I’m relatively new to drinking Whiskey Smash cocktails but after trying one at home for the first time a few months ago, I’m HOOKED! Like legit obsessed! It’s the first bourbon cocktail I’ve ever truly loved and I’m excited for you to try it.

I had originally set out to make a whiskey sour until I realized that it traditionally has egg white in it and I just didn’t want to mess with that. A smash (as opposed to the sour) also has the addition of mint in it, which I LOVE. Mint in cocktails just screams summer to me and for that reason, I have a giant pot of mint growing on our patio!

Reasons you’ll love this recipe

• Only 4 ingredients and ready in just 5 minutes!
• Refreshing flavors from the lemon and mint.
• Strong but well balanced with a simple mix of bourbon, fresh fruit, simple syrup and mint.
• No fancy equipment or ingredients needed!

If you love lemon cocktails as much as I do, try this vodka sour next! And for a holiday version of this whiskey smash recipe, you’ll love this apple cider cocktail!

Ingredients you’ll need

If you’re new to whiskey drinks, this whiskey smash recipe is a must try! It’s made with simple ingredients, and the bright flavor of the lemon with the refreshing taste of mint makes it dangerously easy to drink! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Lemons: To make each drink, you’ll need about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. I definitely recommend fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
• Mint leaves: Muddled mint leaves gives the drink its signature cool, refreshing taste.
• Bourbon whiskey: I’ve tried this cocktail with a few different brands of bourbon and they all came out great, so use any favorite.
• Simple syrup: The sweetener that will balance out the bourbon and the tart lemon juice. Use my 2-ingredient simple syrup recipe!

Variations and substitutions

• Try this drink with vodka instead of bourbon for a vodka smash!
• In a pinch you can substitute an equal amount of honey or agave for the simple syrup.
• Change the flavor with the addition of extra fruit. You could muddle some blood orange wedges with the lemon and mint, which would be delicious! Or, try my pomegranate smash, which has the addition of pomegranate juice. It’s a good one for holiday entertaining!

How to make a whiskey smash

This classic bourbon cocktail recipe is SO easy. In less than 5 minutes, you can be sipping on a citrusy drink. Here are the simple steps:

1. Muddle: In the bottom of a shaker or glass, muddle the lemon and mint so that you release the juice and flavors.
2. Add remaining ingredients: Pour in the bourbon and simple syrup and then about a cup of ice.
3. Shake: Cover the top and shake about 30 times, and until the cocktail is fully combined and nice and cold.
4. Serve: Strain the liquid into a small glass filled with ice and garnish with additional mint and a lemon wedge. ENJOY!

Helpful tips

• To dilute the drink: If this cocktail turns out a bit strong, you can dilute it with a splash of club soda or even something like Sprite or Fresca.
• Cocktail shaker: If you don’t have a cocktail shaker to shake up this beverage and make it super cold, a mason jar with a lid does the trick really well. Then, use a fine mesh strainer to strain the liquid into your glass.
• A muddler: The muddler is used to “smash” the lemon and mint together to release their flavor. You can just use a wooden spoon to mash the fruit and herbs together if you don’t have one.

Frequently asked questions

What does a whiskey smash taste like?

A whiskey smash has a cool, refreshing flavor from the mint and the lemon with a hint of vanilla and caramel from the bourbon. It’s smooth and easy to drink – great for someone trying whiskey for the first time.

What makes a drink a smash?

A smash is a cocktail that has herbs and fruit muddled together and then combined with some type of alcohol. These are very popular in the summer because of the common use of fresh ingredients, especially mint.

What is the difference between a whiskey smash and a mint julep?

A mint julep is made with whiskey bourbon, simple syrup and mint but does not include the fresh lemon.

Other great cocktails to try:

• Classic Gin and Tonic
• Classic Mojito
• Grapefruit Margaritas
• Bellini- THREE different ways
• Watermelon White Wine Slushie
• Margarita Popsicles
• Mango Wine Slushie

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Whiskey Smash

Learn how to make a Whiskey Smash that's bright and refreshing with the perfect balance of sweet and tart. This cocktail recipe is easy to make with a mix of bourbon, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and fresh mint. Garnish with a lemon wedge and a sprig of mint and you'll have the perfect drink for happy hour!

Course Cocktail

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 drink

Calories 226kcal

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• ½ medium lemon cut into wedges (plus more for garnish)*
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 2 ounces bourbon
• 5 mint leaves
• ice

Instructions

• In the bottom of a shaker or glass, muddle the lemon and mint so that you release the juice and flavors.
  1/2 medium lemon, 5 mint leaves
• Add in the bourbon and simple syrup and then about a cup of ice.
  1 oz simple syrup, 2 ounces bourbon, ice
• Cover the top and shake about 30 times.
• Strain into a small glass filled with ice and garnish with extra mint and lemon. ENJOY!

Video

Notes

*this ends up being about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 20mg | Potassium: 122mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 224IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Whiskey Smash appeared first on Food with Feeling.

We went strawberry picking this week and I now have a deliciously LONG list of recipes that I plan to make with all of them! I love this time of year when SO MUCH is in season and you can get fresh veggies and fruit everywhere 🥰

Hopefully you’ve noticed that I’ve been on a HUGE strawberry kick lately. It’s just a flavor I love in everything! And you know I love my SWEET cocktails so I’m excited about this one!

