If you're like me, you might get tired of the same old Drinks, day in and day out. Here are six drinks to help try something new to taste, including Chocolate Avocado Smoothie and Watermelon Ginger Beer. Enjoy!
RUMPLEMAYER’S HOT CHOCOLATE
This is from Molly O’Neill in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Molly wrote, “Hot chocolate is traceable to the Aztecs, who regarded the dark and bitter drink as a sacred brew. The hot cocoa that Columbus offered his patrons tasted “bitter, scummy and peppery,” according to Chantal Coady's account in “The Chocolate Companion,” which explains, no doubt, why they disliked it intensely. Sometime later, Cortez offered the same beverage to Charles V and his courtiers and succeeded in capturing their imagination with the addition, Ms. Coady writes, of some sugar and vanilla. This version, adapted from Rumplemayer's, a now-closed New York restaurant once known for its hot chocolate and pastries, falls into the latter camp; it is rich, sweet and smooth. It calls for real semisweet chocolate (we bet a mix of semisweet and bittersweet would be delightful, too) so there's none of the chalky aftertaste hot cocoa often leaves behind. A dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, if you wish, take it over the top.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 2 minutes.
This was featured in “Food; Loco for Cocoa,” and can be viewed here.
Ingredients
4 cups milk
6 tablespoons sugar
7 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy cream (optional)
Ground cinnamon, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Combine the milk, sugar and chocolate in a large saucepan. Heat, stirring frequently, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture comes to a simmer.
Meanwhile, whip the heavy cream to soft peaks. Ladle the hot chocolate into 4 mugs, top with whipped cream and sprinkle lightly with ground cinnamon. Serve immediately.
COPYCAT STARBUCKS CARAMEL FRAPPUCCINO
This is from Delish, and begins, "The caramel frappuccino is the most iconic Starbucks drink. It's sweet, strong, and drizzled with lots of caramel. The drink is easy to make at home and makes the perfect little afternoon pick me up."
Yields: 2 servings; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 c. cold, strong-brewed coffee
3/4 c. whole milk
1/2 c. caramel, plus more for serving
1 c. ice
Whipped cream, for serving
Directions
Blend coffee, milk, caramel, vanilla, and 1 cup of ice until smooth, thick, and icey. Add more ice, if necessary to reach desired consistency.
Pour into glasses and top with whipped cream. Drizzle with more caramel sauce.
GINGER TEA
This comes from Vegetarian Times (posted on MAY 9, 2017), and begins, “Ginger is Mother Nature’s protective cloak, shielding us from sickness on winter days. This tea is very spicy—if it tastes too strong, dilute it with more hot water and honey. Traditional advice is not to drink more than 2 cups of ginger tea a day unless you are using it as a treatment for a bad chest cold.”
2 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 thin slices fresh ginger, pounded with mortar or rolling pin
1 Tbs. honey
Preparation
Put ginger and 3 cups water in small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 to 25 minutes.
Strain out ginger slices and discard or reserve for another use. Stir in honey, and serve hot. Tea can be reheated, if necessary.
LONDON FOG
This is from Yolanda Gutierrez at AllRecipes. For this yummy (and interesting) recipe, Yolanda wrote, "London fog is a creamy, frothy Earl Grey tea latte with a hint of vanilla. Sprinkle lavender over the top, if you like."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Servings: 1
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/london-fog-recipe-11729062.
Ingredients
3/4 cup water
1 Earl Grey teabag
3/4 cup milk
3/4 tablespoon vanilla syrup, such as Torani®
1 teaspoon lavender (optional)
Directions
Bring water to a boil. Remove from heat and add tea bag; steep for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat milk in a microwave-safe cup until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Add vanilla syrup. Froth milk with a frother or immersion blender until milk is foamy.
Pour tea into a cup; carefully pour foamy milk over the top. Sprinkle lavender over foam.
Cook’s Note
I froth milk 1/4 cup at a time, pouring over tea 3 times.
