The New York Times - We tested 40 hard seltzers

Photo: Michael Murtaugh

For many of us, a long winter weekend is ahead. If an adult beverage is on your agenda, might we suggest something usually reserved for warm, glorious beach days?

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After testing 40 flavors of hard seltzer, we landed on two favorites that are balanced, refreshing, and fizzy. We think either would make for a nice low-effort sip this weekend, whether you’re jetting off to somewhere warm, relaxing at a cabin with a hot tub, or simply heading to a friend’s house.

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No shaking and stirring required→

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Or, try hop water. It isn’t trying to be beer. (And that’s why we like it.)

Four different brands of canned hop waters lined up next to each other. From left to right: Hoplark, Hop Splash, Daypack and Hop Wtr.

Photo: Ben Keough

Mix carbonated water, aromatic hops, and (occasionally) added flavorings, and you have hop water. It’s essentially LaCroix for beer fans. At its best, it’s crisp and refreshing, and it delivers a bit of what folks love about a good beer, without any of the buzz. After taste-testing 31 hop waters and teas from 10 popular brands, we found some standout options.

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The best hop waters→

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Many spoonfuls of peanut butter and quite a few PB&Js later, we landed on our favorite grocery store options.

The best vegan ice cream

Gone are the days of paltry vegan options pushed to the fringes of the ice cream aisle. These pints are rich, dense, and delicious.

The five best boxed chicken stocks we tested for this review.

The best chicken broth and stock

The right one can make your soups and stews better.

Plus: Our top-pick bath towel is on sale

A Frontgate Resort Cotton Towel in blue.

Photo: Sarah Kobos

We’ve loved this Frontgate towel—which is on sale right now for $32—since 2017. It’s the softest, warmest, and most durable towel we’ve tested. Says senior staff writer Jackie Reeve: “Its terry loops are the most densely packed together, making it feel like a big, plush towel from a high-end hotel.”

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The best Presidents’ Day deals we’re seeing so far→

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The New York Times - We tested 40 hard seltzers

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