Beverages
Grazing and Gifting: Sweet Solutions for the Holiday Rush
Grazing and Gifting: hMake holiday entertaining and gifting easy with Florida Citrus. Discover delightful recipes—like Scallops with Grapefruit Butter and Citrus Salad with Burrata—and send sweet, healthy citrus gift baskets to loved ones for a memorable, stress-free season.
Last Updated on December 23, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Grazing and Gifting: Sweet Solutions for the Holiday Rush
(Family Features) If you feel yourself slipping into the last-minute rush of the holiday season, still searching for dazzling recipes and abundant gifts, rest assured – you’re not alone. Light, refreshing ingredients for spectacular meals are just a click away, and they can make for the perfect presents, too.
Abundantly sweet and simple, Florida Citrus Gifts are a simple way to share holiday cheer with family, friends and loved ones. From cheerful boxes to beautiful baskets and more, they offer options in all shapes and sizes, loaded with freshly picked tangerines, grapefruits, oranges and mandarins.
They’re easy to send and even easier to enjoy, providing a one-of-a-kind (and healthy) way to share holiday cheer in memorable meals like Scallops with Florida Grapefruit Butter, sure to become a household favorite for years to come. Pair it with a light and refreshing Florida Citrus Salad with Burrata featuring fresh grapefruit and oranges mingling with peppery arugula and creamy burrata to bring a bit of balance to holiday dining.
No festivity is complete without libations, and this Florida Grapefruit Brandy Sour can be a staple at your beverage station. Just mix freshly squeezed Florida Grapefruit juice with brandy, simple syrup, bitters and egg white (for froth) then finish with sparkling water.
Find deliciously thoughtful ways to share the sweetness of the season with loved ones by visiting PickFLA.com, which features an interactive map to find a range of gift options that fit your holiday needs.
Florida Grapefruit Brandy Sour
Recipe courtesy of the Florida Department of Citrus
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
- 1 3/4 ounces brandy
- 2 1/2 ounces freshly squeezed Florida Grapefruit Juice
- 1/3 ounce simple syrup, or to taste
- 2 dashes bitters
- 1 egg white
- ice cubes
- 1 ounce sparkling water
- Florida Grapefruit twist, for garnish
- In cocktail shaker, add brandy, Florida Grapefruit juice, simple syrup, bitters and egg white. Shake vigorously 15-20 seconds to create frothy texture.
- Add ice cubes to shaker and shake 15 seconds to chill drink.
- Strain into chilled coupe or rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Pour light splash of sparkling water over top to enhance effervescence.
- Garnish with grapefruit twist.
Scallops with Florida Grapefruit Butter
Recipe courtesy of the Florida Department of Citrus
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 3 minutes
Servings: 4
- 2 Florida Grapefruit
- 1 fennel bulb
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus additional for searing, divided
- 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon, plus 1 pinch, salt, divided, to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon, plus 1 pinch, pepper, divided, to taste
- 1 small bunch fresh cilantro
- 12 scallops with empty shells
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Peel and cut one Florida Grapefruit into segments. Squeeze remaining grapefruit and reserve juice.
- Wash and finely chop fennel. In bowl, mix fennel with olive oil, sherry vinegar and 1 pinch salt and pepper.
- Mix and add fresh cilantro. Keep a few leaves for garnish.
- In hot frying pan, drizzle with olive oil then sear scallops 1 minute on each side.
- Remove scallops from pan then deglaze with reserved Florida Grapefruit juice. Let it simmer slightly and add butter to make sauce. Add 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper.
- Place 1 tablespoon fennel salad in washed shell, top with three scallops and coat with grapefruit butter.
- Finish with reserved cilantro leaves and fresh grapefruit segments.
Florida Citrus Salad with Burrata
Recipe courtesy of the Florida Department of Citrus
Florida Citrus Vinaigrette:
- 1/3 cup Florida Grapefruit Juice
- 1/3 cup Florida Orange Juice
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons shallots
- sea salt, to taste
- fresh pepper, to taste
Pickled Onion:
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup white vinegar or cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Burrata Salad:
- 4 Florida Grapefruit, peeled and cut into segments
- 3 oranges, peeled and cut into segments
- 1 bunch radishes, sliced thin and cut into sticks
- 1/3 cup pistachios, grilled and coarsely chopped
- 1 cup arugula
- 2 tablespoons dill, chopped
- sea salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces burrata
- To make vinaigrette: In small bowl, mix Florida Grapefruit Juice, Florida Orange Juice, orange zest, cider vinegar, honey, Dijon, olive oil and shallots until dressing is emulsified. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside. Vinaigrette will keep 7 days in refrigerator.
- To make pickled onion: Place sliced onion in airtight canning jar.
- In small saucepan, combine vinegar, water, sugar and salt. Bring to boil and pour over sliced onion in jar. Add small amount of water to completely cover onion.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Pickled onions will keep 15 days in refrigerator. - To make burrata salad: In bowl, combine Florida Grapefruit and Orange segments; add radish sticks, toasted pistachios, arugula and dill. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Place salad on large plate, top with coarsely chopped burrata and drizzle generously with citrus vinaigrette and pickled onion.
