Beverages
Game On: Ojos Locos Sports Cantina Kicks Off 2026
Ojos Locos Sports Cantina launches Loco Rewards in 2026, plus refreshed Latin-inspired menu items, shareable taco platters, and updated cocktails.
Ojos Locos Sports Cantina Launches Loyalty Program and Refreshed Menu Innovations
With Loco Rewards and a Refreshed Menu
Ojos Locos Sports Cantina is starting 2026 with a clear message for fans of big games and bold flavors: come hungry, come often, and get rewarded for it.
The culturally-rooted sports cantina just announced a new loyalty program—Loco Rewards—plus a round of menu and beverage upgrades aimed at delivering more authentic Latin flavor, stronger value, and a better overall guest experience across its Southwest footprint.
Loco Rewards: A loyalty program built for regulars
At the center of the update is Loco Rewards, Ojos Locos’ new points-based program designed to recognize frequent guests.
Here’s how it works:
- 250 bonus points when you join
- 5 points for every $1 spent
- Rewards with no minimum purchase required
- Ability to redeem multiple rewards at once
- Access to members-only offers and early alerts on specials and menu updates
Destinee Rollins, CMO of Ojos Locos Sports Cantina, says the program is an extension of what the brand has always been about—community, food, and sports—while giving loyal guests “real value” and a deeper connection to the culture and hospitality behind the concept.
January perk: A shot at 2026 World Cup tickets
To celebrate the launch, Ojos Locos is tying its loyalty push directly to its sports DNA.
Guests who sign up for Loco Rewards in January will be entered to win two free tickets to the 2026 World Cup—a timely hook as soccer fans begin looking ahead to the biggest tournament on the planet.
Menu upgrades: More Latin technique, more scratch-made detail
Alongside the loyalty rollout, Ojos Locos is refining core menu items with upgraded ingredients and preparation methods that lean further into classic Latin cooking techniques.
A few highlights from the refreshed lineup include:
- Elote Loco: roasted and charred, finished with crema, queso fresco, Valentina, and chile en polvo
- Birria de Res: reimagined with slow-cooked brisket
- Fresh churros: made daily by a Dallas-based Mexican bakery
- Hand-pressed tortillas: now pressed daily in the cantinas
Alex Sadowsky, Director of Culinary and Beverage, says the updates focus on preparation, presentation, and ingredient pairings—keeping the menu approachable while letting the ingredients “stand on their own” in a lively game-day environment.
Built for groups: New platters and $10-and-under Especiales
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon (and group dining likely to spike), Ojos Locos is also leaning into shareable options.
Starting in January, the brand is introducing:
- A larger taco platter designed for sharing
- Expanded late-night food offerings
- A broader rollout of daily Especiales, many priced at $10 or less
One standout value play: a Late-Night Taco Platter featuring 10 tacos for $10.
Behind the bar: Updated cocktails and an expanded tequila program
The refresh isn’t just happening in the kitchen.
Ojos Locos is also rolling out a revamped 2026 beverage lineup featuring:
- Reworked cocktail recipes
- An expanded high-end tequila program
- Trend-forward flavors built for game-day energy
New and featured drinks include:
- Milagro Mexican Martini
- Cadillac Margarita
- Horchata Sin Dolor
Plus a mixed-shot lineup with returning favorites like Paleta and new options like Mexican Candy and Spicy Mango.
A growing brand across the Southwest
Ojos Locos currently operates 35 locations across Texas, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada, and says these January updates reflect continued investment in quality, hospitality, and the communities it serves.
For guests ready to join, Loco Rewards is available through the Ojos Locos app on the App Store or Google Play.
- Learn more about Loco Rewards: https://ojoslocos.com/rewards
- Explore the brand: www.ojoslocos.com
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
Food and Beverage
NYC to Host 5th International Volcanic Wines Conference on June 10
New York City will host the 5th International Volcanic Wines Conference on June 10, 2026 at Manhatta, featuring global volcanic regions, masterclasses, a Grand Tasting, and the Volcanic Wine Awards with JancisRobinson.com.
