Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Stress-Free Back-to-School: Tips, Tricks & Recipes for a Smooth Return

back to school lunch tips, recipes, and ideas

Back-to-school time is a tumultuous one: emotions are running high and often conflicted; the physical preparations required can get frenetic; logistical nightmares loom. But with the right gear, recipes, guidelines, and mindset (you’ve got this!), you can navigate all that back-to-school brouhaha almost stress-free.

Jump to the info you need NOW, or scroll through to see all of our back-to-school content.

Back-to-School Gear

Lunch boxes, meal prep gear, cute food-themed accessories, and college dorm essentials (because little ones aren’t the only ones off to school). We obviously focus on the edible and edible-adjacent, but for more tech-related essentials, be sure to check out CNET’s Back to School Gift Guide too!

Reusable Lunch Supplies to Replace Plasticnew!

eco-friendly reusable school lunch supplies to replace plastic

LunchBots / Amazon

Plastic is becoming a monumental environmental concern, but there are plenty of sturdy (and adorable) sustainable options for packing more eco-friendly lunches. These are some of our picks for Best Reusable School Lunch Supplies.

Fabulous Food-Related School Supplies on Etsy

waxed canvas lunch bags

WAAMI Industries / Etsy

Etsy is full of fashionable school supplies, and many of them are still on sale. Check out the Etsy Back-to-School Sale.

Stylish Lunch Boxes for Every Personality

freezable lunch bag

Amazon

Honestly, most of these are cute enough to take to work too. See our picks for Best Lunch Boxes.

Best Meal Prep Containers for Getting Organized

healthy lunch ideas for work and school

Shutterstock

Preparation is key, and these meal prep containers will help you get everything in order for the week ahead. Check out the Best Meal Prep Containers.

Related Reading: The Best Meal Prep Cookbooks to Help You Go Pro

Cooking Essentials for Your College Dorm

chalkboard mini fridge for dorm

Walmart

If you’re off on your own for the first time, these are the basic tools you need to cook for yourself. See our College Dorm Cooking Essentials guide.

Related Reading: 10 Kitchen Rules to Memorize When You Start Cooking for Yourself | Upgrades to Our Favorite Dorm Food

Fun Food Gadgets for Your Dorm

microwave cookware

Amazon

Once you’ve got the basics down, you can add in a few more tools for fun. See our favorite Fun Dorm Food Gadgets.

Related Reading: Other Dorm Essentials You Should Get ASAP | Gifts for Your Favorite Foodie College Student

Breakfast In a Hurry

School days demand breakfast to fuel you for the day ahead, but they’re also extra-busy, so getting it done can be difficult. Make it easier with these ideas.

Quick Instant Pot Breakfasts

Slow Cooker Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Chowhound

No time to make pancakes, but still want to do one better than cereal? Try these Instant Pot Breakfast Recipes (if not on a weekday, they’ll still give you more time to relax on Saturday and Sunday).

Back-to-School Burrito Hacks

Vegetarian Black Bean Breakfast Burrito with Eggs and Roasted Poblano Peppers

Chowhound

Burritos can work just as well for breakfast as they can for lunch—and they don’t have to be unhealthy, either (especially not compared to a Pop-Tart), but there are some key tips to success. Check out our Easy Back-to-School Burrito Ideas.

Make-Ahead Breakfasts You Can Grab and Go —coming soon!

breakfast sausage sweet potato muffin recipe

Chowhound

The beauty of a make-ahead breakfast cannot be denied. That’s why we’re rounding up our best make-ahead breakfast recipe ideas to get you out the door faster; check back soon for the list.

Healthy Frozen Smoothies = Popsicles for Breakfast — new!

healthy frozen smoothies breakfast popsicles

Keily Hotchkin/EyeEm/Getty Images

The start of school may mark the end of summer, but it’s still hot, and kids are pretty grumpy. Try giving them a healthy frozen smoothie pop for breakfast and it’ll brighten their day a bit. Get the Breakfast Popsicle recipes.