We’ve made strawberry compote, strawberry donuts, and Jemma’s favorite: Strawberry MILK! I have about 13,854 more strawberry recipes ideas floating around in my head so hopefully I can get to quite a few more of them before the season is over :)

How to make a Mocktail version of this drink:

I wrote this recipe so that it can be inclusive to the non-alcohol drinkers out there. The vodka can simply be left out to make a simple strawberry lemonade. And as desired, 2 oz of vodka can be added to individual glasses as desired. This works well for parties and get togethers where there’s a mixture of tastes and ages.

Everyone deserves to enjoy a little pink lemonade!

BUT, we’re going to be focusing on the vodka version of this drink…

Simple Ingredients:

• Water (I’ve also tried this with sparkling water and it’s DELICIOUS!)
• Fresh Strawberries (you can also use frozen strawberries but I would let them thaw first)
• Vodka- use your favorite vodka (Tito’s and Svedka are favorites here!)
• Sugar- this could be replaced with maple syrup, honey, etc as desired. I have a whole post about making different kinds of simple syrup that you can check out HERE.
• Fresh Lemon juice (but in a pinch, store bought lemon juice also works!)

Wanna use other fruit??

I think this would be delicious with other fruit such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries or a combination of all of them!

How to make this Cocktail:

To make this strawberry vodka drink, we’re going to start out by blending together the strawberries with a little water until you have a silky-smooth texture.

After that, we’re going to press out all of the juice. You could skip the pressing part but I’ve found that a lot of people don’t like all of the little berry seeds and pulp floating in their drink.

Once the strawberry juice is made, we’re then going to make a basic simple syrup similar to THIS. After that, we can make the homemade lemonade! It’s simply a matter of combining the juice + simple syrup + vodka + lemon juice. EASY! Garnish with a few lemon slices, fresh mint leaves and ENJOY!

Recipe tips:

• I love making this in a large pitcher to serve at parties, but you could also make it individually as preferred.
• Try using other alcohols such as gin or tequila
• Swap the water out for bubbly water! I’ve tried this with sparkling water and it’s delcious.
• Mix up the fruit and use other berries instead of strawberries OR mix other berries in with the strawberries
• Use frozen berries as needed BUT thaw them out first!

I’m seriously obsessed with this strawberry vodka cocktail and can’t wait to see y’all making it! It’s like quintessential summer and I certainly plan to make it a good few times throughout the season :)

As usual, please let me know if you end up making this recipe and how you like it. You can come back here to leave a comment or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @foodwithfeeling! I always love to see what y’all are making from the blog!

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Strawberry Lemonade Vodka

This Strawberry Lemonade Vodka is simple to make and perfect for summer entertaining! Sweet and delicious!

Course Cocktail

Cuisine American

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 6 large cocktails

Calories 244kcal

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• ½ pound strawberries hulled
• 1 cup sugar can add more to make it sweeter as desired
• 4 cups water divided
• 1 ¼ cups lemon juice
• 1 cup vodka plus more to taste*

Instructions

• In a food processor (or blender), add in the strawberries and 1/2 cup of the water. Process until completely smooth and no chunks remain. This may take a couple of minutes. Place a fine mesh sieve over a large bowl and pour the mixture into the sieve. Press down lightly with a spatula so that all of the juices pour out into the bowl (see video for reference). Discard the pulp and seeds that are leftover. Set juice aside.
• Make the simple syrup by combining the remaining water and the sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and cook for a few minutes until the sugar is completely dissolved. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Once cooled, combine the simple syrup with the strawberry juice and mix to combine. Stir in the lemon juice and vodka (see note about leaving out the vodka). 
• Serve and enjoy! Store leftovers in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Video

Notes

* You can leave the vodka out to simply make strawberry lemonade and then add 2 ounces of vodka to each glass as desired to make it alcoholic.

Nutrition

Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.2mg

The post Strawberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail appeared first on Food with Feeling.

Hopefully you know by now that I LOVE a good smoothie recipe. I have SO many good ones here on my blog so I wanted to round them all up (as well as some great smoothie recipes from other bloggers) in one place for you. I split this list up into 3 common smoothie categories: healthy smoothies, green smoothies, and smoothie bowls.

There’s something here for everyone and I’m sure that you’ll find more than one new smoothie to love :)

I love creating new smoothie flavor combos so please let me know if you ever have a suggestions or recipe recommendation! I’m also always experimenting on Instagram so follow along there for even more recipes!

The Best Blender for Smoothies

You do NOT need a fancy schmancy blender to make a good smoothie! I used something similar to THIS blender for years before finally upgrading to my Vitamix. I believe that the best blender for smoothies is the one that you have.

All of that being said, if you find yourself making a lot of smoothies and using your blender on a regular basis then I definitely recommend an upgrade. I have used THIS Vitamix for the past 6 years and absolutely love it. I anticipate it lasting me for a very long time which makes the investment totally worth it!

Here are my blender recommendations from amazon based on your budget:

Budget Blenders:

• Oster 16 speed Blender
• Kitchenaid 5 speed
• Ninja Personal Blender

Mid Range Blenders:

• SharkNinja
• Breville Blender
• Blendtec Classic Original

High end Blenders:

• Vitamix Professional Grade
• Blendtec Classic Blender
• Vitamix Ascent Series

I also have a single serve blender similar to THIS one and LOVE it. I use it often when I don’t want to dirty my big Vitamix. I find it especially helpful when I’m blending small quantities for sauces and small smoothies.

