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The Good Hearted Woman

Home Cooking & Cozy Living

  • SOURDOUGH RECIPES & RESOURCES

Curl Up with a Cup of Russian Tea {Recipe}

December 9 By Renée 19 Comments

WARNING: Consuming Russian Tea may lead to intense feelings of coziness and an uncontrollable desire to curl up with a good book. 

Russian Tea Recipe | The Good Hearted Woman

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

As I get older, I find myself remembering more and more about the women in my mother’s circle who influenced my life.  Remember Mrs. Houston? I’ve written about her a couple of times. She was my mother’s super-talented, perpetually cranky friend who taught me to embroider and made my family Nuts-n-Bolts for Christmas every year.

Mrs Houston also introduced me to Russian Tea – a warm, cozy concoction that has ties to both the 1960’s penchant for convenience foods and NASA’s space program.

Tang, the primary ingredient in Russian Tea mix, was known in my childhood as the drink “the astronauts took to the moon.” Tang first made its appearance in the late 1950’s, but didn’t sell well until it got a super-powered boost from NASA in the early 60’s when it was included in the food-stores of John Glenn’s Mercury spaceflight, and later on the Gemini missions.

My mom was suspicious of, and therefore rarely bought, anything unfamiliar to her Midwest Depression Era upbringing (i.e., yogurt, pizza, Swiss cheese, etc.); however, if it was good enough for John Glenn, it was good enough for her. Hence, as a child I luxuriated with a glass of ice-cold Tang on a regular basis.

Fun Fact: The creator of Tang, William Mitchell, also invented (among other things) Pop Rocks & Cool Whip.Tweet & Share!

Russian Tea Recipe | The Good Hearted Woman

Do Russians really drink tea like this?

Doubtful. We have a family full of Eastern European in-laws, and none of them (to my knowledge) have ever even heard of Russian Tea.

Initially, I thought the name might have something to do the US-Russian Space Race and the Tang connection. However, after doing a little investigating, I learned that recipes for Russian Tea predate the dawn of Tang; appearing first in US post-World War II community cookbooks, as a mix of brewed black tea, orange juice, and warm spices.

Later, when Lipton developed the first instant iced tea formula in the late 1950’s – just two years after the release of Tang – Russian Tea became increasingly popular, as it could be made ahead of time in bulk, making it appealing for parties, large gatherings, and gift giving. 

Whatever its origins, Russian Tea is just about the coziest non-alcoholic beverage I know of. It tastes a lot like mulled cider, with a warm, citrusy kick.

Russian Tea Recipe | The Good Hearted Woman

Wavy LineGive the Gift of Russian Tea!

Russian Tea 3

Click for “Russian Tea” Labels (8 per page)

Not only is Russian Tea is easy to put together and delicious to drink, but the dry mix makes a lovely housewarming, hostess, or holiday gift as well. I’ve included free printable gift tags just for this purpose!Wavy Line

Make yourself a cup of Russian Tea today and curl up with a good book. Nah zdarovhyeh! (That’s [phonetic] Russian for Cheers!)

Russian Tea Recipe | The Good Hearted Woman
5 from 2 votes

Russian Tea Mix

Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: Retro-American
Keyword: beverages, hot beverages, tea
Servings: 80 cups
Calories: 40kcal
Author: Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dry orange drink mix i.e. Tang
  • 1 cup instant tea
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 .23 oz. package unsweetened package lemonade mix e.g. unsweetened Kool-Aid mix
  • 2 heaping teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground cloves

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients together. Store in an airtight container.

To make one cup of Russian Tea:

  • Add one heaping tablespoon of mix (or to taste) to a cup of hot water and stir.

MOCK Russian Tea:

  • If black tea is something you choose to avoid, you can make Mock Russian Tea by simply leaving out the instant tea. It still tastes warm and cozy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 10.4g | Protein: 0.1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 9.8g | Calcium: 21mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

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Consuming Russian Tea can lead to intense feelings of coziness and an uncontrollable desire to curl up with a good book! (Free Gift Printable included.) | The Good Hearted Woman   Russian Tea Recipe | The Good Hearted WomanWavy Line

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

UPDATE: This post was first published on The Good Hearted Woman, November 23, 2015.

