I think we can all agree that no Independence Day is complete without mouthwatering food! The 4^th of July is all about eating outdoors, grilling, drinking refreshing beverages, and enjoying the company of family and friends!

Everyone loves the savory tastes of grilled foods on the 4^th but while the classic cookout selection of burgers, hot dogs, and fresh salad are always a hit, why not try some new flavors on your grill like a juicy steak covered with a chocolate rub or a batch of chai glazed chicken wings? And while you are manning the grill, offer your guests some refreshing beverages like a strawberry pomegranate sparkling cocktail or a blackberry mint margarita.

Even if you are not celebrating the 4th, don’t fret. These recipes are ones that you can enjoy all season long, no matter where you are from!

Celebrate America’s birthday or simply celebrate summer with these recipes provided by Torani®, Monin®, David Rio™, and Sipp Beverage Co®.

Delicious Bites –

Steak with a Monbana Chocolate-Coffee Rub

Monbana Steak Rub. Photo courtesy of Sam Ortega

Ingredients:

• Steak of your choice
• 1 packet (2Tbsp) of Monbana® Tresor Chocolate Powder (can also use Monbana Organic Chocolate Powder)
• 2 Tbsp. Ethiopian coffee, finely ground
• 1 Tsp. paprika
• Salt to taste

Rub Preparation: 

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, and mix thoroughly. Set aside.

Photo courtesy of Sam Ortega

Cooking Directions: 

1. Apply the dry rub to the steaks a few hours before grill time, coating thoroughly. Don’t be afraid to be generous with the rub while coating! (Tip: It helps to have all ingredients at room temperature).
2. Sear the steaks on both sides.
3. Move the steaks to the cooler zone on the grill, and begin turning and sprinkling  more rub onto the steak. These layers begin to caramelize and build up, sealing the juices within the meat.
4. Continue to cook the steaks to desired temperature.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Note: Recipe courtesy of Doug Przybyszewski, Houston’s Regional Manager

4^th of July Pops

4th of July Pops. Photo courtesy of Torani

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. Torani Blue Raspberry Syrup
• 1 Tbsp. Torani Coconut Syrup
• 1 Tbsp. Torani Cherry Lime Syrup
• ¾ cups of water divided in three

Preparation:

1. Combine Torani Blue Raspberry Syrup with ¼ cup of water and freeze as one layer in a ice pop mold.
2. Freeze for one hour or until liquid has frozen completely.
3. Repeat this step for each layer, using Torani Coconut Syrup and Cherry Lime Syrup.

Note: To scale up to make several pops, keep ratio of 1 part Torani to 1 part water. Mix and match different flavors!

Chai Glazed Wings

Photo courtesy of David Rio

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Cub Chai Original
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp. sugar or honey
• 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
• 1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
• 2 pounds chicken wings

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a re-sealable plastic bag and mix well. Place in refrigerator to marinate overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
3. Remove wings from marinade and place onto a baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. You can also grill over a low flame until cooked thoroughly.

Refreshing Beverages –

4^th of July Refresher

Photo courtesy of Monin

Ingredients:

• 1 wedge(s) watermelon
• 5 oz. green tea
• 1 oz. Monin Watermelon Syrup
• 2 oz. lemon-lime soda
• Mint

Preparation:

1. Place one long watermelon wedge in glass then fill glass with ice.
2. Add green tea then slowly pour Monin Watermelon syrup into glass.
3. Top with Sprite.
4. Garnish with mint.

Note: Stir prior to drinking.

Strawberry Pomegranate Sparkling Cocktail

Photo courtesy of Torani

Ingredients:

• 8 Tbsp. (4 oz) Torani Pomegranate Syrup
• 1 pint strawberry sorbet
• 4 Tbsp. pomegranate seeds
• 1 bottle prosecco

Preparation:

1. This drink is best served when everything is cold- even the glass it’s served in. Put 4 Tom Collins glasses in the freezer until they’re frosty.
2. Add 2 Tbsp. Torani Pomegranate Syrup to each glass.
3. Add a small scoop of strawberry sorbet and 1 Tbsp. of pomegranate seeds.
4. Fill the glasses the rest of the way with prosecco.
5. Enjoy right away before the sorbet melts! Serves 4.