How to Make a Smoothie

I’m a BIG fan of smoothie recipes that are EASY and simple. To me, half the point of a smoothie is to have a delicious and nutritious meal/ snack that can be made in 5 minutes TOPS.

So making a healthy smoothie is easy around here. Step 1: gather your ingredients. Step 2: add those ingredients to your blender. Step 3: BLEND until creamy, adding a little extra liquid if needed to get your blender going. Step 4: Pour and ENJOY!

It’s absolutely that easy to make a smoothie which is why I LOVE having them on a daily basis.

If you’re brand new to smoothies: I suggest following a few recipes first. Once you’ve made a good handful of them, you can start really experimenting with new flavor combos and ratios of ingredients. Have fun with it!

Looking to add more greens to your smoothies?? Try freezing the greens (especially if they’re on the verge of going bad!) using THIS TUTORIAL!

Healthy Smoothies

1. Strawberry Banana Smoothie
2. Raspberry Ginger Smoothie
3. Blueberry Smoothie
4. Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

5. Golden Milk Mango Smoothie
6. Cinnamon Roll Smoothie
7. Acai Smoothie
8. Immune Boosting Smoothie
9. Carrot Cake Smoothie
10. Kombucha  Blueberry Smoothie

11. Healthy Pumpkin Smoothie
12. Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
13. Cherry Smoothie
14. Mixed Berry Beet Smoothie

Smoothie Bowl Recipes

1. Tropical Berry Smoothie Bowl
2. Detox Green Smoothie Bowl
3. Mocha Banana Protein Smoothie Bowl
4. Peach Pie Smoothie Bowl
5. Wild Maqui Berry Smoothie Bowl
6. Chocolate Smoothie Bowl

Green Smoothie Recipes

1. Classic Green Smoothie
2. Strawberry Banana Green Smoothie
3. Meal Replacement Blueberry Green Smoothie
4. Mocha Green Smoothie
5. Pumpkin Spice Green Smoothie
6. Spinach Avocado Smoothie
7. Green Blueberry Smoothie

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Simple Smoothie Formula

This is a basic recipe for a healthy strawberry banana smoothie!

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 1 large smoothie

Calories

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• 1/2-1 cup of strawberries I prefer frozen but fresh work*
• 1 frozen banana*
• ½ cup of yogurt any kind will work well!
• ½ cup liquid of choice I love almond milk in this!
• 2-3 tablespoons peanut butter other nut or seed butters will also work here!

Instructions

• Add all of the ingredients in your blender and blend until creamy and smooth.
• Add additional liquid if needed to get the blender going.
• ENJOY!

Notes

*Most other kinds of fruit will work here!

*You can swap the banana for cauliflower if you’re looking for a lighter smoothie

The post 30+ Healthy Smoothie Recipes appeared first on Food with Feeling.

A Peach Bellini as a fun change from classic mimosas, and when the weather gets hot, these light and sparkly cocktails are the most refreshing way to have a boozy brunch!

In this post, I’m showing you how to make a Bellini, and then giving this classic cocktail a summertime twist by using frozen peach slices instead of juice to make a frozen Bellini. In addition, I’ll show you how you can even make Bellini popsicles. While I LOVE the traditional recipe, the frozen options are fun and seriously crave-worthy on a balmy day. All three versions are SO ridiculously perfect for summer! 

Key ingredients:

What’s in a Bellini you might ask? Like a mimosa, a Bellini has juice (peach juice to be exact) and champagne. While it’s not totally needed, you can also add in a little bit of simple syrup, if you’d like to sweeten up the cocktail a bit.

• Peach nectar. Many Bellini recipes will call for you to first make the peach nectar with fresh peaches. At brunch, I never want to fool with that, so I just use peach nectar from the can. You can find this at any grocery store down the Latin American aisle.
• Dry sparkling wine. Prosecco is the classic choice, but any dry sparkling wine or champagne will work.
• Simple syrup. Optional for extra sweetness. Try my homemade simple syrup! Taste the drink first and, if desired, start with adding about 1/2 teaspoon per drink to taste.

How to make this drink:

Making peach Bellini cocktails at home is super easy. Just a few simple steps and you’re well on your way to one delicious beverage! Here’s a quick rundown of the process, but reference the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full, printable recipe.

1. Make your own nectar. If you DO want to make your own peach nectar, simply blend up a few pitted peaches and then run that through a mesh sieve to collect the juice. Discard any fruity bits that you might not want in your drink.
2. Mix the drink. To make the Bellini, simply mix together one part peach nectar (about 2 ounces or 1/4 cup) to one part sparkling wine and add in a splash (start with about 1/2 teaspoon) of simple syrup. I usually taste mine first to decide if it needs any extra sweetness and then go from there.

THAT’S IT! Hence why this is such a popular brunch cocktail.

Serving suggestions

Bellinis are traditionally served in a fluted glass such as a champagne flute. Here’s some ways we love to enjoy them:

• With brunch. Paired with French toast, pancakes, bacon, and fresh fruit, these dreamy drinks are easy to sip while relaxing on leisurely weekend mornings or special occasion breakfast or brunch celebrations.
• In addition to brunch, Peach Bellinis can be served at summertime celebrations, pool parties, showers, and garden parties, and your next girls’ get-together! 