Filed Under: Beverages, Recipes Tagged With: fall, Holidays

Blushin’ Russian (Cranberry Cocktail & Kid-friendly Mocktail)

December 30 By Renée 6 Comments

A perfectly refreshing cranberry cocktail for wintertime (or any time), our Blushin’ Russian is a beautiful twist on a traditional Italian Soda.

Blushing Russian Soda {Cranberry Cocktail & Kid-friendly Mocktail}

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

Our Blushin’ Russian cranberry cocktail is a beautiful, delicious twist on a traditional Italian Soda. It makes a perfectly creamy cranberry cocktail for any winter celebration. 

Blushing Russian Soda {Cranberry Cocktail & Kid-friendly Mocktail}

This Blushin’ Russian makes a stunning holiday cocktail! For family gatherings, just omit the vodka for a refreshing, kid-friendly version! 

Blushing Russian Soda {Cocktail & Kid-friendly Mocktail}

Blushing Russian {Sparkling Cranberry Cocktail}

A sweet, refreshing cranberry and ginger infused libation that everyone can enjoy! {Includes non-alcoholic, kid-friendly option.}
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Beverages
Keyword: Holidays
Servings: 1 drink
Calories: 326kcal
Author: Renée | The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces Cranberry Ginger Ale See Notes
  • 1 1/2 ounces Spiced Simple Syrup
  • 1 1/2 ounces half-and-half
  • 1 1/2 ounces vodka Omit for Mocktail
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Fill a tall glass tumbler with ice.
    Pour cranberry ginger ale, vodka, and simple syrup into glass.
    Omit vodka for non-alcoholic, kid-friendly version.
  • Stir gently.
    Slowly pour in half-and-half.
  • Garnish with mint leaves and Spiced Sugared Cranberries.
    Serve immediately.

Notes

  • If you can't find cranberry ginger ale, you can use 6 ounces of good ginger ale and 1 ounce of cranberry juice.
You can use heavy cream, but I prefer to use half-and-half for a lighter drink.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 326kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 54mg | Potassium: 55mg | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 151IU | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

Easy Cranberry Cocktail Garnish

We like to garnish our Blushin’ Russians (and Cranberry Moscow Mules) with easy-to-make, snackable Spiced Sugared Cranberries!

Blushing Russian Soda {Cranberry Cocktail & Kid-friendly Mocktail}

Do you love cranberries? Be sure to check out these delicious recipes from GHW!

  • Orange Spiced Cranberry Sauce {with Grand Marnier}
  • Cranberry Orange Pearl Couscous
  • Cranberry Crumb Sourdough Coffee Cake
  • Dutch Apple Cranberry Crepes

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A perfectly refreshing cranberry cocktail for wintertime (or any time), this Blushin' Russian is a beautiful twist on a traditional Italian Soda. #cocktails #holiday #holidays #christmascocktails #newyearscocktails #mocktails #thegoodheartedwoman  blank A perfectly refreshing cranberry cocktail for wintertime (or any time), this Blushin' Russian is a beautiful twist on a traditional Italian Soda. #cocktails #holiday #holidays #christmascocktails #newyearscocktails #mocktails #thegoodheartedwoman
Wavy Line

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Filed Under: Beverages, Recipes Tagged With: Christmas, cocktails, Holidays

Spiced Cranberry Mule

December 16 By Renée 16 Comments

Warm spices pair perfectly with crisp cranberry vodka to create this festive, refreshing Spiced Cranberry Mule.

Spiced Cranberry Mule | The Good Hearted Woman

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

The house is decorated, the tree is up, the gifts are wrapped, and the Christmas music is playing. Now all that’s left to do is kick back in the big chair with Mr B and watch his favorite movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Yep – life is good. And it’s even better when you have a delicious adult beverage to enjoy in the process.

Spiced Cranberry Mule | The Good Hearted Woman

I’m loving these Spiced Cranberry Mules, a combination we stirred up while we were experimenting with our (amazing)  Spiced Simple Syrup. Warm spices like ginger and cinnamon pair perfectly with crisp cranberry vodka to create a festive and truly refreshing holiday treat.

Wavy Line

One of the reasons we love a good mule – besides the obvious fact that they are delicious – is that we get to use our Moscow Mule Mugsblank. And not just because they make for a great presentation either.

There are a couple of bonafide benefits to drinking your mule from a good copper mug. Not only do copper mugs keep drinks colder, but the copper seems to enhance to the flavor of the drinks as well. 