The Ultimate Guide to Every Kind of Yogurt Out There

non-dairy oatmilk yogurt oat yogurt health benefits

Thodsapol Thongdeekhieo / EyeEm / Getty Images

Yogurt is a timeless no-brainer breakfast option, but there are so many kinds (including newcomer oat yogurt)—this guide will break it all down and help you choose the healthiest option. See our Guide to Yogurt.

Never Buy Granola Again: Make It From Scratch In 30 Minutes

maple barley granola recipe

Chowhound

Homemade granola is seriously easy, endlessly adaptable, and much healthier than many of the store-bought options out there—not to mention way cheaper. Learn How to Make the Best Homemade Granola and sprinkle it on that yogurt (or put it in a baggie for a school snack).

Everything You Need to Know About Having a Healthy Breakfast

healthy breakfast ideas

Shutterstock

It can be a struggle to eat a healthy breakfast every day (even most days), but here’s a guide to getting it done. See our tips, tricks, guidelines, and recipes for pulling off a Healthy Breakfast Every Day.

School Lunch Ideas

If your kid munches on packed lunches, it is extra work, but you can streamline it (and still keep things interesting) with these school lunch ideas, tips, and recipes.

Kids’ Lunches Way Better Than PB&Jnew!

Mini Tamale Pies recipe

Chowhound

These easy lunch options are only slightly more involved than slapping together a PB&J, but they’re way more exciting (and pretty healthy too, while still being kid-approved). Get our Kids’ Lunches That Are Better Than PB&J.

Kid-Friendly Instant Pot Lunches

air fryer mac and cheese recipe (air fryer pasta)

Chowhound

You’re not gonna make these on the day of, but your Instant Pot is a top-notch meal prep tool and these recipes are all kid-friendly. Get our Instant Pot Lunch Recipes for Back-to-School.

How to Transform Dinner Leftovers Into School Lunch They’ll Actually Want to Eat

Turkey Waldorf Salad

Chowhound

Got leftovers? Get your kids to eat them—and happily—with these creative transformations. See How to Turn Leftovers Into School Lunch.

Back-to-School Brain Food for Your Kids’ Lunch

back to school brain food to pack for lunch

Getty Images

These are some of the best foods to pack with your kids to help boost their brain function. See which Brain Food to Pack for Lunch.

Do Double Duty with Lunches You and Your Kids Will Like

Pasta Salad with Chickpeas, Feta, and Dill

Chowhound

You don’t have to double the work when it comes to packing school lunches and work lunches; just make a few creative tweaks to your portion and leave your kids’ a little plainer. See How to Make Lunches You and Your Kids Will Like.

Healthy Juice Box Alternatives to Pack for Lunch

Salted Watermelon Juice recipe

Chowhound

Kids still jockey for juice? Skip the high-sugar, store-bought options and pack these Healthy Juice Box Alternatives instead.

Cat Cora’s Tips on Getting Kids to Pack Their Own Lunch

Omie

Even littler kids can have a hand in getting their lunches together. Chef Cat Cora speaks from experience. Get her tips on How to Get Kids to Help Pack Lunch.

Marie Kondo’s Tips for Kid-Approved Bento Boxes

kid-friendly bento box tips

Amazon

The queen of serene (and home organization guru), Marie Kondo can even help you get your kids’ lunches in order. Naturally, they will also spark joy. Get Marie Kondo’s Bento Tips.

Back-to-School Meals from the BBQ

Mini Turkey Meatloaf recipe

Chowhound

Grilling weather should hold out for at least a couple more months, so when you’re barbecuing dinner, why not cook up some extra grub for the next day’s lunch? Get our Back-to-School BBQ Recipes.

Allergy-Friendly Snacks to Pack to School

easy hummus recipe

Chowhound

It seems that nut allergies, wheat allergies, and dairy allergies all continue to become more common, and even if your kid doesn’t have them, many schools require allergy-safe snacks. Luckily, there are tons of tasty options. See our Allergy-Friendly School Snack Recipes for proof.

10 Healthy Recipes to Pack All School Year

Crumbly Oat and Apricot Bars

Chowhound

Simple, kid-friendly, and fairly healthy, these will be school year staples for sure. See our 10 Healthy Recipes for Back-to-School.