WATERMELON GINGER BEER
This is from Nicole Taylor in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. The recipe begins, "The recipe for this batch drink, from Nicole Taylor’s book, “Watermelon and Red Birds,” includes the juice from a red-fleshed watermelon, ideally from one with seeds. (They can be hard to find; seedless melons work too.) If you own a juicer, proceed with the seeds and all and don’t worry about straining. Watermelon is over 90 percent water and is a nutrient-dense food. This drink can serve as an everyday accompaniment at breakfast, lunch, dinner or with a snack."
Total Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 4 drinks
This was featured in "Building a Juneteenth Menu for the 21st Century, One Recipe at a Time," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023219-watermelon-ginger-beer.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons fresh fennel fronds (optional)
Filtered water
6 cups (1-inch) cubed red watermelon (from about 3 pounds watermelon)
2 cups ginger beer, homemade or store-bought (see Tip)
Preparation
Divide the fennel fronds, if using, between two ice cube trays. Fill with filtered water and freeze until solid, 4 to 8 hours.
Meanwhile, place the watermelon in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Scrape the sides of the blender or food processor using a rubber spatula and blend again.
Place a fine metal sieve over a large bowl and strain the pureed watermelon through the sieve. (This should yield 2 to 3 cups of juice). Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve; it will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To serve, fill four highball glasses or rocks glasses with the ice cubes. Stir the watermelon juice and add 1/2 cup to each glass. Top off with 1/2 cup ginger beer.
Tip
Unlike ginger ale, ginger beer is fermented. It’s nonalcoholic and has a spicy kick and tends to have more flavor than the soft drink. If buying ginger beer from the store, try finding the options from Barritt’s or Bruce Cost.
CHOCOLATE AVOCADO SMOOTHIE
This is from Christel Oerum on DiabetesStrong. Christel wrote, “Avocado and chocolate are a killer combination in this easy chocolate avocado smoothie with coconut milk recipe! This recipe is low-carb, gluten-free, and vegan!”
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 0 minutes; Total Time: 5 minutes; Servings: 2
To view this online, go to https://diabetesstrong.com/chocolate-avocado-smoothie/.
Ingredients
1/2 ripe avocado
3 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 cup full fat coconut milk
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. lime juice
pinch mineral salt
6-7 drops liquid Stevia
Fresh mint (for decoration)
Instructions
Add all of the ingredients to a blender. Chopping the ingredients beforehand will help the blender process everything better.
Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy. You can adjust the taste to your liking by adding more avocado for creaminess or liquid Stevia for more sweetness.
Serve immediately with fresh mint and a straw.
Recipe Notes
You can store this smoothie in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Showing posts with label London Fog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label London Fog. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Drinks
If you get tired of having the same-old-same-old drinks, today's post is sure to please. Check out the Apple Cider Floats, the Watermelon Punch, and the rest of today's drinks. Enjoy!
WHIPPED COFFEE
This recipe is from Vaughn Vreeland in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Vaughn wrote, "This Instagram-famous drink, known as whipped coffee or dalgona coffee, is made by whipping instant coffee with sugar and water, resulting in a butterscotch-hued foam that’s spooned over milk. While it seems like a trend, many have been making whipped coffee for years. In India and Pakistan, whipped coffee has long been a popular home brew, known as phenti hui. In Greece, the frappé is dalgona’s older, frothier sibling. And, more generally, there are versions that are shaken with egg whites and served with condensed milk."
Yield: 1 drink
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021005-whipped-coffee. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons granulated instant coffee (regular or decaffeinated)
1-1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons hot water
Ice, as needed
Milk, as needed
Preparation
Combine granulated instant coffee, sugar and hot water in a medium bowl.
Whip by hand using a whisk or with a mixer until the mixture turns from foamy to frothy to creamy.
Spoon the fluffy mixture over milk in a glass filled with ice. (You could also spoon it over warm milk for a hot drink.) Gently combine and serve.
LONDON FOG
This is from Yolanda Gutierrez at AllRecipes. For this yummy (and interesting) recipe, Yolanda wrote, "London fog is a creamy, frothy Earl Grey tea latte with a hint of vanilla. Sprinkle lavender over the top, if you like."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Servings: 1
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/london-fog-recipe-11729062.
