Hops Syrup for Hops Lemonade or Hops Cocktails!

There's no denying it ... I love beer. I love talking about it, I love drinking it, I love making it, I love sitting around a fire and enjoying it with friends. When I'm pregnant, I don't have cravings but hops is a flavor that I miss. I do have sips here and there, but it's not the same as sitting down with Paul after the kids go to bed and talking about our days over a cold glass of beer that we brewed. Some people have their coffee, I have beer. People always think I'm crazy because we tend to brew more when we're pregnant than when we aren't. Right now we have a Scotch Ale and Chai Bourbon Stout on tap as well as a Belgian IPA, Christmas Abbey and our spring MaiBock all fementing! If I'm not drinking it, I want to at least be surrounded massive amount of it!

Years back, in a brewing magazine. I came across a recipe for hops lemonade. I have made it quite a few times and absolutely adored it. It gives me that hops flavor that I crave while not giving me the alcohol that I don't need. This pregnancy, I have searched the web and can't find the recipe or anything like it ... anywhere! I tried making it from memory twice and both times it ended up totally bitter. So, I tried to empty my memory bank and start from scratch. I wanted to make more of a hops syrup so I could add to anything I wanted ... seltzer, tonic, water for more of a lemonade taste, kombucha and even make a mixer out of if should company want to try it (or me post baby!).

After a few rounds of completely failed attempts, I decided to give that old college effort and try one more time. Once again I learn, when it comes to delicious hops ... try, try again and wait for the magic to happen! I finally succeeded to my liking and have been enjoying hop-tails all week!

Hops don't equal alcohol! This is a completely non-alcoholic syrup that you can enjoy anytime of the day! Read more here to learn more about growing your own hops and all of their health benefits!

Hops Syrup

Makes 2 cups

2 c sugar
2 c water
zest of an orange or grapefruit
2 cups of fresh hops or 1/3 oz hops pellets (my favorite to use are cascade, amarillo and chinook)
1/2 c citrus juice (orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime)

(a tablespoon of ginger is a great addition to add to the boil too!)

In a pot, mix together sugar and water. Over medium heat, let it have a steady rolling boil until it reduces to about 1 1/2 cups total. It should have a thicker syrupy feel to it.

In a bowl, pour in your syrup and add hop pellets. I let this sit for around a half hour. Using a fine towel or double layered cheese cloth, strain the mixture to get all of the hop residue out of the mixture.

Finally, add your citrus juice and it's ready to use!

When you're ready to mix your drinks start with a little and add to your liking. I love the flavor of hops so I use almost 1/4 c of syrup or to your liking for a 12 oz drink.

What to mix with Your Hops Syrup Drinks

• Ginger Beer
• Kombucha
• Seltzer or Tonic
• Sparkling Water
• For cocktails, add a little vodka or tequila with any of the drinks above!

The 10 Best Homemade Kombucha Flavors

Earlier this year, my friend introduced me to homemade kombucha. I have to be honest, at first I told her, 'Not a chance, I'm a wheatgrass girl and kombucha is way to much like vinegar for me.' After she convinced me to try a sip, I was instantly hooked. Homemade tastes nothing like store bought ... duh! After about a week since I had my first sip, she gave me a SCOBY and my homemade kombucha life started! It's only been about 6 months, but I have since given daughters out to about 5 others so they can start making their own. The kombucha family is growing! My mom, who has chronic joint and back pains, is hooked (and has noticed a little improvement).

There are so many benefits of kombucha. It really is quite the health elixir!

• Detoxification
• Joint Care
• Boosts Immune System
• Aids Digestions and Stomach Issues
• Increases Energy

There are so many ways to make kombucha. I do a continuous brew. My one gallon container makes about 5-6 16-oz bottles a week (in the summer it was 3-4 days because my house was so hot and and kombucha fermented faster). It takes about 15-20 minutes every time I make a batch. Even in the crazy busy months, it is so worth it!