Related Video: How to Pack a Veggie-Filled Lunch Kids Won’t Trade Away

After-School Snacks

Not just a reward for getting through another round of classes, but a necessity for many growing (and hence, constantly hungry) kids, after-school snacks don’t have to come from a box. But if they do, we also have some healthier choices to suggest.

The Best One-Bowl Apple Snacking Cake

one-bowl apple snack cake recipe

Jessie Sheehan

Kids come home hangry? This fantastic one-bowl snacking cake from Jessie Sheehan is easy and quick to put together, and can be made with whatever fruit you happen to have. Get the Apple Snacking Cake Recipe.

After-School Baking Projects That Are Fun for Both You and Your Kids

monster face cupcake recipe healthy

Chowhound

Cooking with kids can be a great bonding experience (and teaching moment), but don’t bypass baking with them either. Check out our best tips and recipes for Baking with Kids.

Related Reading: The Best Cookbooks for Kids

These Eco-Friendly Snacks Are Sustainable & Delicious

this bar saves lives kids

This Saves Lives / Amazon

Not all granola bars are created equal (ditto any other snack you can think of). These earth-friendly options are better for you and for the planet. See some of the Best Eco-Friendly Snacks.

Plant-Based Snacks Are a Healthier Option

best vegan snacks and plant-based junk food

No Whey Foods / Amazon

Even if your kid doesn’t have dietary restrictions, if they’re gonna eat nacho chips and chocolate candies, may as well make ’em plant-based! See some of our picks for Best Plant-Based Snacks.

Remember These ’90s Snacks?

rice krispies treat recipe

Chowhound

Of course you do! And now you can introduce your kids to the wonders of Dunkaroos and Ritz Bits with these Copycat ’90s Snack Recipes.

Easy Dinner Plans

Busy weekdays often blur into busy weeknights, so dinner can be another stress-inducer. But here are some easy and delicious ways to get dinner on the table in a reasonable amount of time.

15 Quick and Easy Instant Pot Meals

Easy Crock Pot Taco Soup recipe for slow cooker

Chowhound

Chances are, you’ll be leaning on your Instant Pot a lot more during the school year. Here are 15 Quick and Easy Instant Pot Meals to give you a head start on dinner plans.

The Best Cookbooks for Feeding the Family on Busy Nights

Comfort In an Instant Melissa Clark Instant Pot cookbook

Amazon

Tuesday night is not the time to break out your fancy-pants chef cookbook, but there are a lot of cookbooks perfectly suited to feeding the family in a hurry. See our picks for The Best Cookbooks for Busy Weeknight Family Dinners.

The Best Instant Pot Cookbooks for Quick and Easy Meals

The Instant Pot Bible cookbook

Amazon

Unsurprisingly, Instant Pot and pressure cooker cookbooks are an entire subset of the above. We picked out some of our favorite Instant Pot Cookbooks too.

Crowd-Pleasing Family Meals Made in the Slow Cooker

Easy Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese recipe

Chowhound

An alternative to quick and speedy, the slow and steady Crock-Pot is another great option for weeknight meals. We have a plethora of slow cooker recipes on the site, but here’s a roundup of 21 Easy Slow Cooker Meals the Whole Family Will Love.

11 Fast Family Dinners for Busy School Nights

easy Asian peanut noodle recipe

Chowhound

No Instant Pot required for these 30-minute meals that parents and kids will love. Get 11 Quick & Easy Meals for Busy Weeknights.

Tips for Feeding Finicky Kids

baked cracker crusted chicken fingers

Chowhound

Don’t believe your kids will actually go for any of the above? Try taking some advice from a mom of two picky eaters. See Jessie Sheehan’s Tips for Feeding Picky Kids.

11 Grain Salads That Are Great for Dinner—and Again for Lunch the Next Day

wheat berry salad with harissa and pistachios

Chowhound

These hearty, healthy salads make for great dinners, and the leftovers pack up perfectly for lunch the following day. Get our Best Grain Salad Recipes.

Just for Fun

All homework and no play is no way to do things, so don’t forget to have some fun!

