Drinks

Sweet Potato & Gorgonzola Crostini + Honey Gimlet

ALL, Appetizer, Drinks, Fall, Snack, Winter43

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hangar 1 Distillery. The opinions and text are all mine. Thank you for supporting the brands that make VV possible.

The weather has finally turned chilly here in the Midwest which not only means that I can officially throw on some eyeliner and a sweatshirt without melting, but it also means it’s time for fall entertaining! We had to bring all the plants in from outside (since the nights are getting very chilly) which now makes our dining room my favorite spot – plants line the walls, a beautiful breeze streams in through the open windows, and the golden light of fall fills the room.

To celebrate my favorite season, I’m having friends over to sip on Honey Gimlets (made with Hangar 1 Honeycomb Vodka) and easy Sweet Potato & Gorgonzola Crostini! Hangar 1’s Honeycomb Vodka is infused with actual honeycomb (not just honey!) so the finished flavor is vibrant and unique. I loved serving these honey gimlets with the crostini (recipe below) because they are only 2 ingredients so they let the flavor of the Honeycomb Vodka really shine through. Plus, the packaging of this vodka is so gorgeous that I love showing it off by keeping it on the table for guests to ask about.

As for the crostini, you can roast the sweet potatoes a few hours ahead of time and pop them back in the oven to warm up slightly before serving. Same goes for preparing the bread pieces ahead of time. When ready to serve, pile your bread high with sweet potatoes, cheese, fresh sage, and then drizzle the honey. Alternatively, you could leave the honey on the side and let guests drizzle it themselves if you’d like to let them pick their level of sweetness.

Now invite some friends over for cocktails and snacks and get cooking!

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Honey Gimlet

Recipe supplied by Hangar 1 Vodka.

Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients
  • 1.5 oz Hangar 1 Honeycomb Vodka
  • 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
  • orange peel for garnish
Instructions

  1. Shake with ice and strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with orange peel.

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Fall Sweet Potato & Gorgonzola Crostini
Ingredients
  • 1 sweet potato peeled and diced into 1/2 inch thick chunks
  • 1/4 cup olive oil divided
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • dash of pepper
  • 1 baguette
  • 3 Tbsp crumbled gorgonzola (could also use blue cheese)
  • 2 Tbsp finely chopped sage
  • 1-2 Tbsp honey
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add sweet potatoes onto prepared baking sheet and toss with 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and a dash of pepper. Spread out into a single layer and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the potato pieces are cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.

  2. Meanwhile, cut the baguette into 1 inch thick round pieces. Brush the remaining oil on both sides of the crostini. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat and, working in batches, toast the crostini by cooking on each side for 2-3 minutes each. Set aside.

  3. When ready to serve, divide the sweet potato, honey, and gorgonzola between the crostini pieces. Starting with 1 Tbsp, drizzle honey over the crostini and sprinkle a dash of pepper. Taste and add more honey, if needed.

  4. Serve right away with a Hangar 1 Honey Gimelet.

Peach Tea Lemonade Recipe

ALL, Drinks, Entertaining, Summer, Vegan58

Meet your new summer drink: homemade Peach Tea Lemonade! Simple to make, packed with in-season peaches, and bound to keep you cool during these humid summer days!

Peach Tea Lemonade

Summer is flying right by! I was excited to snag a 25 pound box of peaches from the Georgia Peach Truck last week; it gave me the perfect excuse to spend the weekend baking up a storm to work my way through the box. I can get a little antsy in the summer because it looks gorgeous outside but it’s actually 95 degrees, insanely humid, and buggy as all get out. So, instead, I try to channel that antsy energy into the kitchen and get creative with all the produce popping up.

Peach Tea Lemonade
Peach Tea Lemonade
Peach Tea Lemonade

The first recipe I developed with my peaches was this Peach Tea Lemonade! This Peach Tea Lemonade is so refreshing – a touch sweet, herbal, and flavorful!

For the tea, I used roobis tea because I love the way it blends with lemon. If you aren’t a roobis fan, you could also use chamomile or black tea depending on what you have on hand. Also, traditional simple syrup usually has a 1:1 ratio of water and sugar. However, since the peaches are already sweet and I don’t like my drinks too sweet, I cut down on the sugar for the syrup. Feel free to add more sugar at the end when you are ready to serve if you think it needs a little more for your liking.

Start by making a simple syrup and then mixing the lemon juice straight into it. From there, brew the tea and let it cool while the simple syrup cools. Once at room temperature, we combine the two and let chill in the fridge until ready to serve. Easy! Serve it with additional slices of lemon, peaches, or mint for an extra pop of color!

Peach Tea Lemonade recipe:

Peach Tea Lemonade
Peach Tea Lemonade
Peach Tea Lemonade
5 from 2 votes
Peach Tea Lemonade
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Peach Tea Lemonade Recipe

Meet your new summer drink: homemade Peach Tea Lemonade! Simple to make, packed with in-season peaches, and bound to keep you cool during these humid summer days!

