Go Green with Spirit....

We may never surpass the Russians in vodka consumption but apparently we're giving it our best shot, based on the expanded shelf space dedicated to the popular white spirit and the sheer number of new vodka-based drinks.

Now there's an American "green" choice, giving double meaning to the "drink responsibly" mantra.

Distilled in Missouri, the 360 Vodka folks are serious about their "eco-luxury" vodka, billing it as the "world's first eco-friendly vodka." And they're not just giving lip service to the green movement.

The company says they've been recycling since 2003. Last year, their employees recycled 210 tons of material and they moved to a four day, 10-hour work week. (I bet the employees love having an extra day to play and drink...and recover.)

360 Vodka is also putting its money where its mouth is, giving back through their "close the loop" program. Cleverly, the company is asking buyers to return the removable bottle closure and in return, they are donating $1.00 to domestic "recognized environmental causes." They're even paying the postage. For more details, go to www.vodka360.com. You must be of legal drinking age to surf their site.

Sexy Soda

The problem with soda pops is that they are too sugary sweet, even the diet ones. So imagine my delight when I read about a new kind of soda, called Dry Soda.

Made by a Seattle company, Dry Soda is a refreshing alternative to sickly sweet sodas. It's sexy, with barely a whisper of sweetness from pure cane sugar and each 12 oz. bottle only contains 50 calories.

So far I've tried the Lemongrass flavor and the Rhubarb flavor. Next on my list are the Kumquat and Lavender flavors. I was surprised at how little sweet flavor there was, and the sodas aren't too bubbly, just enough to be refreshing.

The Rhubarb is, um, an acquired taste, but I totally fell in love with the Lemongrass. It's delicately flavored with a subtle undertone of the unique flavor of lemongrass -- not quite lemon, not quite lime, but somewhere in between.

I've heard that Dry Soda is on the verge of releasing two new flavors -- Vanilla Bean and, get this -- Juniper Berry (oh, Gin lovers rejoice!)

I found Dry Soda in 4 packs at Whole Foods. I wish they would package a variety pack, though, so you could get one of each flavor. But at least you only buy 4 at a time, so if you don't like a flavor (eh hm, Rhubarb), you don't have a whole pantry full of them.

The Dry Soda website has recipes for each flavor, and I think I'll take my other three Rhubarb flavors and make Rhubarb Mojitos out of them. Everything goes with rum, right?