Sometimes I get gifts or items that despite their novelty, I might never find a use for them. Useful Things sent along a package that included the silicone mold for some shot glasses that once filled up with water and frozen would allow you to imbibe and cool off at the same time.

After a few experiments, I finally figured out that I’d have to slightly thump the silicon mold to get rid of any air bubbles and toss it in the freezer to get nice and hard. Novel? Yes. Worth a purchase? After a week of 100 degree weather each and every day; hell yes.

Despite being made out of ice, the shot glasses do last for quite a while even in the aforesaid heat. You can easily pour two to three shots if you’re just a casual sipper or pound quite a few shots if you so wish and never worry about the shot glass dribbling out the contents. The ice shots can equally take on adult beverages or juice without any incident.

The Ice Shot Glass Mold sells for $9.95 at Useful Things and worth every penny.

[ Links: Useful Things, Ice Shots ]

Some things just “go together”. Peanut butter and chocolate. Toast and vegemite. Leather, studs and booze.

IN AN ABSOLUT WORLD, you’re with the band. To pay tribute to rock-and-roll — ABSOLUT is launching a limited edition bottle wrapped in a leather and studs gift pack.

On second thought, it looks like a fetish version… but that also seems to go with booze too. This limited edition Absolut vodka was a collaboration with designer Natalia Brilli.

[ Links: Absolute Rock Edition ]

Of all of the things that vodka could ever claim to be, I never thought I’d see “green” and “eco-friendly” in the same sentence as vodka. Green, sure… just add lime or food coloring. But eco-friendly? Never. That is until 360 Vodka that is.

Quadruple distilled through a highly energy efficient process, with every bushel of grain being fully utilized and nothing to waste. 360 is also five times filtered and produced at a facility that has improved its eco-footprint measurably over the past 5 years.

The “green” packaging that surrounds 360 Vodka is the utmost in eco. Our Eco-Audit details the environmental benefits of the packaging.

The packaging alone saves 193 fully grown trees, 82,766 gallons of water, 9,255 pounds of solid waste, 139 million BTU of energy and 18,052 pounds of greenhouse gases.

As if I ever needed a reason to drink up, I think I found one. And yes, the vodka isn’t bad either; it’s crisp with no true aftertaste and tastes just as good chilled as it does with some organic orange juice. At prices starting at $19.99 for 750mL, it’s definitely worth a sip.

[ Links: 360 Vodka, BevMo ]

Jones Soda, maker of Green Apple soda which is my absolute favorite soda on the planet, has introduced a trio of flavors that are entirely sugar-free and zero calorie. Pomegranate, Vanilla Bean and Black Cherry make up the round of up flavors that carry the new “Zilch” – as in zero, like zero calorie… get it? – moniker and for a limited amount of time, a sampler pack can be purchased for $3.99 and comes with a Free T-Shirt.

[ Jones Soda Zilch Sampler Pack ] [ Jones Soda ]