In New York City, roving reporters for Shecky's New York City Nightlife were given an assignment that any of us would envy. What was the assignment for the Shecky's reporters on this day? "Drinking Our Way Through the NYC Wine & Food Festival."

Little did the Shecky's reporters know that they would discover VeeV.

What is VeeV? It's an alternative to vodka in mixed drinks. It comes from açaíberries grown in the Brazilian rainforest.

Is that a typo for the second "V" to be a capitalized in "VeeV"? No. In fact, the way that VeeV is catching on in New York City, we might end up with "NeW YorK CitY"!

Well, it was a tough job, but someone had to do it. The reporters from Shecky's said they sampled "more than 100 of the finest liquids in a three-hour span." But in the process of drinking their way through NYC, they made a VeeV discovery that no doubt helped them avoid the effects of a hangover.

The Shecky's team from New York City said, "What's new and trendy? How about VeeV, the world's first spirit made fromaçaí, which has more antioxidants than pomegranate - it tastes like grape juice, which isn't necessarily a bad thing."

Not a bad thing at all. Not a bad thing indeed. Here's a VeeV cocktail recipe that is among those that are becoming popular in New York City:

VeeV Eco Lemonade

Ingredients:

four lemon wedges

four sprigs of mint

two ounces of VeeV açaí spirit

club soda

Instructions: Muddle four lemon wedges and four mint sprigs in a mixing glass. Add VeeV and ice in a cocktail shaker and shake. Pour into a glass, top with club soda and garnish with fresh mint.

Written by Michael Thompson