The difference between drinking this from a glass versus a copper mug isn’t something you can really put your finger on per-say; but in my experience the copper mugs seem to complement and heighten the flavors of the ginger and vodka, as well as whatever else you add.

Copper drinking vessels have long  been thought to carry some impressive health benefits too, including having antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. If you don’t have your own mule mugs, consider making this the year that you give yourself a setblank.

Spiced Cranberry Mule | The Good Hearted Woman

If you are the kind of person who can perceive the subtle differences between drinking soda or beer from a glass bottle versus aluminum can, you will likely notice a similar difference when you drink a mule in a copper mug.

The mugs we have are solid and sturdy; made of hammered solid copper, they have a nice, heavy feel in your hand. Our advice is, when you decide to purchase a set of mule mugs, don’t go cheap! Quality makes a big difference when it comes to mule mugs. Plus, if you get good ones, they’ll last forever.

Spiced Cranberry Mule | The Good Hearted Woman

PRO TIP:  You can use a plain simple syrup for this cocktail, but our amazing Spiced Simple Syrup (recipe follows) really does bring a special kick to this Mule. If at all possible, set aside the extra ten extra minutes it takes to cook some up. 

Spiced Cranberry Mule | The Good Hearted Woman

Spiced Cranberry Mule

Warm spices pair perfectly with crisp cranberry vodka to create this festive, refreshing Spiced Cranberry Mule.
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Beverages
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cocktail, Holidays
Servings: 1 drink
Calories: 340kcal
Author: Renée | The Good Hearted Woman

Equipment

  • Moscow Mule Mugs

Ingredients

  • 2 large mint leaves
  • 2 ounces Cranberry Vodka
  • 2 ounces Spiced Simple Syrup
  • 6 ounces Ginger Ale*
  • Sugar & Spice Cranberries Garnish
  • Fresh Mint Leaves Garnish
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Muddle two large mint leaves in the bottom of a Moscow Mule mug or tumbler.
  • Fill mug with ice.
    Pour in vodka, spiced simple syrup, and ginger ale.
    Stir gently.
  • Garnish with Sugar & Spice Cranberries and mint leaves.

Notes

Craft Ginger Ale, with its more intense flavors, works best for this cocktail.
We like to use spearmint leaves for this.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 46mg | Potassium: 36mg | Sugar: 56g | Vitamin A: 85IU | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

The Spiced Simple Syrup recipe below – a key ingredient in both our Spice Cranberry Mule and our Blushin’ Russian {Holiday Cocktail & Kid-friendly Mocktail} – takes only about 10 minutes to make, and the effort is so worth it! 

Sugar & Spice Cranberries {Made with Spiced Simple Syrup} | The Good Hearted Woman

Spiced Simple Syrup

Prep Time10 mins
Total Time10 mins
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Servings: 32 servings
Calories: 50kcal
Author: Renée | The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3-4 slices fresh ginger
  • 4-5 cinnamon sticks
  • 3 whole star anise
  • 15 whole allspice
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, sliced ginger, star anise.
    Cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar has completely dissolved.
    Bring mixture to a boil and allow to simmer for 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool completely.
  • Using a slotted spoon, remove spices from liquid.
    Pour prepared Spiced Simple Syrup into bottle or jar.
    Mixture can be refrigerated for at least two weeks.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 50kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 3mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

Do you love cranberries? Be sure to try our delicious Orange-Spiced Cranberry Sauce, made with Grand Marnier!

Want more? Our Cranberry Orange Pearl Couscous makes a unique, delicious, easy-to-make side dish; and our Cranberry Crumb Sourdough Coffee Cake is perfect for a holiday breakfast or brunch!  

Spiced Cranberry Mule | The Good Hearted Woman

Check out these other holiday favorites from GHW: 

  • Roasted Stuffed Pumpkin
  • Homemade Pumpkin Spice Mix
  • 21 Pecan Recipes for Your Holiday Table

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Spiced Cranberry Mule made with Homemade Ginger Syrup | The Good Hearted Woman   Spiced Cranberry Mule made with Homemade Ginger Syrup | The Good Hearted Woman
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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Filed Under: Beef, Brew & BBQ, Beverages, Recipes Tagged With: cocktails, cranberries, ginger, Holidays

Spiced Sugared Cranberries

December 2 By Renée 9 Comments

Spiced Sugared Cranberries are a tart, sweet treat – perfect for holiday snacking, creating beautiful garnishes, or decking out everything from salads to desserts. 

