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Forbes
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
6 Refreshing Cognac Cocktails That Are Perfect For Summer
getty Cognac is chronically categorized as a winter warmer thanks to its signature drinks like the Vieux Carré, Brandy Alexander and Side Car. This summer, however, more bartenders are showcasing Cognac's versatility in cooling cocktails for the season's sweltering days. Like Dan Nicolaescu, bartender at Le Coucou in New York City, who explains one of his favorite Cognac refreshers was built explicitly to complement summer's fresh produce and backyard gatherings. 'For me, the perfect occasion for the Midsummer Magic cocktail is a weekend dinner in the company of friends, with the sunset as the backdrop,' he shares, describing rounds of his strawberry and lemon-laced cocktail with Cognac VS and Pineau des Charentes rouge in between a menu of heirloom tomato and cucumber salad, topped with feta and basil, olive oil and a squeeze of lemon before grilled sea bream with farmers market vegetables. The increasing appearance of Cognac on this season's cocktail menus emphasizes the spirits' strong growth in recent years. According to The Business Research Company, the Cognac and brandy market will grow from $14.97 billion in 2024 to $15.79 in 2025 for a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5 percent. Further, by 2029 Cognac's market revenue is forecasted to reach $19.79 billion. This means consumers should get used to witnessing more Cognac cocktails on drink menus year-round. There's no time like the present to familiarize yourself with this protected category of grape brandy from its titled region in France. Below, discover six recipes for refreshing Cognac cocktails to drink this summer. Summer Cognac Cocktails Fleur de Feu Fleur de Feu cocktail Karl Steuck "I created this cocktail for those backyard summer nights surrounded by good company, and laughter with grill smoke filling the air,' shares Adam Robinson. 'It's light, a little fancy but also bold enough to hold its own next to some top-notch barbecue.' Ingredients: 1.5 oz peach-infused Cognac VS, 1 oz freshly squeezed orange juice, 0.75 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice, 0.5 oz honey syrup, 0.25 Licor 43, 2 dash Angostura bitters, 1.5 oz soda water Method: Combine all the ingredients, except for soda water, in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until chilled. Double strain into a Collins glass, add the soda, the ice, and garnish with a bouquet of mint. To make the honey syrup: mix two parts honey by volume with one part hot water and stir to incorporate (let chill before preparing the cocktail). To infuse the Cognac with peach: add 100 grams of dried peaches (not freeze-dried) to a bottle of Cognac to steep for at least 48 hours. Midsummer Magic This cocktail by Nicolaescu of Le Coucou evokes the 'contagious laughter' of an evening he and his friends hope will never end. Deemed Midsummer Magic, it's a complement to an entire night from appetizer through to dessert's fresh fruit platter, like summer favored strawberries and cantaloupe, and way into the balmy night as a refreshing sip that keeps giving. Ingredients: 1.5 oz Cognac VS, 0.75 oz Pineau des Charentes rouge, 0.5 oz strawberry syrup, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, one half of an egg white, a spray of absinthe Method: Add all the ingredients, except the absinthe, to a cocktail shaker. Add ice, shake, and strain into a cocktail glass. Spray the absinthe on top and garnish with a strawberry. For the strawberry syrup: remove the tops from 150 grams of fresh strawberries and roughly chop. Add the strawberries and 150 grams of sugar to a container to sit for 24 hours. Once the sugar has been infused with strawberry, add 2.5 oz of water and mix to dissolve it. Strain off the solids, gently press strawberries and collect all liquids. Transfer to a container and refrigerate. The Rémy Riviera Collins Recently poured at the Cannes Film Festival 2025—renowned as an unofficial kick-off to the summer season in the south of France—this riff on a Tom Collins replaces the typical gin with an oaky, Fine Champagne cognac. Ingredients: 1.5 oz Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal cognac, 2/3 oz lemon juice, 2/3 oz simple syrup, club soda Method: Add the cognac, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice; shake and strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top off with club soda; garnish with a lemon wheel and brandied cherry. The Pear-Fect Spritz The Pear-Fect Spritz cocktail Belle de Brillet Crafted with Belle de Brillet, a unique pear and cognac liqueur that's lower in ABV, this play on the ubiquitous summer spritz offers a balanced sip of sweet fruit, fresh citrus and lively bubbles. Ingredients: 1.5 oz Belle de Brillet, 2 oz soda water, 3 oz dry sparkling wine (like Prosecco), 1 squeeze of a lemon wedge Method: Pour all ingredients into a wine glass filled with ice, beginning with the Belle de Brillet followed by the sparkling wine, club soda then the spritz of lemon; stir gently to combine. Garnish with a slice of lemon. Southern Barbecue Spritz Inspired by the barbecue cookouts that Atlanta-based bartender Orestes Cruz frequently attends with an apple pie in hand, Cruz created a cognac cocktail that reuses the remaining peels and cores of the Granny Smith apples from the pie to make a honey syrup to pair with the fresh, floral notes of Cognac VS. 