Related: Electric Lemonade, Pink Lemonade, Lemon Drop Shots, Lemon Drop Martini, Pink Lemonade Jello Shots, Arnold Palmer, Sweet Tea. And if you love strawberries you must try Strawberry Pretzel salad.
Ingredients
- Strawberries: You can defrost frozen strawberries for this recipe, but try using fresh berries when possible.
- Lemons: You’ll definitely want fresh lemons for your lemonade whenever possible. Use a lemon squeezer to make juicing easier.
- Sugar: The secret to the most evenly sweet flavor in your lemonade (with no grains of sugar sinking to the bottom of the pitcher) is dissolving the sugar into hot water before mixing in your lemon juice and strawberries. You can also buy a bottle of simple syrup at the store or easily make your own simple syrup to use instead.
- Water: Tap water will work fine for this but a purified or filtered water will give you a cleaner taste if you have that on hand.
Directions
Dissolve Sugar in Water: Boil 2 cups of your water on the stove, remove from heat and add in your sugar, stirring until dissolved. Allow to cool a bit.
Juice Lemons: Half your lemons widthwise with a knife and use a lemon squeezer or a juicer to extract the lemon juice.
Puree Strawberries: Remove the green hull from your strawberries and add to a food processor. Puree until smooth. You can strain your puree through a fine mesh sieve if you want to separate the seeds and pulp.
Mix Together: Add your sugar water to a pitcher and add the remaining 4 cups of chilled water and then the lemon juice and strawberries. Stir to combine.
Serve: When serving, fill a glass with ice and pour your strawberry lemonade on top. Enjoy!
Tips for Making
- Roll your lemons: It may sound odd, but rolling your lemons firmly on the counter before cutting and juicing will help release the juices and make juicing easier.
- Hold the ice: Don’t add your ice directly to your pitcher as it will dilute the liquid as it melts. Add it to each glass and then pour the strawberry lemonade on top.
- Make a frozen strawberry lemonade: To create a slushy lemonade, make a batch that is a little stronger on the sugar and lemon, then add it to a blender with some ice for a frozen treat.
Tip: Make your strawberry lemonade a sparkling version by topping off your glass with sparkling water.
Strawberry Lemonade Variations
- Strawberry Arnold Palmer: Make an easy Arnold Palmer by adding some iced tea to your lemonade.
- Mint Lemonade: Muddle some fresh mint leaves at the bottom of the pitcher before adding your ingredients for a mint twist.
- Spiked Strawberry Lemonade: Add a shot of vodka or gin to your glass for a boozy strawberry lemonade.
How do you make simple syrup?
To make your own simple syrup, combine two cups sugar and two cups water in a small pan. On medium heat, simmer together and stir until sugar is fully dissolved and there are no grains.
Do not boil simple syrup for more than the time it takes to dissolve. If you overcook your syrup, it will eventually become caramel.
Let cool and pour into a bottle in the fridge.
Can you freeze fresh strawberry lemonade?
Yes! Put your lemon juice, strawberry puree, and simple syrup into a freezer bag (or into ice cube trays and then into a bag when frozen) and simply let your frozen strawberry lemonade concentrate thaw in the fridge before adding your water.
Serving Suggestions
Try serving this refreshing strawberry lemonade with our:
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to store strawberry lemonade?
Store your lemonade in the fridge in an airtight container. If you only have a pitcher without a lid, then put plastic wrap over the top to keep the container sealed.
Can I use honey instead of sugar for strawberry lemonade?
Yes, while you can use honey instead of sugar or simple syrup, it will change the taste of the lemonade from the classic version.
Can I use bottled lemons for strawberry lemonade?
While fresh is always best, bottled lemon juice will work in a pinch.
Strawberry Lemonade
Equipment
- 1 food processor or blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 4 cups chilled water
- ½ pound strawberries half of a 1 pound carton
- 1 ¼ cup lemon juice about 9 lemons
- 1 ¼ cup sugar or 1 ¾ cup simple syrup
Instructions
- Dissolve Sugar in Water: Boil 2 cups of your water on the stove, remove from heat and add in your sugar, stirring until dissolved. Allow to cool a bit.
- Juice Lemons: Half your lemons widthwise with a knife and use a lemon squeezer or a juicer to extract the lemon juice.
- Puree Strawberries: Remove the green hull from your strawberries and add to a food processor. Puree until smooth. You can strain your puree through a fine mesh sieve if you want to separate the seeds and pulp.
- Mix Together: Add your sugar water to a pitcher and add the remaining 4 cups of chilled water and then the lemon juice and strawberries. Stir to combine.
- Serve: When serving, fill a glass with ice and pour your strawberry lemonade on top. Enjoy!