Sugar & Spice Cranberries {Made with Spiced Simple Syrup} | The Good Hearted Woman

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

When we started considering garnishes for our amazing Spice Cranberry Mule, I remembered seeing something about sugared cranberries and thought they would make a perfect choice. As usual though, I took it a step further.

Voilà! Spiced Sugared Cranberries!

Sugar & Spice Cranberries {Made with Spiced Simple Syrup} | The Good Hearted Woman

Spiced Sugared Cranberries are an easy, festive addition to your holiday table. Make them ahead of time, and pull them out of the fridge whenever you need a little splash of color or a bit of a sweet-tart punch. 

Blushing Russian Soda {Cocktail & Kid-friendly Mocktail}

Have you tried our Blushin’ Russian, garnished here with Spiced Sugared Cranberries? This festive cocktail (and kid-friendly mocktail) is a beautiful, refreshing spin on a traditional Italian soda.

Sugar & Spice Cranberries {Made with Spiced Simple Syrup} | The Good Hearted Woman

Spiced Sugared Cranberries

Spiced Sugared Cranberries are perfect for holiday snacking, creating beautiful garnishes, or decking out everything from salads to desserts.
Prep Time10 mins
Total Time10 mins
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Condiment
Keyword: Holidays
Author: Renée | The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup Spiced Simple Syrup Recipe Below
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Line a baking pan with a silicone mat, aluminum foil or plastic wrap and set a wire cooling rack on top.
  • In a small bowl, toss one cup of cranberries in ¼ cup of the spiced simple syrup.
    Remove with slotted spoon and place on wire rack.
    Let cranberries set on the wire rack for at least an hour.
  • Place the granulated sugar in a medium bowl or Ziploc bag, and toss the sticky cranberries until well coated.
    Refrigerate prepared cranberries for at least an hour before using.
    Cranberries can be refrigerated for up to a week.
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!
Sugar & Spice Cranberries {Made with Spiced Simple Syrup} | The Good Hearted Woman

Spiced Simple Syrup

A spiced simple syrup, perfect for adding a little something extra to your next lovely beverage.
Prep Time15 mins
Total Time15 mins
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Condiment
Keyword: beverages
Servings: 32 servings
Calories: 50kcal
Author: Renée | The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3-4 slices fresh ginger
  • 4-5 cinnamon sticks
  • 3 whole star anise
  • 15 whole allspice
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, sliced ginger, star anise, and heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar has completely dissolved.
    Bring mixture to a boil and allow to simmer for 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool completely.
  • Strain mixture through a fine sieve to remove spices from liquid.
    Store refrigerated in a tightly sealed bottle or jar.

Notes

Simple syrups can be refrigerated for at least two weeks.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ounce | Calories: 50kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 3mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

If you love cranberries, be sure to check out these delicious recipes!

  • Orange Spiced Cranberry Sauce {with Grand Marnier}
  • Cranberry Orange Pearl Couscous
  • Cranberry Crumb Sourdough Coffee Cake
  • Dutch Apple Cranberry Crepes

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of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

Sugar & Spice Cranberries {Made with Spiced Simple Syrup} | The Good Hearted Woman  Sugar & Spice Cranberries {Made with Spiced Simple Syrup} | The Good Hearted WomanWavy Line

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Filed Under: Appetizers, Beverages, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Munchies, Pescatarian, Recipes, Sweets, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged With: cranberries, Holidays

Emerald Sunrise {Cocktail}

March 14 By Renée 18 Comments

Forget the green beer! Celebrate in style with an Emerald Sunrise  – a St Patrick’s Day cocktail that puts a beautiful spin on a Tequila Sunrise.

Emerald Sunrise {Cocktail} Forget the green beer! Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style with this beautiful spin on a Tequila Sunrise. | The Good Hearted Woman

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

An Original St Patrick’s Day Cocktail from Mr B

A few springtimes back, Mr B was mixing up a Tequila Sunrise and decided to use Blue Curaçao in place of the traditional grenadine. This substitution turned the whole drink a bright green! 