Make Your Own Pop Tarts

homemade strawberry pop tart recipe

Chowhound

Homemade Pop-Tarts are one back-to-school project everyone can get behind. See How to Make Pop-Tarts From Scratch.

School Lunches Around the World

chole masala (Indian chickpeas)

Chowhound

Get a glimpse of what other kids are eating. And maybe glean some inspiration too. Check out these International School Lunches.

Related Reading: Charming Snapshots of What Kids Eat Around the World

Recreate Your School Cafeteria Favorites

easy homemade Sloppy Joes

Chowhound

These grown-up versions of grade school classics taste way better than you remember. Get our Cafeteria-Style Recipes That Actually Taste Good.

Thematic Lunch Box + Food Pairings

thematic lunch box and lunch pairings

Chowhound

We paired up some nifty lunch boxes with thematically appropriate lunches for a totally on-point eating experience. See our Thematic Lunch Box and Food Pairings.

Bake Sale Tips, Tricks, and Recipes

bake sale tips, tricks, and recipes

Cat Lane / Getty Images

School fundraiser coming up? Don’t panic. See our 9 Tips for Bake Sale Success and you’ll nail it.

Why Do We Give Apples to Teachers?

How did apples get their names?

Shutterstock

Do kids actually still do this? And how did it get started in the first place? Find out Why We Give Apples to Teachers.

What Is a Back-to-School Cocktail?

green apple sparkling cocktail recipe

Chowhound

Any drink you mix up to celebrate once the kids are back in class, of course (or that the teacher downs once they’ve gone home for the day)! But seriously, check out this cheeky Back-to-School Cocktail Recipe in particular.



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15 Make-Ahead Labor Day Recipes from Dips to Dessert

Classic Pesto Pasta Salad recipe

Make-ahead Labor Day recipes ensure that you get to enjoy the party along with everyone else—and that you all eat well.

Labor Day is the time to make the most of summer’s dwindling daylight and receding sense of freedom (oh, and the last of all that fabulous seasonal produce). One way to keep the chill of the past couple of months going before the chill of autumn steals in: Plan a Labor Day picnic that lets you have fun, without the stress of last-minute cooking. Here are 15 delicious recipes you can make ahead, then haul to the party (or just haul out of your fridge if you’re hosting).

You can still fire up your grill if you want to, but most of your starters, sides, and desserts will be ready to go. And even the mains can be made ahead if you like.

1. Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket

Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket recipe

Chowhound

Slow cookers, it seems, were made to deal with something like beef brisket, simmering it slowly until it renders into something tender and luscious. In this recipe, brown sugar, adobo sauce, Worcestershire, cider vinegar, and spices give it the picnic-appropriate appeal of good barbecue. Make it ahead and reheat. Sure, it might not be pitmaster-approved smoked brisket that took 12 hours of tender loving care and attention, but in this case, well, that’s kind of the point. Get our Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket recipe.

Related Reading: The Best Ways to Use Leftover BBQ Brisket

2. Beer Braised Bratwurst with Onions

beer braised bratwurst with onions

Chowhound

Beer-braised brats are infused with deeply delicious, caramelized, malty, savory flavor and the onions are plentiful, bronzed, and melting-soft, soaking up all that sauce. Make them up to three days in advance and just gently reheat when you’re ready to serve—with plenty of grainy mustard, hearty buns, and sauerkraut, of course. Get our Beer Braised Brats recipe.

3. Spicy Slow Cooker Chili

slow cooker chili recipe

Chowhound

To start developing the flavors, sauté vegetables, ground beef, and spices, then put the mixture into the slow cooker along with tomatoes and kidney beans. Let the chili cook overnight or all day until it’s thickened and has a nice beefy flavor, then stir in jalapeños for a kick of heat. This works as a main course with all the usual fixins (pro party tip: make it a walking taco bar as long as your chili’s not too thin)—but it’s also good as a hearty hot dog topper. Get our Spicy Slow Cooker Chili recipe.