During my short time as a kombucha brewer, I have tried so many combinations of fruits and herbs with the change of seasons it's been a great little flavor adventure. With fall now here, I have been completely obsessed with apple cider and chai flavored kombucha. I decided it was high time to share with everyone all the amazing flavors that I have grown to love. Please remember, when doing a continuous brew, you always want to add the flavors to your secondary fermentation so that you don't effect your SCOBY with any of them. If you have ANY questions, please ask. I'm not an expert (yet), but together we can find the answers!

The 10 Best Homemade Kombucha Flavors

Honey, Ginger, Lemon (raw honey for a healthier booch)

Lavender and Lemon

Apple, Turmeric, Ginger

Mango and Lime

Berry-Craze! Blackberry, blueberry and strawberry ... oh my!

Blueberry Basil (fresh basil please)

Strawberry, Mint, Lime (fresh mint please)

Chai Spice Blend (dried cinnamon, ginger, coves, nutmeg and cardamon)

Apple Cider (apples and a cinnamon stick)

Purple Grape (tastes like wine!)

I'm not going to give you exact amounts, because it all depends on your flavoring strength preferences. For instance, I'm a ginger fanatic, however, to many, mine is too spicy for them. Play around with them to see what you like best. It also depends on how you secondary. Some people secondary the whole batch together. Some people use 12 oz bottles and others 16 oz. A few things to remember ...

• If you're using frozen fruit, you generally don't need as much as fresh for the flavor to really permeate your booch. 
• Dried vs. fresh spices ... Use 1/2 the amount of dried. i.e. 1 tsp of grated ginger = 1/2 tsp of dried ginger 
• The flavor grows with everyday that it is in secondary fermentation. 

There are tons of places to get your own SCOBY and start brewing. If you buy store bought kombucha, start saving money and start brewing. You won't regret it! Remember, the best things in life are homemade. My friend got hers from Kombucha Kamp. Their directions were super easy to follow and both of our SCOBYs are stronger than ever!

Sparkling Ginger & Apple Cider Sangria

My friend was having a 40th birthday party for his husband. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity to bring some food and also offered to make some sangria since she was doing a taco bar for dinner.

I started grabbing the supplies that I use to make sangria ... they always have to have brandy and triple sec. I quickly realized the only juice that I had in the house was the apple cider that I made earlier in the week. I contemplated changing it up though ... using apple cider wouldn't be very Mexican, but it is the fall season and who can say no to fresh apple cider (and brandy)?!?

So, I switched gears and went with the apple cider. I switched out the triple sec for ginger beer to give it a little more fall flavor. You could use ginger ale but ginger beer gives it much more of a gingery zing which in my book is the best!

Sparkling Ginger & Apple Cider Sangria

1 bottle white wine, I prefer chardonnay but use what you love
2 c fresh apple cider
12 oz ginger beer
1/2 c ginger brandy
2 apples, cut in chunks
2 pears, cut in chunks
2 cinnamon sticks

Put all ingredients in a container. Mix it up well to let the cinnamon release some flavor. Let sit for an hour before serving.

Vodka Tonic Refrigerator Pickles

Last weekend, we had a terrible hail storm. It ripped apart my entire cucumber bed. I'm still mourning my loses, but at least I canned 11 jars earlier that day. Perfect timing, right? I don't think my tomato plants are going to get away that easy though! As I'm saddened over my shredded garden, my heart goes out to all the farmers out there that Mother Nature can truly make or break their livelihood. I love you Mother Nature, but please, be nice!

I get a little excited to eat pickles right away so I usually make a jar or two of refrigerator pickles just to get me through until the rest of my pickles are ready. I recently saw a recipe for Gin & Tonic Pickles. I'm not a huge gin fan, well truth be told, I've been told not to drink gin! The thought of a pickled pickle intrigued me though, so I went the vodka tonic route and wanted to brighten it up with some lime juice and mint.