'This cocktail is a refreshing, crushable drink that cuts the fat of the meat and serves as a plate cleanser for the next bite,' he shares. Ingredients: 1.5 oz Cognac VS, 0.75 oz. Granny Smith honey syrup, 0.5 oz. Amontillado sherry, 0.5 oz. lemon juice, 2 oz. dry sparkling wine, 1 oz. soda water Method: Add the Cognac VS, syrup, sherry and lemon juice to a shaker tin filled with ice. Shake vigorously and double strain into a chilled wine glass. Top with the sparkling wine and soda water. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a green apple slice. For the Granny Smith honey syrup: combine the peels and cores from two Granny Smith apples in a saucepan, bring to a simmer and cook for three minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for an additional 15 minutes before filtering through a fine mesh strainer. This will make about a cup of honey syrup that can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 18 days. The Rémy Mojito Cognac is a perfect substitute for white rum in this warm weather-favored classic combining tart lime and cool mint. The spirits' plum and fig notes mingle with these fresh flavors for a layered cocktail, both in flavor and texture. Ingredients: 1.5 oz Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 0.5 oz simple syrup, 1 oz sparkling water Method: Add all ingredients, except for the sparkling water, to a tin cocktail shaker filled with ice (if you have pebble ice, use this as to not break the mint leaves). Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice and top off with sparkling water. Garnish with a full sprig of mint.
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Smarter, faster, stronger: how AI is transforming manufacturing
Step inside a modern factory, and you might find something quietly extraordinary. Machines no longer wait to fail; they signal in advance. Robots don't just repeat tasks; they adapt and respond. And decisions once made on instinct are now driven by real-time data. This is the new face of manufacturing, where artificial intelligence (AI) is not just an upgrade but a fundamental shift in how things are made, moved and managed. Across India, from long-established facilities to newly-built plants, AI is being integrated into every layer of production. It is helping manufacturers increase output, reduce waste, adapt to shifting demands and even design more intelligently. Backed by national policy and rising enterprise ambition, India's factories are becoming more agile, more precise and more globally competitive. Sector on move The global AI-in-manufacturing market is projected to grow from $4.1 billion in 2024 to $5.8 billion in 2025, and is expected to surpass $25 billion by 2029, according to The Business Research Company. In India, adoption is accelerating. TeamLease data shows AI use across industries stood at 48% in FY2024, with manufacturing alone rising from 8% to 22% in just one year. This is supported by policy initiatives like the Government of India's ₹10,372-crore AI Mission, which is investing in infrastructure, talent, and indigenous models. 'From predictive maintenance to intelligent automation, AI and GenAI are turning manufacturing industries into self-optimising systems. Real-time data is being leveraged to drive smarter decisions, higher throughput, and more sustainable, customer-centric outcomes. When combined with responsible AI frameworks, this shift drives both operational excellence and enhanced customer value,' says Sanjay Mittal, senior partner and industrial sector leader, IBM Consulting India & South Asia. Intelligence across floor AI is powering improvements across every layer of the factory. On the shop floor, predictive maintenance uses sensor data to anticipate equipment failures, reducing downtime by up to 30%, according to McKinsey. AI vision systems identify micro-level defects in real time, improving quality assurance. Cobots—collaborative robots guided by AI—support workers in physically demanding or repetitive tasks. These machines respond to human cues, enabling safer, more efficient man-machine collaboration. 'Today, CPCL generates about 1 TB of data daily. AI-powered CCTVs are helping ensure SOP compliance, while machine learning supports predictive maintenance and smart procurement. Digital twins and centralised safety monitoring are our focus to steadily transform our operations,' says H. Shankar, managing director, Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited. Further upstream, generative AI accelerates product development. Digital twins simulate layouts, energy use and asset health, helping engineers optimise operations virtually. In planning and logistics, AI enhances forecasting and enables more agile scheduling. IBM estimates that AI-led planning improves responsiveness by over 20%. 