4. Italian Tuna and Rice Salad

Italain tuna and rice salad

Chowhound

Taking your Labor Day party to go? Two simple pantry items—oil-packed tuna and rice—form the backbone of this healthy and versatile salad that’s perfect for packing in your picnic basket. Stir in briny chopped olives, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, and tart vinegar and serve this salad over a bed of greens, stuffed into a pita, or rolled up in lavash for an easy but delicious dish. Get our Italian Tuna and Rice Salad recipe.

5. Muffaletta Pasta Salad

Easy Muffaletta Pasta Salad recipe

Chowhound

What’s a picnic, potluck, or barbecue without pasta salad? Sad, that’s what. Incomplete. This NOLA-driven, pasta salad update on the old chef’s salad is the total opposite of those two things. Chewy, al dente pasta shells are tossed with salami, provolone, roasted red pepper, celery, pepperoncini, and two kinds of olives. A bold red wine vinaigrette ties everything together in style. It eats like a meal and is another great picnic option, but works equally well as a side at any BBQ. Get our Muffaletta Pasta Salad recipe.

6. Classic Pesto Pasta Salad

Classic Pesto Pasta Salad recipe

Chowhound

Need a vegetarian version? Here you go! A chewy, hold-up pasta shape (penne rigate is perfect) is slathered in summer goodness. That means halved cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, chopped basil, and a heaping cup of green basil pesto. Toss and let sit to allow the flavors to combine. Get our Classic Pesto Pasta Salad recipe.

7. Dill, Chickpea, and Feta Pasta Salad

Pasta Salad with Chickpeas, Feta, and Dill

Chowhound

Canned chickpeas and dense, toothsome gemelli pasta gives this summer salad plenty of satisfying chew, and also, the ability to stand up over time. Toss these farinaceous elements with cucumber, feta, capers, chopped parsley, and a dressing of white wine vinegar and olive oil. Good stuff. Get our Dill, Chickpea, and Feta Pasta Salad recipe.

Related Reading: The Best Gluten-Free Pasta Salad Options with Recipes

8. Broccoli Slaw

Broccoli Slaw recipe

Chowhound

Bagged, pre-shredded broccoli slaw meets up with shredded green and purple cabbage in this healthy coleslaw twist with an uncanny ability to hold up as it sits. A dressing of vinaigrette and Greek-style yogurt—along with chewy additions of dried cranberries and walnuts—makes it interesting. Get our Broccoli Slaw recipe.

9. Herbed Potato Salad

Herbed Potato Salad recipe

Chowhound

This classic side dish is a must have at any summer party, and there are tons of styles of potato salad to choose from (Japanese potato salad is a current fave)—but this one happens to be mayo-free, so it’s good for vegans and holds up better at room (or backyard) temperature. Plus, it’s jam-packed with all the fresh summer herbs you can find. Get our Herbed Potato Salad recipe.

10. Slow Cooker Ranch Beans

slow cooker crock pot beans recipe

Chowhound

Ranch-style beans are one of our favorite things at a picnic, potluck, or cookout. Here, dried pinto beans are long simmered in the Crock-Pot, with onion, tomato sauce, garlic, spices, cider vinegar, and brown sugar. They emerge rich, creamy-textured, and spicy. If you need to make them vegan or vegetarian, swap the beef stock for vegetable and omit the ham hock (but add a tiny bit of liquid smoke or even smoked paprika instead). Get our Slow Cooker Ranch Beans recipe.

Related Reading: Crock-Pot BBQ Side Dish Recipes for All Your Summer Parties

11. Pimento Cheese

pimento cheese dip recipe

Chowhound

Some kind of dip is a must-have on your Labor Day table. Hummus is great, as is classic French onion dip, but for a change, we’re going with pimento cheese—creamy, cheesy, rich, subtly spiced, and studded with sweet pimento peppers. Scoop it up with chips, crackers, and raw veggies, but also know that it happens to be great dolloped on top of a burger. And the flavors get even better as they sit, so make this the night before and you’re golden. Get our Pimento Cheese recipe.

