I liked it because it was colored with something other than food coloring! Glad you liked!
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This looks pretty and delicous 
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Glad you like it! That might be good for a Blue Moon drink too, like later this month!
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Ginger Lemonade Fizz
Total: 1 hr (includes cooling and chilling times)
Active: 15 min
Yield: 4 drinks, plus additional ginger-lemon syrup
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and cut into coins
6 lemons, juiced, plus 4 lemon slices, for serving
2 cups club soda
Directions:
Heat the sugar and 1 cup of water in a small pot until the sugar has dissolved and the liquid just comes to a boil. Turn off the heat and add the ginger. Let cool, then strain the syrup into a large mason jar and discard the ginger. Add the lemon juice to the syrup and refrigerate until ready to use.
Fill 4 large glasses with ice, pour 1/4 cup of the syrup into each glass, and top up with some club soda. Add a slice of lemon to each glass and serve.
Recipe courtesy of Food Network.com
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Blackberry Sage Refresher (Starbucks Copycat)
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Ingredients:
Blackberry Sage Refresher Base:
2 Âź cups water
ž cup Blackberry Syrup
1 teaspoon Blackberry Extract
ž teaspoon Citric Acid
â
teaspoon ground sage
Blackberry Sage Refresher:
½ cup Blackberry Sage Refresher Base
½ cup water
ice
fresh blackberries (optional for garnish)
Directions:
Make the refresher base: Add the water, blackberry syrup, blackberry extract, citric acid, and ground sage to a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the citric acid is dissolved and everything is well combined.
Remove from heat, transfer to a large jar, and allow to cool completely before using.
Make the refresher: Add ice to a tall glass, then pour ½ cup refresher base and ½ cup water over the ice. Stir in fresh blackberries if desired, then drink up!
Notes:
This makes 3 cups of base, enough for 6 drinks. Store any leftover refresher base in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Substitutions:
Need a trustworthy swap? Try out any of these substitutions:
Blackberry Syrup - Substitute with blackberry jam thinned with a little water in a pinch. Raspberry or blueberry syrup also works for a slightly different berry twist!
Blackberry Extract - Swap with a small amount of blackberry juice concentrate or muddle blackberries for a more natural flavor. Raspberry or mixed berry extract is also an option for a similar fruity depth.
Citric Acid - Lemon or lime juice can be a great substitute, though it may slightly alter the flavor of the refresher base. To keep the fizzy quality, add a splash of unsweetened sparkling water or club soda when making your drink.
Ground Sage - For extra freshness, use twice the amount of fresh sage leaves, finely minced or muddled, and simmer the mixture for longer to fully extract the flavors. Alternatively, dried rosemary, lavender, or thyme can provide a similar earthy, herbal contrast.
Water - Use half or all sparkling water when diluting the refresher base instead of still water to enhance the refresherâs effervescent quality.
Ice - If you want to get creative, try using frozen blackberry juice cubes instead of regular ice cubes to enhance the berry flavor as they melt!
Fresh Blackberries - Frozen blackberries work well (and keep your drink cold!), or swap for fresh blueberries or raspberries for a different berry garnish.
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments:
Easily make this refreshing berry sipper your own with any of the following adjustments and tweaks!
Sweeter or Less Sweet: Adjust the blackberry syrup to taste, adding more for a sweeter drink or less for a lighter variation. You can also use a sugar-free alternative like monk fruit when making the syrup for a lower-glycemic option.
Caffeinated: Mix the refresher base with steeped green tea instead of plain water for a caffeine boost that complements the fruity, herbal flavors. Or mix the refresher base with a rich cold brew for a surprisingly tasty drink.
Berry Medley: Blackberries are the star of this drink, but you can experiment with a mixed berry version by adding raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries to the syrup for a fuller, more vibrant flavor.
Herb Infusion: Enhance the herbaceous flavor profile by adding fresh muddled rosemary or lavender as a tasty garnish.
Tart & Tangy: Add a splash of fresh lemon or lime juice for a tart, zesty twist that complements the sweetness of the blackberry syrup.