Blackberry Mint Margarita

Photo courtesy of Sipp

Ingredients:

• 5 oz. tequila
• 1 oz. lime juice
• 4 oz. Sipp Mojo Berry

Preparation:

1. Add the ingredients in a highball or margarita glass filled with ice cubes.
2. Garnish with lime wedge or round.
3. Enjoy!

The post What’s On Your Plate This 4th Of July? appeared first on Houston's Blog.

On behalf of our vendors, we invite you to stop by, say hi, and see what’s new!

Torani® – Booth #506, 508

Flavor seekers around the globe enjoy Torani® in their favorite beverages every day. And Torani® has continued to stay on the creative edge with new product lines and ideas for the last 80 years.

Monin® – Booth #613, 615

Monin®’s sole purpose is to create flavors that people around the world can easily use in their everyday life.  Founder Georges Monin’s motto La Passion de la Qualit® (“Passion for Quality”) became the Monin® slogan.

Monbana Chocolaterie, USA – Booth #402

Monbana has combined a respect for tradition and a continuous passion for chocolate innovation through selecting the finest ingredients and the very best varieties of cocoa from Ivory Coast. Creator of chocolate squares to accompany coffee, Monbana is also famous in the HoReCa sector for its excellence of its indulgent chocolate drinks.

Java Jacket – Booth #701

The original green coffee sleeve is the best insulating cup sleeve on the market.

Dr. Smoothie® – Booth #618

Dr. Smoothie® formulates its beverages with your health in mind to maximize the benefits to your body. Functional beverages are what Dr. Smoothie® is all about since 1997.

Cappuccine® – Booth #413, 415

Many people don’t know that Cappuccine® created the first blended iced coffee mix over 15 years ago. Today, its product line consists of more than 20 gourmet flavors that are proudly served all over the world.

David Rio™ – Booth #406

David Rio™ makes chai because it is inspired by traditional Indian milk tea, and it set out to blend Eastern traditions with Western style to create America’s Premier Chai.

Pacific® Natural Foods – Booth #409

Pacific® Foods has one simple goal – to make tasty, healthy foods with integrity. Making foods it can be proud of is as much about the ingredients it uses and the way those ingredients are grown, as it is the actual recipe. And GMO’s? Not on Pacific® Foods’ watch.

Espresso Supply – Booth #709

Espresso Supply, Inc. has used its expertise to develop a full line of espresso accessories and small wares designed to facilitate the operation of an espresso bar or coffee business.

Kerry Big Train / Oregon Chai – Booth #600, 602

Kerry is a known innovator in the food and beverage industry. Kerry shakes up the industry with its unique approach and inventive solutions in beverage, coatings, and seasonings providing consumer driven, operationally friendly menu solutions.

Maya Tea Company – Booth #713

Maya Tea Company custom blends the finest teas from far reaching regions of the globe, creating tantalizing and tasteful teas for use from home and in restaurants, hotels, and coffee shops across the nation.

The post Check Out Houstons’ Vendors at Coffee Fest Chicago! appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Unfamiliar with SCAA? – “The Global Specialty Coffee Expo was designed to be the coffee professional’s one stop shop for everything they need to succeed in the coffee industry. As the industry’s standard setter, the SCA has built a solid reputation over the last 30 years of providing the most up to date, qualified information and providing our members the tools to succeed. ”

Here is a list of our vendors that will be at the show:

Torani® – Booth #1244

Flavor seekers around the globe enjoy Torani® in their favorite beverages every day. And Torani® has continued to stay on the creative edge with new product lines and ideas for the last 80 years.

Monin® – Booth #2519

Monin®’s sole purpose is to create flavors that people around the world can easily use in their everyday life.  Founder Georges Monin’s motto La Passion de la Qualit® (“Passion for Quality”) became the Monin® slogan.

Dr. Smoothie® – Booth #840

Dr. Smoothie® formulates its beverages with your health in mind to maximize the benefits to your body. Functional beverages are what Dr. Smoothie® is all about since 1997.

Mocafe™ – Booth #606

Innovative Beverage Concepts Inc., creators of Mocafé™, has been a leader in developing award winning cafe beverages since 1996. Come taste and compare the difference real ingredients make.