SOURCE:
Florida Department of Citrus
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/
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Beverages
Why Wheat Beers Still Win for Me After All These Years
After years of drinking beer from around the world, wheat beers remain my favorite. Here’s why flavor, balance, and craft still matter.
I’ve been legally drinking beer long enough to remember when the default choice at most bars was something cold, fizzy, and forgettable. Like most people, when I turned 21, I drank what was available, what was cheap, and what everyone else was drinking.
Over time, my palate evolved—and my patience for bland, mass-produced beer disappeared.
These days, if I’m reaching for a beer, chances are it’s a wheat beer.
From “Anything Cold” to Actually Tasting Beer
Early on, I learned something important: not all beer is created equal. The big mainstream domestic brands—built for volume, shelf life, and advertising budgets—never really did it for me. They’re engineered to offend no one, which usually means they excite no one either.
Thin body. Muted flavor. A sameness that makes one brand blur into the next.
That doesn’t mean I dislike American beer. Quite the opposite.
Why Craft and Small Breweries Changed Everything
What I do appreciate are medium-sized breweries, small operations, and microbreweries that actually care about flavor, balance, and craftsmanship. Domestic brewers who treat beer like food—not just a commodity—have produced some outstanding work over the years.
The rise of craft beer proved that American brewers could compete with the best in the world when flavor came first.
Discovering Wheat Beers: Flavor Without Heaviness
My appreciation for wheat beers came naturally. Unlike many heavy ales or aggressively hopped styles, wheat beers offer complexity without exhaustion.
A great wheat beer delivers:
- A soft, rounded mouthfeel
- Notes of banana, clove, citrus, or spice
- Natural carbonation that lifts the flavor
- Balance that works whether you sip or socialize
German Hefeweizens, Weissbiers, and Weizenbocks set the standard. Breweries like Weihenstephaner, Paulaner, Franziskaner, and Schneider Weisse showed me just how expressive wheat beer can be without trying to overwhelm the drinker.
Tasting the World, Not Just the Shelf
Over the years, I’ve sampled beers from around the world—Germany, Belgium, the UK, Mexico, Japan, and beyond. Each region brings something different, but the best beers share a common thread: intention.
Once you’ve tasted beers refined over centuries, it’s hard to get excited about products designed mainly for shelf stability and mass appeal.
Yes, American Wheat Beers Can Be Great Too
To be fair, American craft brewers have done some excellent work with wheat beers. Some stay true to traditional styles, while others experiment carefully with citrus or spice.
The good ones respect the base beer instead of burying it under gimmicks.
Why Wheat Beers Still Top My List
After years of drinking, tasting, and learning, wheat beers remain my go-to for one simple reason: they deliver flavor without fatigue.
They don’t need extreme bitterness. They don’t rely on shock value. They don’t pretend to be something they’re not.
Wheat beers are confident, approachable, and honest—and that’s something I appreciate more with every passing year.
I’ll always respect a well-made beer, no matter where it’s brewed. But if you ask me what I actually enjoy drinking, what I come back to again and again, it’s wheat beers.
Not shouted through a commercial.
Further Reading & Reference
- Weihenstephan Brewery – Official site of the world’s oldest continuously operating brewery and a benchmark for German wheat beer.
- Schneider Weisse – Renowned Bavarian brewery specializing in traditional and strong wheat beer styles.
- Paulaner Brewery – One of Munich’s historic breweries, best known in the U.S. for its Hefe-Weißbier.
- Franziskaner Weissbier – Classic German wheat beer brand with a strong yeast-forward profile.
- Erdinger Weissbräu – One of the world’s largest wheat beer breweries, known for consistency and global distribution.
- CraftBeer.com: Hefeweizen Style Guide – Educational overview of wheat beer styles, ingredients, and flavor profiles.
- BJCP Beer Style Guidelines – Industry-standard reference for beer styles, including German wheat beers.
- German Foods: German Beer Traditions – Overview of Germany’s brewing heritage and traditional beer styles.
Also Good to Know Information
American Craft Wheat Beers (Style-Respecting Examples)
- Allagash White (Maine) – A benchmark American wheat beer inspired by Belgian tradition, known for balance and restraint.
- Bell’s Oberon Ale (Michigan) – A widely respected American wheat ale that helped popularize the style domestically.
- Firestone Walker 805 Blanco – A modern American wheat beer with a lighter profile and regional influence.
- Odell American Wheat – A clean, straightforward American wheat beer emphasizing drinkability.
Academic & Historical Wheat Beer Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: Wheat Beer – Historical overview of wheat beer origins, evolution, and regional styles.
- German Foods: German Beer Traditions – Context on Germany’s brewing laws and wheat beer heritage.
- BJCP Style Guidelines – Industry-standard definitions for wheat beer styles used by brewers and judges.
- Journal of the Institute of Brewing – Academic research on brewing science, including wheat malt and fermentation behavior.
Why Wheat Beer Yeast Matters
- Craft Beer & Brewing: Wheat Beer Yeast – Explains how yeast produces banana and clove flavors in wheat beers.