Tips for the perfect cocktail

Here’s some helpful tips to ensure you have a delicious Bellini:

• Make ahead. If you’re making your own peach nectar, feel free to make that in advance, and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Wait to add the wine until just before serving so your drinks are fresh and bubbly.
• Peaches. Want to use fresh peaches? The original Bellini is made with white peaches, however yellow peaches work great too and they ripen faster. When peaches are out of season, canned or even frozen peaches will work, just be sure to choose unsweetened canned peaches if you can’t find fresh. 

Variations

This drink is easy to change up, based on what flavors you’re craving and what you have available. Here’s some suggestions:

• Non-alcoholic. To make a Peach Bellini Mocktail, substitute seltzer for the sparkling wine.
• Wine. Prosecco is classic for making Bellinis, but champagne is another sparkling wine that will work great in this recipe. In fact, any favorite sparkling white wine will do.
• Fruit. Substitute strawberry purée for the peach nectar for an equally delicious summer cocktail.

Make it frozen

These chilly cocktails are perfect for balmy morning brunches, especially if you’re dining outside. We especially love to sip on these slushies, poolside, served in plastic flutes!

Popsicle option

These fun Bellini popsicles are the perfect way to toast summer! They’re also a great way to use up those sweet, juicy summer peaches in an adult celebration kind of way.

To make Bellinis into pops, we’re essentially just going to make the recipe as usual and then dump it into popsicle molds. So easy!

Alternatively, you could also make the frozen version and then pour that into the molds. This is an awesome way to store any leftovers that you might have. You’ll be so thankful later when you remember that they’re in the freezer!

If you’re looking for a cold cocktail that’s as refreshing as it is boozy, whip up a Peach Bellini to enjoy at brunches and get-togethers all summer long!

More summer cocktails to try:

• Mango Wine Slushie
• Whiskey Smash
• Classic Mojito Recipe
• Grapefruit Margarita
• Gin & Tonic
• Lavender Mojito
• Classic Aperol Spritz
• Lavender Lemonade Vodka
• Watermelon White Wine Slushie
• Peach Mojito
• Sangria Popsicles
• Cucumber Lime Tequila Cocktail

As usual, please let me know if you end up making any of these three versions of this recipe and how you like it. You can come back here to leave a comment or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @foodwithfeeling! I always love to see what y’all are making from the blog!

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Peach Bellini

Refreshing and bubbly, a Peach Bellini is a light and fruity Italian cocktail made in 5 minutes or less with just 2 ingredients: Prosecco sparkling wine and peach nectar. They’re the perfect cocktail for brunch, happy hour and holidays!

Course Cocktail

Cuisine French

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Calories

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• 1 bottle sparkling wine chilled
• 1 can peach nectar chilled
• simple syrup as desired for extra sweetness

Instructions

• Pour 2 ounces (¼ cup) chilled peach nectar into a champagne flute. Pour in some chilled sparkling wine (about 2 ounces), being careful not to overflow the glass. Add in a splash (start with about 1/2 teaspoon) of simple syrup. I usually taste mine first to decide if it needs any extra sweetness and then go from there. Gently stir with a spoon to combine.
• Add another splash of wine to top off the drink and garnish with a peach slice, if desired. Serve immediately. 

Notes

Make your own nectar. If you DO want to make your own peach nectar, simply blend up a few pitted peaches and then run that through a mesh sieve to collect the juice. Discard any fruity bits that you might not want in your drink.

Frozen version. Combine frozen peaches and champagne in a blender and blend until creamy and smooth. Serve and enjoy! Add in a bit of simple syrup if you want the cocktail to be sweet.

Popsicle version. Make the recipe as instructed and then pour it into popsicle molds. Alternatively, you could make the frozen version and then pour that into the molds.

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Bellini- 3 Different Ways

Easy to make and delicious Bellini Recipe!

Course Cocktail

Cuisine American

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 6 classic bellini

Calories 187kcal

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

For the classic Bellini:

• ¼ cup peach nectar
• ¼ cup champagne
• optional: splash of simple syrup and peach slice to garnish

For the frozen Bellini:

• 1 750 ml bottle of champagne/ sparkling wine
• 4 cups frozen peaches
• optional: 2 tablespoons of simple syrup

For the Bellini popsicles:

• 1 ½ cups peach nectar
• 1 ½ cups champagne/ sparkling wine
• 1 ½ tablespoons simple syrup
• optional: peach slices in each popsicles

Instructions

For the classic Bellini:

• In a champagne glass, combine the peach nectar, sparkling wine, and simple syrup. Stir to combine and garnish with a peach slice or 2 (I like to use frozen peach slices!). ENJOY!

For the frozen Bellini:

• Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve and enjoy! If you have leftovers, you can pour it into popsicles molds to freeze for later. Enjoy!

For the Bellini popsicles:

You can make these 2 ways:

• Follow the directions for the frozen bellini, cutting the recipe in half. Once blended and smooth, pour the mixture into the popsicle molds and freeze overnight.
• In a bowl, mix together the peach nectar, champagne, and simple syrup. Pour the mixture evenly into the popsicle molds and place a peach slice into each mold. Place the popsicle sticks in and freeze overnight. ENJOY!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.05g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 320mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 522IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

The post Peach Bellini appeared first on Food with Feeling.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Packed with your favorite seasonal flavors. There’s just something special about the combination of apple cider and exotic spices that really makes it feel like the holidays.
• Great for entertaining. This recipe for mulled cider serves 20 people, makes your house smell amazing and will be the hit of any holiday party! 
• Easy. Hot mulled cider is simple to make with very little hands-on time needed. You can get this simmering in 10 minutes, with only a handful of ingredients needed.