Notes
Tips for Making
- Roll your lemons: It may sound odd, but rolling your lemons firmly on the counter before cutting and juicing will help release the juices and make juicing easier.
- Hold the ice: Don’t add your ice directly to your pitcher as it will dilute the liquid as it melts. Add it to each glass and then pour the strawberry lemonade on top.
- Make a frozen strawberry lemonade: To create a slushy lemonade, make a batch that is a little stronger on the sugar and lemon, then add it to a blender with some ice for a frozen treat.
- Tip: Make your strawberry lemonade a sparkling version by topping off your glass with sparkling water.
Strawberry Lemonade Variations
- Strawberry Arnold Palmer: Make an easy Arnold Palmer by adding some iced tea to your lemonade.
- Mint Lemonade: Muddle some fresh mint leaves at the bottom of the pitcher before adding your ingredients for a mint twist.
- Spiked Strawberry Lemonade: Add a shot of vodka or gin to your glass for a boozy strawberry lemonade.
Nutrition
Similar to the Shirley Temple it’s simply a lot more fun to order a drink named after a famous actor than a basic cola with grenadine. Roy Rogers, known as King of the Cowboys, called this one of his favorite drinks. The Roy Rogers mocktail is a non-alcoholic mixed drink that tastes like a cherry coke.
Related: Shirley Temple Drink, Butterbeer, Virgin Mojito, Arnold Palmer, Wendy’s Frosty, Cherry Limeade, Homemade Fruit Punch, Agua Fresca and Easy Homemade Grenadine.
Table of Contents
Roy Rogers Drink – A Brief History
The Roy Rogers drink has always been an alcohol-free drink, and it’s a drink you could have ordered at an old-fashioned soda shop.
The famous mocktail was named after Roy Rogers, who acted in western films and musical cowboy movies in the 1940s and 1950s. Roy Rogers didn’t drink alcohol, so it makes sense that he had a soda drink named after him.
The drink originally became famous in 1950s soda shops and in time has become an iconic mocktail to order when you want a fun drink that doesn’t contain alcohol.
Like the Shirley Temple, it’s a fun sounding drink to order to feel fancy (something my 5- and 8-year-old daughters love to do in restaurants!). Let yourself feel fancy, we say!
What is in a Roy Rogers Drink?
- Cola – I used Coca-Cola since it’s classic and so delicious. You can also choose a sugar free or organic cola if you like.
- Grenadine Syrup – You can buy grenadine syrup at many stores, and we also have an easy recipe to make your own grenadine (it’s a syrup made with pomegranate juice that is a bright red color).
- Maraschino Cherry – A must! Use one or a few.
- Ice Cubes Pebble or crushed ice is perfect if you have it.
The best glassware option to serve a Roy Rogers in is a collins glass or a highball glass. I also love to use glass straws for my homemade drinks.
How to Mix a Roy Rogers
Fill a cup with ice and add half an ounce of grenadine to one ounce if you want it very sweet.
Pour cola to top it off. Give it a gentle stir with a straw to mix.
Garnish with a nice bright red maraschino cherry and your work here is done. Enjoy!
Tips for Making
- Add lime To make a more balanced version add just half an ounce of grenadine and the juice of half a lime. This will balance some of the sweetness with acidity and you will taste a bit more tartness.
- Fresh mint Add fresh mint as a garnish to enhance the sensory experience of this soda drink.
- Roy Rogers cocktail If you are dead set on turning this into a cocktail, keep the lime and add two ounces of dark rum, whiskey or vodka. You can use a shot of liquor of your choosing. If you add a shot of vodka Roy Rogers himself may not approve, but we won’t judge.
- Organic Cola If you want to make a healthier version with less sugar, try substituting cola for a prebiotic drink such as Olipop or Poppi.
More Recipes to Try:
- Pizza– Deep Dish Pizza Recipe, Chocolate Chip Pizza, Pizza Dough, Pizza Sauce
- Appetizers– Pinwheel Sandwiches, 30+ Finger Foods for a Party
- Non-Alcoholic Drinks– We love an easy mocktail! Orange Julius, Pumpkin Juice, Italian Soda, Bubble Tea, Root Beer Float, More Mocktail Recipes.
- Desserts– Kool-Aid Pie, Chocolate Cake Pops, Chocolate Covered Strawberries
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Roy Rogers drink contain alcohol?
Nope! Roy Rogers didn’t drink alcohol and his namesake drink is a classic soda shop drink that over time has become a classic mocktail as well.
What’s in a Roy Rogers drink?
Cola, grenadine syrup, maraschino cherry, and ice.
What is grenadine made of?
Grenadine is made of pomegranate juice, sugar and orange flower water. See our homemade grenadine recipe for more.
Roy Rogers Drink
Instructions
- Fill a cup with ice and add half an ounce of grenadine to one ounce if you want it very sweet.
