East Imperial Grapefruit Soda: This small batch soda comes in an equally small mixer-sized 5 fl oz container, which is just a tad less than a bottle of Q soda or Fever Tree. Using ingredients from Asia and produced in New Zealand, the soda uses all natural ingredients and has a concentrated citrus flavor that tastes of pure grapefruit. The carbonation consists of small but impactful bubbles; if you take a sip and pause before imbibing, your mouth becomes awash with pops of fizz. The soda was created in collaboration wi... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended drinks soda grapefruit citrus lastimperial 4.0
People's Pop Melon Basil Popsicle: I got this popsicle from NYC-based frozen treat brand People's Pop for free at a pop-up. It had a refreshing concentrated cantaloupe flavor whose natural sweetness was complemented by fresh aromatic basil. A sweet and just a tad savory combination that worked really well in the summer heat. 4.0/5.0
recommended frozen cantaloupe sweets peoplespop melon basil popsicle 4.0
Daily Provisions Citrus Lemonade: There aren't many things more summery than a classic lemonade. Add a slice of orange, and it polishes off a well balanced sweet and tangy drink ideal for humid weather. From Daily Provisions near Union Square Park in NYC. 4.0/5.0
recommended drinks lemonade dailyprovisions citrus 4.0
Vive la Tarte Zatar and Orange Blossom Croissant: I really wish I had taken a better photograph, but you'll just have to believe this was a supremely good croissant even if the photo doesn't do it justice. The orange blossom paste filling was fragrantly floral and just sweet enough, while the zatar and sesame seasoning on the exterior gave it a uniquely savory-sweet combination. The texture of the croissant was the flakiest I've had, while the interior was very soft and just a tad stretchy, without being overly buttery or rich. It was a ... (read more) 4.0/5.0
exceptional croissants pastry sanfrancisco vivelatarte zatar orange blossom croissant 4.0
Dominant Culture Yogurt with Rosemary Sorbet: When asked for recommendations for where to eat in NYC, I always bring up Chikalicious, a dessert bar in the East Village where $18 gets you a prix fixe tasting of fine-dining-level desserts, always served by the industrious and humble pastry chef Chika Tillman. She and her husband have been offering to-go treats at a separate pop-up on the edge of Tompkin Square Park, including churro cone ice cream that I've previously reviewed. Now they're planning a yogurt shop called Dominant Culture an... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended nyc chikalicious dominantculture yogurt rosemary sorbet 4.0
Yifang Taiwanese Fruit Tea Lugu Oolong Tea: My good friend and bubble-tea expert Mace recommended this Bay Area spot specializing in Taiwanese fruit teas. Yifang's small to-go shop is adjacent to Berkeley's campus and certainly would have become my go-to spot if I stilled lived there. Their Lugu Oolong tea was super refreshing and clean, with a floral oolong flavor followed by a hint of peach. I added the aiyu jelly, which was well worth it; lightly sweetened, it had a slippery texture with just the right amount of gelatin. Luckily,... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended Berkely yifangtaiwanesefruittea lugu oolong tea 4.0