Small Bites

Little Vittles

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Published: Jul 18, 2007

Most of us would take exception to guzzling something that turns electric blue under a UV lamp, but that doesn't stop any of us from downing gin and tonics with you-can't-even-taste-it abandon. True, no one gives much thought to quinine, the active ingredient in tonic that causes that ungodly glow, but why should we? The gin is what really matters, right? Britain-based Fever-Tree says no. The company produces high-end mixers � including tonic � that supposedly enhance any liquor. We decided to conduct an experiment: Does "artisanal" tonic with fancy ingredients like Italian lime oil and Ecuadorian ginger really make a difference when pouring up a G&T? We picked up a 99 cent liter of Vintage Tonic Water from Thriftway to facilitate a head-to-head comparison. Gin-wise, a bottle of Philly's own Bluecoat was the logical (read: only) choice. An impartial person mixed two identical, unlabeled cocktails � same glass, same number of ice cubes, one wedge of lime and exact portions of both G and T. Drink A was sickly sweet, with a sugary fizz not unlike what you'd find on rail at a bar that doesn't card. Drink B, on the other hand, greeted the tongue with an almost off-putting bitterness, only to melt into a subtle array of flavors once we squirted in a bit of citrus. The results were obvious: A was bargain bin and B was kinda our new favorite mixer. The biggest difference (other than the price) lies in the sweetness � your average tonic's loaded with high-fructose corn syrup, while Fever-Tree is sweetened with pure cane sugar. Available at Wegman's. For more info, visit www.fever-tree.com. �Drew Lazor

Just like its squishy red brother from another mother, the eggplant is actually a fruit. But you can't really call it health food when it's battered, deep-fried and dipped in creamy horseradish sauce. Throw caution to the wind, anyway, and hit up World Café Live's (3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400) happy hour, where eggplant fries, as well as other fatty, fabulous snacks, are half-price from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. And if you're too much of a wuss for nostrils-on-fire horseradish, they also come with ketchup on the side. And ketchup comes from tomatoes. And tomatoes count as fruit, too. Right? �Carolyn Huckabay

For generations, the Phillies have been driving their fans to drink. This year, Budweiser decided to make it official by introducing 16-ounce aluminum bottles and 24-ounce cans decorated with the team's pie-slice logo. The red-and-blue aluminum bottles are the same kind you get at the stadium � classier than a can, but less likely to hurt the left fielder than a glass bottle. Budweiser says "they look great in people's hands." Just like our cash looks good in yours, right? The only downside (other than the fact that the extra 4 ounces will probably be piss-warm by the time you get there): Bud also makes cans for 25 other MLB teams, including the Mets. �Ted Hesson

Forget what they say about chocolate � Elvis Presley knew that there was no sweeter combination than peanut butter and bananas. This ever-popular duo lives on in Reese's Collector's Edition Peanut Butter & Banana Creme Cups. See The King's mug on the package crooning to a bitten peanut butter cup and you'll decide to put that container of low-fat yogurt back in the case. Artificial flavoring and banana flakes make up the pale yellow layer inside these chocolate pucks, but so what if the fruit content is questionable? You've got the Elvis stamp of approval. Available at area convenience stores. �Kelly White

If you find yourself throwing a summertime soiree with an under-the-sea theme, Williams-Sonoma.com is now stocking NordicWare's cutesy pan that produces a party-pleasing octopus cake. Crafting an edible sea creature that's just slightly prettier than The Little Mermaid's Ursula, this gadget is constructed of aluminum for even heating and features a nonstick surface that all but guarantees the easy removal of all eight of your sugary cephalopod's legs. �Amy Strauss

 

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