Weber Ranch Vodka has introduced an innovative AI chatbot named "Tex," designed to assist cocktail enthusiasts in crafting drinks from the comfort of their homes. The chatbot engages users via text and aims to simplify the mixology process while still offering sophisticated recipe recommendations.

Lee Applbaum, the president and COO of Round 2 Spirits—Weber Ranch’s parent company—explained that Tex was created to bridge the gap between enjoying curated cocktails at bars and replicating those experiences at home. He noted the challenge many face in recreating the complex cocktails they enjoy when dining out.

Tex operates primarily through SMS, allowing users to send a text to #AskTex at 1-940-400-1902. The chatbot is powered by a blend of ChatGPT’s advanced language processing capabilities and Weber Ranch’s internal recipes. When users query about cocktail possibilities or share photos of available ingredients, Tex provides tailored suggestions. For example, even with a sparse refrigerator inventory, Tex suggested a cocktail mixing Weber Ranch vodka with red wine.

Maintaining a light-hearted, conversational tone, complete with a Texan drawl, Tex emphasizes safety and responsibility, redirecting inappropriate questions to appropriate mixology topics. Applbaum clarified that the chatbot serves as a supportive tool for home mixology rather than as a replacement for professional bartenders.

Weber Ranch Vodka was launched in May 2024 by experienced professionals from the Patrón Tequila team. The brand has positioned itself competitively within the vodka market, which generated significant revenue of $7.2 billion in 2024, compared to tequila and mezcal’s combined total of $6.7 billion. This product leverages the growing interest in agave-based spirits, appealing to consumers looking for unique flavor experiences.

Although Applbaum refrained from disclosing specific growth metrics, he confirmed that Weber Ranch Vodka is currently available in 46 states, focusing on expanding its presence in bars and retail locations to drive further growth.

This weekend in Denver, the Savannah Bananas, a unique professional baseball team often likened to the Harlem Globetrotters for their entertaining style, will entertain fans at Coors Field. The sold-out weekend games have created excitement throughout the city, prompting local bars and restaurants to offer banana-themed drinks and desserts to celebrate.

Several establishments are getting into the spirit of the occasion:

• Ambler (1801 Wewatta St.): Enjoy the Chunky Monkey cocktail, made from rum, crème de banane, crème de cacao, and homemade banana milk for $10, or a non-alcoholic Banana Slam for $5.

• The Corner Office (1401 Curtis St.): Indulge in a decadent Bananas Foster with beignets for $13.

• Cornicello (1800 Wazee St.): This ice cream spot will offer frozen chocolate-covered bananas for $6 each.

• Deviation Distilling (1821 Blake St.): Try their cocktails, including the Banana Stand featuring gin and caramelized banana syrup for $14.

• McGregor Square (1901 Wazee St.): At Milepost Zero, experience the Banana Stand drink with Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, priced at $18 with a souvenir cup. The Original offers a creamy Banana Hammock martini for $13.

• The Nickel (1100 14th St.): Their special is Banana Caramel Challah French Toast for $16.

• Poka Lola Social Club (1850 Wazee St.): Their Hollaback Girl cocktail is a highlight at $16, while Kachina Cantina has a dessert taco filled with bananas Foster ice cream for $10.

• Rioja (1431 Larimer St.): They will serve a Bear Necessities cocktail, featuring banana-infused Scotch for $15.

• Ultreia (1701 Wynkoop St.): Enjoy the slightly bizarre Banana Entremet dessert for $5.

Additionally, Wynkoop Brewing (1634 18th St.) is celebrating with buy-one-get-one on beers featuring banana flavors, including Wixa Weiss and This Bxxr is Bananas.

The citywide celebration will continue over the weekend as the Savannah Bananas entertain baseball fans, ensuring that attendees can indulge in creative and fun banana offerings from local bars and restaurants.

