Favorite Foods & Drinks

Shira Golan

Senior Editor, Drinks

Shira Golan serves as the Senior Editor for Drinks at Favorite Foods & Drinks, where she explores the intricate world of oenology, spirits, and fermentation science. Her editorial approach focuses on demystifying complex beverage topics, translating technical details like malolactic fermentation and botanical distillation into engaging, practical insights for readers. Through deep-dive reviews and expert recommendations, Shira guides culinary enthusiasts in discovering exceptional tastes and understanding the ingredients behind their favorite drinks.

Expertise

OenologyDistillation and SpiritsFermentation ScienceBeverage Program Management

Coverage Areas

Drinks
Ingredients

Latest Articles

Colorado chefs in a farmstead setting selecting fresh, vibrant vegetables for ingredient-first dining, with mountains in the distance.
Ingredients

Colorado chefs embrace ingredient-first dining trends

In 2024, Black Cat Bistro didn't just update its menu; it moved its entire operation to a farmstead, now offering alfresco dinners directly where its ingredients are grown.

Sep 4, 2026 · 2 min read

A split image showing a fava bean powder product and a traditional chocolate bar, representing the rise of cocoa-free alternatives in the Asian market.
Ingredients

Cocoa-Free Alternatives Market Sees Multi-Billion Rise: Asia Leads

A new fava bean powder now recreates 90% of cocoa's key flavor compounds, threatening to upend an industry built on centuries of tradition.

Aug 28, 2026 · 4 min read

A coffee farmer planting shade-tree seedlings in a lush, biodiverse coffee plantation under a canopy of trees, symbolizing sustainable sourcing.
Ingredients

Specialty Coffee's Integrated Sustainable Sourcing

In a pilot program, 1,757 shade-tree seedlings have already been distributed to 38 farmers, a tangible commitment to environmental sustainability in coffee.

Aug 24, 2026 · 4 min read

A sommelier carefully selects an affordable bottle of wine from a cellar, highlighting expert recommendations under $20.
Drinks

20 Affordable Wines Sommeliers Recommend Under $20

Amid rising tariffs and a weakening dollar, finding a truly distinctive wine under $20 has become a rare feat, yet top sommeliers still pinpoint 20 such bottles.

Aug 23, 2026 · 4 min read

Crowds enjoying diverse food and drinks at the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival with Spaceship Earth in the background.
Drinks

2026 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Menus Feature Must-Try Returning Dishes

The 2026 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, running from August 27 through November 21, 2026, will feature 30 historical dishes, including the reimagined pumpkin cheesecake mousse trifle and the bo ssam pork

Aug 20, 2026 · 3 min read

An elegant, complex non-alcoholic cocktail with intricate garnishes and vibrant colors, served in a sophisticated bar setting in 2026.
Guides

How to Make Sophisticated Non-Alcoholic Cocktails in 2026

On-premise sales of non-alcoholic beer, spirits, and mocktails surged by $295 million during Dry January 2022, while soft drink sales remained flat.

Aug 16, 2026 · 4 min read

A vintage Coca-Cola bottle on a counter with 19th-century ingredients, representing its 1886 debut and early recipe.
Drinks

Coca-Cola's 1886 Debut: A Slow Start to Global Dominance

The original recipe for Coca-Cola, first poured in 1886, included 30g of cola nuts, 10g of Bolivian coca leaves, and a liter of an alcoholic mixture, according to Thestar Com My .

Aug 9, 2026 · 3 min read

A luxurious Indian mithai shop showcasing exquisite handcrafted sweets, symbolizing the booming premium market and private equity investment.
Ingredients

India's Premium Mithai Market Expands Amidst Luxury Boom

Atelier Expressions, a major investment firm, has acquired a majority stake in Khoya, a luxury handcrafted mithai brand, marking a significant entry of private equity into the premium Indian sweets ma

Jul 30, 2026 · 5 min read

Chefs in a restaurant kitchen preparing food with alternative oils, highlighting the shift to seed oil-free cooking.
Ingredients

Seed Oil-Free Cooking: Health Gains Clash With Financial Pains for Restaurants

Imagine a restaurant kitchen where the fryers no longer bubble with canola or soybean oil.