Ingredients
3/4 cup water
1 Earl Grey teabag
3/4 cup milk
3/4 tablespoon vanilla syrup, such as Torani®
1 teaspoon lavender (optional)
Directions
Bring water to a boil. Remove from heat and add tea bag; steep for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat milk in a microwave-safe cup until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Add vanilla syrup. Froth milk with a frother or immersion blender until milk is foamy.
Pour tea into a cup; carefully pour foamy milk over the top. Sprinkle lavender over foam.
Cook’s Note
I froth milk 1/4 cup at a time, pouring over tea 3 times.
WATERMELON GINGER BEER
This is from Nicole Taylor in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. The recipe begins, "The recipe for this batch drink, from Nicole Taylor’s book, “Watermelon and Red Birds,” includes the juice from a red-fleshed watermelon, ideally from one with seeds. (They can be hard to find; seedless melons work too.) If you own a juicer, proceed with the seeds and all and don’t worry about straining. Watermelon is over 90 percent water and is a nutrient-dense food. This drink can serve as an everyday accompaniment at breakfast, lunch, dinner or with a snack."
Total Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 4 drinks
This was featured in "Building a Juneteenth Menu for the 21st Century, One Recipe at a Time," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023219-watermelon-ginger-beer.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons fresh fennel fronds (optional)
Filtered water
6 cups (1-inch) cubed red watermelon (from about 3 pounds watermelon)
2 cups ginger beer, homemade or store-bought (see Tip)
Preparation
Divide the fennel fronds, if using, between two ice cube trays. Fill with filtered water and freeze until solid, 4 to 8 hours.
Meanwhile, place the watermelon in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Scrape the sides of the blender or food processor using a rubber spatula and blend again.
Place a fine metal sieve over a large bowl and strain the pureed watermelon through the sieve. (This should yield 2 to 3 cups of juice). Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve; it will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To serve, fill four highball glasses or rocks glasses with the ice cubes. Stir the watermelon juice and add 1/2 cup to each glass. Top off with 1/2 cup ginger beer.
Tip
Unlike ginger ale, ginger beer is fermented. It’s nonalcoholic and has a spicy kick and tends to have more flavor than the soft drink. If buying ginger beer from the store, try finding the options from Barritt’s or Bruce Cost.
APPLE CIDER FLOATS
This is from Lauren Miyashiro on Delish. The recipe begins, “You'll want to float away with these apple cider floats!”
Total Time: 10 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Easy; Servings: 2
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 c. caramel sauce
1/2 c. cinnamon-sugar
2 c. apple cider, warmed
Vanilla ice cream, for serving
cinnamon sticks
Whipped cream, for serving
Apple slices
Directions
Pour caramel in a small dish. Dip the top of each mug in the caramel to rim the cup. Then dip the caramel rim in cinnamon-sugar.
Ladle apple cider into each mug then add a scoop of ice cream to each. Top with whipped cream and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon stick.
Drizzle more caramel over the whipped cream and serve immediately.
CAFE DE OLLA
The recipe for this yummy coffee is from the December 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 47. It starts off, “Literally 'coffee from the pot,' this recipe offers a simple way to make coffee for a crowd, with a spiced twist that no one can resist.” Serves 8 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 cinnamon sticks
4 star anise
4 allspice berries
4 whole cloves
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar or 4 oz. piloncillo (Mexican raw sugar cones)
2 cups medium grind, dark roast coffee beans
2 cups low-fat milk
1 cup coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa, optional
Directions
Lightly crush cinnamon sticks, star anise, allspice, and cloves with mortar and pestle. Place in resealable plastic bag, and pound with rolling pin. Transfer to large saucepan, and add sugar and 8 cups water. Bring mixture to a boil, and simmer until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add coffee, and let steep 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, warm milk in small saucepan, and whisk until frothy.
Strain coffee through fine sieve or coffee filter into pitcher. Stir in coffee liqueur (if using). Serve with frothed milk.
nutritional information Per 1-cup serving: Calories: 80; Protein: 2 g; Total Fat: less than 1 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g; Cholesterol: 3 mg; Sodium: 35 mg; Fiber: 0 g; Sugar: 16 g; Gluten-Free
WATERMELON PUNCH
Years ago, I was a bride’s maid at a friend’s wedding. A friend of the couple held the reception dinner; this punch was served with the hors d’oeuvres. I’ve added ginger ale to the recipe; it’s good either way.