Ingredients needed

This recipe for mulled apple cider only requires several simple ingredients. We recommend using the highest-quality version of these ingredients that you can find. The best apple cider yields the best mulled cider! Here’s what you need:

• Apple cider. Take note that apple cider is different than apple JUICE. Apple cider is basically strained mashed apples with pulp, while apple juice is filtered to remove all the pulp. Look for a cider with no added sugar or spices. You can typically find this in the refrigerated section at your grocery store. 
• Fresh ginger. Adds peppery, sweet and fragrant flavor to your drink.
• Star anise. Star anise smells like licorice and adds just a whisper of licorice flavor to the cider. I really enjoy the taste it adds, but it can be expensive and some people don’t care for the licorice flavor, so feel free to omit.
• Orange. A sliced orange is added to give the mulled cider brightness, plus an extra layer of holiday flavor.
• Cinnamon sticks and spices. You can’t have mulled cider without cinnamon sticks! They add a warm festive flavor to the beverage. We’re also adding in whole cloves and whole allspice berries, which are staples in this recipe.

How to make this recipe

When the temperature drops, get this spicy mulled cider steaming on the stove. Its comforting flavors of cinnamon, clove, and allspice will warm you up quickly! Here’s the simple method:

Find the full, printable recipe in the recipe card below.

1. Simmer ingredients. In a large pot over medium-high heat, mix everything together and bring to a gentle simmer. Let cook on low for about an hour. You can then turn the heat down as low as it will go in order to keep it warmed, if needed.
2. Serve. When ready to serve, garnish with fresh cranberries and/or orange slices and, if you’d like, spike with your favorite alcohol. I use about 1/2 of a shot per cup, personally. ENJOY!

Storing leftovers

Store leftover mulled cider in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can reheat the cider over a low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave for about 1 minute.

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Mulled Apple Cider

Mulled Apple Cider is a warm, cozy, and flavorful fall treat! This mulled cider recipe is infused with a blend of apple cider, spices, and citrus and simmered to perfection. You’re going to want this easy, festive drink at all of your holiday gatherings!

Course Drink

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Calories

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• 1 gallon of apple cider
• 2 inches of fresh ginger peeled and sliced into thin strips
• 2 star anise optional if you don’t have them
• 1 orange thinly sliced
• 6 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon of whole cloves
• 1 ½ teaspoon of whole allspice

Instructions

• In a large pot over medium-high heat, mix everything together and bring to a gentle simmer. Let cook on low for about an hour. You can then turn the heat down as low as it will go in order to keep it warmed if needed.
• When ready to serve, garnish with fresh cranberries and/or orange and spike with your favorite alcohol. I use about 1/2 of a shot per cup, personally. ENJOY!
• Store leftovers in an airtight container. I suggest straining out all of the spices before storing as they can make the cider a bit bitter if they sit in the liquid for too long.

Notes

Store leftover mulled cider in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can reheat the cider over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave for about 1 minute.

The post Mulled Apple Cider appeared first on Food with Feeling.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Includes your favorite fall flavors! Creamy pumpkin puree and warming pumpkin pie spice come together to make one incredible fall shake!
• Packed with protein. Get a protein fix with a scoop protein powder! You can use any favorite brand of protein, make it plant-based for a vegan-friendly option!
• Quick & easy. All you need is a blender and you can whip this up in 5 minutes, with only a handful of ingredients needed.

Variations

Because there are plenty of simple ingredients in this pumpkin protein smoothie recipe, it’s easy to customize with your fav add-ins or swaps! Here’s some options:

• Swap your produce. If you don’t have any pumpkin, you could use roasted butternut squash or sweet potato instead!
• Add in extras. For a boost of nutrients, feel free to add a tablespoon of flaxseed meal, chia seeds or hemp seeds.
• Make it vegan. Use your favorite dairy free milk, plant-based protein and agave or maple syrup to keep this smoothie vegan-friendly!

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Healthy Pumpkin Smoothie

You’re going to fall in love with this healthy Pumpkin Smoothie that tastes just like a slice of pumpkin pie! It’s quick and easy to make with pumpkin puree, cauliflower, milk, protein powder, nut butter, and pumpkin pie spice. And blends up rich, creamy, and packed with flavor! Enjoy it as a breakfast, mid-day snack, or dessert.

Course smoothie

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 minute minute

Total Time 6 minutes minutes

Servings 1 large smoothie

Calories

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• 1 cup of frozen pumpkin puree I freeze it in ice cube trays the night before
• ½ cup of frozen cauliflower florets
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 2 tablespoons of liquid sweetener agave, maple syrup, honey, etc
• 1 tablespoon of nut butter I love almond butter in this!
• 1 scoop of protein powder
• Pinch of salt
• ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon

Instructions

• Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until creamy and smooth. Add more liquid, a couple tablespoons at a time, as needed to get the blender going.
• Top with some pepitas or granola and ENJOY!

Notes

Make ahead: Once blended either add it to a mason jar with a lid, an ice cube tray, or freezer safe baggie. When you’re ready to drink it, add your frozen smoothie back to your blender with a little additional milk, blend, and enjoy. You may need to thaw it out a bit before blending.

The post Healthy Pumpkin Smoothie appeared first on Food with Feeling.

