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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.

Join us at Time Out Market Boston for the Best Rum Cocktail Contest! Scheduled for August 17, 2025, this event invites you to sip and savor a variety of rum cocktails crafted by Boston’s finest bartenders and restaurants. It’s a chance for you to taste and vote on the boldest rum creations, with the ultimate goal of crowning the Rum Royalty of Boston!

This exciting contest is FREE to attend, making it an excellent opportunity to enjoy a vibrant atmosphere and indulge in delightful flavors. You’ll be able to sample a range of refreshing cocktails and help determine which creation stands out above the rest.

Save the date and prepare to raise a glass as we celebrate rum like never before! Stay tuned for announcements regarding the participating venues and bartenders.

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025
• Time: 1:00 PM
• Location: Time Out Market Boston

Don’t miss out on this tropical showdown! Mark your calendar and get ready for a fun afternoon of flavor and community.

The Jet Pilot is a classic cocktail that originated in 1958 at the Luau in Beverly Hills, co-owned by actor Steve Crane. This midcentury cocktail features a vibrant mix of Jamaican, demerara, and gold rums combined with grapefruit juice, lime juice, falernum, and cinnamon syrup, all enhanced with dashes of absinthe and bitters.

This cocktail draws inspiration from the tropical cocktail scene led by Don the Beachcomber, who was pivotal in creating drinks like the Fog Cutter, Cobra’s Fang, and Zombie. The Jet Pilot shares a close resemblance to another of Beach’s creations, the Test Pilot, but its ingredient list and build are notably similar to the popular Zombie cocktail.

Despite its complex and lengthy ingredient list, the Jet Pilot manages to deliver a well-balanced, refreshing drink. The combination of rums, lime juice, and sweeteners aligns with the traditional sour cocktail formula, reminiscent of a simple Daiquiri. The addition of multiple rums and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice enhances the depth of flavor, while the cinnamon syrup and falernum add sweetness and spice. A touch of Angostura bitters and absinthe introduces notes of baking spices and anise, rounding out the cocktail perfectly.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce overproof Jamaican rum
• 3/4 ounce overproof demerara rum
• 3/4 ounce gold rum
• 1/2 ounce grapefruit juice
• 3/4 ounce lime juice
• 1/2 ounce cinnamon syrup
• 1/2 ounce falernum
• 1 dash absinthe
• 1 dash bitters
• Maraschino cherry, for garnish

Directions

1. Blend all liquid ingredients with 1 cup of crushed ice for 5 seconds.
2. Pour the mixture into a double Old-Fashioned glass and top with more crushed ice.
3. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

The Jet Pilot exemplifies the best of the tropical cocktail genre, bringing a piece of midcentury bar culture into the modern era.

What connection does a rum from a remote French island in the Indian Ocean have with the legendary tiki cocktail, the Mai Tai? Surprisingly, a lot.

The quintessential Mai Tai, particularly celebrated for its association with Trader Vic’s, represents an evolution that adapts to the unavailability of ingredients over time. The original Mai Tai was concocted in 1944 by Victor Bergeron, known as Trader Vic, for some Tahitian friends. Today, many enthusiasts crave the authentic taste of that original creation, famously crafted with the now highly coveted J. Wray & Nephew 17 Year Old Jamaican rum. However, acquiring this rum is akin to finding gold, often exceeding $1,000 on the secondary market.

Following the formula, Trader Vic’s Mai Tai evolved as supplies of the original rum dwindled. Bergeron replaced it first with a 15-year rum and later with a blend featuring various Jamaican rums, adapting to ensure quality and taste.

Additionally, Vic sought to maintain the unique flavors reminiscent of the original Mai Tai. In a 1970 treatise, he mentioned that while his blends were excellent, they didn’t quite match the distinct taste of the original 17-year rum. He introduced Martinique rum, known as rhum, into the mix—though at the time it was made from molasses, not the cane juice version favored today.

In recent times, sourcing ingredients to replicate the original Mai Tai has become easier, thanks to producers like Holmes Cay, which has released a Réunion Island Rum Traditionnel. This rum, aged for three years in ex-cognac casks, mirrors flavors that evoke the classic Mai Tai.