Jul 20, 2026 · 4 min read

PepsiCo's sustainable sourcing initiatives showcased through a vibrant agricultural landscape and eco-friendly processing facilities.
Ingredients

PepsiCo Achieves 70% Sustainable Sourcing by 2025

In a surprising move, PepsiCo recently lowered its ambitious 2030 Scope 3 emissions reduction target from 40% to 30%, according to Supply Chain Dive .

Jul 18, 2026 · 5 min read

Futuristic security command center monitoring drone activity over a packed World Cup stadium, showcasing advanced surveillance technology.
Drinks

North America hosts the 2026 World Cup, leveraging advanced security

Seattle police recently seized 11 drones and arrested two individuals for violating no-fly zones during a recent World Cup match, a stark preview of the security challenges facing the 2026 tournament,

Jun 29, 2026 · 3 min read

A Vitamix Ascent X3 blender sits on a kitchen counter surrounded by fresh, colorful ingredients, ready for cooking.
Restaurants

Expert-Vetted Prime Day Deals for Home Cooks

The Vitamix Ascent X3 blender, a staple for serious home cooks, is currently available at a staggering 42% off during Amazon Prime Day.

Jun 25, 2026 · 3 min read

A variety of colorful Owala water bottles, including FreeSip and SmoothSip models, displayed attractively during a Prime Day sale.
Restaurants

Owala water bottles are 25% off right now

Limited edition Owala water bottles fetch roughly $400 on the resale market, according to owalalife .

Jun 25, 2026 · 2 min read

A close-up of a sophisticated, artisanal jelly cocktail in a stylish glass, presented elegantly on a bar counter, highlighting its vibrant color and texture.
Ingredients

Artisanal Jelly Cocktails Elevate Party Drinks With Fancy Jell-O Shots Recipes

Solid Wiggles, founded in 2020 by Jena Derman and Jack Schramm, now supplies artisanal cocktail jellies to upscale bars across New York City, including Milady's and Bad Roman, according to Eater .

Jun 24, 2026 · 2 min read

Sleek black Fellow Series 1 espresso machine on a modern kitchen counter, with a freshly pulled espresso shot and steam rising, bathed in warm morning light.
Restaurants

Fellow Series 1 Espresso Machine Sees Limited-Time Discount

For the first time ever, Fellow's premium Series 1 espresso machine is available at a discount, dropping its price from $1,499.

Jun 24, 2026 · 2 min read

A simple, artfully arranged sandwich made with bread and onion on a wooden board, bathed in soft, natural light.
Drinks

Discover Easy Sandwich Recipes for Any Craving

Martha Stewart's surprising favorite sandwich recipe calls for just two ingredients: onion and bread, challenging conventional notions of gourmet, according to Better Homes & Gardens .

Jun 24, 2026 · 2 min read

A glamorous superyacht hosting an exclusive pop-up restaurant during the Cannes Film Festival, with the city lights twinkling in the background.
Restaurants

Cannes Film Festival's Pop-Ups Destabilize Dining Scene

This year, a Michelin-starred chef from Paris will operate a pop-up restaurant on a superyacht in Cannes harbor for just ten days, charging €1,500 per person.

Jun 23, 2026 · 3 min read

A modern restaurant counter service area with happy customers and efficient staff, showcasing a sustainable and employee-friendly business model.
Restaurants

Restaurants Boost Sustainability with New Counter Service Models

At Rye Bunny, eliminating hosts and reducing servers wasn't about cutting corners.

Jun 23, 2026 · 2 min read

Aldi's new 2026 frozen food releases, featuring Specially Selected Wild Caught Patagonian Scallops and Bremer Pepperoni Pizza Rollups, displayed in a freezer aisle.
Restaurants

Aldi unveils exciting new frozen food releases for 2026

For just $8.99, Aldi now offers Specially Selected Wild Caught Patagonian Scallops, promising superior flavor at nearly half the price of premium jumbo alternatives, reports Tasting Table . This move

Jun 21, 2026 · 2 min read

A focused barista competing in the 2026 US Barista Championship, with a spotlight highlighting their precise movements and the coffee preparation.
Drinks

2026 US Barista Championship semi-finalists announced, veterans lead the field

Six of the sixteen baristas competing on Day One of Round One for the 2026 US Barista Championship were already former Finalists, according to Sprudge .

Jun 20, 2026 · 3 min read