Today’s recipe is all about sitting back, enjoying the warmth and soaking in long summer days. I’ve recently been mixing up this lavender lemonade weekly! It’s perfect for summer cookouts, pool parties, or to sip on a lazy Saturday sitting out on the patio. It’s super easy and tastes incredible – much better than anything you could buy at the store.

Pour yourself a cold glass of this sweet lemon lavender deliciousness, grab a good book and head out to relax in the backyard hammock. The stuff summer dreams are made of, I tell ya! Now I just need that hammock!

What you need to make lavender lemonade:

• Simple syrup. Make your own simple syrup. It’s easy, only three ingredients for this lavender version, and it keeps well in the fridge.
• Water. the base of lemonade.
• Lemon juice. Fresh lemon juice is wonderful, but you’ll need a lot of lemon juice for this recipe, so feel free to use bottled. It will still taste great!
• Optional extras. We love our drinks garnished with lemon slices and fresh sprigs of lavender. And it’s super fun and festive to mix in about 1-2 drops of purple food coloring into each glass of lemonade to give it a beautiful lavender color.

How to make lavender lemonade:

Making lemonade at home is super easy. Just a few simple steps and you’re well on your way to one delicious beverage! Here’s a quick rundown of the process, but reference the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full, printable recipe.

1. Make the simple syrup. Simmer a combination of water, sugar, and lavender for about 5 minutes and until sugar is dissolved and the syrup has thickened. Let cool and then strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the lavender. Place in the fridge to cool.
2. Mix all ingredients. In a large pitcher, stir together the cooled lavender simple syrup, 6 cups of water and the lemon juice. Mix until fully combined.
3. Serve & enjoy! As desired, mix 1-2 drops of purple food coloring into each glass of lemonade to give it the classic lavender color. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh lavender, and ENJOY! Store any leftovers in the fridge.

Tips for the perfect drink:

Here are a few quick tips for making this lemonade perfect every single time:

• After making the lavender simple syrup, be sure to strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the lavender.
• Adjust the recipe to suit your taste. You can easily add more simple syrup or lemon juice to make it more sweet or tart.
• Store in the refrigerator, and serve over ice.
• If you notice any separation after chilling, give the lemonade a stir right before serving.
• If you want to make this drink a cocktail, just add in a bit of vodka, gin, or even champagne, whichever type of alcohol you prefer for your drinks.

Why we LOVE this recipe:

• Summer flavors! This lemonade is SO tasty! It has a very subtle floral flavor combined with a perfect blend of tangy and sweet. 
• Easy to make. Once you’ve got the lavender-flavored simple syrup made, simply mix it with the water and lemon juice, pour over ice, and enjoy!
• Large batch! This lavender lemonade recipe serves about 6 drinks, but depending on the size of your pitcher you could easily double it to yield more servings! If your pitcher isn’t large enough, try using a fun drink dispenser, they hold more AND look cute! Great for parties!
• Fun & festive. This drink is fabulous for summer barbecues, brunches, showers or just hanging around the house. The purple color makes it so fun and festive! It will quickly become one of your favorites, as it already has become one of mine! Bring on your sweltering heat, summer. With this drink, I’m ready!

If you make this lavender lemonade recipe, let me know! Please snap a quick photo and tag me on Instagram @foodwithfeeling! I always love to see what y’all are making from the blog.

Other lavender recipes to try:

• Lavender Mojito
• Lavender Cinnamon Rolls
• Vodka Lemonade with Lavender

Looking for more refreshing drinks?

• Strawberry Acai Refresher
• Strawberry Milk
• Boozy Frozen Lemonade
• Mojito Recipe
• Classic Tom Collins
• Gin & Tonic Recipe
• Blood Orange Mojito
• Cherry Bomb Cocktail

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Lavender Lemonade

This delicious Lavender Lemonade is a simple, yet refreshing combination of water, lemon juice, fresh lavender and simple syrup. Icy cold and totally refreshing, homemade lemonade is absolutely the BEST way to beat the heat! It’s the ultimate summertime drink with a fun twist!

Course Drink

Cuisine American

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes minutes

Total Time 28 minutes minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 173kcal

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

For the Syrup:

• 1 ¼ cup sugar*
• 1 cup water
• 1 ½ tablespoons dried lavender

For the lemonade:

• 1 batch of syrup from above
• 6 cups water
• 1 ¼ cups lemon juice freshly squeezed is great but from a bottle certainly works!
• Fresh lavender and lemon slices for garnish
• Optional for color: 1-2 drops of purple food coloring*

Instructions

• In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and lavender and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes at which time the sugar should have completely dissolved and the syrup started to thicken. Let cool for 5 minutes and then strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the lavender. Place in the fridge to cool.
• In a large pitcher, stir together the cooled lavender simple syrup, 6 cups of water and the lemon juice. Mix until fully combined and then garnish with fresh lavender and lemon slices.
• As desired, mix 1-2 drops of purple food coloring into each glass of lemonade to give it the classic lavender color.
• Store leftovers in the fridge and ENJOY!

Notes

*The food coloring is optional but gives it that fun purple color. I mixed in just one drop of neon purple gel food coloring to each individual glass.

Try a fun spiked version by mixing in your desired amount of vodka, gin, etc.

 

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 53mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 14IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.1mg

The post Lavender Lemonade appeared first on Food with Feeling.

And if you’re looking for more flavors, be sure to check out my Vegan Chocolate Milkshake, too!