'At ZF Group in India, we're integrating smart manufacturing technologies like AI, robotics, and automation to transform our operations. AI is helping us redesign workflows by reducing task complexity and enhancing labour flexibility, empowering shop-floor teams to manage more intricate processes. AI-powered vision systems are also improving quality control by eliminating fatigue-related errors and increasing inspection efficiency,' says Akash Passey, president, ZF Group India Broader digital backbone AI draws strength from a wider digital ecosystem that enables speed, scale, and integration. At the edge, IoT sensors capture real-time data from machines, materials, and the environment. Edge computing allows instant responses for tasks like robotic actuation and safety control. Cloud platforms provide the scale to train models, run digital twins, and coordinate cross-site operations. These platforms allow AI to be deployed flexibly and integrated into existing enterprise systems. Emerging technologies such as autonomous control systems and agentic AI offer even more adaptability. These systems learn, plan and optimise processes with minimal human input. Crucially, these layers are connected through APIs and integration hubs that link AI with ERP, supply chain, and production systems. This ensures insights are shared across the organisation to enable better decision-making. More than just efficiency AI creates value at two levels. First, through operational hygiene. Predictive maintenance, automated inspections, and real-time stock tracking are fast becoming industry norms. These improvements lower costs and improve compliance, but are no longer enough to differentiate. 'We are now exploring AI-driven process optimisation to improve yields and reduce energy use, deploying drones for safer inspections, and planning AI-driven logistics. As AI and automation evolve, the opportunity to unlock smarter, safer, and more efficient operations continues to grow,' adds Mr. Shankar of CPCL. Second, AI is unlocking innovation. Generative tools speed up design. AI-driven customisation enables personalisation at scale. Companies that embed AI across their value chain—from R&D to delivery—are more agile, responsive, and future-ready. Looking ahead Challenges persist. Integration costs, talent shortages and concerns over data governance and model transparency are slowing broader adoption. A 2024 Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 44% of manufacturing leaders remain cautious about scaling generative AI due to concerns around hallucinations and explainability. Still, the direction is clear. AI will be central to India's ambition of becoming a $5 trillion manufacturing economy. With the right mix of strategy, skills, and Indian manufacturers are well positioned to lead the next wave of global industrial transformation.
Forbes
30-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why Companies Are Replacing In-House Roles With Curious Consultants
Hiring a full-time employee used to be the go-to solution when companies needed help with strategy, systems, or data. That thinking is changing. As businesses face growing complexity in their tech stacks, more leaders are turning to outside consultants who offer broader experience and faster results. According to The Business Research Company, the system integration services market is projected to grow from $494.7 billion in 2024 to $532.48 billion in 2025. One of the main drivers is the increasing demand for consultants who can connect disconnected systems and help businesses make the most of their tools. Companies are realizing they need strategic partners who understand how to bring everything together. Consultants who lead with curiosity stand out in this environment. They bring a fresh perspective, challenge assumptions, and identify hidden inefficiencies. They ask better questions and solve problems that internal teams may not even know exist. Internal employees bring deep company knowledge, but that knowledge can become narrow over time. When someone is immersed in one company's way of working, it becomes difficult to spot inefficiencies. Familiarity creates blind spots. People stop asking why things are done a certain way and start accepting outdated processes as normal. Consultants who work across industries avoid this trap. They compare what works in one space with what fails in another. They bring fresh context to old problems. And because they are not part of the internal structure, they can ask questions others avoid. When I spoke with Chris Andres, Co-Founder of GTX Solutions, he emphasized something many companies