Warm wishes for a very peaceful, healthy and Happy Passover from everyone at Syfo Beverages!

A new study published in the journal Psychological Science indicates that simple rituals make food or drink taste better. Researchers believe that these rituals – such as a toast,  saying or special way of serving a food – heighten awareness of what you’re eating or drinking by bringing you into the moment.

Researchers from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and Harvard Business School in Boston conducted four experiments about rituals before eating. They tested whether rituals influence the perception and consumption of chocolate (sweet), lemonade (tart) and baby carrots (healthy).

In the experiments, the researchers devised simple rituals for each food type – breaking and unwrapping a chocolate bar, rapping knuckles on a desk before nibbling carrots and stirring and pouring lemonade. Participants who performed rituals reported that they savored the items more than those who did not engage in rituals. The study also found that performing a ritual enhanced the sensory experience and enjoyment more than just watching a ritual.

Many Syfonatics tell us they have special rituals that help them enjoy Syfo even more. Some have a special glass; some put it on their nightstand, sipping it before bedtime to help them get a good night’s sleep and of course Syfo has been a big part of holiday celebration rituals such as Passover, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah.

What’s your ritual? If you have a special method, saying or ritual that involves drinking Syfo, we’d like to know. Click here to share it with the Syfo community and we’ll publish them in a future news post.

You can learn more about how rituals help us savor food in this article on the Greater Good website.

Celebrate Hanukkah with Syfo Beverages this holiday season. In addition to being one of the healthiest beverages on the market, the Syfo is certified Kosher by the largest and most widely respected Kashruth agency — the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. Syfo is sold at all Publix Super Markets throughout the Southeast, Winn-Dixie in Florida and many independent grocers throughout the region.

Try these delicious and festive drink recipes to enjoy during Hanukkah this year.

Manischewitz Spritzer

This is an adaptation of a recipe that we found on the Manischewitz website:

INGREDIENTS:

• 1½ cup of mixed frozen berries
• Syfo Kosher Wild Cherry Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Water
• Manischewitz Blackberry Wine

PREPARATION:

In a large pitcher, mix 1 part of Syfo Sparkling Water and 1 part Manischewitz Blackberry Wine. Mix in frozen fruit and add in ice if needed. Enjoy!

Adult Hanukkah Beverage

This recipe is a variation of the many blue-themed drink recipes that are common for Hanukkah:

INGREDIENTS:

• Blue Curacao Liqueur
• Syfo Kosher Lemon-Lime Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Water
• Ice
• Citrus Flavored Vodka

PREPARATION:

Mix 2 parts of Syfo Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Water, 1 part Blue Curacao and 1 part citrus vodka, with ice. Stir gently in a glass and drink up!

Non Alcoholic Hanukkah Blue Beverage

Here’s a blue recipe for the kids!

INGREDIENTS:

• Blue Raspberry Kool-Aid
• Syfo Kosher Lemon-Lime Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Water
• Ice
• White Grape Juice

PREPARATION:

Combine 1 part Kool-Aid, 1 part white grape juice and 1 part Syfo Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Water. Pour over ice and of course serve with a blue bendy straw.

Honey Hanukkah Punch

A tasty but not too sweet punch, adapted from a recipe on Liquors.com

INGREDIENTS:

• Dark Rum or Light Rum
• Fresh Lime Juice
• Honey Syrup (two parts honey, 1 part water)
• Syfo Kosher Lemon-Lime Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Water

PREPARATION:

Combine 2 part rum, 2 parts Syfo Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Water, 1 part lime juice and desired amount of honey syrup. Mix gently and pour over ice in a glass. Sprinkle a bit of ground nutmeg for garnish, if desired

Rosemary Gin Cocktail

From ahealthylifeforme.com, here’s a refreshing gin cocktail that’s perfect for Hanukkah and includes a homemade rosemary syrup.

INGREDIENTS:

For the rosemary syrup:

• 1/4 cup ground Rosemary1/2 cup water1/2 cup of sugar

For the cocktail:

• 1 and 1/2 oz of Gin (we used Saphire)
• 3/4 oz Rosemary syrup
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 of a lemon, squeezed)
• Syfo Original Seltzer
• Sprig of Rosemary for garnish

PREPARATION:

Bring the water to a boil, add the sugar and rosemary and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and steep the mixture off heat for 45 minutes.Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl.Fill glass with ice. Add gin, lemon and Rosemary simple syrup and stir.Top with a splash of Syfo Original Seltzer, stir briefly and garnish with a rosemary sprig.We hope you enjoy these recipes and everyone at Syfo would like to wish you and your family a very Happy Hanukkah.

One of our favorite holidays is upon us. Delicious dinner and dessert, family, friends, and good conversation. But with delectable food, a tasty cocktail is a must. Try one of these fall flavored cocktails at your Thanksgiving soirée.

Cyder Bourbon & Honey Punch

Ingredients:

5 ½ cups of apple cider
4 food-grade cinnamon sticks & additional for garnishes
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 large Honeycrisp apples (cut one into wedges and one thinly sliced with a mandolin or knife)
¾ cups of honey
3 ¼ cups of bourbo
1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 cups of Syfo Original Seltzer

Preparation:

In a medium saucepan, combine apple cider, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, and apple wedges. Bring mixture to a boil and remove from heat. Let stand for about 20 minutes. Pour cider mixture in a large bowl or carafe, whisking in honey until dissolved. Cover and refrigerate for 3-12 hours. Strain cider mixture and discard solids. Pour bourbon, lemon juice, Syfo Original Seltzer and apple slices, stir gently to combine. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and delight your guests!

Acknowledgement: Photo and recipe from https://www.cookinglight.com/recipes/cider-bourbon-honey-punch

Pomegranate Sangria

Ingredients:

2 oranges
750ml of Spanish red wine
1 ½ cups of pomegranate juice
1/3 cups of orange liqueur
¼ cup of brandy
1 ½ cups of Syfo Original Seltzer
2 tablespoons of lemon juicy
2 tablespoons of sugar
1 large apple (chopped into ¼ inch pieces)
½ cup of pomegranate arils (seeds)

Preparation:

Using one orange, juice orange in to a large pitcher or bowl. Thinly slice the second orange using a mandolin or knife. Combine wine, pomegranate juice, orange liqueur, brandy, lemon juice, and sugar to the pitcher with orange juice. Stir gently and add the apples, orange slices, and pomegranate arils. Refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight, then serve.

Acknowledgement: Photo and recipe from https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/pomegranate-sangria.html

Smokey Blackberry Smash

Ingredients:

4 oz blackberrie 
1-2 teaspoons fresh rosemary
juice 
Half of a lemon
1-2 tablespoons of honey
1 ½ ounces of Mezcal
A few dashes of orange bitters
Syfo Original Seltzer for topping

Preparation:

Combine blackberries, rosemary leaves, lemon juice, and honey in a cocktail shaker. Muddle the ingredients to release the flavors. Add Mezcal and orange bitters to the muddled ingredients, strain solids if desired. Pour the mixture over a glass of ice and top with Syfo Sparkling Water. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and enjoy!

Acknowledgement: Photo and Recipe from https://www.crateandbarrel.com/blog/black-widow-mezcal-cocktail/