New York City is about to get a crash course in “wines with a sense of place.” Volcanic Wines International (VWI) announced the 5th International Volcanic Wines Conference (IVWC), set for June 10, 2026 at Manhatta in Manhattan. The one-day event brings together producers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, and educators for tastings and masterclasses focused on wines grown in volcanic soils—an increasingly talked-about category known for its tension, mineral-driven structure, and unmistakable origin.
Why volcanic wines are having a moment
Volcanic vineyards sit on some of the planet’s most dramatic landscapes—think steep slopes, black sand, and lava-strewn terrain. But the conference isn’t just about scenery. The IVWC is built around a simple idea: volcanic terroir can shape wine in distinctive ways, influencing everything from texture and acidity to aromatics and perceived “energy” in the glass.
As VWI co-founder John Szabo, MS put it, volcanic wines often stand out for their “energy, structure, and clear sense of origin,” making them a natural fit for wine lists that prioritize discovery.
A global tasting tour—without leaving Manhattan
Hosted in what VWI calls the largest and most influential wine market in the U.S., the conference offers a rare side-by-side look at volcanic regions from around the world. Participating producers are expected from territories including:
- Etna (Sicily)
- Santorini (Greece)
- Canary Islands (Spain)
- Hungary
- Pantelleria (Italy)
- Lake County (California)
Masterclasses, seminars, and a Grand Tasting
The June 10 program is designed for wine professionals who want to go deeper than a quick sip. Attendees can expect guided tastings and educational sessions exploring how different volcanic soils—and the climates that surround them—can influence grape varieties and wine styles.
Seminars are slated to spotlight volcanic wines from:
- Soave (Italy)
- Etna
- Hungary
- Canary Islands
- Lazio (Italy)
The day also includes a Grand Tasting, where exhibiting wineries will pour for a curated audience of sommeliers, buyers, importers, educators, and media.
A new “Volcanic Origin” certification will be announced in the U.S.
One of the headline moments: the conference will host the official U.S. announcement of a new Volcanic Origin certification, created by the Vinora association of Auvergne, France. The certification is designed to help recognize authentic expressions from volcanic regions worldwide—an important step as interest grows and consumers look for clearer signals of provenance.
Volcanic Wine Awards + JancisRobinson.com partnership
VWI also highlighted a major media partnership with JancisRobinson.com for the Volcanic Wine Awards, an international competition celebrating standout wines from volcanic regions.
Award-winning wines will be featured on JancisRobinson.com and showcased in a dedicated space during the NYC conference.
“Volcanic regions produce some of the most characterful wines in the world,” said Tara Q Thomas, Managing Editor at JancisRobinson.com, adding that the partnership aims to bring greater attention to these terroirs.
The big picture: story-driven wine in a crowded market
Beyond the technical details, the conference is tapping into something the wine world is actively chasing: narrative and identity.
“Today more than ever, the wine world needs compelling stories that reconnect wine lovers with place and identity,” said Gino Colangelo, President of Colangelo & Partners and partner in VWI. Volcanic wines, he noted, offer “dramatic landscapes, ancient soils, and wines with unmistakable character.”
How to attend or exhibit
For information about exhibiting or attending, VWI directs inquiries to Bianca Panichi at bpanichi@colangelopr.com. Updates are also available at www.volcanicwinesinternational.com, with social channels on Instagram (@volcanicwines_intl) and Facebook (Volcanic Wines International).
What to watch for (STM Daily News)
- Whether the new Volcanic Origin certification becomes a widely adopted benchmark
- Which regions and producers dominate the Volcanic Wine Awards spotlight
- How volcanic wines continue to move from “sommelier obsession” to broader consumer demand
Hungry for what’s next? STM Daily News’ Food and Drink section dishes up the latest in restaurant news, beverage trends, seasonal recipes, culinary events, and food culture stories readers love to share.