overlook: solving technical problems often starts with understanding human ones. As the former Global VP of Customer Success at Tealium, and now through his leadership at GTX, he has worked with clients across retail, automotive, gaming, travel/hospitality, health care, financial services, and media. These roles have given him a clear view into what executive leaders face when trying to align systems, data, and strategy at scale. As he explained, 'Most companies do not suffer from a lack of data or software. What they lack is a coherent way to make decisions across systems. When no one owns the connections, inefficiencies multiply. My goal is not to implement more platforms. It is to help teams finally hear what the data has been trying to say. At GTX, we don't just uncover the problem. We work directly with client teams to resolve it, embedding alongside their staff or taking full ownership of the execution. That blend of strategy and hands-on delivery is what moves the needle.' That ability to connect dots across platforms, departments, and industries makes consultants like Andres an essential resource for companies that need more than just technical execution. They need someone who can step back, see the whole picture, and make it work. How Curious Consultants Uncover What Teams Miss getty Most employees are managing tight deadlines, meetings, and shifting priorities. Even when they notice a problem, they may not have the bandwidth or authority to take action. Over time, workarounds become permanent. Inefficiencies are accepted as part of the job. Consultants are not bound by those constraints. They are brought in specifically to identify what is not working and recommend a path forward. Their value comes from objectivity and perspective. Because they have worked with different types of companies and systems, they can spot problems faster and offer more creative solutions. What solves a data flow issue for a retailer might work for a healthcare provider. What streamlines onboarding in a gaming company might improve the experience for a financial services firm. These connections are difficult to make from within, but consultants are trained to see across boundaries. Many organizations are not suffering from a lack of tools. They are suffering from too many tools that do not communicate. In earlier research I contributed to for Forbes, we saw how disconnected systems caused inefficiency, confusion, and duplication across departments. These same issues show up today across industries and functions. Consultants often serve as the translators between platforms, teams, and priorities. They help companies get more value from the systems they already have by improving how those systems connect. Instead of recommending entirely new software, the focus is on integration, clarity, and usability. Why Curiosity Sets Great Consultants Apart getty The best consultants do not assume they know the answer before asking the right questions. They take time to understand the organization, investigate root causes, and learn how each team works. This level of curiosity often reveals opportunities that internal teams miss. Curiosity is a mindset and a business asset. It enables consultants to explore, adapt, and test ideas that improve performance across departments. It also helps them stay relevant in a fast-changing environment, where the best solution often comes from a combination of experience and exploration. Why Curious Consultants Are A Smart Investment getty Hiring a consultant may appear to be a temporary fix, but the long-term benefits often outweigh the cost. These professionals bring energy, speed, and clarity to situations that have stalled. They identify gaps, focus priorities, and bring momentum to projects that need a push. They also bring strategic value. Because they have worked across industries, consultants know what is essential and what can be streamlined. They help companies avoid common pitfalls, reduce redundancy, and improve collaboration between teams and tools. Organizations that bring in the right consultants are not outsourcing leadership. They are enhancing it. They are choosing to move faster and smarter by leveraging insights that internal teams alone may not have access to. What Curious Consultants Mean For HR Strategy getty The growing reliance on outside consultants is changing how HR teams plan, hire, and measure success. Instead of defaulting to full-time hires, HR leaders are being asked to evaluate when external expertise makes more sense. This shift impacts everything from workforce planning to onboarding. HR must now support hybrid teams where consultants contribute alongside employees, often driving key outcomes without being on the payroll. It also requires a different lens on performance. The focus is moving toward results, not just roles. For HR, this is a chance to lead with strategy, matching the right talent to the right need, even when that talent comes from outside the organization.