Urnex Brands® – Booth #1438 

Urnex® doesn’t make coffee or coffee equipment; it helps make them better. With over four generations of experience, Urnex® is the world leader in specialty cleaning products for coffee and espresso equipment.

Cappuccine® – Booth #1005

Many people don’t know that Cappuccine® created the first blended iced coffee mix over 15 years ago. Today, its product line consists of more than 20 gourmet flavors that are proudly served all over the world.

David Rio Chai and Tea™ – Booth #939

David Rio™ makes chai because it is inspired by traditional Indian milk tea, and it set out to blend Eastern traditions with Western style to create America’s Premier Chai.

Pacific® Natural Foods – Booth #1542

Pacific® Foods has one simple goal – to make tasty, healthy foods with integrity. Making foods it can be proud of is as much about the ingredients it uses and the way those ingredients are grown, as it is the actual recipe. And GMO’s? Not on Pacific® Foods’ watch.

Vitamix® – Booth #304

Since 1921, The Vitamix® Corporation has been an award-winning innovator in blending technology. It is a quality-based organization creating, producing, and marketing high performance, durable, reliable, and innovative equipment.0

Espresso Supply – Booth #1142

Espresso Supply, Inc. has used its expertise to develop a full line of espresso accessories and small wares designed to facilitate the operation of an espresso bar or coffee business.

Kerry Big Train / Oregon Chai – Booth #946

Kerry is a known innovator in the food and beverage industry. Kerry shakes up the industry with its unique approach and inventive solutions in beverage, coatings, and seasonings providing consumer driven, operationally friendly menu solutions.

Two Leaves And A Bud – Booth #2204

Two Leaves and a Bud is an independent tea company known internationally for producing organic and fairly traded whole leaf tea sachets, iced tea, and now traditional teabags from their Paisley Label Tea collection. They take tea personally and are passionate about connecting tea lovers to the tea they love and introducing new tea drinkers to truly great tea.

Frozen Bean – Booth #1539

Frozen Bean is the leading premium beverage mix provider, providing delicious gourmet beverages and specialty desserts that are easy to make. Their passion is to create the finest beverages, using only the highest quality ingredients sourced from around the world.

Monbana Chocolaterie, USA – Booth #643

Monbana has combined a respect for tradition and a continuous passion for chocolate innovation through selecting the finest ingredients and the very best varieties of cocoa from Ivory Coast. Creator of chocolate squares to accompany coffee, Monbana is also famous in the HoReCa sector for its excellence of its indulgent chocolate drinks.

Zojirushi – Booth #1004

Zojirushi Corporation began operation more than 90 years ago with the launch of its first glass-lined vacuum bottle. Improving customers’ quality of life through creation of innovative products remains the heart of Zojirushi’s corporate philosophy.

Service Ideas – Booth #2105

Since 1946, Service Ideas has been an innovative worldwide provider in the service industry. Today, Service Ideas continues to push forward with an uncompromising commitment to provide quality products and service to our ever-expanding audience.

Remember, if any of these vendors have new products you need in your restaurant or warehouse, call Houston’s to see how we can help!

Credit: All of the above company descriptions were paraphrased from the vendor’s website linked to the vendor name. Logos courtesy of our vendors.

The post Next Stop: SCAA Seattle! appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Here is a list of our vendors that will attending the show. Stop by and say hello!

Torani® – Booth #405, 407

Flavor seekers around the globe enjoy Torani® in their favorite beverages every day. And Torani® has continued to stay on the creative edge with new product lines and ideas for the last 80 years.

Monin® – Booth #310, 312

Monin®’s sole purpose is to create flavors that people around the world can easily use in their everyday life.  Founder Georges Monin’s motto La Passion de la Qualit® (“Passion for Quality”) became the Monin® slogan.

Java Jacket – Booth #701

The original green coffee sleeve is the best insulating cup sleeve on the market.

Dr. Smoothie® – Booth #416

Dr. Smoothie® formulates its beverages with your health in mind to maximize the benefits to your body. Functional beverages are what Dr. Smoothie® is all about since 1997.