Food and Beverage
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice Unveils “Island Fire,” a Sweet-Heat Secret Scoop Inspired by Hot Ones
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice is leaning hard into the sweet-meets-heat trend with a limited-time drop that sounds like it was built for adventurous taste buds (and social media reactions). The brand’s newest “Secret Scoop” mystery flavor, Island Fire Italian Ice, launched March 23, 2026 and blends tropical fruit flavors with a serious pepper-powered kick—an unexpected combo that Jeremiah’s is positioning as a celebratory finale to its anniversary run.
What is Island Fire?
According to the company, Island Fire starts with a bright, tropical base—passion fruit, guava, and orange—then finishes with lingering heat. The spice comes from Hawaiian Hot T’s POG2 hot sauce, a sauce the release notes has been featured on the popular YouTube interview series “Hot Ones.” The sauce brings a trio of peppers into the mix: habanero, scorpion, and ghost peppers.
In other words: it’s a frozen treat that aims to hit you with “vacation flavors” first, then surprise you on the back end.
How long is it available?
This is a true blink-and-you’ll-miss-it release. Jeremiah’s says Island Fire is available for one week only starting March 23, or while supplies last, at all Jeremiah’s Italian Ice locations nationwide.
Part of a bigger anniversary campaign
Island Fire also serves as the capstone to Jeremiah’s “30 Years of Ice” campaign, which has featured a different Italian ice flavor each week since the start of the year to celebrate the brand’s 30th anniversary.
“Jeremiah’s has spent the past 30 years creating fun, memorable flavors for our guests, so we wanted the finale of our anniversary celebration to be something truly unexpected,” CEO Michael Keller said in the announcement. “Island Fire captures that spirit perfectly.”
How to order it (and the best way to try it)
You can order Island Fire as a standalone Italian Ice, but Jeremiah’s is also nudging fans to try it layered with its Soft Ice Cream to create a Jelati—the brand’s signature combination.
If you’re on the fence about heat in dessert, the Jelati route may be the move: the creaminess can mellow the spice while still letting the fruit-forward flavors come through.
Find a location
To locate a shop near you, Jeremiah’s directs guests to its store locator here: https://jeremiahsice.com/.
About Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice was founded in 1996 and began franchising in 2019. The company says it now has 160+ locations across Florida, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Colorado, Nevada, Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas, and is continuing to expand across the Southern United States.
STM Daily News Food & Drink will keep an eye out for what brands do next as sweet-heat flavors keep crossing over from hot sauce culture into desserts and frozen treats.
Source: PR Newswire press release
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STM Daily News’ Food and Drink section highlights the stories, trends, flavors, and events shaping today’s food culture. From recipes to restaurant news, it keeps readers connected to what’s fresh and worth tasting.
Foodie News
illy Launches Art of Dining Series With Chef-Led Events Across Major U.S. Cities
illy has launched its Art of Dining Series, a year-long program pairing chef-led tasting menus with its signature coffee blend in major U.S. cities.
illy is bringing coffee and fine dining together with its new Art of Dining Series, a year-long program featuring chef-led dining experiences in cities including Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
The series launched in March with a dinner at Boia De in Miami and will continue with curated events built around custom tasting menus inspired by illy’s signature blend. One of the upcoming stops is set for June in San Francisco at Wolfsbane, where illy Chef Ambassador Rupert Blease will create a menu inspired by his own bespoke illy blend.
The company says the program is designed to create immersive, in-person experiences that connect guests with the illy brand through flavor, atmosphere, and hospitality. The launch also builds on illy’s broader gastronomy strategy, including its Chef Ambassador program and its role as the exclusive coffee partner of World’s 50 Best Restaurants for the past four years.
Founded in Trieste, Italy, in 1933, illy is known for its 100% Arabica coffee blend and global presence in more than 140 countries.
Source: illycaffè via PR Newswire
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At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