To create a modern interpretation of the Trader Vic’s Mai Tai, one might blend the Réunion rum with Appleton Estate rums to replicate the original’s complexity. The full recipe involves various components, including fresh lime juice, curaçao, orgeat syrup, and rock candy syrup, all blended to create that signature flavor combination.

The technique is straightforward: shake all ingredients with ice, then serve over crushed ice, garnished with mint and the spent lime shell—a nod to the classic preparation.

While any Mai Tai today may diverge from the exact recipe crafted in 1944, each iteration remains a delicious homage to the original tiki cocktail, entwined with the rich history of rum and the artistry of mixology.

Authorities in the United States have issued a warning regarding the Celsius energy drink after some cans were mistakenly filled with vodka. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) has particularly highlighted the Astro Vibe Blue Razz edition of the drink, urging consumers to check for the affected cans.

This unusual mix-up occurred when a packaging supplier shipped empty Celsius cans to the vodka seltzer brand High Noon, which then filled the cans with alcohol. As a result, High Noon is conducting a recall of its Beach Variety packs. Fortunately, there have been no reports of illnesses or adverse effects related to these products.

The recall specifically affects two production lots, details of which have been shared on the USFDA’s website. The contaminated products were shipped to retailers in regions including Florida, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin, between July 21 and July 23.

The recalled High Noon packs can be identified with the retail code UPC 085000040065 and the following lot codes:

• L CCC 17JL25 14:00 to L CCC 17JL25 23:59
• L CCC 18JL25 00:00 to L CCC 18JL25 03:00

For the Celsius cans, the retail code is UPC 8 89392 00134 1, with lot codes:

• L CCB 02JL25 2:55 to L CCB 02JL25 3:11

The USFDA advises consumers to dispose of the Celsius Astro Vibe energy drink cans with these lot codes and not to consume the contents. It has reassured consumers that High Noon Beach Variety packs with different lot codes are safe to drink.

For further details, refer to the USFDA’s announcement on the recall here.

Recently, a mix-up caused some vodka seltzers to be mistakenly packaged as energy drinks, creating a stir in the beverage industry. The confusion arose between High Noon, a popular vodka seltzer brand, and Celsius, known for its energy drinks. This incident has led to significant concerns regarding product labeling and consumer safety.

The situation came to light when a number of consumers reported that they had purchased what they believed were energy drinks, only to find that the cans contained vodka instead. This incident sparked a debate over how such a mix-up could happen, especially given the rigorous safety standards that manufacturers are expected to adhere to.

As the story unfolds, experts are weighing in on the implications of this mix-up, discussing how it highlights the importance of clear labeling in the food and beverage industry. They stress that consumers need to be able to trust that the products they purchase match the descriptions on the packaging.

In light of this event, both brands and regulatory bodies are being urged to review their processes to prevent similar incidents in the future. Observers hope that this will lead to stronger regulations surrounding product packaging and consumer safety, ensuring that all beverages are clearly labeled to prevent confusion.

High Noon is issuing a recall for certain 12-packs of its vodka seltzers due to a labeling error that has caused some cans to be misidentified as Celsius energy drinks. This mix-up stems from issues with their shared packaging supplier.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that the affected products were distributed in Florida, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin from July 21 to July 23. In these packs, some cans were filled with High Noon vodka seltzer, but were labeled as CELSIUS® ASTRO VIBE™ Energy Drink in Sparkling Blue Razz flavor.

This situation has the potential to confuse consumers who might expect to be consuming a non-alcoholic energy drink, only to discover they have inadvertently purchased a spiked beverage. High Noon hard seltzers contain an alcohol content of 4.5% ABV.

The issue arose because Celsius and High Noon, while manufactured by different companies, use a shared third-party packaging supplier. In a statement, Celsius explained that the supplier mistakenly sent empty cans of the energy drink to High Noon’s production facility, which filled them with vodka seltzer and packaged them for distribution.

No illnesses or adverse reactions have yet been reported, and both companies are cooperating with the FDA on a response to ensure consumer safety. Celsius is urging customers to check lot numbers and can lid colors on their drinks, even if they did not purchase them as part of a variety pack.

Consumers who accidentally purchase the affected products are advised not to consume them and to reach out to High Noon Consumer Relations for guidance on refunds and next steps.

For more information on the recall, visit the FDA’s announcement here.