Boozy: Turn this refresher into an elegant cocktail by adding a splash of gin or vodka. Or swap the water with champagne or prosecco for a sparkling, celebratory touchâcheers!
Sparkling: Mix the refresher base with plain, citrus, or berry-flavored sparkling water to add a satisfying texture and a hint of bitterness that complements the herbal tones.
Recipe Success Tips:
Use high-quality blackberry syrup. The syrup is where most of the sweetness comes from, so quality matters! I highly suggest making your own syrup for the richest flavor.
Donât skip the citric acid. This ingredient is key to enhancing the drinkâs tartness and rounding out the flavors. It also adds an essential fizzy quality that makes this a true refresher!
Allow the base to cool. After you prepare the refresher base, let it cool completely to room temperature before adding it to the drink. This allows the flavors to meld to tasty perfection and prevents the ice from melting quickly, which can dilute the flavor.
Adjust flavors to taste. Feel free to make this recipe your own! Prefer more sage, blackberry, or sweetness? Go for it!
Chill the glass. For the ultimate refreshing experience, chill your serving glass in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before preparing the drink. This will keep everything ice-cold, so each sip is perfectly refreshing!
FAQs:
Can I make this recipe with a sugar substitute?
Absolutely! If you prefer a lower-glycemic option, you can swap out the sugar in the syrup for a variety of alternatives like monk fruit, stevia, or even agave syrup for a natural sweetness. Simply adjust to taste for your desired level of sweetness!
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! Once the refresher base is prepared, it will make enough for about six drinks. Store leftovers in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Just mix with water and ice when youâre ready to serve!
Nutritional Facts:
Serving: 1drink | Calories: 70kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Sodium: 4mg | Sugar: 17g
Recipe courtesy of Coffee Copycat.com
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Practical Magic Midnight Margaritas
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Yield: 1 drink
Ingredients:
2 oz lime juice
2 oz Mezcal
1 ½ oz lavender syrup
½ oz agave
Directions:
Start by adding ice to a cocktail shaker.
Add in the Mezcal, lime juice, agave, and lavender syrup.
Shake for 30 seconds.
Pour into a salt-rimmed glass with ice.
Garnish with lavender and lime!
Notes:
Substitutions:
If you arenât a lavender fan, you can make this into a more traditional margarita by swapping it for an orange liqueur-like triple sec.
You can also substitute the Mezcal for your favorite tequila if you donât have any on hand.
Recipe courtesy of The G & M Kitchen.com
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Homemade Lavender Simple Syrup
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 12 ounces
Ingredients:
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
4 tbsp dried culinary lavender buds
Directions:
Combine water, sugar, and lavender in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer until sugar is fully dissolved.
Cover and remove from heat, allow to steep for at least 20 minutes.
Strain the lavender and pour it into a clean glass jar. Serve as desired.
Notes:
Lavender simple syrup can be stored at room temperature for 1 week or refrigerated for up to a month.
Recipe courtesy of Causal Foodist.com
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Honey Iced Coffee Slushy
Yield: Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
For Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate:
1/2 gal. - cold filtered water
2 cups - coarse ground coffee
For Blender Mixture:
1 cup - coconut milk
2 tsp. - lime juice
6 T - wildflower honey
For Garnish:
cayenne pepper, to taste
Directions:
For Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate: Place water in a large container (a water pitcher with a lid works great), then add coffee grounds and stir to evenly combine. Cover the container, place it in the refrigerator, and steep for a minimum of 12 hours, but 24 hours is best.
After cold brew coffee has steeped the allotted time, strain the coffee concentrate liquid through either a very fine mesh strainer or dampened cheesecloth (ensuring no grinds are in the liquid) into a clean container, keeping the liquid and discarding any solids. Set aside the liquid coffee mixture in the fridge.
This will yield approximately 1 1/2 quarts of cold brew coffee concentrate liquid. Use 2 1/2 cups for this recipe and save the remaining for more coffee drinks throughout the week.
Pour approximately 2 1/2 cups of cold brew coffee concentrate liquid into a 16-cube ice cube tray and freeze into solid cubes. Keep the cubes frozen.