- Top it off with cola. Stir well.
- Garnish with a nice bright red maraschino cherry and serve immediately.
Notes
- To make a more balanced “adult version,” add just half an ounce of grenadine and the juice of half a lime. This will balance some of the sweetness with acidity and is delicious.
- Add fresh mint as a garnish to enhance the sensory experience of this soda drink.
- If you are dead set on turning this into a cocktail, keep the lime and add two ounces of dark rum or whiskey. I don’t think Roy Rogers would approve, but if you must, you must. We won’t judge!
Nutrition
Use fresh or frozen bananas to blend up this delicious banana smoothie!
Smoothie recipes we love: Tropical Smoothie, Watermelon Smoothie, Date Shake, Orange Julius, Coffee Smoothie and Blueberry Smoothie.
Ingredients
- Bananas – You can use fresh or frozen bananas to make this smoothie. I used frozen. My favorite way to freeze them for smoothies is by slicing them before freezing.
- Frozen Yogurt – Choose vanilla frozen yogurt or substitute for Greek yogurt if you like.
- Milk – I used almond milk. You can use your favorite non-dairy or regular milk.
- Vanilla Extract – I use vanilla extract in many of my smoothies. It’s delicious, aromatic and adds depth to smoothie recipes.
- Honey – As an optional ingredient, I like to drizzle honey on top of my banana smoothie just before serving.
How to Make a Banana Smoothie
In a blender (I’m currently using this affordable Ninja blender), combine the milk, frozen yogurt, banana, and vanilla extract.
Blend and pulse until completely smooth.
Garnish with a drizzle of honey and a slice of banana.
Serve immediately.
Tips for the Perfect Banana Smoothie
- Freeze sliced bananas in airtight containers for future smoothie recipes. Bananas are my most used smoothie ingredient. A good habit is to always freeze bananas that are beginning to get overripe in your kitchen.
- Add a scoop of peanut butter if you like.
- A sprinkle of cinnamon is a great addition to a banana smoothie.
More Banana Recipes to Try
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bananas healthy?
Bananas contain fiber and potassium, give you energy, and are filling.
How long can you keep a banana smoothie in the fridge?
While it’s always best to drink a smoothie immediately, it’s OK to leave it refrigerated overnight and drink the next day. The absolute maximum is two days.
How can I make this banana smoothie more healthy?
Sub Greek yogurt instead of frozen yogurt and add a tablespoon of flax meal for added fiber.
Banana Smoothie
Equipment
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup banana frozen or raw
- ½ cup frozen yogurt I used vanilla
- ⅔ cup milk plant-based or dairy
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon honey optional as a drizzle garnish
Instructions
- In a blender, combine the milk, frozen yogurt, banana and vanilla extract.
- Blend and pulse until completely smooth.
- Garnish with a drizzle of honey and a slice of banana.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Freeze sliced bananas in airtight containers for future smoothie recipes. Bananas are my most used smoothie ingredient. A good habit is to always freeze bananas that are beginning to get overripe in your kitchen.
- Add a scoop of peanut butter if you like.
- A sprinkle of cinnamon is a great addition to a banana smoothie.
Nutrition
Even though this recipe is simple, there are tons of variations and finding the ratio you like best is key. We’ll explore a lot of variations to make the perfect Arnold Palmer drink.
More nonalcoholic drinks: Roy Rogers Drink, Shirley Temple, Agua Fresca, Virgin Mojito, Pink Drink, Butterbeer, Fruit Punch, More Mocktail Recipes.
Ingredients in an Arnold Palmer
- Lemonade – You can use homemade or store-bought lemonade.
- Iced Tea – Traditionally unsweetened black tea is used, but you can use any brewed tea. The classic recipe calls for unsweetened tea, but again, choose your own adventure.
- Ice Choose your favorite ice cubes
- Garnish You can optionally garnish this drink with an orange slice or lemon slice or a cluster of fresh mint leaves.
The best glass to serve an Arnold Palmer in is a highball glass. I also used paper straws in my photos (although these glass straws are my absolute favorite).
How To Make
Begin by filling a glass with ice cubes.
Pour lemonade and then iced tea over ice cubes, giving it a gentle stir at the end.
Garnish with a lemon slice, orange wedge or fresh mint (optional).
You can store this drink in your fridge for up to 3-5 days (for best flavor, drink it within five days).
History
The Arnold Palmer drink is named after golf legend Arnold Palmer. Arnold “The King” Palmer is famous for winning 62 PGA Tour titles between 1955 and 1973. Arnold’s go-to drink was a lemonade and unsweet iced tea. He was often seen toting around a thermos with his namesake drink.