This frosty strawberry milkshake screams summer! And after a day strawberry picking, I’m all about the strawberry recipes right now! I’ve been making everything from strawberry compote and strawberry donuts to this refreshing strawberry lemonade vodka! I have to say, the shake might be my absolute favorite. Not only is it incredibly tasty but it’s also so quick and easy to make.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Beat the heat with this frozen dessert! It’s wonderfully cold with a deliciously creamy texture and strawberry flavor!
• It’s so simple to throw together in just minutes!
• It tastes amazing and has the best thick consistency! I love using fresh berries that have been frozen to make this extra thick.
• A stunning presentation! Wow your family when you pour them this pretty pink drink topped with whipped cream and a fresh strawberry.

Ingredients you’ll need for this homemade strawberry milkshake recipe:

I wanted to keep this strawberry shake recipe super simple and minimal. But, obviously still DELICIOUS! To achieve this, we need just 3 simple ingredients:

• Strawberries: These can be fresh or frozen (or freshly frozen) but frozen berries are going to result in a thicker and creamier milkshake. I pretty much always use frozen.
• Liquid: I usually use oat milk or coconut milk to keep it dairy-free but regular milk, almond milk or even just water work well. More than anything, it’s there to get your blender going so the milkshake isn’t too thick.
• Ice cream: My preference is a simple vanilla ice cream (usually vegan) but you can use whatever you prefer. A strawberry ice cream would really take this to the next level!

Variations and substitutions

• Use different fruit: Change up the flavor by swapping out the strawberries for another fruit or type of berry. Other great options are: blueberries, raspberries, mixed berries, peaches, banana slices or pitted cherries.
• Ice cream: Mix things up by using different ice cream flavors. Strawberry or even chocolate ice cream are some favorites!
• A healthier milkshake: If you want to make a strawberry milkshake without ice cream, I suggest replacing the ice cream with 2 medium FROZEN bananas. It turns into kind of a nice cream situation and while it’s rather banana-y, it’s totally delicious! But repeat: it does have a substantial banana flavor.
• Toppings: Keep this simple or add fun toppings! We love whipped cream with a strawberry on top. You could also add chocolate syrup, sprinkles or chopped nuts!

How to make a Strawberry Milkshake

One of the things that I love about this recipe is that it’s SO incredibly simple to make. Simply, add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until creamy and smooth! That’s legit it!

I usually start with just half a cup of liquid and then add more as needed if it’s a little too thick and the blender needs help running. Your blender might take a little more or less depending.

And if you want to make a strawberry banana milkshake, simply swap the ice cream for 2 frozen bananas. I love both versions!

Helpful tips

Here are some tips, so your strawberry milkshake is perfect every time you make it!

• Use frozen fruit: Using frozen strawberries or other fruit will help give you the best cold, creamy and thick texture.
• Add more liquid: Start with just 1/2 cup of milk. Then, if want to make your shake a bit thinner add a small amount more at a time.
• Start on low speed: I think it works best to get everything nice and smooth to start the blender on low speed, then slowly increase the speed until the ingredients are fully blended.

Frequently asked questions

As usual, please let me know if you end up making this milkshake and how you like it. You can come back here to leave a comment or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @foodwithfeeling! I always love to see what y’all are making from the blog!

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Easy Strawberry Milkshake

Cool off with a fresh Strawberry Milkshake! This easy recipe comes together with just 3 simple ingredients in 5 minutes with an option to make it a little healthier, if you want. Everyone is going to love this thick, creamy, flavorful sweet treat!

Course Drink

Cuisine American

Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 large milkshake

Calories 416kcal

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups frozen strawberries
• 1 cup vanilla ice cream or 2 large frozen bananas*
• ½ cup milk of choice plus a few splashes more as desired/ needed for your blender to get going

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until creamy and smooth! Add a splash more liquid as needed to get your blender going or if you want a less thick milkshake.
  1 ½ cups frozen strawberries, 1 cup vanilla ice cream or 2 large frozen bananas*, ½ cup milk of choice
• Serve with some whipped cream and enjoy!

Notes

*I usually use a vegan ice cream for this but really anything works well including frozen bananas for a healthier option!

Nutrition

Calories: 416kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 154mg | Potassium: 776mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin A: 779IU | Vitamin C: 128mg | Calcium: 354mg | Iron: 1mg

The post Easy Strawberry Milkshake appeared first on Food with Feeling.

Why you need to make this recipe

• You control the sweetness. Add in as much or as little of the homemade Blueberry Simple Syrup as you’d like to reach the level of sweetness you prefer for your blueberry lemonade!
• Quick and easy. Only about 5 minutes of hands-on time to create this delicious beverage!
• Versatile. Pour in some sparkling water for fun bubbly carbonation. Or add a shot of vodka for the perfect fruity cocktail.
• Minimal ingredients. Only blueberries, water, sugar, and lemon juice are needed to make both the lemonade and the blueberry simple syrup!

How to make this recipe

You won’t believe how quick and simple this recipe is to make whip up! Let’s take a quick look at the steps:

For the full, printable recipe, see the recipe card.

To make the syrup:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and blueberries and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit. 
2. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently and gently mashing the berries a bit, for about 5 minutes at which time the sugar should have completely dissolved and the syrup started to thicken. Cook for 5 additional minutes, mashing the blueberries with the back of a spatula. 
3. Let cool slightly and then strain the mixture through a sieve to remove the berries. Set aside to cool.