This happened just after Saint Patrick’s Day, which is a very big deal around our house. When we saw that tall glass of green, we had a flash of inspiration! I added a mandarine orange for garnish and a shamrock from my windowsill, and there we had the Irish flag in a glass – our very own, original Emerald Sunrise!

Enjoy! 

Curaçao is a liqueur flavored with the dried peel of the laraha citrus fruit, similar in flavor to an orange, and is grown on the island of Curaçao, hence the name.
St Patrick's Day Emerald Sunrise | The Good Hearted Woman

Emerald Sunrise {Cocktail}

Forget the green beer! Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style with an Emerald Sunrise  - a beautiful spin on a Tequila Sunrise.
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Beverage
Servings: 1 drink
Calories: 280kcal
Author: Mr. B

Ingredients

For each drink:

  • 1 1/2 ounces 1800 Tequila
  • 1 1/2 ounces Blue Curaçao
  • 4-6 ounces Orange Juice
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Fill an 8-10 ounce glass half full of ice.
    Add Blue Curaçao and tequila and mix.
    Stir in orange juice.
    Garnish with a mandarin orange slice and a shamrock. (A mint leaf or sorrel will work fine too.)

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 227mg | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 227IU | Vitamin C: 57mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

Emerald Sunrise ☘️ Mocktail Version

No Alcohol for you? No problem!

Mix up a kid-friendly St Pat’s Day beverage by combining:

  • three parts orange juice
  • one part lemon-lime soda
  • few drops of blue food coloring.

St Patrick's Day Emerald Sunrise | The Good Hearted Woman

Are Shamrocks Edible? 

First things first. YES! Shamrocks are edible, and they make a lovely garnish. (I just felt like we needed to get that out of the way.) So are false shamrocks, better known as sorrel.

Shamrocks have three leaves (not four) and were used by St Patrick to teach the concept of the Holy Trinity to the Irish people. Like the Irish people themselves, shamrocks are one of those plants that survive under very difficult circumstances, which is why there is a pot of them (shamrocks, not Irish people) thriving on my kitchen windowsill year-round.

Next, if you are going to perpetuate this St Patrick’s Day green beverage tradition, I do think Mr B’s Emerald Sunrise is a far better choice than green beer.  Plus, I love the name. (If you know us, you’ll know that it’s a little nod to our birthstone too!)

Emerald Sunrise {Cocktail} Forget the green beer! Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style with this beautiful spin on a Tequila Sunrise. | The Good Hearted Woman

Finally, if you are at all interested in an actual Irish person’s perspective on US traditions visa-vie St. Patrick’s Day, I encourage you to check out Surviving St. Patrick’s Day in America. Highlights include meeting Patrick’s forgotten sister Patty, and learning the proper response to the traditional Irish greeting, “Ciúnas bothar cailín bainne!” 

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Emerald Sunrise {Cocktail}Wavy Line

St Patrick's Day on GHW

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Emerald Sunrise {Cocktail}

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St Pat's Irish Soda Bread

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Irish Blessing {St Patrick's Day Art Print}

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Filed Under: Beef, Brew & BBQ, Beverages, Recipes Tagged With: cocktails, Holidays, St. Patrick's Day

How to Make an Old-fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream Soda

October 19 By Renée 19 Comments

You need just three ingredients to make a delicious old-fashioned chocolate ice cream soda – and a glass full of wonderful, bubbly memories to share.

How to Make an Old-fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream Soda | The Good Hearted Woman

I teamed up with Canada Dry to bring you this post. This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

Me & My Big Brother | The Good Hearted WomanMy brother LA is sixteen years older than me. He left for college when I was just two, and the only time I ever saw him when I was little was when he came home for holidays or spring break.

Because of our age difference, it would have been easy for us to never have had any kind of real relationship, but LA didn’t let that happen.  From the time I can remember, he has always made an effort to make a place for me in his life.

One way he did that was to establish a few simple traditions between us, the most enduring and dear to me being our Soda Time.

Whenever he came home, LA would always make us chocolate ice cream sodas.  It was our thing.  Soda Time was the one time I had my big brother all to myself, and as I grew up, it became a tradition that – to this day – I look forward to with great anticipation.

I’m pretty sure I drove my mom and dad nuts back when I was a kid, because whenever I caught wind that LA was on his way home, I’d make one of them go up to Freddy’s to get the club soda, chocolate syrup, and ice cream so that we had everything we needed when he arrived.