For Blender Mixture: Place coconut milk, lime juice, and wildflower honey in a blender. Add the 16 frozen cubes of cold brew coffee concentrate. Pulse the blender at first, then run on high to turn the ingredients into a slushy (this may take a few minutes of pulsing/blending).
To serve, immediately pour and evenly distribute into 4 small glasses. Top each drink with a pinch of cayenne pepper to your taste. Serve and enjoy!
Notes:
To cut down on prep time, you can use pre-made cold brew coffee concentrate. If you make your own, Chef Rob Corliss recommends using Arabica coffee.
Make batches of cold brew coffee concentrate ice cubes in advance and keep in Ziploc baggies in the freezer, so you always have them on hand to make this recipe.
The discarded coffee grounds from making the cold brew coffee concentrate make wonderful compost for your vegetable garden.
Recipe courtesy of Chef Rob Corliss, made for the National Honey Board.
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These look like theyâd be a good treat for the Practical Magic Book Club 
!
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I was hoping theyâd see it! LOL! Iâm not reading the book, despite itâs witchyness. I didnât really like the movie. But I figured theyâd like it!
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We do, we love it. 
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Yay! Iâm glad you like! If you need any other book-related recipes, let me know. I found a Hobbit one for this Sunday!
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Fruit Slushies
Makes: 1 slushie
Ingredients:
1 1/2 to 2 cups chopped fresh fruit
1 cup ice (plus extra, depending on the type of fruit used)
1/4 cup sparkling water
Extra herbs, spices, or other ingredients for flavoring (see Recipe Note)
Directions:
Wash and chop the fruit: Wash the fruit and chop it into manageable pieces. Discard any pits. You can leave peels on or remove them, as you prefer. Measure the fruit to make sure you have 1 1/2 to 2 cups total.
Combine the ingredients in a blender: Combine the chopped fruit with 1 cup of ice and the sparkling water in a high-powered blender. If youâre using any flavoring extras, like mint or lemon juice, add them now.
Blend on high until the mixture is the consistency of a slushie: Blend on high speed until the ice is completely crushed and the fruit is blended. Check the texture and add more ice or more fruit as needed to reach your desired slushie consistency. If the type of fruit youâre using has more water in it (such as watermelon), it might affect the amount of ice needed. The ratio of 1 1/2 cups of fruit to 1 cup of ice is a really great jumping-off point.
Pour into a glass and drink it up! Slushies are best if sipped right away! They will lose their slushy-like consistency the longer you wait.
Notes:
Ideas for Slushie Add-ins!
You donât need much to make the flavor pop. If youâre using herbs, a leaf or two will do. If you like things sweet, consider a tablespoon of honey!
Mint: Pairs wonderfully with watermelon and other tropical fruits.
Basil: Gives a lovely punch to berries!
Honey: Adds some extra sweetness, especially with tart fruits.
Lime: Fantastic with mango and pretty much everything!
Lemon: Gives a bit of a frozen lemonade feel to any slushie.
Vanilla: I added this to my mango slushie, and it was heavenly!
Ginger: If you love ginger as much as I do, it goes with everything.
Recipe courtesy of The Kitchn.com
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Vanilla Caramel Cold Brew Frappe
Ingredients:
1 cup cold brew coffee
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups ice
1 tablespoon caramel topping
Optional: whipped cream and extra caramel for topping
Directions:
Add the cold brew, sweetened condensed milk, pudding mix, ice, and caramel topping to a blender. Blend on high until smooth and creamy.
Pour into a tall glass, then finish with a swirl of whipped cream and a generous caramel drizzle.
Notes:
Before You Blend:
Do I need to chill the cold brew first?
Yesâuse chilled cold brew for the best texture and to keep the drink icy cold. Warm or room-temperature coffee will melt the ice too quickly.
Can I use brewed coffee instead of cold brew?
You can, but it wonât be as smooth or bold. If using regular coffee, make sure itâs extra strong and fully chilled.
Do I need to prepare the pudding mix first?
Nope! Youâre just adding the dry mix straight into the blender. It thickens the drink and adds flavor without needing to make the full pudding.