To make the lemonade:

1. In a large pitcher, combine the blueberry syrup, lemon juice, and water. Stir until combined and add more water as needed.
2. Chill, serve, and ENJOY!

Pro tip: Use a citrus juicer for juicing the lemons. It’s much more effective than just using your hands (it’s quicker and you’re able to get more juice out of each lemon). 

Variations to try

Make this recipe as written once and then go crazy! Here are some fun ideas to add a twist to this blueberry lemonade:

• Cocktails. To make an adult version of this blueberry lemonade, consider adding in 1/2 to 1 cup vodka, triple sec, or a light rum to the pitcher. Or just add a couple of ounces of alcohol to individual drinks.
• Mint flavor. Smash mint leaves on the bottom of the pitcher for a mint infused lemonade.
• More lemon flavor. Add some lemon zest to the simple syrup for a stronger lemon flavor.
• Carbonation. Add in a lemon-lime soda or ginger ale for an extra sweet kick and some carbonation. 

Frequently asked questions

How to store blueberry lemonade

Keep the pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Covered is best. If there’s any leftover blueberry simple syrup, you can store it in a sealed bottle in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

How to control the sweetness of the lemonade

You can easily make this as sweet as you’d like, just add in the simple syrup until it reaches your desired sweetness. To make the drink less sweet add a cup more of water to your pitcher when mixing.

How to get more juice out of the lemons

First, microwave the lemons for 20 seconds, then roll them between your palm and the counter for 10 seconds before cutting and juicing.

We also recommend a handheld citrus juicer that does a fast and effective job of getting all of the juice out of the lemons!

Can I freeze this drink?

Freezing this lemonade is a great idea, and you can even make it into popsicles!

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Blueberry Lemonade

Refreshing and flavorful, this Blueberry Lemonade is quick and easy to make with just 4 ingredients, and is the perfect thirst quencher! Serve this all summer long for BBQs, picnics, poolside parties and more!

Course Drink

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 6 drinks

Calories

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

For the Blueberry Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup of sugar can sub for an equal amount of: coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, or agave
• 1 cup of water
• 1 ½ cups of blueberries

For the Lemonade:

• Juice of 6 lemons roughly 1 ¼ cups of lemon juice
• 6 cups of fresh water
• Optional: ½ cup of fresh blueberries

Instructions

To make the syrup:

• In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and blueberries and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit. 
• Cook over low heat, stirring frequently and gently mashing the berries a bit, for about 5 minutes at which time the sugar should have completely dissolved and the syrup started to thicken. Cook for 5 additional minutes, mashing the blueberries with the back of a spatula. 
• Let cool slightly and then strain the mixture through a sieve to remove the raspberries.  Set aside to cool.

To make the lemonade:

• In a large pitcher, combine the blueberry syrup, lemon juice, and water. Stir until combined and add more water as needed (I don’t like my lemonade too sweet so I sometimes add an additional cup of water).
• Chill, serve, and ENJOY!

Notes

Keep the pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Covered is best. If there’s any leftover blueberry simple syrup, you can store it in a sealed bottle in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

The post Blueberry Lemonade appeared first on Food with Feeling.

What is simple syrup?

Simple syrups are an easier way to blend a sweetener into cold drinks instead of using just plain sugar. This liquified form of sugar can be made plain or simmered with fruits and other ingredients, like lavender, to give the sweet syrup a specific flavor.

It can be tempting to just pick up a bottle of pre-made simple syrup at the store, but making it at home guarantees that you get the exact flavor you want without all of the unnecessary add-ins that typically come from the store-bought version.

Trust me, this homemade raspberry simple syrup will take your lemonade, cocktail or milk to a delicious level that store-bought just can’t compete with!

Recipe instructions

This recipe could not be easier! Here’s the simple process:

Full, printable recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Combine & simmer ingredients. In a medium pot over medium-high heat, stir together raspberries, sugar and water. 
2. Cook. Bring mixture to a very gentle simmer. Stir frequently and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Strain. With a fine mesh sieve, strain the raspberry mixture into a clean bowl. Use a spatula to gently press the berries down to remove all of the juice, leaving behind just the seeds and pulp. Once all of the juice has been strained out, discard what is left in the sieve.
4. Cool and enjoy. Let cool before using and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to about 2 weeks. 

Storage recommendations

Once completely cool, store syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator to stay fresh. It will keep well for about 2 weeks.

You can also store it in the freezer for 6 months. To thaw, place the syrup in the fridge overnight. You can also place the frozen sealed container of syrup in a bowl of lukewarm water for about 30 minutes.

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Raspberry Syrup

Raspberry Syrup is a sweet and tasty mix-in for all your favorite drinks! Made with fresh raspberries, sugar and water; this easy recipe is bursting with summer deliciousness. It’s the best way to flavor cocktails, lemonade, iced tea, and more!

Course Drink

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 10 servings

Calories

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• 1 6 oz container of raspberries about 2 cups loosely packed
• ⅔ cup of sugar*
• ⅔ cup of water

Instructions

• In a medium pot over medium high heat, stir together the raspberries, sugar, and water. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring often, for 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Strain the raspberry mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl. Use a spatula to gently press the berries down to remove all of the juice, leaving behind just the seeds and pulp. Once all of the juice has been strained out, discard what is left in the sieve.
• Let cool before using and store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 weeks.

Notes

*Use more or less sugar, depending on how sweet you would like the syrup.

The post Raspberry Syrup appeared first on Food with Feeling.