This recipe is from my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking, soon to be updated.)
Ingredients
1 watermelon
1 T honey
6 oz. can orange juice, undiluted
2 liter bottle ginger ale
Directions
Put watermelon (excluding rind and seeds) in a blender—and blend. Pour juice through a strainer into a large bowl. Add orange juice and honey, stir, and add ice. Add ginger ale just before serving.
WHIPPED COFFEE
This recipe is from Vaughn Vreeland in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Vaughn wrote, "This Instagram-famous drink, known as whipped coffee or dalgona coffee, is made by whipping instant coffee with sugar and water, resulting in a butterscotch-hued foam that’s spooned over milk. While it seems like a trend, many have been making whipped coffee for years. In India and Pakistan, whipped coffee has long been a popular home brew, known as phenti hui. In Greece, the frappé is dalgona’s older, frothier sibling. And, more generally, there are versions that are shaken with egg whites and served with condensed milk."
Yield: 1 drink
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021005-whipped-coffee. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons granulated instant coffee (regular or decaffeinated)
1-1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons hot water
Ice, as needed
Milk, as needed
Preparation
Combine granulated instant coffee, sugar and hot water in a medium bowl.
Whip by hand using a whisk or with a mixer until the mixture turns from foamy to frothy to creamy.
Spoon the fluffy mixture over milk in a glass filled with ice. (You could also spoon it over warm milk for a hot drink.) Gently combine and serve.
LONDON FOG
This is from Yolanda Gutierrez at AllRecipes. For this yummy (and interesting) recipe, Yolanda wrote, "London fog is a creamy, frothy Earl Grey tea latte with a hint of vanilla. Sprinkle lavender over the top, if you like."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Servings: 1
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/london-fog-recipe-11729062.
Ingredients
3/4 cup water
1 Earl Grey teabag
3/4 cup milk
3/4 tablespoon vanilla syrup, such as Torani®
1 teaspoon lavender (optional)
Directions
Bring water to a boil. Remove from heat and add tea bag; steep for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat milk in a microwave-safe cup until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Add vanilla syrup. Froth milk with a frother or immersion blender until milk is foamy.
Pour tea into a cup; carefully pour foamy milk over the top. Sprinkle lavender over foam.
Cook’s Note
I froth milk 1/4 cup at a time, pouring over tea 3 times.
WATERMELON GINGER BEER
This is from Nicole Taylor in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. The recipe begins, "The recipe for this batch drink, from Nicole Taylor’s book, “Watermelon and Red Birds,” includes the juice from a red-fleshed watermelon, ideally from one with seeds. (They can be hard to find; seedless melons work too.) If you own a juicer, proceed with the seeds and all and don’t worry about straining. Watermelon is over 90 percent water and is a nutrient-dense food. This drink can serve as an everyday accompaniment at breakfast, lunch, dinner or with a snack."
Total Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 4 drinks
This was featured in "Building a Juneteenth Menu for the 21st Century, One Recipe at a Time," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023219-watermelon-ginger-beer.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons fresh fennel fronds (optional)
Filtered water
6 cups (1-inch) cubed red watermelon (from about 3 pounds watermelon)
2 cups ginger beer, homemade or store-bought (see Tip)
Preparation
Divide the fennel fronds, if using, between two ice cube trays. Fill with filtered water and freeze until solid, 4 to 8 hours.
Meanwhile, place the watermelon in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Scrape the sides of the blender or food processor using a rubber spatula and blend again.
Place a fine metal sieve over a large bowl and strain the pureed watermelon through the sieve. (This should yield 2 to 3 cups of juice). Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve; it will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To serve, fill four highball glasses or rocks glasses with the ice cubes. Stir the watermelon juice and add 1/2 cup to each glass. Top off with 1/2 cup ginger beer.
Tip
Unlike ginger ale, ginger beer is fermented. It’s nonalcoholic and has a spicy kick and tends to have more flavor than the soft drink. If buying ginger beer from the store, try finding the options from Barritt’s or Bruce Cost.
APPLE CIDER FLOATS
This is from Lauren Miyashiro on Delish. The recipe begins, “You'll want to float away with these apple cider floats!”