Recipe courtesy of Life and Sprinkles.com
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DIY Strawberry Soda Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Cooling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients:
1 pint strawberries, fresh or frozen
1 tablespoon Vanilla Bean Paste or one whole vanilla bean or vanilla extract
1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
4 ½ cups club soda
ice
Directions:
Make the Syrup: Hull and slice the strawberries, then add to a small saucepan with vanilla, water, and sugar and stir until dissolved.
Bring the mixture to a light boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow syrup to fully cool, then strain out the solid ingredients.
Make the Soda: Mix strained syrup with club soda, then serve over ice.
Notes:
Preparation:
If stored properly, this soda will stay carbonated for a couple of days, but it really tastes the best on the same day itâs made. However, you can make the syrup up to one week ahead of time and then just mix it with the club soda when ready to serve.
Donât toss out the strawberries from making the syrup! Theyâre basically a strawberry compote you can swirl into oatmeal or yogurt or put on top of pancakes, waffles, or ice cream.
Modifications:
Fresh or frozen strawberries work interchangeably here, so use whichever you have available.
Vanilla can come from a whole vanilla bean, Vanilla Bean Paste, or even vanilla extract. In my recipe tests, vanilla extract provides a slightly weaker vanilla flavor, so keep that in mind.
Sweetener can be whatever you have available and like to use, including granulated sugar, brown sugar, honey, and zero-sugar products like Stevia. I recommend reducing the amount of sweetener by at least half if you use a zero-sugar option, taste testing, and adjusting as needed.
Storage:
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate. Keeps for up to two days.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this ahead of time?
If stored properly, this soda will stay carbonated for a couple of days, but it really tastes the best on the same day itâs made. However, you can make the syrup up to a week ahead of time and then just mix it with the club soda when ready to serve.
How to store?
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate. Keeps for up to two days.
Does this soda have caffeine?
No. Thereâs no caffeine in this
How to Serve:
Serve this easy strawberry soda drink chilled with ice. Add a fresh strawberry slice and a straw for extra razzle dazzle. Or go over the top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for strawberry soda floats!
Want to make a mixed drink? Turn it into a strawberry dirty soda with a splash of virtually any liquor or liqueurâfrom vodka to gin to whiskey to rum or cognac!
Nutritional Facts:
Calories: 164kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 1gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.03gSodium: 40mgPotassium: 125mgFiber: 2gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 9IUVitamin C: 46mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 0.4mg
Recipe courtesy of Dash of Jazz.com
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Sparkling Mint Lemonade
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh mint leaves
1 cup simple syrup*
1 cup lemon juice freshly-squeezed
6 cups cold water
2 cups sparkling water
Sliced lemon for garnish
Directions:
In a pitcher, add the fresh mint leaves and simple syrup.
Gently muddle the leaves with a wooden spoon, being careful not to tear them.
Stir in the lemon juice and cold water.
Just before serving, add the ice and sparking water. Garnish with sliced lemon.
Notes:
*Simple Syrup - In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup white sugar and 1 cup water. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about three minutes. Chill thoroughly before using.
Nutritional Facts:
Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 79mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 2mg
Recipe courtesy of Inspired by Charm.com
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Fresh Strawberry Iced Tea
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 7 servings
Ingredients:
12 black tea bags (I used Lipton)
4 cups boiling water
ž cup granulated sugar
4 cups of cold water, divided
3 cups sliced/hulled, fresh strawberries
fresh strawberry slices and/or mint leaves, optional for garnish
Directions:
Remove the tea bags from the box and tie them together, then clip the paper tags off.
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, remove from the heat and add the tea bags. Steep for 5 minutes. After a steep time, remove the tea bags, allowing the tea to drip out of them before discarding them.
Stir the granulated sugar into the brewed tea until dissolved, then set aside.
Add 3 cups of strawberries and 1 cup of cold water to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Use a fine mesh strainer to strain out the pulp. Discard the pulp, and pour the strawberry liquid into a serving pitcher.
Add the brewed sweet tea and the remaining 3 cups of cold water to the pitcher and stir. Allow the mixture to cool before serving.