Weber Ranch 1902 Vodka recently launched “Tex,” an innovative artificial intelligence mixologist aimed at enhancing the cocktail-making experience for consumers. This unique tool leverages AI to assist users through SMS or online chat, providing personalized cocktail recipes and pairings based on their preferences and available ingredients.

Tex, designed as a friendly Texan character, utilizes advanced OpenAI technology to offer guidance and inspiration for crafting cocktails. Users can simply text #AskTex to 1-940-400-1902 or access Tex through the Weber Ranch Vodka website. This tool stands out by integrating creativity with AI technology, tapping into a wealth of knowledge from industry professionals to recommend drink recipes tailored to individual tastes and circumstances.

One of Tex’s standout features is its ability to provide instant cocktail suggestions based on items users have at home. By sending a photo of their refrigerator or pantry, consumers can receive customized drink ideas. Additionally, Tex can help with organizing cocktail menus for events, suggesting alternative ingredients, and even facilitating delivery of cocktail supplies or booking reservations at local bars.

According to Lee Applbaum, President and CEO of Round 2 Spirits, the parent company of Weber Ranch Vodka, this AI approach goes beyond traditional automated customer service. Tex aims to enrich customer engagement while respecting the craft of professional mixologists. The functionality of Tex will evolve over time as user interactions refine its suggestions and enhance its decision-making capabilities.

This initiative reflects Weber Ranch Vodka’s commitment to innovation in marketing and customer relations. The brand distinguishes itself in the vodka market by being distilled from 100% Blue Weber Agave, setting a precedent for quality and unique flavor profiles.

For more information about Tex and Weber Ranch Vodka, visit their official website.

High Noon Beverage is recalling certain packs of its vodka seltzer after some cans were incorrectly labeled as Celsius energy drinks, potentially leading to unintentional alcohol consumption. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that two lots of the High Noon Beach Variety 12-packs contained cans labeled as "CELSIUS® ASTRO VIBE™ Energy Drink, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition," but they were still filled with the alcoholic seltzer.

The affected cans can be identified by their silver lids, a distinction from the standard black lids used for Celsius drinks. These packs were distributed to several states including Florida, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Retailers in these states were also sent the products, excluding Michigan and Oklahoma.

The recalled packs carry a retail UPC of 085000040065 along with specific lot codes, including L CCC 17JL25 and L CCC 18JL25. Consumers are urged to dispose of these cans without consuming the contents and can contact High Noon for refund information.

The recall was triggered after High Noon discovered that a shared packaging supplier had mistakenly shipped empty Celsius cans to them. So far, there have been no reported illnesses or adverse events related to this issue.

For further details, you can refer to the FDA’s official announcement here.

If you’re looking for a charming and functional way to enhance your garden’s aesthetic, repurposing a whiskey barrel as a planter can be an excellent choice. These barrels are not only visually appealing but also easy to source from local hardware retailers like Ace and Lowe’s. To get started, you’ll need a few basic supplies, including a nutrient-rich potting soil and your selection of plants.

When selecting the location for your barrel planter, it’s important to think about placement as it can become quite heavy when filled. Make sure you drill adequate drainage holes in the bottom to prevent excessive moisture buildup, which can lead to rot in the wooden structure. Elevating the barrel slightly can also help with water drainage.

Fill the barrel with your potting soil, leaving about three inches from the rim for planting. Now comes the exciting part—choosing your plants! You might want to consider a terra cotta planter placed in the center to create layering effects with your plants.

What you choose to plant can depend on your culinary preferences—tomatoes and basil are a classic combination, while herbs like cilantro and oregano may also fit well if you’re into fresh cooking. Flowers can also make a stunning display when arranged in the barrel; consider the idea of "thrillers, spillers, and fillers" for your floral arrangements.

With a bit of creativity, your whiskey barrel planter can function as both a gorgeous focal point in your garden and a practical source of fresh herbs and vegetables.

For additional tips on selecting plants that thrive in whiskey barrels, check out this article.