Ingredients
  • 3 peaches pitted and cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 6 cups water divided
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 6 lemons)
  • 4 roobis tea bags
  • Fresh mint, lemon slices, and peach slices for serving
Instructions

  1. Place peach pieces, 2 cups water, and granulated sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cover and let simmer for 15 minutes or until the peaches has become very soft.

  2. Use the back of a fork or spoon to break up and smash the pieces of peaches to release some of their juices. Continue to simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

  3. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Add in the lemon juice and set aside.

  4. While the peach syrup is simmering, bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat, add tea bags, cover, and let steep for as long as the package directions suggest.

  5. Combine the peach-lemon mixture with the tea, cover, and transfer to the fridge to chill for at least an hour.

  6. When ready to serve, taste and add more water if you’d like it more diluted. Transfer to serving glasses, top with ice, and garnish with mint, lemon, and peach slices.

Peach Tea Lemonade

More peach recipe ideas:

Warming Ginger Lemon Honey Tea

ALL, Drinks, Winter36

This simple 3 ingredient warming Ginger Lemon Honey Tea recipe is a go-to when feeling under the weather or like my body needs a little boost. I love that it doesn’t require a juicer and can be whipped up in a blender in just a few minutes.

Anyone else feel like everyone around them is sick? Thank you, January, for not only being dark and cold but also spreading all the germs. To try to build up a little extra immunity power for my body, I’ve been drinking this lemon ginger tonic mixture every few days for the last few weeks. It’s been soothing on my sore throat while giving my body a little extra boost from the ginger and lemon.

A lot of similar recipes to this online have you boil everything in a saucepan to let the ginger steep but my local coffee shop juices it all and the flavor of this method just packs such a bigger punch. I used to think you could only make this version in a juicer but I found a nice little cheat system though where you blend everything in a high speed blender and then just use a fine mesh strainer. The end result is deliciously sweet, spicy, and tart and the great way to mix-up your afternoon tea routine.

Here are a few fun variations for this Ginger Lemon Honey Tea recipe for when you want to mix it up:

  • Carrots Ginger Tonic: Add 1 peeled and trimmed carrot to blender along with the ginger and lemon.
  • Spicy Black Pepper Lemon Ginger Tonic: Add 1 tsp whole peppercorn to tonic after you pour hot water in and let steep for 3-5 minutes.
  • Thyme Lemon Ginger Tonic: Add 3 fresh thyme sprigs to tonic after you pour hot water in and let steep for 3-5 minutes.

Note that I like my Ginger Lemon Honey Tea super spicy and tart so you may end up wanting to adjust your ratios a bit from what I have listed below. If the drink is too tart or spicy for you, just add more water and honey until you find the right equation for your taste buds.

 

 

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Warming Ginger Lemon Honey Tea

This Warming Ginger Lemon Honey Tea is my go-to when feeling under the weather or like my body needs a little boost. I love that it doesn't require a juicer and can be whipped up in a blender in just a few minutes!

Ingredients
  • 1/2 small lemon (or 1/4 large) peeled and deseeded
  • 1 inch ginger knob peeled
  • 1 1/4 cup water divided
  • 1/2 Tbsp honey
Instructions

  1. Place lemon wedge, ginger, and 1/4 cup water in a high speed blender and blend on high for 2-3 minutes.

  2. Meanwhile, boil the additional 1 cup of water in a water boiler or on the stove top.

  3. Use a fine mesh strainer to strain the lemon ginger mixture into a mug. Add honey and pour in boiling water.

  4. Let cool slightly and enjoy right away. Add more honey and/or water as needed.

 

 

Cranberry Orange Punch With Cranberry-Rosemary Ice Ring

ALL, Drinks, Winter62

This Cranberry Orange Punch With Cranberry-Rosemary Ice Ring is only 6 ingredients and a totally show stopper for your holiday parties!

Cranberry Orange Punch

It’s the holiday season (*queue holiday music*)! If I wasn’t so wrapped up in binge watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel season 2 then I would probably be out celebrating the season at holiday parties. Jk Jk – I do plan to go to a holiday party eventually this season (next weekend, to be exact) and will most certainly be bringing a big batch of this punch to the event. I’ll be bringing this punch not only because I need alcohol to tame my social anxiety (I kid…sort of) but because it’s an easy and delicious way to serve up something festive. …View More

Marinated Goat Cheese with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Olives

ALL, Appetizer, Drinks, Entertaining, Fall, Thanksgiving, Winter45

In a hurry? Click here to JUMP TO RECIPE!

This Marinated Goat Cheese with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Olives recipe is an easy appetizer that can be made ahead of time and is a great starter to serve at your holiday parties!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Day Owl Rosè. The opinions and text are all mine. Thank you for supporting the brands that make VV possible. Msg 4 21+Tracking Pixel

Marinated Goat Cheese with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Olives

 

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Chai Spiced Apple Cider Cocktail

ALL, Drinks, Entertaining, Fall, Thanksgiving, Winter106

In a hurry? Click here to JUMP TO RECIPE!

