And, if your team didn’t make it to the Super Bowl this year, the game time experience has much more to offer than just football. The half-time performance featuring Madonna with Nicky Minaj and MIA are sure to provide musical entertainment for all. And of course, we’re all excited to see what the infamous Super Bowl commercials –ranging from laugh-out-loud funny to heartwarming – have in store this year.

Whatever your favorite part of the Super Bowl game day may be, we hope you’ll remember to stock up on the essentials: refreshing non-alcoholic beverages for the whole family. This year, as in years past, our member companies are delivering choices. From full-calorie to no- and low-calorie beverages, ranging in portion sizes and taste, there is something for everyone.

Whether or not your favorite team made it to the Super Bowl this year, there is something for everyone at “watch” parties around the country: a good appetizer, spending time with family and friends, the much anticipated Half-Time performance by Madonna and – of course – the commercials. For sneak-peeks and a look back, Ad Age and Hulu have paired up to bring you the best Super Bowl ads ever.

So, as the last weekend before the Super Bowl is upon us, be sure to stock up on your favorite non-alcoholic beverages for the game. With such a wide range of sizes and calorie counts – from diet and regular soft drinks, sports drinks and ready-to-drink teas to bottled and flavored waters – our member companies provide something for everyone that’s sure to keep them satisfied on the big day.

There are no right or wrong New Year’s resolutions, the key is to make them attainable and give yourself some flexibility. Some may resolve to spend more time with family, join a gym or volunteer. And, if you’re watching what you eat and drink in 2012, we have good news for you. Our industry provides myriad beverage choices in a wide range of sizes and calorie counts, all of which can be a part of a balanced, active and healthy lifestyle. From sports drinks, to diet and regular soft drinks, to ready-to-drink teas and bottled waters, our member companies provide so many beverage options that you are sure to be satisfied all year round.

Whatever your 2012 resolutions may be, remember to have a safe, happy and hydrated New Year!

Ingredients

• 1 quart cranberry juice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 whole cloves
• 1/2 cup cranberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the juice, cinnamon stick, and cloves and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer.
2. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, ground cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of water and heat over medium-low heat, gently stirring, until the cranberries pop and are well coated with the sugar mixture.
3. When cool enough to handle, thread 3 to 4 berries each on 4 decorative toothpicks or skewers. Pour the mulled cranberry juice among 4 mugs and garnish with the cranberry swizzle.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with some recipes of your own as well. Browse through our products issue site and see what recipes you can create.

Here’s to a happy, healthy and sparkling holiday season!

Did you know that our industry is much more than just soda? Our member companies make a wide variety of products from sports drinks, bottled water and water beverages, energy drinks, 100 percent juice and juice drinks, soft drinks and diet soft drinks and ready-to-drink teas. There is something for everyone and a beverage for every moment.

So, if you’re interested in learning about the electrolytes in sports drinks, or the caffeine content in bottled teas, look no further. Our products issue site has lots of  information to help you learn even more  about your favorite beverages.  And remember, by putting calorie information on the front of every bottle, can and pack we produce, we’re making it easier for consumers to make more informed choices about the beverages that are best for themselves and their families.

While you quench your thirst for knowledge today, don’t forget to quench your real thirst – and stay hydrated!

If you are hosting a holiday party this year and feeling at a loss for creative ideas, Sip & Savor is here to help.  How about serving a festive cocktail featuring some of your favorite non-alcoholic beverages?  We thought we’d share a recipe for Sparkling Pineapple:

Sparkling Pineapple
Yield: 1 “mocktail”
Ingredients:

• 2oz ginger ale

• 1oz pineapple juice

• 1oz grape juice

Preparation:

1.)    Serve cold ingredients in chilled champagne flute

Have any recipes of your own? Share them with us on Facebook or Twitter!

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

The good news is that you never have to sacrifice taste to enjoy America’s non-alcoholic beverages. Our member companies provide many flavorful low- and no- calorie options to keep you refreshed and satisfied whether you’re just watching your holiday weight or counting calories all year round. Between 1998 and 2008, the beverage industry has cut the total amount of beverage calories brought to market by 21 percent. This significant reduction is due in part to the introduction of more low- and no- calorie options and smaller portions.

Additionally, the beverage industry has come together through a voluntary commitment to put calorie labels on the front of every bottle, can and pack we produce. By putting calorie information right up front on our packaging, our industry is making it easier for consumers to make informed choices about the beverages that are best for themselves and their families.

So, keep enjoying the holiday season – and your favorite beverages!

But not to worry! This year, we here at Sip & Savor have plenty of tips for preventing a cold this winter and advice for a speedy recovery from one.

Both health professionals and moms alike will agree a fundamental part of getting over your cold or warding one off is to drink plenty of fluids.   Luckily, our member companies produce a wide variety of beverages to help you through your cold – from antioxidant-rich teas to soothe your sore throat, to juices that contain vitamin C to boost your immune system, to fizzy ginger ales and lemon-lime sodas to settle an upset stomach.   The Institute of Medicine recommends that adult men and women should aim for 11-16 cups of total fluids a day, so drink up to stay hydrated and healthy.

There are a few more tips for preventing a cold or shortening the length of your cold we should mention as well. Very importantly, wash your hands often to keep yourself healthy, and avoid passing on germs to someone else. Also, always try to sneeze and cough into a tissue or your elbow, but not your hands. Keep a regular exercise routine when you are healthy, and get plenty of rest if you are sick.

We hope you find these tips helpful and enjoy a happy, healthy, hydrated fall and winter!

Innovative lightweight packaging has reduced the energy and raw materials used to create our industry’s bottles and cans and bottles – which, as a reminder, are 100 percent recyclable.  In fact, the beverage industry’s cans and bottles are among the most recycled consumer packaging in the country.  And we also help to encourage recycling through our work with The Climate Group, support of America Recycles Day and our promotion of “Think Inside the Bin.”

Here at Sip & Savor we recognize how important it is to do our part to help protect and preserve our planet – and we are proud to be a part of an industry that does, too.  We encourage you to check out the resources on our recycling page. Find out what happens to your recycled cans and bottles and more ways you can get involved with important recycling programs in your own community.