LA always made a big, fun production of making our sodas, what with his special soda-mixing skills and spoon flourishes and all.  He also taught me that you can’t just dump everything into a tall glass and call it good: making a perfect old-fashioned ice cream soda requires some finesse. 

How to Make an Old-fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream Soda | The Good Hearted Woman

How to Make an Old-fashioned Chocolate Soda

You need just three ingredients to make a delicious old-fashioned chocolate ice cream soda – and a glass full of wonderful, bubbly memories to share.
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Keyword: chocolate soda, ice cream
Servings: 1 Soda
Author: Renée ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Equipment

  • Soda Glasses
  • Soda Spoons

Ingredients

  • 2-3 scoops vanilla ice cream
  • 6-8 ounces club soda or seltzer
  • 2-3 tablespoons chocolate syrup

Instructions

  • First, find a suitable vessel. A soda glass is perfect, of course, but if you’re short on those, you can use any large, tall glass. (You can even do what my brother and I do when we’re feeling lazy and make a soda-in-a-bowl.)
  • Next, drop one scoop of ice cream into the bottom of the glass and pour about 2-3 tablespoons of chocolate syrup on top.
    How to Make an Old-fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream Soda | The Good Hearted Woman
  • Use a soda spoon to squish and mash and mix everything around until the ice cream and the chocolate syrup become a sort of chocolate ice cream slurry.
    How to Make an Old-fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream Soda | The Good Hearted Woman
  • Now comes the tricky part: you need to take a soda spoon in your dominate hand and stir constantly while you very slowly pour club soda or seltzer water into the glass with your other hand. Continue adding seltzer until the glass is about three-fourths full.
    How to Make an Old-fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream Soda | The Good Hearted Woman
  • Taste the soda to make sure it’s chocolaty enough for you. (If not, just stir in a little additional chocolate syrup.)
  • Finish it off by adding a scoop of ice cream to the soda glass, and mount an additional scoop to the rim, sidecar style.
    How to Make an Old-fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream Soda | The Good Hearted Woman
  • Top it off with one last splash of club soda or seltzer water (I prefer club soda), pop in a straw and enjoy! We usually serve ours with extra club soda on the side so that we can make our sodas last as long as possible.)
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

How to Make an Old-fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream Soda | The Good Hearted Woman

For the record, LA has lived in Iowa for decades now and sometimes years pass without us getting together. However, whenever he visits, you can bet that I will have the chocolate syrup, ice cream and Canada Dry waiting for him.

How to Make an Old-fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream Soda | The Good Hearted Woman

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How to Make an Old-fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream Soda | The Good Hearted Woman   How to Make an Old-fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream Soda | The Good Hearted Woman   How to Make an Old-fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream Soda | The Good Hearted Woman

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Disclosure: This was originally written as a sponsored post [Canada Dry] but has since been updated. This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Who will you share SODA TIME with?
Let us know in the comments below! 

 

Filed Under: Beverages, Gluten-free, Recipes, Vegetarian Tagged With: chocolate, Holidays, ice cream

Mango Pina Colada Smoothie {Recipe}

July 14 By Renée 10 Comments

Yesterday, I told you all about my new sun-brella, so today I thought I would share an umbrella of a different kind! One of the things I loved most about our Hawaiian holiday was all the fresh fruit, and this island-inspired smoothie is deliciously refreshing, no matter where you are.

Mango Pina Colada Smoothie {Recipe} | The Good Hearted Woman

This recipe makes enough for at least 4 servings.

Mango Pina Colada Smoothie {Recipe} | The Good Hearted Woman
5 from 1 vote

Mango Pina Colada Smoothie

Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Beverage
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 13.5 oz can coconut milk
  • 2 mangoes peeled, seeded and cubed
  • 1/2 ripe banana frozen
  • 1 1/2 cups ice cubes
  • 2-3 tablespoons sugar to taste
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Beginning with pineapple juice, layer ingredients in blender in order. Puree until smooth. Serve in chilled glasses, and garnish with fresh mint (and a little umbrella if you want to get fancy).
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

Tip: When your bananas get a little too ripe, peel them and put them in the freezer. Great for just about any smoothie, they both add flavor and cut down on the need for additional sweeteners.