This festive Chai Spiced Apple Cider Cocktail recipe is a delicious fall drink that can be easily made with booze or as a mocktail.

Chai Spiced Apple Cider

I seem to be on a roll with chai-spiced apple recipes this season which I am not at all sorry about (because both of these makes your house smell A M A Z I N G and oh so fall). Ever since my mom moved into her beach home near Lake Michigan in May, I’ve been up to visit her at least once a month. We’ve already worked ourselves into a little Saturday routine which consists of browsing her nearest farmers market and then stopping at both a small Swedish bakery for pastries and a cute little grocery store / coffee shop for sandwiches to pack for a lazy afternoon at the beach. One the last trip up there a few weeks ago, I picked up a really delicious iced Chai Cider which should honestly be the official drink of September because it was the perfect mix of fall spices while still being a refreshing warm weather thirst quencher. As I was sipping on it, I couldn’t help but think about how simple it was – I’m sure it was just half local apple cider and half of their homemade chai mix they use in lattes. Genius! I knew I had to create my own.

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15 Recipes To Make While Summer Fruit is in Season!

ALL, Appetizer, Breakfast, Drinks, Round-Up, Summer, Sweets59

15 Recipes To Make While Summer Fruit is in Season! From drinks to sweets to savory items, these recipes will have you making fruit recipes all summer long!

15 Recipes To Make While Summer Fruit is in Season!

 

If you are anything like me, you can’t resist all the colorful and juicy fresh fruit currently stationed at your local farmer’s market. Summer fruit can be fleeting so here are some recipes to make sure you have an excuse to pick up those berries or stone fruit pints while they are around!

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10 Drink and Cocktail Recipes To Keep You Cool This Summer!

ALL, Drinks, Round-Up, Spring, Summer36

Today I have 10 Drink and Cocktail Recipes To Keep You Cool This Summer! The heat is here and that means it’s time to crank up your drink game! Whether you are into something boozy or looking for an energizing smoothie to start your day, I’ve got you covered in this round-up! OH and bonus points if you like vegetables in your drinks – I have a surprising number of veg-focused cocktails…

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10 Vegetarian Recipes To Make Before Spring Is Over!

ALL, Appetizer, Drinks, Entree, Round-Up, Side, Spring, Sweets93

10 Vegetarian Recipes To Make Before Spring Is Over: Starters, Drinks, Entrees, and Desserts to make the most of the season!

10 Vegetarian Recipes To Make Before Spring Is Over!

I shared a round-up of my favorite vegetarian spring recipes over on Instagram Stories the other week and realized I should probably go ahead and share them here in case you don’t follow me on IG. Spring is zipping by and before you know it, it’ll be too hot to even turn your oven on so hurry up and get in that kitchen with these recipes!

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Cranberry Molasses Mulled Wine + A Giveaway

ALL, Drinks, Thanksgiving, Winter31

In a hurry? Click here to JUMP TO RECIPE!

This Cranberry Molasses Mulled Wine recipe is perfect for chilly winter evenings or big holiday events. Serve it with a few orange slices and fresh cranberries for a stunning presentation.

Cranberry Molasses Mulled Wine Big Batch Punch Recipe

First off, I didn’t post yesterday because I was with family but I just want to say that I am so thankful for all of you here! So many of my favorite opportunities would not be possible with VV and VV would not be possible without all of you. You are the best.

And happy BLACK FRIDAY! Did you wake up at 2 AM to wait in line for that new laptop? Oh wait, I’m still living in 2001 – stores open at like 8 PM on Thanksgiving now. Or does everyone just do their Black Friday shopping online these days? I’ll admit that I’m guilty to snagging a few deals today on CB2 and West Elm for our new house (which we are closing on in ONE WEEK! eeeep!).

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Pomelo Gin Fizz Citrus Cocktail

Drinks, Summer, Vegan17

In a hurry? Click here to JUMP TO RECIPE!

This bubbly Pomelo Gin Fizz cocktail skips the egg whites and uses citrus to bring a subtly sweet and tart tang to your next happy hour.

Pomelo Gin Fizz Citrus Cocktail

They say that life happens in waves and I definitely feel like I’m riding one of the big waves right now. After a week in the Pacific Northwest exploring and photographing, I came home for 2 days (one of which we looked at a house and then immediately put a bid on it) and then hopped back on a plane for a vacation in southern Florida. For the first time in my Midwestern life, I smelled the salt of both the Pacific and the Atlantic in the same week! And if two adventures across the country weren’t exciting enough, the bid we put in on the house was accepted and we will be moving into the next phase with that this week!

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Sweet Beet Strawberry & Tarragon Vodka Smash Recipe

ALL, Drinks, Summer3

In a hurry? Click here to JUMP TO RECIPE!