Both Paul and I tried it. He wasn't a huge fan, but he doesn't like vodka tonics. I liked it but with nursing, I don't drink too many cocktails right now and even the pickled pickle was quite strong (in a good way)! I needed a second opinion and luckily, my sister-in-law and husband love cocktails so I knew they would be my perfect guinea pigs. They loved them and said they are a great addition to their cocktails ... both bloodies and vodka tonics.

Vodka Tonic Refrigerator Pickles

Makes 1 quart

2 lbs cucumbers, sliced
3/4 c vodka
3/4 c tonic
1/4 c lime juice
2 T mint

Put mint into your clean jar. Pack in your cucumbers tightly but without jamming them in. They need a little room to breath! Next, add in your vodka and lime juice. Add tonic water until the jar is filled enough to cover all the cucumbers.

Wipe off the rim and top with your lid and ring. Let sit in the refrigerator for at least 48 hours before trying. They will keep for a month.

Garden Fresh Simple Syrups

The last few years, I always seem to be pregnant or nursing and I get sick of drinking water all of the time ... especially during parties. I love having a fun mocktail to sip on as well as have a fun cocktail for those who can ... and when I'm ready for that cocktail! For me, there's no better time than summer to sip on those fun drinks because of all the fresh ingredients. Many times, I simply muddle some fresh fruit with mint or lemon balm and add it to my water or club soda, but there are those special occasions that I go all out and make a simple syrup. Simple syrups are so fun to add to any drink and they are ridiculously quick and easy to make!

Here are some of my favorite syrups and fruit combinations ideas:

• Cherry Lime (do the cherries as the recipe calls for and add 1 T of fresh lime juice after you strain the fruit.
• Herbs! Use 10 leaves instead of 1 c of fruit. Basil, Chamomile and Mint make great syrups
• Strawberry Rhubarb
• Raspberry Blueberry
• Vanilla: Use 1 vanilla bean instead of the fruit.

Garden Fresh Simple Syrups

Makes 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 cups depending on the fruit

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 cup chopped fruit

Bring water and sugar to boil so that sugar dissolves completely. Add in your chopped fruit and lower heat to medium heat and simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Strain fruit out and chill. Cover and keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

Rhubarb Simple Syrup

Add 1 or 2 oz of syrup per cup to your favorite mocktails and cocktails!

Rhubarb Simple Syrup with Club Soda ... Cucumbers and Blueberries made it extra bright tasting!

Sugarless Lemonade

Years ago, we bought our first juicer and with it came a recipe for sugarless lemonade. We were hooked. Since then, our juicing journey has expanded and we are always trying to get more vitamins and veggies in our juices. Next time you are enjoying your lemonade, make sure it's green.

This is a great refreshing summertime drink ... it's even been known to be mixed with a little vodka!

Sugarless Lemonade

Makes 1 1/2 c

2 apples
1/2 lemon
1 c spinach or kale
1/2 c ice

Blend in your VitaMix or blender. Depending on liking, you may want to add water to thin it out.

The Perfect Margarita: Loaded and Non-Alcoholic

Sometimes, nothing cures the day better than a margarita. I'm sorry, but it's the truth. Paul is known around these parts for his killer margaritas and after going though a few pregnancies and nursings, I figured it's high time to find the perfect non-alcoholic substitute.

There was a little debate of adding these to the blog ... it's not quite like the other recipes that I have been sharing. In my response, it is not practical to lead a life without margaritas! I hope you feel the same. Cheers!

The Perfect Margarita

Fully Loaded

3 oz tequila
2 oz triple sec
2 oz natural lemon lime soda
juice from half a lime ... need to have a juicy lime too!

Mix all ingredients. Add the soda a little at a time to find your perfect mixture.  Pour over ice ... best served with a salt-rimmed glass.

Non-Alcoholic (N/A)

1/2 small orange or 2 clementines
1/2 lime
1 T lime juice concentrate
1 T grapefruit juice concentrate
3/4 c seltzer water

Blend all ingredients together. Yes, it's more orange than you're used to but the citrusy-lime flavor is fantastic!