness-focused approach, these drinks have managed to carve out a special place in the hearts and minds of their respective audiences.
Cocktail culture, it seems, is constantly on the move, always searching for the next big thing. And as a self-proclaimed enthusiast of all things liquid refreshment, I can’t help but be captivated by the stories that lie behind these trending drinks.
Celebrating the Classics, Embracing the New
Of course, not every new cocktail that comes along is a surefire hit. As I’ve learned from my Celsius experiment, sometimes the hype can outweigh the actual experience. But that doesn’t mean we should dismiss the innovative spirit that drives these trends.
Instead, I believe we should strive to strike a balance – reveling in the timeless elegance of classic cocktails while also embracing the excitement and creativity of the latest arrivals. After all, it’s the blending of the old and the new that keeps the world of beverages endlessly fascinating.
Cocktail Couture: Where Tradition Meets Trendiness
So, as I raise my glass to the tinto de verano and tip my hat to the Celsius craze, I can’t help but wonder what other delightful surprises the cocktail world has in store for us. Will the next big thing be a forgotten gem from the annals of history, or a cutting-edge concoction that challenges our preconceptions?
One thing’s for sure: whether it’s a tried-and-true favorite or a bold newcomer, The Up & Under Pub will be there to celebrate the cocktail couture that captivates us all. So, come on in, pull up a barstool, and let’s raise a glass to the endlessly fascinating world of beverages – where the past and the present come together to quench our thirst for something new.