This Sweet Beet Strawberry & Tarragon Vodka Smash is a unique and fun summer cocktail. The savory sweet beet tarragon simple syrup blends perfectly with juicy strawberries. This recipe was made in partnership with Prairie Organic Spirits.

Beet Strawberry & Tarragon Vodka Smash Recipe

I’m really excited to share today’s drink recipe with you. If you are a regular around here then you probably already know that I make a hobby out of throwing vegetables and unlikely fruit pairings into my cocktails for a unique flavor boost. Today’s recipe is no exception. Although my favorite profile flavor combo has always savory and sweet, earthy and sweet has slowly been creeping in at a close second.

Beet Strawberry & Tarragon Vodka Smash RecipeBeet Strawberry & Tarragon Vodka Smash Recipe

Beet Strawberry & Tarragon Vodka Smash Recipe

This Sweet Beet Strawberry & Tarragon Vodka Smash covers all the bases: sweet from the fruit, earthy from the beets and tarragon, boozy from the vodka, and refreshing from the top off of sparkling water. It is whipped up in a pitcher for a quick turnaround for your guests.

You need to be careful when making the beet tarragon syrup as the tarragon can quickly over flavor the entire syrup if it steeps for too long. A tiny hint of tarragon brings an extra level of herbiness to this drink but too much tarragon flavor will leave the cocktail with an unappealing licorice taste. If you don’t have tarragon or are not a fan, you can skip adding any herbs to the syrup and then muddle a few mint leaves with the strawberries for a brighter and fresher cocktail.

I used Prairie Organic Vodka for this cocktail and was excited to find the mellow flavor left no bad alcoholic aftertaste for these. I must say that I always seek out organic produce but never thought to do so with my alcohol until now! This vodka is smooth and doesn’t overpower the cocktail like a cheaper brands might. Make sure your strawberries are ripe and juicy because we want them to be adding a natural sweetness to this cocktail that will be missed if the strawberries are dull.

Beet Strawberry & Tarragon Vodka Smash Recipe

Beet Strawberry & Tarragon Vodka Smash Recipe

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Sweet Beet Strawberry & Tarragon Vodka Smash Recipe

This Sweet Beet Strawberry & Tarragon Vodka Smash is a unique and fun summer cocktail. The savory sweet beet tarragon simple syrup blends perfectly with juicy strawberries.

Servings: 8
Calories: 240 kcal
Ingredients
Beet Tarragon Simple Syrup (this will make more than you need for this cocktail)
  • 3 medium golden beets peeled and chopped
  • 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 cup water
  • 3 sprigs fresh tarragon
For a pitcher of the cocktail:
  • 1/4 cup Beet Tarragon Simple Syrup
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries tops removed
  • juice from 2 limes
  • 1 cup vodka
  • 2 cups sparkling water
Garnish
  • thinly sliced golden beets
  • strawberries
  • Lime wedges
  • Fresh mint and tarragon
Instructions
Beet Tarragon Simple Syrup:

  1. Add golden beet chunks, granulated sugar, and water into a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer, and let simmer for 10 minutes.

  2. Remove from heat, add tarragon, cover, and let sit for another 15 minutes.

  3. Strain syrup into a clean jar. Let cool completely before using.

Sweet Beet Strawberry & Tarragon Vodka Smash:

  1. Add syrup and strawberries to a large pitcher. Use a muddler or handle of a wooden spoon to smash the strawberries in the bottom of the pitcher. Add lime juice, vodka, and sparkling water.

  2. Garnish with beets, strawberries, tarragon, and mint.

Nutrition Facts
Sweet Beet Strawberry & Tarragon Vodka Smash Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 240
% Daily Value*
Sodium 52mg2%
Potassium 166mg5%
Carbohydrates 43g14%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 41g46%
Vitamin A 25IU1%
Vitamin C 22.9mg28%
Calcium 22mg2%
Iron 0.5mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

Beet Strawberry & Tarragon Vodka Smash Recipe

This post was made in collaboration with and sponsored by the generous folks at Prairie Organic Spirits but all opinions expressed are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make VV possible. Enjoy responsibly, 21+ only.


Green Matcha Sangria

ALL, Drinks, Summer, Vegan14

In a hurry? Click here to JUMP TO RECIPE!

This Green Matcha Sangria recipe is a perfect mix between earthy matcha and sweet white wine.

Green Matcha Sangria Recipe

Remember when Starbucks made matcha lemonade a big thing earlier this summer? Well it got me thinking about other ways I could enjoy matcha during the hot summer months (because, let’s be honest, a steaming hot full-fat matcha latte is not very appetizing in the muggly heat that is August) and my mind immediately wandered to alcohol. A matcha gin and tonic? No, too simple. A matcha mojito? Already overdone. And then the light bulb went off – what about in sangria? I did a quick search on my blog to find that I’ve never done a sangria recipe (which is absurd because it’s always been a drink of choice between my mother and I ever since I was old enough to drink).

