It's Wednesday, Boston.
π€ͺ Itβs also National Goof Off Day, so weβre giving you permission to do something a little wild, like signing off from work at 4:30 p.m.
π Whatβs on tap today:
What's with Candida auris?
Scooper Bowl deets
Cheap flight alert!
Up first...
FOOD & DRINK
The ultimate spring cocktail list

Images: Cactus and Cone, Ovi Mustea, Capo, Hecate; Illustration: Katie Cole
Springtime in Boston means longer days, warmer nights, and new cocktail menus. So in light of National Cocktail Day this Friday, hereβs a round up of the latest springy additions to Bostonβs beverage scene. And yes, thereβs a mocktail or two.
π βThe Farmers Marketβ from Next Door in Eastie. This drink definitely lives up to its name, featuring a blend of strawberry- and kiwi-infused gin, lemon juice, and basil syrup. Plus, itβs garnished with edible flowers, dehydrated oranges, and fresh basil (and served in an adorable mug). You can see their full menu with other spring add ons here.
πΈ βThe Floral Buzzβ from LoLa42 in the Seaport. Just close your eyes and imagine yourself sitting on LoLaβs patio overlooking the Harbor while you sip on a blend of Jamaican aged rum, cognac, elderflower liqueur, lemon, lime, honey, and chamomile. This drink launches Friday, just in time for National Cocktail Day.
πΏ βThe Chapel Perilousβ from Hecate in Back Bay. If you want to like Negronis, Hecate considers this bev a gentle gateway into the world of bitters: A sparkling Negroni milk punch with Stravecchio brandy, botanic bitters, Carpano Bianco, and Punt e Mes (both Italian vermouths). And if Negronis just arenβt your thing, they have plenty of other options.
π βWhen In Rome'' from Capo in Southie. Nothing says 7 p.m. sunsets like this refreshing combo of blood orange infused gin, Aperol, vanilla syrup, grapefruit, and lemon. And thereβs plenty of other seasonal drinks to pick from.
π₯ βBig Papiβs Salsaβ from Daiquiris & Daisies at High Street Place. Described as βbright, refreshing, fruity, and herbaceous,β this cocktail combines mezcal, mango, cilantro, lime, and soda. Plus, the food hall makes for a bustling backdrop for grabbing a bite and catching the C's or B's. Their βGolden Ruleβ with Dulche de Leche also sounds divine.
πΈ Spirit-free cocktails from Yvonneβs, located downtown. The COJE Management Restaurant Group has made a point of developing interesting spirit-free options across all menus. So if you want a drink sans booze, Yvonneβs Lilikoi combines passionfruit, ginger, lemon and soda, and their Cecily offers a punchy combo of salted cucumber, wasabi, lime, yuzu, and soda.
CITY
Quick & dirty headlines

Image: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
π Whatβs the deal with Candida auris? If you just finished watching βThe Last of Us,β the news of a drug-resistant and potentially deadly fungus on the rise may have spooked you. But how worried should you be? If youβre healthy, the CDC says not to fear. However, the fungus can cause severe illness in people with weakened immune systems. And if you need extra soothing, the CDC offers a comprehensive rundown of what to know about the fungus here.
π Tom Hanks named Harvardβs commencement speaker. The six-time Oscar winner will deliver the principal address at the universityβs 372nd graduation ceremony on May 25. And in true Hollywood fashion, Harvard announced the news with a movie trailer-style video highlighting props from all of his well-known films. Both Woody and Wilson the volleyball make an appearance. Letβs just hope his postgraduate advice is a little more interesting than βlife is like a box of chocolates.β
π¦ Mark your calendar for The Scooper Bowl, a.k.a. Christmas for ice cream lovers. The beloved ice cream extravaganza supporting The Jimmy Fund is slated for June 2 and 3 at Patriot Place in Foxborough. For $20, you can get unlimited samples of ice cream and other frozen goodies from brands like Ben & Jerryβs, Giffordβs, and more. Plus, there will be a βScoop at Nightβ event for those 21+. Tickets go on sale April 24.
βοΈ Cheap flight alert! You can snag flights out of Logan for as low as $49 as part of JetBlueβs big spring sale. The only catch is you have to make your reservation by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. and itβs only good for travel between April 4 and June 21. You can get a $49 flight to Marthaβs Vineyard, an $89 flight to Charleston, and the grand-daddy of them all: a $134 flight to Santiago in the DR. Not an ad, just genuinely concerned youβre not using enough PTO.
ONE LAST THING
Rose McNugget is home safe

Courtesy image.
Rose McNugget, the missing pooch that captivated Boston on social media, has been reunited with her owner.
Rose McNugget was kidnapped by two men while on a walk when the dog walker briefly left Rose to pick up another dog. Roseβs owner, Maura Howley, sent out a plea on social media and put up fliers. Luckily, Rose McNugget was returned safe and sound about seven-and-a-half hours later after she was found wandering around Mattapan.
The reunion video might make you shed a tear.
πΆ Thanks for reading! But the question is how the hell did Howley come up with the name Rose McNugget?
π Keep up with us @BostonBSide on IG, TikTok, and Twitter. Send comments and suggestions to [email protected].
Editor's note: The description of the "Big Papi's Salsa" cocktail has been changed based on an updated description from the company. We're told it is a "fruity" drink rather than a "flirty" drink.