Arnold Palmer and his wife, Winnie, are credited for creating this nonalcoholic drink. Winnie had been making Arnold the tea and lemonade combination for years. One day in a Palm Springs restaurant Arnold ordered iced tea and lemonade while at lunch. A woman sitting near their table overheard them and asked the waitress for “an Arnold Palmer drink.” This recipe has been popular ever since. Its refreshing taste and simple ingredients have stood the test of time.
Best Arnold Palmer Ratio
- 1:1 – Fill the glass with ice, then fill it with half lemonade and half iced tea. This variation is often called the Half & Half.
- 1:2 – Fill the glass with ice, then fill the glass one third of the way up with lemonade, then top the remaining two thirds with tea. This was Arnold Palmer’s favored version.
- 1:3 – Fill the glass ¼ full with lemonade, then top with iced tea.
Determining the “best” ratio is a matter of opinion. If you are using unsweetened tea, I recommend beginning with 1:1 and if that is too sweet for you, try 1:2 the next round. If you are using sweetened tea, the overall drink will always be sweeter, so it’s more a matter of how much tea vs. lemonade you want to taste.
Tips for Making
- When making such a simple recipe it’s best to use the highest quality ingredients. We recommend homemade lemonade and tea.
- Add fresh mint and lemon for even more flavor.
- Try flavored teas for a fun variation. You can use any type of tea, so get creative!
Variations
- Winnie Palmer – Named after Arnold Palmer’s wife, this recipe uses sweetened iced tea instead of unsweet.
- Sunjoy – The restaurant chain Chick-fil-A serves a version of the Arnold Palmer they call “Sunjoy.” Their beverage is made with lemonade and sweetened tea (optionally customers can substitute for unsweet tea of diet lemonade if they choose).
- Iced Tea Lemonade – Starbucks serves their own version using lemonade and black tea that is then sweetened with simple syrup.
- John Daly (Arnie Palmer Cocktail) – If you want a spiked Arnold Palmer, add a shot of vodka and it’s called the John Daly (named for another pro golfer) during the 1990s. Though vodka is the most popular liquor to add to this recipe, I would personally add bourbon, but rum or limoncello could also make an interesting choice. Add a shot of any alcohol you like to create a spiked Arnie Palmer.
- Flavored Tea – The easiest way to customize this recipe is by using a flavored tea. I always use herbal teas (because my kids love these drinks) and I love vanilla tea, orange or cherry with this recipe. Mint tea is also a refreshing choice.
- Flavored Syrup – If you want to add more flavor and sweetness, try a flavored syrup such as our mint simple syrup or grenadine.
- Arnold Palmer Pitcher – It’s so easy to make a pitcher version of this recipe. Simply fill a pitcher with your ideal ratio of tea to lemonade and garnish with fresh mint or lemons if you’re feeling fancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a classic Arnold Palmer Drink made of?
An Arnold Palmer is made by combining lemonade and iced tea. Through there is some debate on what ratio is best, a 1:1 ratio is most well known (half tea, half lemonade).
What is Arnold Palmer spiked with?
The Arnold Palmer is a nonalcoholic drink made of lemonade and iced tea. Many people also enjoy it spiked as an Arnold Palmer cocktail. The most common choice is a shot of vodka. We recommend a shot of bourbon, gin, dark rum or limoncello.
What does an Arnold Palmer drink taste like?
An Arnold Palmer is a refreshing, semi-sweet combination of lemonade and unsweet iced tea.
More Recipes to Try:
- Cocktails – Tom Collins, Cosmopolitan, Old Fashioned
- Drink Recipes – Cherry Limeade, Orange Julius, Dragon Fruit Smoothie
- Appetizers – 30+ Easy Finger Foods
Arnold Palmer Drink
Equipment
- 1 highball glass
Ingredients
- 4 ounces prepared lemonade
- 4 ounce prepared iced tea
- ice
Instructions
- Begin by filling a glass with ice cubes.
- Pour lemonade and then iced tea over ice cubes, giving it a gentle stir at the end.
- Garnish with a lemon slice, orange wedge or fresh mint (optional).
Notes
- When making such a simple recipe, it’s best to use the highest quality ingredients. We recommend homemade lemonade and tea.
- Add fresh mint and lemon for even more flavor.
- Try flavored teas for a fun variation.
- You can store this drink in your fridge for up to 3-5 days (for best flavor, drink it within five days).
Nutrition
I love the sweet and tart flavor of cherries and making your own homemade syrup from fresh cherries is the best! While store-bought cherry syrups are less work they sometimes can taste too much like medicine or too sweet to me. Homemade is worth with and super easy.
Related: If you love cherries make our Cherry Limeade, Shirley Temple or Cherry Bomb shot. You’ll also enjoy our Mint Simple Syrup or Honey Simple Syrup.