12. Deviled Eggs with Tarragon

Easy Tarragon Deviled Egg recipe

Chowhound

Deviled eggs are one of the most iconic make-ahead party dishes, and they’ll never go out of style. These are dressed up with tarragon, but you can use any fresh herbs you have, and while you don’t have to use a piping tip for the filling, it is an easy way to make them look impressive. If you have an Instant Pot, boil up to a dozen eggs at once in a flash and party prep just got even easier. Get our Tarragon Deviled Eggs recipe.

13. Pistachio Strawberry Ice Cream Cake

Pistachio-Strawberry Ice Cream Cake

Chowhound

For dessert, a no-bake option is always a smart move in summer, and this ice cream cake fits the bill. The base is simply vanilla wafer cookies blended and held together with butter, and then you layer three flavors of store-bought ice cream on top. We used vanilla, strawberry, and pistachio, but mix and match however you like. Feel free to top it off with a chocolate shell drizzle and some chopped, toasted nuts or even sprinkles for extra pizzazz, especially if your ice cream layers are a little less colorful than this trio. Get our Pistachio Strawberry Ice Cream Cake recipe.

14. PBJ Bars

peanut butter and jelly bars (PBJ bar cookies)

Chowhound

If you’re not averse to turning on the oven, these nostalgic treats are everything we love about our favorite childhood sandwich in bar form. Rolled oats and chunky peanut butter are mixed into a crumble that does double duty as both the bottom crust and a sweet, nutty topping. In between: a thick layer of chunky strawberry jam that bakes into a bubbly, fruity filling. This one will please kids and adults alike. Get our PBJ Bars recipe.

15. S’mores Bars

S'mores Bar recipe

Chowhound

And then, of course, there are s’mores. Labor Day might be your last chance to make the classic campfire dessert for another year, so set up a s’mores station with creative ingredients for people to customize their own ultimate marshmallow treat, or go the big batch route and make these crowd-pleasing s’mores bars (40 pieces from one baking sheet). They’re pretty much a summerized version of Christmas crack, so you can be certain they’ll go fast. Get our S’mores Bars recipe.

Don’t Forget Drinks

Once you’ve got your food figured out, think about drinks. We like sangria for Labor Day, or other big batch drinks. Mocktails are nice to offer too, along with the standard soda, water, and so on. And you can always fill coolers with canned cocktails, spiked seltzer, and beer. Chilled red wine is another delicious option.

And All the Rest

As for setting the scene, check out our Labor Day party tips and general outdoor entertaining hacks—and learn how to keep bugs from creeping on your party.

Since this is no time for fine china but you might want something more eco-friendly than Chinette, stylish shatterproof dinnerware is also a must.

Add some chill tunes and that’s about it—you’re all set for the last big hurrah of summer.

Related Video: All the Things You Need to Grill Before Summer Melts Away

What are your plans for Labor Day? Anything you’re especially excited to make? Let us know in the comments!



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How To Dry Fresh Herbs

Chicken Panzanella Salad

Who knew stale bread could be so good? This Chicken Panzanella Salad with bread, tomatoes, and shredded chicken is the perfect dinner for a hot summer night. Easy, delicious, and good enough to eat on its own!

Continue reading "Chicken Panzanella Salad" »



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We Tried 11 New Summer Drinks and Our Favorites Will Surprise You

Chowhound’s Editor at Large shares picks for drink of the summer. It’s like a song of the summer….only drinkable.

The summer heat has gone from pleasant to downright offensive and nothing is more satisfying right now than an ice-cold beverage (aside from air conditioning, of course). Or is it? We put 11 new and extremely different drinks to the ultimate taste test (thank you, interns!). From new beers to sparkling water, health shots, rosé, and even some hard kombucha, there is a sipper for every type of person and preference. Some were winners, others were definitely not. Scroll down and check out our new favorite summer drinks and those that let us down.

Juneshine Hard Kombucha

Juneshine

Juneshine is a new hard kombucha brand out of San Diego. The boozy booch comes in a few super fun flavors like blood orange mint, acai berry and my personal favorite, rosé. The founders of Juneshine aimed to make a perfect beach booze made from all good stuff with no chemicals and lucky for us it tastes really great, too. Juneshine has less of an intense a kombucha taste than other brands meaning you can drink more than one. And ooooh did I!