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Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Protein Smoothie

ALL, Drinks, Snack, Summer, Sweets, Vegan9

In a hurry? Click here to JUMP TO RECIPE!

This Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Protein Smoothie recipe is great as a filling breakfast or post workout drink.

Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Protein Smoothie

If you know me in person then you know that I’m a big day dreamer. Some of my day dreams have turned into reality (hellloooo book deal) and some of them are just crazy (helloo mansion on the ocean with an indoor / outdoor kitchen and 3,000 square foot studio room). I think that Wyatt often times takes my day dreaming remarks as signs of not being happy but really I just like to make up scenarios and play them out over conversation. I think I probably got this from my parents who, when my brother and I were little, used to take us for drives in the “gated communities” and talk about what it would be like to own one of the million dollar homes.

 

One of the big things I talk about is what it is like to move to another city; I think it is because we kind of organically ended up where we are instead of intentionally saying we were going to take root here. It’s funny because I am actually terrible at change but my mind still starts to wander to other life scenarios after things have been normal for too long.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my day dream tendencies lately because I’m headed to Portland tomorrow for a weekend trip. Portland was one of the places I dragged Wyatt to after college because I was certain we should move there. We absolutely loved the city and all it had to offer. However, as with all of the trips I drag him on to check out new cities, it didn’t feel like home and we were happy to return to our little college town in the Midwest. BUT it’s still a wonderful place to visit and I’m so excited to go back – any recommendations for places I should see / eat / hang out while there?

Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Protein SmoothieStrawberry Pink Peppercorn Protein SmoothieStrawberry Pink Peppercorn Protein Smoothie

Moving on to this smoothie, I’m pretty beyond stoked to have smoothie season back again. With our brutally cold winters here, I can’t bring myself to drink smoothies between September and April (all I want is hot tea). As the weather warms and I start to move my body more, it also craves refreshing fresh vegetables and fruit so smoothies are the easiest way for me to feed those cravings. To be honest, my usual go-to are green smoothies but I was feeling something a little more sweet this time around (although a cup of spinach would still be fantastic in this recipe if you wanted the extra green boost).

The secret ingredient here is the pink peppercorn. As with most spices, we are only using the tiniest amount to enhance the overall flavor of the smoothie without completely overwhelming it. We want the end result to have the faintest peppery bite without anyone (besides you since you are making it!) being able to put their finger on exactly what is creating that spice.

Also, I rarely make the same smoothie twice because I’m always just using what I have on hand. Here are a few mix-ins that I bet would be great with this smoothie: 1 cup spinach, ground flaxseed, or even beet powder (which I weirdly have on hand because I’m a total food nerd).

Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Protein Smoothie recipe below:

Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Protein Smoothie

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Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Protein Smoothie
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
 
This Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Protein Smoothie recipe is great as a filling breakfast or post workout drink.
Course: Drink
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 307 kcal
Author: Shelly Westerhausen
Ingredients
  • 1 cup Silk High Protein Nutmilk
  • 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
  • 1 banana , peeled
  • 1 carrot (grated if you don't have a high speed blender)
  • 1 Tbsp maple syrup (or honey if ok w/ it not being vegan)
  • Dash of ground pink peppercorn (about 1/4 tsp)
  • 1 cup ice
  • Optional mix-ins: 1 cup of greens (spinach, kale, etc), 1 tsp ground flaxseed, 1/2 tsp ground beet powder
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until completely smooth.
  2. Transfer to a glass and enjoy right away.
Nutrition Facts
Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Protein Smoothie
Amount Per Serving
Calories 307 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Sodium 166mg7%
Potassium 1072mg31%
Carbohydrates 59g20%
Fiber 7g29%
Sugar 38g42%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 10770IU215%
Vitamin C 56.2mg68%
Calcium 354mg35%
Iron 1.9mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Protein Smoothie

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.

Pink Grapefruit Cucumber Rose Skin Quencher

ALL, Drinks, Spring, Summer, Vegan4

In a hurry? Click here to JUMP TO RECIPE!

Pink Grapefruit Cucumber Rose Skin Quencher recipe from Lily Diamond’s new cookbook, Kale & Caramel, is a simple natural beauty drink recipe.

Pink Grapefruit Cucumber Rose Skin Quencher

Heyyy friends! Today is extra special because it’s my dear friend Lily Diamond’s book launch day! She was one of my favorite friends to confide in through the writing process for Vegetarian Heartland and I hope she feels the same for Kale & Caramel. When it comes to writing a book, there are a ton of stressful deadlines and so many highs and lows as you bring this giant project, that you’ve put your whole self into for years, into the world. With Lily also having a spring ’17 book launch, she went through these processes at a similar time as me so we were able to bounce experiences off of each other and cheer each other on.