Ingredients
- Cherries Fresh cherries work best for this recipe, but frozen will work just fine too. Any variety of sweet and sour cherries such as Bing or Rainier cherries are a great choice.
- Granulated White Sugar You may also use brown sugar or honey if you like.
- Water filtered of distilled water is best.
We are looking for fresh cherries, like what you would find in the produce section. You may find them frozen as well. Do not use maraschino cherries (jarred) for this recipe.
How to make Cherry Syrup
Remove the stems and cut the cherries in half.
In a small to medium pot combine the sugar and water. Whisk until the sugar dissolves. Add the cherries to the mixture. Bring to boil. Then reduce the heat to a simmer (low) and continue to cook for 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool. The cherries will continue to steep and release flavor.
Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a glass mixing cup with a spout. Use a spoon to fresh the cherries into the sieve, to get as much liquid out as you can.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If you think you may want to use the cherry syrup longer you can freeze it in ice cubes to use as needed.
Tips, Notes and Substitutions
- If you are using frozen cherries thaw before following this recipe.
- You do not have to remove the pits. But, if you do remove the pits then you can use the leftovers like a compote on jam or ice cream. If you leave the pits in it will not effect your syrup but you’ll want to discard the remains after straining.
- This cherry syrup recipe is super simple and delicious as is. But if you want to slightly deepen or alter the flavor you could try adding: vanilla extract, fresh herbs like mint or rosemary, citrus rind like orange or lemon, or simply a big pinch of sea salt. Add these to the cooking process as strain out any solids along with the cherry fruit / pits.
- You could also swap some or all of the granulated white sugar for brown sugar for a different flavor. Or swap for demerara sugar for a slightly different texture to your syrup.
Uses for Cherry Syrup
- Roy Rogers Drink – swap the grenadine
- Shirley Temple– swap the grenadine
- Dirty Shirley Cocktail– swap the grenadine
- Add to a latte or mocha
- Add to your favorite tea or sparkling water
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cherry syrup the same as grenadine syrup?
No, grenadine syrup is made from pomegranate. But, they are similar and it can make a good substitute even though it doesn’t taste exactly the same.
Cherry Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup cherries
- ⅔ cup granulated white sugar
- ⅔ cup water
Instructions
- Remove the stems and cut the cherries in half.
- In a small to medium pot combine the sugar and water. Whisk until the sugar dissolves. Add the cherries to the mixture.
- Bring to boil. Then reduce the heat to a simmer (low) and continue to cook for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool. The cherries will continue to steep and release flavor.
- Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a glass mixing cup with a spout. Use a spoon to fresh the cherries into the sieve, to get as much liquid out as you can.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If you think you may want to use the cherry syrup longer you can freeze it in ice cubes to use as needed.
Notes
Nutrition
You can dress this up with crushed Oreos or Lucky Charm marshmallows. Or for a more adult version add a shot or two of espresso. I tend to make these with my kids I really go for it with the green food coloring (ha!) but if you want a more subtle color or even no color at all that’s easy to adjust.
Related: Next try our Wendy’s Frosty recipe or learn how to make a Root Beer Float.
Ingredients
- Vanilla ice cream
- Milk
- Mint extract
- Green food coloring
- Whipped cream
How to make a Shamrock Shake
It’s a little tricky to measure ice cream. I use a glass measuring cup but honestly you can simply eyeball it into your blender. Lean toward too much vs too little for a thicker milkshake.
In a blender add the ice cream, milk, extract and green food coloring. Blend until well combined.
Pour into your cup and top with whipped cream.
Tips Notes + Substitutions
- I like to use Blue Bunny Soft Vanilla Flavored Frozen Dairy Dessert in this recipe but any vanilla ice cream will work! We tend to buy this kind and the texture is softer and makes the final milkshake a little more airy / foamy and feels even more like the McDonald’s version to me.
- Mint extract is more authentic for this recipe but if you already have peppermint extract (maybe from Christmas baking) that is fine too. They do taste slightly different but both make a wonderful Shamrock shake.
- I used 10 drops of green food dye to get the vibrant color you see in these photos. Use less if you want a more subtle color or skip the food dye altogether.
- Make your own whipped cream or used a canned version for a more authentic copy cat experience.
- If you want to make this dairy free you can use dairy free ice cream, milk and whipped cream.
- These cups with dome lids are great for a party, otherwise any 12 oz cup will do.
More Milkshake and Smoothie Recipes
- Classic Milkshake
- Donut Milkshake
- Bushwacker
- Homemade Frappuccino
- Coconut Smoothie
- Banana Smoothie
- Blueberry Smoothie
- Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Shamrock Shake
Ingredients
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- ¾ cup milk
- ¼ teaspoon mint extract
- 8-10 drops green food dye
- ½ cup whipped cream
Instructions
- It’s a little tricky to measure ice cream. I use a glass measuring cup but honestly you can simply eyeball it into your blender. Lean toward too much vs too little for a thicker milkshake.