Korea Herald
27-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Pedal Through Asia: Agoda Highlights 5 Cycling Destinations for World Bicycle Day
SINGAPORE, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of World Bicycle Day on 3 June, digital travel platform Agoda is spotlighting five cycling destinations across Asia that offer unique experiences for travelers. From the tranquil trails of Hokkaido, Japan, to the historic charm of Sukhothai, Thailand, these destinations promise unforgettable adventures for cycling enthusiasts. With cycling tourism gaining global momentum, the Asia-Pacific region has emerged as the fastest-growing market for this trend, according to recent insights from The Business Research Company. Cycling is more than just a mode of transport; it's a way to connect with nature, explore local cultures, and enjoy the freedom of the open road. Agoda has curated a list of five must-visit cycling spots across Asia, perfect for riders of all levels. Krishna Rathi, Senior Country Director at Agoda shared, "World Bicycle Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate the joy of cycling and the incredible destinations Asia has to offer. With interest in cycling tourism on the rise, particularly across Asia-Pacific where demand is growing rapidly, more travelers are turning to two wheels to explore the region's diverse landscapes and cultures. By offering great value deals on accommodation, transport and experiences, Agoda is here to make it easier for travelers to plan their cycling adventures, whether they're seeking scenic routes, cultural immersion, or a mix of both." Five cycling destinations to explore in Asia: Agoda's extensive offerings make it easy for travelers to plan their cycling adventures. With over 5 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda provides everything needed for a seamless trip. For the best deals, visit Agoda's mobile app and start planning your next cycling getaway.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Reddit's Ranking Of The Best Fast Food Fried Chicken Is A Battle Of The Top Chains
No matter how you fry it, restaurant fried chicken just tastes better. It's no wonder that the global fried chicken market is such a booming business, poised to reach $9.48 billion by 2029, per The Business Research Company. Clearly, folks love their fried chicken -- which restaurant serves up the best poultry, however, is a matter of some debate. When it comes to ranking fried chicken chains from best to worst, people have very definite opinions. Users on Reddit have narrowed the field to a handful of fast-food chains they consider to be the best cluck for your buck. To suss out the winners, Food Republic dug into the comment threads to see which chicken had folks salivating. The clear standout among Reddit users was Popeyes, that Louisiana-born chicken chain offering crunchy, battered poultry with a kick of Cajun and Creole-inspired spices. This fried food spot received the most callouts for being top dog among chicken chains. The online discourse also pointed out certain runner up chains, as well as one famous chicken joint that apparently no longer has a great reputation. The Colonel's chicken, KFC, has fallen pretty far since its glory days and didn't make the top rankings -- or even come close. The fried chicken champion of former times drew some criticism from commenters who claimed it is not as good as it once was, citing a drop in quality at the once-dominating chain in the decades since it became corporate owned, and subsequently changed hands multiple times. Read more: Ranking Fast Food Burgers From Worst To Best, According To Reddit From the spice to the texture, Popeyes chicken is the hands-down (wings-down ... ) favorite among users in the r/fastfood subreddit thread, who engaged in major discussion over the ultimate fast food fried chicken. But the high-ranked spot is not without its flaws: the food itself is beloved, but the problem seems to be getting Popeyes restaurants to properly serve the famous fried poultry. Commenters pretty unanimously cited consistently bad service at Popeyes restaurants. In the same sentences praising the deliciousness of the food, issues like wrong orders, completely forgotten orders, or not being able to order at all were brought up in tandem. "Popeyes is undisputed [number one] for taste and texture in my book, but service is abysmal," one Reddit user stated. Another wrote, "I used to live across the street from one and was hooked. But [it's] almost impossible to order from. They always get it wrong. They're always packed and slow. The ratings for the one near me are abysmal." One Popeye's lover shared that they've experienced bad service at the fast food restaurant in the past, but now live near a franchise where the service is good. A fellow Reddit user quipped in response, "Never move. Hold on for dear life." The bottom line seems to be that Popeyes has the best-tasting fried chicken. The catch, however, is identifying a restaurant location where you can enjoy it without a major hassle. It wasn't just Popeye's that received love in the online discourse via Reddit thread -- California-founded Bojangles was the second-ranked favorite among commentators for it's crispy fried chicken and fan-favorite iced sweet tea. One user stated that Bojangles is "almost as good" as Popeyes, but the service is much better, so they take their business to the competing chain. Another Reddit user shared that they prefer Bojangles to Popeyes simply because the former is generous with their sauces (both sauce cup portions, as well as servers who are happy to dole out extras on request). The user compared this saucy experience to Popeye's, where getting an extra dip is like "pulling teeth." Popeyes is now putting its sauces on grocery store shelves, though, so those craving more have the option of purchasing it by the bottle. Ranking third, per Reddit, was Church's Texas Chicken, serving up fried chicken, biscuits, and sides along with other items like fried shrimp and fish sandwiches. The chain touts its large food portions and bold taste as being quintessentially Texan. Reddit users specifically like the drumsticks and sides. Once again, though, this restaurant can't seem to get out from beneath the Popeyes shadow. One Reddit user called it, "A pretty great substitute for Popeyes," with another commenter claimed it is "a close [number two,]" with better service and a larger menu variety. Clearly, the best fast food fried chicken is still anyone's game -- and the quality of the food isn't the only thing customers are taking into consideration. Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. Read the original article on Food Republic.