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Vegetarian Heartland Now Up For Pre-order + BONUS ITEM + Pimm’s Punch Recipe!

ALL, Drinks, Spring, Vegan161

In a hurry? Click here to JUMP TO RECIPE!

Pimm's Punch Recipe

Finally, it’s pre-order time, baby! Vegetarian Heartland started as a spark of an idea in April 2014 and is now finally being released as a gorgeous hardcover 272 page cookbook! It is photo and recipe heavy with additional notes about being vegetarian, growing up in the Midwest, and having adventures in your kitchen sprinkled throughout it. Sure, there is an emphasis on the Heartland in it (an area that I personally think gets overlooked despite having amazing landscapes and culture) but, for all of you who don’t have a particular interest in this region, it’s about so much more – it’s about cooking up modern and healthy meat-free versions of comfort food and it’s about life’s adventures that revolve around food.

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Cranberry Orange Champagne Mimosa with Candied Rosemary

ALL, Drinks, Thanksgiving, Vegan, Winter34

In a hurry? Click here to JUMP TO RECIPE!

This simple two-ingredient Cranberry Orange Champagne Mimosa (plus garnish) cocktail is perfect for holiday parties or Christmas morning. Dress it up with an orange slice and candied rosemary or keep it simple with just the juice and champagne.

Cranberry Orange Champagne Mimosa with Candied Rosemary

Ever since I’ve been old enough to drink (almost a decade), it’s been a holiday tradition to wake up on Christmas day to my mom preparing a simple egg bake with lattes and tall glasses of mimosa waiting for us on the counter. We lug everything into the family room with the tree and presents and enjoy while opening gifts.

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Thanksgiving Menu: Fromage Fort & Whiskey + Maple Syrup Sours

Appetizer, Drinks, Side, Thanksgiving22

In a hurry? Click here to JUMP TO RECIPE!

Below I am sharing recipes for Fromage Fort and Whiskey + Maple Syrup Sour from Julia Turshen’s cookbook, Small Victories. This Fromage Fort is the perfect appetizer because it lets you use up all the leftover cheese and wine you have from the rest of the Thanksgiving recipes you are making (plus it’s cheese and wine – how could it even get any better than that?). Additionally, I love this simple Whiskey + Maple Syrup Sour recipe since it’s made with ingredients you most likely already have on hand; this also makes it ideal for whipping up when guests stop by or you are hosting a huge dinner (like Thanksgiving) and don’t want to add more ingredients to your long shopping list. 

This post is part two of a six part series on Hosting a Vegetarian Thanksgiving. Please visit post one for the full menu and tips on hosting your own meat-free holiday.

wanderlustboard-9-of-20-copy

As I mentioned in part one of this year’s Thanksgiving series, I always turn to trusted sources like my favorite cookbooks and magazines when planning a party menu. Don’t get me wrong, I love blogs (HELLO! This IS a blog!) but the recipes are not always as vetted and tested over and over again on websites. When it comes to a recipe making or breaking my dinner party, I just can’t chance it on the recipe not turning out for the big day. That is why I chose two recipes from Julia Turshen’s new cookbook, Small Victories, to include on this year’s Thanksgiving menu. Both recipes are simple, come together quickly, and turned out perfect!

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Iced Cocoa Coffee Smoothie (Vegan Option) + A Giveaway

ALL, Drinks, Summer, Vegan6

In a hurry? Click here to JUMP TO RECIPE!

This Iced Cocoa Coffee Smoothie is the perfect morning or afternoon booster with iced coffee, blended dates, chocolate OLLY Smoothie powder, and vanilla all coming together to create a healthy iced coffee concoction.

Iced Cocoa Coffee Smoothie

I’m going to start out by mentioning I’m not a smoothie girl. Sometimes, because this is a meat-free blog, VV gets grouped into these ‘special diet’ categories with all the other folks working on their yoga poses, superfood salads, and beautiful smoothie bowl game. Don’t get me wrong, I’m down with all those things on occasion but I just don’t identify with them. You know what I do identify with? Chocolate. You know what else? Coffee. Dang – do I love coffee. This drink I’m sharing today is called a ‘smoothie’ for lack of a better word – really, it’s like a super mix between a light chocolate shake and a dang fine cup of iced cold brew.

I first discovered a similar shake (smoothie? frozen coffee concoction? frappucino?) a few months ago at a juice bar in Minneapolis. Our host didn’t have coffee but she had a big jug of a similar drink in her fridge. I still can’t remember exactly what was in it but I remember thinking it tasted like the best iced coffee I’ve ever had. I started making my own version when I got home and couldn’t get over how sweet that dates made the drink with zero refined sugar (and gave it a little creamy vibe as well). I usually make this for an afternoon pick-me-up with any leftover coffee I still have lingering on the stove. When OLLY mentioned they’d be sending me some nourishing chocolate smoothie powder, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought to put chocolate into it earlier. The OLLY powder gives both an additional nutrition boost AND an indulgent jolt from the chocolate.

