Ever since this column started, it’s been all about the wide variety of beer that is available out there in stores, at bars and within the walls of a restaurant or two. While it’s only been a few weeks in existence, a good deal of malt, barley and hops information has been shared.

But this past weekend, a friend asked why I didn’t put mixed drinks or wine into the column. Mostly, I said, because I thought it should be about beer and I haven’t had anything that I absolutely enjoyed enough to write about.

That changed over Labor Day.

Now, don’t get my topic of this week wrong. I still will write mostly about beer. In fact, I plan to get back on that topic next week. But I had a little something called Firefly last weekend that changed my perspective on things.

Firefly is an infused vodka that is meant to taste like sweet tea. It’s made in Charleston, right along the coast, and it has been a well-kept secret of that area for a while. Only recently did it make its way to the Upstate and beyond, and the response has been amazing.

In the bar where I sometimes work, people request this drink more than any other flavored vodka. Mix it with water or lemonade and it tastes just like sweet tea. Sure, it’s a 70-proof sweet tea, but so was the Long Island Iced Tea in its heyday.

Since I love what is called the “Arnold Palmer,” sweet tea and lemonade mixed, I went with the Firefly and lemonade mixer over the weekend. I had one, opened the eyes wide and was amazed how smooth this concoction was. It tasted just like an “Arnold Palmer” and was more refreshing than I ever thought.

They say when you mix Firefly with water, it tastes closer to unsweetened tea. Since I don’t like unsweetened tea, I didn’t go for that. It would be good for my friends who remain in Ohio, however, as they have not evolved to include sweet tea on any menus up there.

Anyway, this stuff goes down and can go down fast. Make sure you keep up on your ratio and how many you have had, because it goes right to your head. And the last few watered-down sips have a slight “vodka” twang to them.

But all in all, it’s a fine drink that should be savored on a hot weekend with friends. Pick up a bottle at any liquor store and put it in your repertoire alongside a beer or favorite wine. You’ll be glad you did.