…the Sapphire Sangaree – a colorful gin cocktail, with fresh berries, reminding me of a sunny day sangria.

I remember back in the day, before I started drinking “real” coffee, a Starbucks Frappuccino blended beverage was my way of drinking a grown up’s coffee drink, but disguised as a milkshake. Now, Frappuccinos have become a Starbucks staple, with a huge variety of new flavours – from strawberry to green tea. Furthermore, with their newest beverage promotion, Starbucks is encouraging its customers to personalize their drinks and customize their Frappuccino. Choose from any of their syrup shots (vanilla? hazelnut? caramel?) and get it blended with cream. Get it light or get it with a double shot of espresso. The possibilities are only limited to your tastes and imagination! Join Starbucks for happy hour between 3pm and 5pm and enjoy a half priced Frappuccino blended beverage from now until May 16, 2010.
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At Starbucks, on April 15, 2010, bring in a reusable travel mug and get a free brewed coffee.

The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, Canada’s premier wine show, runs from April 19 to 25, 2010. The Playhouse Wine Festival is one of the biggest and oldest wine festival events in the world. The featured theme regions for 2010 will be Argentina and New Zealand with the global focus of rosé. The festival features a week of special events including a gala auction, wine seminars, wine minglers, winery dinners, lunches and brunches at fine restaurants and hotels. To purchase tickets online, click here.

Saturday March 20, 2010 marks the first day of Baker’s Market in Vancouver this year. Located at 408 East Kent Avenue South (back door at #115), this indoor market unites bakers and foodies, with yummie baked goods for sale including fresh artisanal breads, soft German pretzels, butter croissants, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, marchmallows, cakes, muffins and more!
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Print out the below coupon and receive one free Starbucks pastry with the purchase of any handcrafted, brewed or iced beverage on March 23, 2010 between opening at 10:30am.
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Whether you are looking for a healthy snack alternative, or to just enjoy a tasty frozen dessert or nutritious smoothie, Yogen Früz offers more than just a delicious treat…

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Not too long ago, I wrote a posting on Modern Mix Vancouver about Domo Tea’s Chocolate Ecstasy Flavoured Infused Matcha. With the same craving for a sweet healthy drink this morning, I opened my new can of “Vanilla Cloud” flavour-infused matcha, which happens to be Domo Tea’s top selling product.

Vanilla Cloud has a rich silky texture and a mild matcha flavour enhanced with natural vanilla. Made with organic matcha tea, organic evaporated cane juice, and all natural flavours. Contains no cholesterol and no saturated or trans fats.

As a personal preference, I enjoyed the vanilla more than the chocolate flavour – I thought it blended better with the matcha taste. To intensify the vanilla aroma, you can top up your drink with vanilla-flavored soy milk. At $10 for a 100g package in a resealable can, Vancouver-based Domo Tea products are available at several groccery stores (especially health/natural food stores) in our city, including Urban Fare and Capers.

Amazing. In just over a year, Qoola Frozen Yogurt has already opened its third location! Join them today at Metrotown for Vancouver’s first self-serve yogurt bar. Six flavors of yogurt will be available with tons of toppings, the famous “QRUSH” and more! And, all proceeds today (February 11) will be donated to the Red Cross.

This morning, despite the Vancouver sunshine, I was craving a warm beverage of some sort and came across a powder sample of Domo’s “Chocolate Ecstasy Matcha“. I’m pretty sure I got this little packet in a goodie bag from some sort of MMV-related event I went to several months ago, but haven’t had a chance to try this until now.

Chocolate Ecstasy fuses the soothing warmth of hot chocolate with the healthy and exotic taste of organic matcha, so you get the best of both worlds. It’s the perfect drink for a frosty winter morning or a cozy evening in. And you can use it to make an amazing chocolate martini or three, if you’re having one of those nights.

More chocolate than green tea match, this presweetened drink is easy to prepare. Just add a bit of hot water to dissolve the powder and top up with milk or a soy substitute for your daily calcium fix. This product is available at several groccery stores (especially health/natural food stores) in Vancouver, including Urban Fare and Capers.