Afternoons can be rough for me. I wake up beyond excited to start the day and find my mind the clearest and most creative in the AM. From there lunch is great because well…I’m eating and I love to eat. But then around 3 or 4, I tend to crash – I’ve tried eating big lunches (to see if they would get me through dinner but they just bog me down even earlier) and light lunches (which leave me starving and without energy by 3) so I’ve accepted my body needs something else in the afternoon. This healthy drink has been the answer for the last couple months – it doesn’t leave you with a sugar crash and I get a little bit of caffeine boost without the afternoon shakes that would come from a strong cup of coffee. Oh and I bet the boost of vitamins from the OLLY powder is a big help as well. You ever feel the afternoon slump as well? Try this drink – it positively could change your afternoon energy level forever!

Note: Some days I’ve had enough caffeine by 11 AM to know when enough is enough. This drink is just as delicious with decaf if you’d prefer to switch to that in the afternoon. Also, I sometimes only blend together 1 cup of ice and reserve the rest to throw into my drink after to give it more of an iced coffee vibe – totally your call on how you’d like to do it!

PSS Don’t worry, I’ve already been recipe developing a warm version of this for the colder months. I’m hoping to share that recipe later this season!

BONUS! OLLY was kind enough to offer a giveaway for a chance to win over $1000 in prizes. To say thanks for playing, they’ll send you a $5 off coupon for target.com! ENTER HERE by Monday, October 17th!

Iced Cocoa Coffee Smoothie recipe below:

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Garden Tonic Punch

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This Garden Tonic Punch is worthy of any summer cocktail party. It’s made up of the herb and vegetable bounty found in my own backyard. A cold-pressed tomato simple syrup combined with an easy herb syrup creates a refreshing summer gin cocktail ideal for big batches.

GardenTonicPunchSM-23-of-23vv

Guess what!? Today I am celebrating these two things with this Garden Tonic Punch: 1. #drinkthesummer which is a fun little virtual cocktail party where all my favorite bloggers get together and mix up something fierce (see the full list of cocktails below) and 2. Vegetarian ‘Ventures FIVE year anniversary! Can you believe this space is FIVE years old (okay, it *technically* happened last week but who is keeping track)? Like imagine this space was a kid – she’d be HUGE by now… wanting to play dress up to look like mom and picking out her own ice cream flavors. But really, back to this space being a blog, this little space has grown up to host thousands of pictures, 534 posts, thousands of comments, millions of views (!!!), writing in the form of dreams and desires,  fears and worries, and a whole heck of a lot of recipes. Pretty cool, right?

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Elderflower Lemonade (Vegan Option)

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This tart and floral Elderflower Lemonade is a refreshing homemade drink that can be made alcoholic by adding a splash of gin or St. Germain.

elderflower lemonade

This past weekend, Wyatt and I took a quick trip up to Chicago. It has been too long since we went there without a work assignment and to just wander around. The main highlight was hitting up the Green City Market which made me feel like a little kid in a candy store; it had the best homemade bread I’ve ever tasted, rows of beautiful flower bouquets, edible flowers galore (yes!), and any berry or green you could ever want (plus some you didn’t even realize existed). It really put our tiny town’s market to shame and I’m already wondering if it’s too ridiculous to move to a city just for their farmer’s market? I think not?

It’s no surprise that I have a thing for elderflower (I use the cordial constantly in cocktail recipes like St. Germain Spritzer and Garden Tonic) so when I stumbled upon the chance to purchase fresh elderflowers, I couldn’t pass them up. The white flowers are tiny but abundant and grow in large bunches. Most recipes I found for using it where to make a cordial; it sounds delicious but I didn’t want to seek out citric acid. So, instead, I went an easier route and created a simple syrup out of it that would still preserve it’s flavor but could be used for both non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks.

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Spicy Watermelon Soda [Vegan]

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This homemade sweet and spicy watermelon soda is the perfect fizzy non-alcohol drink recipe to quench your thirst on a hot day.

Spicy Watermelon Soda

When anyone asked me where my favorite restaurant was when I was a kid, I always said The Root Beer Stand (our local drive-up diner). There was something about that drive-up experience that made me go crazy with excitement, like a dog waiting for his first walk of the day. Maybe it was the gallon (yes, gallon. Not liters – gallon!) of homemade root beer they brought out along with frosted mugs or the little trays that hooked onto your car window perfectly or that fact that we were allowed to eat in Mom’s car (for once) that made the unique experience so excitingly unforgettable.