Cucumber Lime Perrier

Perrier

This one earns high marks across the board. The cucumber flavor doesn’t taste artificial, nor is it too overpowering. It reminds the team of the water you get at a luxury spa before a massage appointment. Very crisp, very refreshing, and an excellent addition to your next sparkling water haul.

IceMule Jaunt Insulated Backpack Cooler Bag, $79.95 on Amazon

This cooler bag will help you haul your new favorite summer drinks all over the place.
Buy Now

Ethan’s Apple Cider Vinegar Shots

Ethan’s

If you’re a fan of apple cider vinegar beverages, you will absolutely adore this set from Ethan’s. The flavors are fun, potent, and great for your overall health and well-being. We also love the addition of trendy spices and black pepper to make the shots taste even stronger. Warning: Apple cider vinegar certainly isn’t designed for every palate, so sip with caution.Buy Now

O’Doul’s Non-Alcoholic Beer

O’Douls

Those on the market for a non-alcoholic beer will be fine with O’Doul’s classic recipe. It tastes somewhat like beer, is not entirely off-putting, and is served in an adorably designed can. That being said, hardcore beer drinkers will be undoubtedly disappointed with its cardboard-esque aftertaste. We’ll give them credit for the “extra smooth” mouthfeel, though, as it is definitely easy to wash down with food like chicken wings.

No Fine Print Lil Fizz Wine

No Fine Print

Lil Fizz should highly reconsider changing its name to “Lot of Fizz” because holy bubbles, Batman, this can is carbonated. The taste is a little all over the place with the wine starting sweet, but ending on a somewhat unpleasant sour note. One serving is fine, but we feel like anything beyond a single can will become borderline headache-inducing.

Shot X Post-Drink Liver Care

The Shot X

Everything about this didn’t really work for the group (other than the flavor, for some). The color is dehydrated urine yellow and the taste is saline with a bit of citrus added to it. We were especially disappointed to find that the flavor didn’t match its terrific Creamsicle smell. While the intention of alleviating hangovers is greatly appreciated, this may do more harm than good by making you want to vom.

Budweiser Harvest Reserve

Budweiser

We really appreciate this new barley-forward, earthy batch of brew from Budweiser. It’s a great departure from a standard Bud Lite and has a really nice complexity that makes it unique, though not too intense. This may be a bit too bitter and I.P.A.-ey to play beer pong with, but we’ll add it to our list of happy hour go-tos, especially as we gear up for fall.

Wild Basin Boozy Sparkling Water (Black Raspberry)

Wild Basin

Overall, we are big fans of Wild Basin’s line of boozy sparkling waters and think it’s definitely a great alternative to Truly, White Claw, and Bon & Viv. The black raspberry flavor is powerful, though, and may be too intense for those looking for something a bit on the lighter side. This just means you’ll have to try them all and decide on a favorite yourself. It’s pool season, after all.

Oskar Blues Brewery Rosé for Daze

Oskar Blues

This is, perhaps, the most polarizing drink of the bunch. While many were obsessed with its foaminess and subtle rosé taste, others gagged over its malt base and found it borderline disrespectful to the taste buds. It does go down pretty well, though, which makes it both dangerous and amazing. One thing to note: We got zero hibiscus and prickly pear notes, which was a bit of a letdown. Whomp, whomp.

WineSociety Chance Rosé Bubbles

WineSociety

We’re really into this bubbly rosé from WineSociety’s Chance line and think it is their best canned offering yet (opinions are mixed on their flat varietals). You also get a hefty 500 ml in a single can, only 250 ml short of a bottle, and that alcohol volume really speaks to us. So yes, we will be ordering these by the case. And no, you’ll have to order your own.

Rooted Shots

Rooted Shoots

Conceptually, these are a pretty snazzy and simple way to get your daily dose of vitamin C (and the health benefits of superfoods like ginger and turmeric!). Just don’t expect them to be overly sweet because, well, they’re not. We definitely recommend taking them as a shot, rather than dumping them into a larger drink. The more potent, the more palatable.


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11 Kids’ Lunches Way Better Than PB&J