Have an idea for a story? Mlifeandstyle@theotherpress.ca ¢ Uses for orange blossom water in treats e Avocado ice cream from ‘Paleo Sweets’ e Alberta politician plays the victim ..and more Apple announcement: Making services even better » An announcement that is long overdue Jerrison Oracion Senior Columnist n Steve Jobs’ self-titled autobiography, he said that he cracked the code of television and had an idea of a future where TV channels are accessed through apps. Though he did not live to this day to see his vision realized, his ideas have shaped the future of how we watch TV. Before he passed away, he left his plans to the current CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, which included a plan that would have made Jobs a pioneer of TV streaming services today if he was still alive. This and other major plans for the tech giant have been recently publicized in an announcement from Apple on March 2s at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park. The announcement began with a retrofitted opening title sequence containing references to Apple's history. Most of the services the company revealed are services that exist already, except Apple is offering high-quality content with all of their products as well as an easy-to- use interface. As with Apple’s previous announcements, Cook still has not fully explained the products, beginning with the first new service: Apple News+. The Pour Boy: Get your Bourb-on » The best and brightest bourbon- based cocktails around Jacey Gibb Distribution Manager io tell you when exactly bourbon usurped gin as my favourite liquor, but it’s been a welcome transition. Bourbon goes down warm and smooth, and all those other adjectives that sound cliché when said aloud. Bourbon’s flavour also plays well with others, which makes it a popular base for a rogues’ gallery of cocktails. We covered this in a previous Pour Boy but it’s worth reiterating: Sometimes it’s okay to lowball which bourbon you use in a cocktail if there are plenty of other flavours mixing around. If bourbon is the headliner of the cocktail though, make sure it’s a bourbon worth highlighting. When in doubt, punch up and go for the nicer stuff. Here are a few of my favourite bourbon-based cocktails, ordered based on the importance (highest to lowest) of high- quality bourbon. Old Fashioned Aclassic for a reason. All an Old Fashioned needs for success is bourbon, simple syrup, and bitters. Mix the liquids together, then add a large ice cube. (Don't listen to anyone who insists on using multiple smaller ice cubes; these people are not your friends.) Initially the drink will be almost too strong, but as the ice cube melts it dilutes the cocktail until there’s a nice balance. For bonus points, I like rubbing an orange peel on the glass rim and adding a spritz of fresh orange to the cocktail itself. Bourbon Apple For those occasions where you want apple cider-bourbon flavours, but in the summertime. You'll need to prepare a ginger syrup ahead of time, which consists of adding fresh ginger to your go-to simple syrup recipe and then straining it out before chilling. Combine the syrup with bourbon, plus apple and lemon juice. Some recipes will call for a black pepper garnish to add a bit of spice, but it works fine without too. Hot Toddy At some point in history, Hot Toddies were annexed for the sickly and are often treated as medicinal. The healthy are taking them back though! Warm water until just before a boil, and add to a mug with Apple News presents news from trusted and credited news sources and it is finally available in Canada. With News+, they offer digital versions of magazines and newspapers in one place. Unlike Texture— the digital magazine app acquired by Apple last year, which is being replaced by this new service—News+ has live covers that make magazines more interactive. Next, Apple announced a credit card that has every feature one could want: Apple Card, which is pretty much an Apple MasterCard. It has no fees, cashback rewards that you can use immediately, and a function that tracks a user’s spending and gives advice on how to save money, which is a feature that some other banks offers through apps. The next two announcements were the biggest of the event. First, Apple declared that there will be a new section in the App Store called Apple Arcade where users have access to a catalog of games, including games that are made for augmented reality. They can be played on all devices, including the TV. After Apple announced updates to Apple TV, which includes the product being available on smart TVs, Cook unveiled the service that everyone has been waiting for: Apple TV+. This is not the bourbon, honey, and lemon juice. Stir that Toddy round and round until the honey is completely dissolved, then sip away. Kentucky Mulled Cider Perfect for those seeking a variation of the standard Hot Toddy. This drink consists of cool bourbon mixed with warm apple cider, and polished off with some allspice, a cinnamon stick, and lemon wedge. first time that Apple has offered original programming, since they have original music shows on Apple Music. However, Apple TV+ offers original shows that are made by some of the biggest stars and directors today. Apple TV+ will offer some shows that look interesting and some shows that will probably be cancelled soon after being aired. Some highlights include a romantic comedy called The Morning Show starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell; a time-traveling mystery produced by Steven Spielberg; a show about immigrants called Little America produced by Kumail Nanjiani; an unlikely collaboration between J.J. Abrams and singer Sara Bareilles called Little Voice; and the Sesame Street spinoff Helpsters. At the end of the Apple announcement, Oprah Winfrey madea surprise appearance and stated that she will also make programming for the Apple streaming service. This reveal is kind of like the iTV announcement I’ve been waiting to see. If Jobs were still alive and had made these announcements earlier, it looks like he would have been among the first to introduce almost all of the technology that we are using today. Photo by Scott Phillips via FineCooking.com Bourbon Sour Combine bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and an egg white into a shaker filled with ice. (The egg white might cause you to double-take, but it’s essential for making the cocktail frothy.) Shake that puppy 15 times and strain into a glass, then top with aromatic bitters and a maraschino cherry.