- In a blender add the ice cream, milk, extract and green food coloring.
- Blend until well combined.
- Pour into your cup and top with whipped cream.
Notes
- I like to use Blue Bunny Soft Vanilla Flavored Frozen Dairy Dessert in this recipe but any vanilla ice cream will work! We tend to buy this kind and the texture is softer and makes the final milkshake a little more airy / foamy and feels even more like the McDonald’s version to me.
- Mint extract is more authentic for this recipe but if you already have peppermint extract (maybe from Christmas baking) that is fine too. They do taste slightly different but both make a wonderful Shamrock shake.
- I used 10 drops of green food dye to get the vibrant color you see in these photos. Use less if you want a more subtle color or skip the food dye altogether.
- Make your own whipped cream or used a canned version for a more authentic copy cat experience.
- If you want to make this dairy free you can use dairy free ice cream, milk and whipped cream.
- These cups with dome lids are great for a party, otherwise any 12 oz cup will do.
Nutrition
The recipe for fresh mint tea is simple: water and mint. You really can’t mess it up. I like to add some lemon and honey if I have it. I often have leftover mint from cooking. I make these thai chicken bowls a few times a month that call for fresh mint but not much so I use the rest of the package making fresh mint tea!
Related: Next learn to make homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball tea. So good!
Ingredients
- Fresh Mint
- Water
You can add other ingredients like lemon juice, honey (or other sweeteners), ginger root or other herbs like lavender.
Any kind of fresh mint will work well. Spearmint is what I see sold most often at the grocery stores I frequent, but peppermint or thai mint work well too.
How to make Mint Tea
Heat the water to around 200°F. It’s OK if it comes to a boil. I have an electric kettle that will heat to a specific temperatures and for most tea I heat the water to 200°F. If you are heating water on the stovetop and don’t have a way to check the temperature then simply bring the water to a boil and then remove from the heat.
Roll and mash up the leaves a little in your hands. The goal is to let them release some of their natural oils. Another option is to muddle or mash the leaves into the bottom of your mug.
Add the water and allow to steep for 5 minutes. At this point you can remove the leaves if you like.
Add any honey or lemon and enjoy warm.
Notes
- You do not need to measure the mint to water ratio. If you use more mint leaves the tea will have a stronger flavor, less and the the flavor will be more subtle. I use around 8-10 mint leaves for 16 oz (2 cups) of water.
- You can add the mint leaves to a tea infuser or steeper if you want to remove them before drinking. I don’t because I like the look and don’t mind drinking around them (they are also safe to consume if you like).
- If the water from your tap has a strong flavor use filtered water.
More Tea + Drink Recipes
- Chai Latte
- Matcha Latte
- Apple Cider
- Hot Toddy
- Wassail
- Chai Spice Mix
- Mulling Spices
- How to Cold Brew Tea
Frequently Asked Questions
Is mint tea good for you?
Yes, mint tea is good for digestion, aiding in leaving upset stomach / nausea, and can help reduce stress.
Does spearmint and peppermint taste different?
Yes, although it’s subtle. Spearmint is sweeter and less bold while peppermint a sharp almost spicy taste with a cooling effect.
Fresh Mint Tea
Ingredients
- 8-10 leaves mint
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Heat the water to around 200°F. It’s OK if it comes to a boil. I have an electric kettle that will heat to a specific temperatures and for most tea I heat the water to 200°F. If you are heating water on the stovetop and don’t have a way to check the temperature then simply bring the water to a boil and then remove from the heat.
- Roll and mash up the leaves a little in your hands. The goal is to let them release some of their natural oils. Another option is to muddle or mash the leaves into the bottom of your mug.
- Add the water and allow to steep for 5 minutes. At this point you can remove the leaves if you like.
- Add any honey or lemon and enjoy warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Whether you use vodka or gin, this easy to make drink is a top choice for the savory cocktail lover and we’ve got a video to show you exactly how to do it.
Related: Vesper Martini, Lychee Martini, Espresso Martini, Dry Martini, Chocolate Martini Recipe, Lemon Drop Martini, 12 Easy Martini Recipes, Pink Lady, French Martini
Do you use gin or vodka for a dirty martini?
While gin is more commonly used for a dirty martini, it’s up to your personal preference to use vodka or gin as your base. The more subtle flavors of a vodka-based version allows the olive brine to rise to the front over the gin’s stronger botanical flavor.
What makes a dirty martini dirty?
The difference between a regular martini and a dirty one is that the dirty version has olive brine from a jar of olives added to the drink for an extra punch and usually a skewer of cocktail olives for a garnish. You can even up the amount of brine to go from a dirty martini to an “extra dirty” or “filthy” version.