Once cooled, pour the strawberry tea over ice and/or strawberry slices if desired. Garnish with mint leaves, then drink up!
Notes:
Substitutions:
Need to make some changes? Not to worry. Here are a few easy swaps to try:
Black Tea Bags - You are welcome to use loose-leaf tea. Aim for about 1 teaspoon per bag, or 2.5 tablespoons totalâjust strain out the tea leaves before moving on to the next step.
Granulated Sugar - You can use the sweetener of your choice, like agave nectar, honey, or brown sugar.
Strawberries - This easy fruit tea recipe should work with any type of berries (or mix of berries) you prefer.
Strawberry Slices & Mint - Feel free to omit these garnishes, or swap in the toppers of your choice. (Strawberry basil iced tea, anyone?)
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments:
Sugar-Free - Swap in the cup-for-cup sweetener of your choice (e.g. monkfruit or stevia) for a low-calorie, diabetic-friendly drink. You can also just omit the sugar altogether and let the strawberries act as your only sweetener!
Caffeine-Free - If youâre sensitive to the effects of caffeine, consider using decaf tea (which still has nominal amounts of caffeine). You can also use an herbal alternative, like tangy hibiscus tea, to make it totally caffeine-free.
Arnold Palmer-Style - Doesnât a strawberry iced tea lemonade sound yummy?? Just swap out the cold water in favor of Homemade Lemonade and garnish with a fresh lemon wheel.
Serving Suggestions:
Iced strawberry sweet tea is a light and lovely drink you can enjoy any time of day, any time of yearâno reason or add-ons needed. That said, there are a few fun ways to gussy up your glass:
Extra Frosty - Freeze your (real glass) serving glasses for about 15-20 minutes before serving to keep your drink chilled to the last drop.
Flavored Ice - Swap out the regular ice cubes for lemonade ice as a fun, fruity twist. As the ice melts, the sweet citrusy flavor will meld with the strawberry iced tea, so your drink doesnât get dilutedâit gets deliciously different.
Spiked Strawberry - For an adults-only hard sweet tea, spike the pitcher with some whiskey, vodka, or, for a lighter sangria-like version, sparkling wine.
Party Perfect - If youâre hosting a cookout or pool party, consider making a double or triple batch of this strawberry iced tea and serving it out of a cute drink dispenser or punch bowl. (Feel free to have some bottles of booze on the side for spiking.) Itâs a great option for serving with all your BBQ season favorites!
Recipe Success Tips:
Strawberry Smarts - Fresh strawberries are the cheapest and most flavorful during strawberry season (generally spring to mid-summer). When youâre picking them out, look for bright red color and an easily detectable fragrance. If fresh berries are prohibitively expensive (or if they donât smell like much), opt for frozen berries instead.
Water Temps - Depending on the type of tea you use, you might want to adjust your steeping temperature. Black teas and herbal teas are usually good with water in the 203-212ÂşF range, so boiling the water is fine. If you swap in green or white tea, reducing the temperature to 175-185ÂşF is preferred for the best flavor.
Steeping Times - If youâre using real tea (black, oolong, green, or white), over-steeping is a no-no that can cause your tea to taste bitter. Make sure to follow the package directions for the preferred steeping time. That said, most herbal teas can steep indefinitely!
FAQs:
Does strawberry iced tea have caffeine?
It depends on the tea variety that is used to make it! Anything made with real tea leaves will have at least a bit of caffeine (even if you use decaf versions), while herbal varieties will be free from caffeine. In the recipe card below, I call for black tea, which has an average of 45 milligrams of caffeine per cup. (For reference, coffee ranges from 85-135 milligrams per cup, and green tea has an average of 30 milligrams per cup.)
Is strawberry tea sweet?
Generally speaking, yes! Most fruit teas are on the sweeter side. You can adjust the sweetness by using less sugar if you prefer.
Is strawberry iced tea good?
Itâll depend on your personal flavor preferences, but I love it!
This makes about 7 cups of strawberry iced tea.
Nutritional Facts:
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Sodium: 6mg | Sugar: 22g
Recipe courtesy of Coffee Copycat.com
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