Filed Under: Beverages, Gluten-free, Recipes, Vegetarian Tagged With: bananas, coconut milk, mangoes, pineapple, Summer

Classic Whiskey Ginger with Lime {with Homemade Ginger Syrup}

June 13 By Mr. B 10 Comments

Made with a delicious home-brewed ginger syrup and finished with fresh mint and a lime wedge, our Whiskey Ginger elevates the classic to a whole new level.

Classic Whiskey Ginger with Lime {Made with Homemade Ginger Syrup}

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

I’m lucky to have a partner in life who enthusiastically supports everything I do, including my work here on The Good Hearted Woman. You may have even noticed the little “handwritten” nod to him at the end of our logo – “and Mr B.”

Mr B is pretty handy around the kitchen and an excellent cook in his own right. However, I didn’t know he had any interest in actually contributing to the blog until last winter when he made our holiday scalloped potatoes.

As he took his “famous potatoes” out of the oven – perfect and golden and smelling like heaven – he asked if I would like him to write down the recipe. He even asked me if I wanted to take pictures of them… “you know, for our blog.” 

“Our blog“… Hmmm. 

After that, it didn’t take much convincing to get him to jump in the pool and test the waters. He decided to start by sharing one of his favorite cocktails; this classic Whiskey Ginger, made with our homemade ginger syrup. 

I’m guessing that you’ll see more contributions from Mr B here in the future… here on our blog. 

Wavy Line
Hi everyone! This is my first blog post, so I’ll keeping it short and sweet. (Truthfully, probably any post I write is going to be short and sweet. Or at least short.) 

A whiskey ginger is a hot-weather drink that will cool you off fast! Pour it cold over ice with a squeeze of lime and a sprig of fresh mint, and you’ve got it made in the shade. 

About that Homemade Ginger Syrup 

A few years back when Renée started making her homemade ginger syrup, the first thing I thought of was how great it would taste in a Whiskey Ginger. WOW, was I right! It takes a little extra time up front to make the ginger syrup, but it really is worth the effort. 

You can definitely make this cocktail with a good ginger beer instead if you want. Just sub in about 6 ounces of ginger beer for the ginger syrup and club soda. However, if you can swing it, give the homemade syrup a try. Enjoy! 

Whiskey Ginger with Lime | The Good Hearted Woman

Whiskey Ginger with Lime

Made with a delicious home-brewed ginger syrup and finished with fresh mint and a lime wedge, our Whiskey Ginger elevates this classic warm-weather cocktail to a whole new level.
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Beverages
Keyword: cocktail, ginger
Servings: 1 cocktail
Author: Mr B.

Ingredients

  • 1-1½ ounce Homemade Ginger Syrup depending on your tastes
  • 1½ ounce whiskey
  • 3-4 ounces club soda or seltzer water
  • 1 small lime wedge
  • 1 mint leaf
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Fill a tumble (or other “short glass”) three-quarters full with cubed ice.
    Over the ice, pour 3 tablespoons of ginger syrup, 4 ounces club soda, and a shot of whiskey.
    Rub the glass rim with a lime slice, and garnish with lime and a mint leaf.
    Adjust amounts to be as strong as you like.

Notes

We suggest Temperance Trader American Whiskey from Bull Run Distillery, Portland.
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

DID YOU KNOW: Make this cocktail with Irish Whiskey and serve it up in a cold copper mug and you’ve got yourself an Irish Mule. Enjoy one on Saint Patrick’s Day or any time of year!

Homemade Ginger Syrup |The Good Hearted Woman

Homemade Ginger Syrup

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Beverages
Author: Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

  • 6 cups water
  • 6 cups white sugar
  • 1 lb ground ginger sliced

Instructions

  • Put 3 cups of water and all the sliced ginger in a blender and blend until ginger is chunky smooth.
  • Pour the blended mixture into a large saucepan. Stir in the remaining 3 cups of water and the sugar, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Allow the syrup to cool in the pan.
  • Line a sieve with two to three layers of cheesecloth and strain syrup. Squeeze the cheesecloth bag tightly to get out all the gingery goodness.
  • Pour syrup into containers and refrigerate or freeze.

Notes

Makes about 8 cups of very strong ginger syrup. You can easily scale down the amounts (3 cups/3 cups/1/2 lb) and make less syrup, but you will regret it. This stuff is delicious!
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

If you like this cocktail, be sure to try our Spiced Cranberry Mule, too!