Cappuccine® – Booth #411, 413

Many people don’t know that Cappuccine® created the first blended iced coffee mix over 15 years ago. Today, its product line consists of more than 20 gourmet flavors that are proudly served all over the world.

David Rio™ – Booth #423

David Rio™ makes chai because it is inspired by traditional Indian milk tea, and it set out to blend Eastern traditions with Western style to create America’s Premier Chai.

Pacific® Natural Foods – Booth #700

Pacific® Foods has one simple goal – to make tasty, healthy foods with integrity. Making foods it can be proud of is as much about the ingredients it uses and the way those ingredients are grown, as it is the actual recipe. And GMO’s? Not on Pacific® Foods’ watch.

Espresso Supply – Booth #617

Espresso Supply, Inc. has used its expertise to develop a full line of espresso accessories and small wares designed to facilitate the operation of an espresso bar or coffee business.

Kerry Big Train / Oregon Chai – Booth #500, 502

Kerry is a known innovator in the food and beverage industry. Kerry shakes up the industry with its unique approach and inventive solutions in beverage, coatings, and seasonings providing consumer driven, operationally friendly menu solutions.

Maya Tea Company – Booth #306

Maya Tea Company custom blends the finest teas from far reaching regions of the globe, creating tantalizing and tasteful teas for use from home and in restaurants, hotels, and coffee shops across the nation.

Monbana Chocolaterie, USA – Booth #422

Monbana has combined a respect for tradition and a continuous passion for chocolate innovation through selecting the finest ingredients and the very best varieties of cocoa from Ivory Coast. Creator of chocolate squares to accompany coffee, Monbana is also famous in the HoReCa sector for its excellence of its indulgent chocolate drinks.

Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods – Booth #429

Straw Propeller Gourmet Foods offers 15 flavors of oatmeal and 5 flavors of muesli. All of its artisan products are made with certified gluten-free oats, non-GMO, all-natural and kosher certified ingredients.

Remember, if any of these vendors have hot new products you need in your restaurant or warehouse, call Houston’s to see how we can help.

Credit: All of the above company descriptions were paraphrased from the vendor’s website linked to the vendor name. Images are also courtesy of our vendors.

The post Check out Houston’s Vendors At Coffee Fest Nashville! appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Photo courtesy of Torani®

Torani® Raspberry Mimosa

Ingredients:

• Torani® Raspberry Syrup
• ½ Cup Champagne
• 2 Tbsp. Fresh Orange Juice

Preparation:

Combine ingredients in a fluted glass and stir gently

Sipp Eco Beverage Co® Pomegranate Mojo Lemon-drop

Photo courtesy of Sipp®

Ingredients:

• 6 Blackberries
• 4 oz. Pomegranate Juice
• 1 oz. Lemon Juice
• 1 oz. Vodka
• Sipp Mojo Berry

Preparation:

Muddle blackberries and place them in a shaker filled with ice, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and vodka. Shake vigorously, strain the contents into a glass, and top of the cocktail with Sipp Mojo Berry. Garnish with blackberries.

Photo courtesy of Monin®

Monin® Love On The Rocks ‘Rita

Ingredients:

• Ice
• ½ oz. Monin Strawberry Fruit Puree
• ¾ oz. Monin Habanero Lime Syrup
• 1 ½ oz. Silver Tequila
• ½ oz. Triple Sec
• 3 oz. Sweet and Sour

Preparation:

Combine all the ingredients in a shaker in the order listed and shake vigorously until the ingredients are mixed. Pour the contents into a serving glass and garnish with a strawberry and lime.

And for those of you who enjoy hot cocktails…

Photo courtesy of Oregon Chai®

Oregon Chai® Oregon Chai Glögg

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. Red Wine
• 1 ½ oz. Oregon Chai Spiced Chai Tea Latte Concentrate
• ½ oz. Torani Vanilla Syrup
• 2 Star Anise Seeds
• Dash of Cinnamon
• Cinnamon Stick for garnish

Preparation:

Aside from the cinnamon stick, place all the ingredients into a pot and simmer until the smell permeates the room. Serve warm into a coffee mug or any other temperature safe glassware with the cinnamon stick inside of the cup.

The post Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue. Celebrate Love With A Cocktail Or Two! Part 2 appeared first on Houston's Blog.