This novelty didn’t just get me when I was a kid either. Our local root beer stand closed down when I was in middle school but there was one in the town over that was a hot spot due to it being right by the beach on Lake Michigan. My two older cousins lived with us on and off when I was growing up and there were a few times where I’d convince my cousin, LM (her real name is Linda-Marie but we call her LM for short), to call into my high school pretending to be my mom and say I was sick. Back then I was dating this really fun troublemaker of a boyfriend who ditched often (without even bothering to have someone call him in) so he was totally down to hang out with us on those day hangs. We’d go to the town over and to the beach to avoid bumping into anyone we knew. We’d spend hours walking around the lake, bowling, and wondering antique malls. I remember demanding that we had to go to the root beer stand for a root beer float after hanging out at the beach and them teasing me for being so obsessed with the novelty of it.

I can go all winter without touching soda but as soon as the weather starts to warm up, I begin to crave root beer because of those root beer floats. Despite the New York Times putting out an article this week about the negative effects of sugar (and soda in particular), my body still craves it. I decided to compromise and make my own homemade soda mostly made out of natural sugars (juice from the watermelon) to please my craving without totally throwing in the towel to sugar. This spicy watermelon soda is subtly sweet with a punch of spice for an insanely delicious and thirst-quenching refreshment.

Note: I don’t like my drinks very sweet and I’m a total wuss when it comes to spice (lame, I know) so I kept the simple syrup level rather low. Feel free to start with that amount and add more to taste.

Spicy Watermelon Soda:

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Rosé All Day Spritzer

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Rosé All Day Spritzer is a tropical spritz cocktail perfect for a humid summer evening on the porch or for sipping by the pool.

Rosé Spritzer recipe

My love for bubbly alcohol runs much deeper than I probably need to admit. Honestly, I wish someone had introduced me to spritzers a long time ago. Back in college, I was obsessed with the $4 bottles of champagne you could buy at the local liquor store. I’d pick one up before heading out to a basement show or house party and everyone could count on me always being there with a big warm grin on my face, much too short skirt on, and a bottle of Andre in hand. I’d wear it like a handy purse that, no matter how intoxicated I’d get, I’d never lose the bottle or forget it in another room. They were college parties so no cups were required and I’d drink straight from the bottle all night long – offering a swig to anyone who I struck a conversation with like I was offering up a sip of the finest wine on the market. I’d sip on it like for hours straight, like many of my friends would do with a 40, until it was warm and the carbonation was gone.

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St. Germain Spritzer

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This four ingredient St. Germain Spritzer cocktail takes two minutes to whip up. It’s the perfect refreshing alcoholic drink for a spring or summer evening.

St. Germain Spritzer

Before I jump into talking about this beyond simple cocktail, I’m excited to tell you all about the giveaway I am currently hosting over on my instagram right now! I’m not going to lie, between finishing up the book, working full time at my indie rock job, pushing the newest issue of Driftless Magazine into the world, and doing freelance work, our evening meals have really started to suffer. Sure, it’s great when I have to recipe develop tacos or lasagna but all too often I’m working on a drink recipe or dessert and those things end up being our dinner. So when Sun Basket sent me one of their weekly meal boxes to try out, I was so excited to have an excuse to set some time aside and make dinner again. Not only did it give me an excuse to get back into the kitchen for more than just work but the meals were delicious and ridiculously easy.

I’ve had a lot of reservations with meal services in the past but Sun Basket has the perfect solutions for them all. Meal services always felt so wasteful with all the individual packaging of every ingredient but Sun Basket sends you a return label to send back all the packaging for them to reuse or recycle. I also hated the idea of a meal plan because of my meat-free dietary restrictions but they’ve covered that as well; they gave you the option to choose between vegetarian, gluten-free, and paleo recipes! And last but not least, I’m kind of a food snob and insist on all of my vegetables being organic so I was thrilled to find out their ingredients are certified organic! Yup, $11.49 for an organic meal that is delivered right to your door and can be whipped up in less than an hour. Dreamy, right?

Now, onto the best part! I am currently giving away one week of Sun Basket meals (3 meals for 2, worth $68.94) over on my instagram! All you have to do it hop on over and tag someone you think would appreciate Sun Basket (whether it’s someone who never has enough time in their day or appreciates a delicious organic meal or has dietary restrictions or just loves to cook and try new recipes). Hop on over there NOW because the contest ends on Sunday at midnight (EST time)! Also, if you know for sure you want to try out Sun Basket, you can use this link to get $30 off your first order! How can you resist with a deal like that?

Now onto this drink recipe! This is one of those recipes where I was trying to relax at the end of a day (this is a new development, by the way. My workaholic self is trying to slow down and enjoy a few silent moments a day) so I made myself this cocktail with ingredients we had on hand to enjoy with a novel on the porch. As I was sipping it, I was like ‘this is so good and looks so beautiful. I want to take a picture of it’. Fast forward 40 minutes later and I’m back to work, snapping pictures and writing down recipes (so much for that relaxing thing I’ve been working on, right?).

This cocktail is beyond simple but that is what I really enjoy about it. It’s four ingredients. I can be whipped up in under five minutes. And it’s refreshing and light enough for the warming weather but boozy enough to keep you warm once the sun sets.

St. Germain Recipe below:

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