- White Labs: What Makes Hefeweizen Yeast Unique – Scientific breakdown of yeast strains and ester formation.
- Brülosophy: Fermentation & Hefeweizen Flavor – Experimental analysis of how fermentation affects wheat beer character.
Shopping & Availability Resources (U.S.-Friendly)
- Total Wine: Wheat Beer Selection – Broad national retailer with reliable availability of German and American wheat beers.
- BeerMenus – Useful for finding wheat beers on tap or in stores near you.
- Untappd: Top-Rated Wheat Beers – Community-driven ratings and availability insights.
For more stories exploring food, drink, and culture, visit the Food & Drink section at STM Daily News.
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Food and Beverage
Teremana® Tequila Partners With Wingstop to Celebrate Fans of Flavor This Postseason
Teremana Tequila and Wingstop team up for Fans of Flavor: wing-and-margarita pairings, a pairing generator, and a sweepstakes through Feb. 8.
Last Updated on January 12, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Teremana® The People’s Margarita and Wingstop Original Hot Wings
Teremana® Tequila Partners With Wingstop to Celebrate Fans of Flavor This Postseason
Teremana® Tequila is bringing the good energy to game day. In a new “Fans of Flavor” partnership announced Jan. 9, 2026, the premium tequila brand founded by Dwayne Johnson is teaming up with Wingstop—the global wing brand known for fresh, made-to-order chicken wings, bold flavors, and its iconic housemade ranch—to help fans turn watch parties into full-on flavor celebrations. The idea is simple: rival teams may split the room, but wings and margaritas are universal.
Teremana Tequila and Wingstop
Wings + Margaritas: A Game Day Pairing Worth Building Around
From now through Feb. 8, fans can explore wing-and-cocktail combinations using the new Fans of Flavor pairing generator, built to match Wingstop’s signature flavors with Teremana margarita recipes. It’s a fun way to level up the table—where the food, drinks, and people become the main event. Here are a few standout pairings highlighted in the launch:- Wingstop Original Hot wings + Teremana® The People’s Margarita for a tropical twist on a classic heat-forward flavor
- Wingstop Spicy Korean Q wings + Teremana® Spicy Margarita for heat that builds and keeps the party going
- Wingstop Garlic Parmesan wings + Teremana® Strawberry Margarita for a fresh, fruity contrast against savory richness
Sweepstakes: Win the Ultimate Game Day Flavor Fest
The partnership also includes a nationwide sweepstakes offering fans a shot at a seriously upgraded watch party. One grand prize winner will receive the Ultimate Game Day Flavor Fest, featuring:- Wingstop gift cards
- Game day drink funds
- A 75″ TV
- Support for a private bartender and party essentials
“Mana” Meets Flavor: The Point of the Partnership
At its core, this collaboration is built around shared moments—bold taste, good company, and the kind of food-and-drink spread that makes people linger a little longer. Teremana’s brand philosophy centers on Mana—good energy that brings people together—and the pairing concept fits naturally into how fans already celebrate postseason football. “Wingstop has always delivered on bold flavor, and that spirit shows up naturally in how people enjoy Teremana on game day,” said Richard Black, CEO of Teremana® Tequila. “The best game day moments don’t happen by accident, they come from good energy, great flavor, and the people you share them with.”Three Teremana Margarita Recipes to Try at Home
If you’re hosting—or just want to bring a little “Fans of Flavor” energy to your next game day meal—Teremana shared three margarita recipes designed to pair with Wingstop favorites.Teremana® The People’s Margarita
Paired with Wingstop Original Hot Wings Ingredients- 2 oz Teremana Blanco
- ¾ oz lime juice
- ½ oz agave nectar
- 1 oz pineapple juice (to taste)
- Combine all ingredients and shake with ice in a cocktail shaker.
- Strain into a chili-rimmed rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lime wheel and pineapple leaves.
Teremana® Spicy Margarita
Paired with Wingstop Spicy Korean Q Wings Ingredients- 2 oz Teremana Blanco or Reposado
- ¾ oz lime juice
- ½ oz agave nectar
- 2 jalapeño slices (remove seeds)
- Muddle jalapeños in a shaker.
- Add Teremana, lime juice, and agave.
- Shake with ice.
- Strain into a chili-rimmed rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with jalapeño slices.
Teremana® Strawberry Margarita
Paired with Wingstop Garlic Parmesan wings Ingredients- 2 oz Teremana Blanco
- 1 oz strawberry puree
- ¾ oz lime juice
- ½ oz agave nectar
- Combine all ingredients and shake with ice in a cocktail shaker.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a strawberry slice and lime wheel.
Where to Follow + Learn More
Fans can follow along for pairing inspiration and sweepstakes updates at @teremana and @wingstop. For more information—and to find a Teremana retailer near you—visit Teremana.com/FansofFlavor. Source: Teremana Tequila (PRNewswire, Jan. 9, 2026) Resource link: Teremana Fans of Flavor Sweepstakes + Pairing Generator Learn more and find a Teremana retailer near youAt 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/
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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
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
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
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
- Milagro Mexican Martini
- Cadillac Margarita
- Horchata Sin Dolor
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/
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