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Classic Whiskey Ginger with Lime {Made with Homemade Ginger Syrup} 

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Filed Under: Beef, Brew & BBQ, Beverages, Recipes Tagged With: cocktails, ginger

Homemade Ginger Syrup

June 12 By Renée 9 Comments

Spice up your beverages and desserts with Homemade Ginger Syrup!

Mr. B and I love ginger. When we discovered how easy it is to make homemade ginger syrup, and this delicious condiment immediately became a new favorite among our kitchen staples.

Homemade Ginger Syrup |The Good Hearted Woman

Scroll to the bottom of the post for just a few of the ways we enjoy using it. Please let me know in the comments if you come up with any new ideas!

Homemade Ginger Syrup |The Good Hearted Woman

Homemade Ginger Syrup |The Good Hearted Woman

Homemade Ginger Syrup

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Beverages
Author: Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

  • 6 cups water
  • 6 cups white sugar
  • 1 lb ground ginger sliced

Instructions

  • Put 3 cups of water and all the sliced ginger in a blender and blend until ginger is chunky smooth.
  • Pour the blended mixture into a large saucepan. Stir in the remaining 3 cups of water and the sugar, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Allow the syrup to cool in the pan.
  • Line a sieve with two to three layers of cheesecloth and strain syrup. Squeeze the cheesecloth bag tightly to get out all the gingery goodness.
  • Pour syrup into containers and refrigerate or freeze.

Notes

Makes about 8 cups of very strong ginger syrup. You can easily scale down the amounts (3 cups/3 cups/1/2 lb) and make less syrup, but you will regret it. This stuff is delicious!
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

Homemade Ginger Syrup |The Good Hearted Woman

Ginger Frenzy

Here are just a few delicious ways to use Homemade Ginger Syrup:
  1. Ginger ale – add a tablespoon of Ginger syrup to a glass of club soda or seltzer water and make your own ginger ale.
  2. Ginger Lemonade
  3. Ginger Iced Tea
  4. Ginger Apple Juice
  5. Whiskey Ginger
  6. Ginger Ice Cream – just drizzle a couple of tablespoons into the ice cream mix before you freeze it.
  7. Raspberry-Ginger Butterscotch Sundae
  8. Ginger Peaches
  9. Ginger Yogurt – add a teaspoon or two to a cup of yogurt. Vanilla, peach, and raspberry all taste great this way!

Homemade Ginger Syrup |The Good Hearted Woman

Disclosure: This ↑ ad bar contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they will help us keep this site up and running – and (relatively) ad-free! Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!


Spice up your beverages and desserts with Homemade Ginger Syrup! Recipe plus 9 ways to use this delicious, versatile syrup. | The Good Hearted Woman

Filed Under: Beverages, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Sauces, Dressings & Dips, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged With: ginger

Pumpkin Fall Fantasy Smoothie

October 21 By Renée Leave a Comment

You can thank Fantasy Basketball for this post. Or Mr. B. Or both. Anyway, tonight while he was deep into the draft for his leventy-seventh fantasy sports team (which are not real, guys, in case you were confused) I got bored, so I started throwing things in the blender and when I was done, I had my first ever Coconut Peach Pumpkin Smoothie!! Super-awesome! So good, in fact, that Mr. B actually came back to reality long enough to tell me so.

Pumpkin Smoothie

(When I read that intro to Mr. B, he told me that it sounded like I may have a bit of an attitude, which wasn’t my intention at all. So just to clarify; I think Mr. B is adorable, and I think his little pretend sport teams are adorable too. I think I’ll keep him. ♥)

Tropical Fall Fantasy Smoothie

Combine the following in a blender:

  • 1 cup vanilla ice cream
  • 1 whole peach, fresh or canned
  • ½ cup crushed ice
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup sweetened coconut
  • 2 tbs. cooked pumpkin, fresh or canned
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • ½ teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice

I’m thinking this would make a fantastic ice cream too, but it was all gone before I had a chance to freeze any! Makes about 2 servings.

Filed Under: Beverages, Eating Style, Gluten-free, Munchies, Recipes, Sweets, Vegetarian Tagged With: coconut, ice cream, peaches, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, Sweet Somethings

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