Ingredients
- Gin: Try out different gins to find your favorite for a dirty martini, some enjoy less juniper forward choices like Hendrick’s or Aviation over heavier flavors like Beefeater or Tanqueray.
- Dry Vermouth: You’ll want to choose a dry vermouth for a dirty martini. Just a splash of it adds a note of tartness to help balance out the gin or vodka taste.
- Olive Brine: The brine adds salt to the cocktail which enhances the flavors of the vermouth and the natural oils from the olives add a buttery mouth feel to the drink.
- Cocktail Olives: What’s a dirty martini without a garnish of cocktail olives? Add a few jumbo olives to a skewer and you’ll also have a little built in snack to nosh on while you drink.
A dirty martini is best served in a classic martini glass and you can also do a stemless version for a different look.
Directions
Add your gin (or vodka), dry vermouth, and olive brine to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Give the shaker a good shake for about 15 seconds and use a strainer to pour your drink into a chilled martini glass (if you don’t have a separate strainer you can just use the strainer top of the shaker).
Add a garnish of olives on a cocktail stick and your drink is ready to go!
Tips for Making a Dirty Martini
- Make sure your glass is chilled and your martini is ice cold! This is definitely a drink where temperature affects the taste, so go the extra mile to chill the glass to keep it cold.
- For extra olive flavor, you can muddle olives into the drink before straining, or add extra brine for a heavier olive taste.
- To make the perfect dirty martini for you, play around with the ratios of gin or vodka and vermouth until you find the sweet spot for your taste level.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you chill a glass quickly?
If you don’t have time to chill your glass, simply fill the empty glass with ice and allow the glass to chill while you make your drink. Pour out the ice and add your cocktail when ready!
What’s the difference between a shaken and stirred martini?
While James Bond prefers his martini shaken not stirred, the main difference between the methods is that shaking the martini will add a few tiny ice chips to your drink. So if you don’t want it watered down at all, try stirring the drink instead of shaking before pouring into your glass.
Dirty Martini
Equipment
- 1 cocktail shaker
- 1 cocktail strainer optional
Ingredients
- 2 ½ ounces gin or vodka
- ½ ounce dry vermouth
- ½ ounce olive brine
Instructions
- Add your gin (or vodka), dry vermouth, and olive brine to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Give the shaker a good shake for about 15 seconds and use a strainer to pour your drink into a chilled martini glass (if you don’t have a separate strainer, you can just use the strainer top of the shaker).
- Add a garnish of olives on a cocktail stick and your drink is ready to go!
Notes
Tips for Making a Dirty Martini
- Make sure your glass is chilled and your martini is ice cold! This is definitely a drink where temperature affects the taste, so go the extra mile to chill the glass to keep it cold.
- For extra olive flavor, you can muddle olives into the drink before straining, or add extra brine for a heavier olive taste.
- To make the perfect dirty martini for you, play around with the ratios of gin or vodka and vermouth until you find the sweet spot for your taste level.
Nutrition
The creamy sherbet mixed with the fruity punch and fizzy soda only has three ingredients, takes just minutes to make, and creates a sweet treat that will be remembered all year round.
Looking for other punch recipes? Try:
- Sherbet Punch
- Spiced Cranberry Punch
- Fruit Punch
- Pineapple Citrus Punch
- Mistletoe Punch
- Triple Tiki Rum Punch
- Pomegranate Rum Punch
What is Grinch Punch?
This Christmas punch gets its “Grinch” name from the green color of the character in Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and while there are several variations on the flavor, it is usually a fruity green punch base often with sherbet added to the top. Sometimes alcohol is added but is usually non-alcoholic.
Ingredients for Grinch Punch
- Green Berry Rush Hawaiian Punch: This green version of the classic red Hawaiian punch is the perfect fruity base for the punch. Look for it in the juice aisle at the grocery store.
- Lemon-Lime Soda: Sprite or 7Up-type sodas are the best choices for this punch. You could use ginger ale in a pinch but the more neutral Sprite and 7Up flavors work best.
- Lime sherbet: Lime sherbet adds a creamy element to the punch and it’s extra delicious when you get a scoop of it in your glass.
- Red sanding sugar (optional): Add a red sugar rim for an extra festive look!
How to Make a Sugar Rim
To make a sugar rim, simply wet the rim of your glass (either with a wet clean finger or dip it in a bowl with a shallow amount of water) and press it into red sanding sugar that you’ve poured onto a plate. Easy and pretty!
How to make Grinch Punch
- Pour: Pour half your Hawaiian punch and half of your soda into your punch bowl and gently stir to combine.
- Scoop: Scoop your sherbet into your punch bowl on top of your punch.
