No longer just an option for the friends of Bill W. or our saintly designated drivers, the mocktail revolution has shown us that a night out doesn’t have to contain booze. Recently, the “No Proof” section of some menus has grown from a dusty bottle of kombucha to a full page of shaken, stirred and bottled options. Kin Euphorics catches the trend with perfect timing and leads the category with fun and functional drinks that do more than look good on social media. We’re pairing this sober-curious beverage with another newfound favorite for a double dose of calming energy. The Purple Pop Rocks from Stamps Ag offers a complementary profile that marries two sophisticated, snob-free flavors.
The Terpenes
A prolific bean popper and pheno hunter, Stamps frequently sifts through packs of seeds with names that will be on everyone’s find-it list when the word gets out. The selection of Purple Pop Rocks, bred by Star Fire Genetix, receives high marks in the candy-gas category for its exaggerated clean and fresh profile that hides a rich, gelato-leaning base note under an eyebrow-lifting, diesel-forward top note. Additional soapy river water and amped-up orchard fruit flavors round out the profile. Breaking down the buds is made slightly more difficult because of the intense stickiness of the herb, but the quick-rolling joints more than make up for the extra elbow grease applied to the grinder.
The Tannins
We chose Kin Euphorics’ Lightwave to pair with this supreme PPR. The adaptogenic soda’s notes of sarsaparilla, vanilla and oak, with a pop of smoked sea salt, give it a sophisticated vibe that makes it a good match for the fresh and juicy profile of the Purple Pop Rocks. Kin has done an incredible job tapping into the happy-hour crowd and creating perfectly picnicable bevies for all times of the day. So, we’re suggesting this one tag along for the next afternoon when the responsibilities have been settled or at least postponed. Once you’ve cleared some space for yourself, it’s time to indulge and knock “chill for hours” off of your to-do list. Light up a joint with a friend and break out a couple of Lightwaves. We sipped ours from the can like heathens, but a wine glass or tumbler with ice would likely be more fitting.
The Pairing
Dressed up or down, Kin Euphorics’ Lightwave makes a tasty match for Stamp’s Purple Pop Rocks. The combo puts us at ease and sets the mood to calm, cool and collected. If your party-animal days are starting to look more like Sleepytime Tea Bear nights, we’ve found the pair that lets us feel indulgent and still get up at a decent hour to tackle the outstanding items on that to-do list.
