Reston farmers market season is right around the corner and I can’t help but wonder what new and local treats we’ll see. Each year, these mom and pop products come and go, either making it big with placements in major stores or, more likely, failing. Even in this current renaissance of artisinal and small-batch foods, the rate of success among culinary…

Recently, shrubs have been gaining in popularity with bartenders across the country. Shrubs are fruit-based, similar to tonics, but preserved with vinegar. They are then mixed with soda water or alcohol to make a tangy, refreshing drink. Because of the acidity, shrubs are perfect as an apéritif or used as an alternative to bitters in cocktails.