For Immediate Release:

Tangy, sweet and savory flavors liven traditional favorites

Waukegan, Ill. (April 21, 2015) – Since 1967, picnics and reunions characterize Memorial Day celebrations among friends and loved ones. Before its association with delicious food and sunny skies, the observance was originally called Decoration Day because soldiers decorated the graves of fallen comrades with wreathes of flowers and flags.

"Memorial Day is a tribute to the servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives to defend our nation," said Craig Nielsen, CEO of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Inc. "Nielsen-Massey Vanillas encourages Americans to spend quality time with friends and family, as a way to honor memories and make new ones."

Nielsen-Massey's festive side dishes and drinks easily steal the show from the barbecue. The Loaded Baked Potato Salad combines the slight tang of Dijon mustard and rice vinegar with savory Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract, adding intense flavor to the traditional picnic staple.

For a sweet and tart refreshment that ushers in fresh summertime flavor, shake up some Lemon-Lime Raspberry Twists (recipe below) using Nielsen-Massey's Tahitian Pure Vanilla and Pure Lemon Extracts. The fresh orange slices and lime twists add pops of color to the fruity beverage.

Lemon-Vanilla Simple Syrup
Yields 1/2 cup

Ingredients
3/4 cup water
1/2cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Lemon Extract
1/2 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract

Directions
In a small saucepan, add water, sugar and lemon extract; stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until syrup reduces, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat. After syrup has cooled, add vanilla extract and stir. Refrigerate unused syrup in an airtight container.

Lemon Lime Raspberry Twist
(Serves 1)

Ingredients
6 fresh raspberries
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1/2 ounce Lemon-Vanilla Simple Syrup
1 ounce vodka
2 ounces organic lemon sparkling water
lime twist
2 frozen raspberries
orange wedge

Directions
In a cocktail shaker, muddle fresh raspberries, lime juice and Lemon-Vanilla Simple Syrup. Add vodka and sparkling water; shake and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Drop lime twist and frozen raspberries into glass. Top with a freshly squeezed orange wedge. This can also be a refreshing warm weather drink without the vodka.

Visit www.nielsenmassey.com for additional vanilla-infused side dish and drink recipes, including:

Strawberry Rose Mojito
Red Splash Summertime Cooler
Retro Deviled Eggs
Fresh Summer Salsa

About Nielsen-Massey Vanillas
Throughout its more than 100 year history, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has earned its reputation as a manufacturer of the finest extracts in the world. The full line of Nielsen-Massey's Pure Vanilla products include: Vanilla Beans and Extracts from Madagascar, Tahiti and Mexico; sugar and alcohol-free Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar, Organic Fairtrade Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Beans. Nielsen-Massey Fairtrade products are certified by FLOCERT.

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas also offers a full line of Pure Flavors: Pure Chocolate Extract, Pure Almond Extract, Pure Orange Extract, Pure Lemon Extract, Pure Coffee Extract, Pure Peppermint Extract, Orange Blossom Water and Rose Water. All Nielsen-Massey products are All-Natural, Allergen-Free, GMO-Free, and certified Kosher and Gluten-Free. The company is headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois, with production facilities in Waukegan and Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.

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Photos are available upon request. For more information about Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, contact:
Gardi Wilks, gwilks@savoragency.com
Savor – the food agency, 847.556.7511