- Serve: Ladle your punch into your cups and serve!
Tips for Making Grinch Punch:
- Leave your sherbet out on the counter for 5-10 minutes before scooping if you want it to be soft enough to scoop more easily.
- As the sherbet melts, the punch will get sweeter, so keep some extra punch ingredients on hand if you want to pour in a little more soda and juice later on to keep the balance just right.
- Look for seasonal flavors of Sprite and 7Up (like cranberry around the holidays) to add another flavor twist on the classic.
- Make sure your soda and juices are chilled before mixing so the punch will be nice and cold.
- You can also add fresh fruit like orange or lime slices for additional color to the top of your punch bowl.
- Try adding rum or vodka to make an adult Grinch punch!
Try serving your punch with these appetizers:
- 5 Easy Crostini Appetizers (Perfect For The Holidays!)
- Pigs in a Blanket
- Buffalo Chicken Dip – 5 Ingredients
- Roasted Grape + Honey Goat Cheese Crostini
- 30+ Easy Finger Foods for a Party
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead can I make Grinch punch?
Technically, you can add your punch ingredients (soda and Hawaiian Punch) to a bowl a few hours before the party and keep in your fridge until it’s time to add the sherbet and serve, but you will lose some soda fizziness by mixing it ahead of time. Ideally, it’s best to make right before serving.
Can you save leftover Grinch punch?
You can save leftover punch in the fridge in a closed container, but the fizziness of the soda will fade and the sherbet will fully melt, so it’s best enjoyed fresh.
Do I have to serve Grinch punch in a punch bowl?
No! You can also serve this in a pitcher although it can be hard to get scoops of sherbet into cups when pouring from a spout. If using a pitcher, consider scooping some extra sherbet into the cup so each person gets a scoop.
Grinch Punch
Ingredients
- 1 gallon Green Berry Rush Hawaiian Punch (chilled)
- 1 2 liter Sprite or 7Up (chilled)
- ½ gallon lime sherbet
- red sanding sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Pour: Pour half your Hawaiian punch and half of your soda into your punch bowl and gently stir to combine.
- Scoop: Scoop your sherbet into your punch bowl on top of your punch.
- Serve: Ladle your punch into your cups and serve!
Optional Sugar Rim
- To make a sugar rim, add your red sugar to a plate and wet the rim of your glass with water. Stick the wet rim onto the sugar and the sugar will stick!
Notes
Tips for Making Grinch Punch:
- Leave your sherbet out on the counter for 5-10 minutes before scooping if you want it to be soft enough to scoop more easily.
- As the sherbet melts, the punch will get sweeter, so keep some extra punch ingredients on hand if you want to pour in a little more soda and juice later on to keep the balance just right.
- Look for seasonal flavors of Sprite and 7Up (like cranberry around the holidays) to add another flavor twist on the classic.
- Make sure your soda and juices are chilled before mixing so the punch will be nice and cold.
- You can also add fresh fruit like orange or lime slices for additional color to the top of your punch bowl.
- Try adding rum or vodka to make an adult Grinch punch!
Nutrition
This is the easiest homemade salted caramel syrup recipe you will find! I’ll show you how to use store-bought caramel sauce or caramel topping to make this simple syrup. If you prefer to make your own caramel sauce before beginning the recipe below feel free, but it’s not necessary for success.
Related: Next up learn to make Cinnamon Dolce syrup or Toffee Nut Syrup.
Ingredients
- Granulated white sugar
- Water
- Caramel sauce / topping
- Sea salt
How to make Salted Caramel Syrup
In a small pan, combine the sugar and water. On medium heat, simmer together and stir until sugar is fully dissolved and there are no grains. Then stir in the caramel sauce, whisking until full dissolved.
Remove from heat and immediately stir in the salt.
Let cool and pour into an airtight container in the fridge.
Notes for Success
- Do not boil simple syrup for more than the time it takes to dissolve. It you overcook your syrup it will eventually become caramel. We are aiming for caramel simple syrup, not caramel.
- I recommend using sea salt for this recipe. It elevates it. Plus flaky sea salt is great for topping baked goods and many other uses. It’s worth it!
More Homemade Syrup Recipes
- Peppermint Syrup
- Cranberry Syrup
- Pumpkin Spice Syrup
- Honey Syrup
- Mint Syrup
- Cherry Syrup
- Raspberry Syrup
- Strawberry Syrup
Salted Caramel Syrup
Ingredients
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup caramel topping
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- In a small pan, combine the sugar and water. On medium heat, simmer together and stir until sugar is fully dissolved and there are no grains.
- Then stir in the caramel sauce, whisking until full dissolved.
- Remove from heat and immediately stir in the salt.
- Let cool and pour into an airtight container in the fridge.