July 30, 2025 (Los Angeles, CA) — Cannella Media DTC has launched Wine, Watches & Whiskey, a new ad-supported streaming channel available on STIRR. This channel offers viewers a curated exploration of wine, spirits, and luxury watches, allowing audiences to enjoy high-quality lifestyle content without a subscription.

Steve Schachter, SVP of Distribution & Business Development at Cannella Media DTC, stated, “Wine, Watches & Whiskey creates a destination for viewers who appreciate craftsmanship, heritage, and elevated experiences. Partnering with STIRR helps us deliver this vision to a larger audience while ensuring a premium, brand-friendly environment.”

The content on Wine, Watches & Whiskey is designed to cater to the interests of a passionate audience. It features documentaries, tasting sessions, and behind-the-scenes access to vineyards and distilleries, all focused on the artistry and skill involved in creating exceptional products. This aligns perfectly with STIRR’s strategy to provide programming that reflects viewers’ interests.

“At STIRR, we recognize that today’s audiences desire more than simple entertainment; they seek engaging content that resonates with their passions,” Schachter added. The STIRR platform is dedicated to fostering engaged communities and offers viewers unique ways to connect with content creators and fellow enthusiasts.

Cannella Media DTC has a proven track record of launching niche channels. In 2024, it introduced RVTV on STIRR, which catered to outdoor recreation enthusiasts. The success of RVTV highlighted the demand for carefully curated content in specific categories. Wine, Watches & Whiskey builds on this momentum by focusing on the thriving markets for premium wine, craft spirits, and luxury watches.

The channel provides brands in these sectors with an innovative platform for storytelling and long-form content that goes beyond conventional media constraints. It offers marketers an opportunity to reach a dedicated, high-intent audience without the compliance challenges typically found in traditional television.

About STIRR
STIRR is a free streaming service that offers a variety of live, on-demand, and linear channels across connected devices. It aims to foster engaged communities and redefines streaming by inviting audiences to participate in shaping their viewing experiences.

About Cannella Media DTC
Cannella Media DTC is a performance-driven media agency experienced in scaling direct-to-consumer brands across television, streaming, digital, and audio platforms. The company operates several content channels, including Wine, Watches & Whiskey and RVTV, and manages significant performance media investments.

Explore more about STIRR: www.stirr.com
Learn about Cannella Media DTC: Cannella Media DTC

The New Orleans Spirits Competition, part of the annual Tales of the Cocktail event, made headlines this year with its unique judging format, culminating in a compelling outcome for the whiskey community. Balcones Lineage, an American Single Malt distilled in Waco, Texas, was awarded the title of "Best Whiskey of the Year" for 2025. This recognition emphasizes the rising significance of the American Single Malt category, especially amidst the backdrop of record U.S. spirits exports and potential tariff-free trade with the European Union.

The New Orleans Spirits Competition stands out due to its public judging process, where industry professionals taste alongside an engaged audience. This model fosters a more inclusive atmosphere for discussions surrounding the spirits being evaluated. Although the audience does not cast votes, their participation adds a layer of transparency to the competition.

In total, the competition offers hundreds of awards across various categories, culminating in 11 standout "Spirits of the Year." Among these, Balcones Lineage emerged victorious, impressing judges with its complex flavor profile. This whiskey masterfully blends Scotch and American whiskey-making traditions, produced from both Scottish and Texas-grown barley. Maturing in both refill and brand-new oak barrels, Lineage boasts a sweeter, fruitier aroma highlighted by notes of raspberry, banana, and apricot. Sippers can expect a balanced journey from the initial sip—characterized by cedar and sarsaparilla—to a warm finish with hints of cinnamon.

Balcones has built a reputation for its approachable yet high-proof offerings, and Lineage successfully strikes a balance that will appeal to both novice whiskey drinkers and seasoned aficionados. Priced at a reasonable $40 per bottle, it presents a compelling option for those eager to explore the burgeoning category of American Single Malt.

The timing of the award is particularly significant as American spirits are witnessing unprecedented export growth. Recent reports indicate that U.S. spirits exports have reached $2.4 billion, and there is optimism surrounding a new trade agreement with the EU that could eliminate tariffs on these products. This situation could pave the way for more European consumers to experience American Single Malt whiskeys, with Balcones Lineage positioned as a prime introduction to the style.

For more information on Balcones Lineage, visit Balcones Distilling.