Total Time: 10 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Easy; Servings: 2
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 c. caramel sauce
1/2 c. cinnamon-sugar
2 c. apple cider, warmed
Vanilla ice cream, for serving
cinnamon sticks
Whipped cream, for serving
Apple slices
Directions
Pour caramel in a small dish. Dip the top of each mug in the caramel to rim the cup. Then dip the caramel rim in cinnamon-sugar.
Ladle apple cider into each mug then add a scoop of ice cream to each. Top with whipped cream and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon stick.
Drizzle more caramel over the whipped cream and serve immediately.
CAFE DE OLLA
The recipe for this yummy coffee is from the December 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 47. It starts off, “Literally 'coffee from the pot,' this recipe offers a simple way to make coffee for a crowd, with a spiced twist that no one can resist.” Serves 8 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 cinnamon sticks
4 star anise
4 allspice berries
4 whole cloves
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar or 4 oz. piloncillo (Mexican raw sugar cones)
2 cups medium grind, dark roast coffee beans
2 cups low-fat milk
1 cup coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa, optional
Directions
Lightly crush cinnamon sticks, star anise, allspice, and cloves with mortar and pestle. Place in resealable plastic bag, and pound with rolling pin. Transfer to large saucepan, and add sugar and 8 cups water. Bring mixture to a boil, and simmer until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add coffee, and let steep 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, warm milk in small saucepan, and whisk until frothy.
Strain coffee through fine sieve or coffee filter into pitcher. Stir in coffee liqueur (if using). Serve with frothed milk.
nutritional information Per 1-cup serving: Calories: 80; Protein: 2 g; Total Fat: less than 1 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g; Cholesterol: 3 mg; Sodium: 35 mg; Fiber: 0 g; Sugar: 16 g; Gluten-Free
WATERMELON PUNCH
Years ago, I was a bride’s maid at a friend’s wedding. A friend of the couple held the reception dinner; this punch was served with the hors d’oeuvres. I’ve added ginger ale to the recipe; it’s good either way.
This recipe is from my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking, soon to be updated.)
Ingredients
1 watermelon
1 T honey
6 oz. can orange juice, undiluted
2 liter bottle ginger ale
Directions
Put watermelon (excluding rind and seeds) in a blender—and blend. Pour juice through a strainer into a large bowl. Add orange juice and honey, stir, and add ice. Add ginger ale just before serving.
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Drinks
Many of us get into a rut when it comes to Drinks; there's always coffee, tea, soda, milk, water...But there are so many ways to mix up our drinks, as today's post shows. Check out the Ginger Tea, the London Fog, and the rest of today's interesting (and yummy) drinks. Enjoy!
STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE
This is from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yumminess, Martha wrote, "This will taste like a strawberry shake if you use a banana that is truly ripe. Frozen strawberries will lend it a shake-like texture."
Total Time: 5 minutes; Yield: One 16-ounce or two 8-ounce servings
This was featured in "Want More Fruit? Get Out the Blender," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1012542-strawberry-smoothie. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
1 medium-size or large, ripe banana
1 heaped cup fresh or frozen hulled strawberries
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
2 to 3 ice cubes
Preparation
Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve right away.
Tip
Advance preparation: Smoothies should be made and drunk right away. This will thicken and lose flavor if it sits.
STRAWBERRY LASSI
This is from Zaynab Issa in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Zaynab wrote, "Strawberry lassi is a popular variation of lassi, the yogurt-based blended beverage with origins in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. This refreshing drink is made with frozen strawberries instead of ice to add flavor while keeping it cool. Sugar is the traditional sweetener in lassi, but the maple syrup here adds a subtle earthiness and dissolves quickly while blending. South Asian dahi (yogurt) is ideal for achieving the drink’s characteristic tart creaminess, but plain whole-milk yogurt will also work well. (Greek yogurt and skyr can be too thick for lassi.)"
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
This was featured in "Nothing Quenches Thirst Like a Lassi," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026600-strawberry-lassi. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
2 cups plain whole-milk yogurt, preferably South Asian dahi
2 to 3 tablespoons maple syrup, depending on desired sweetness
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, such as Diamond Crystal
4 green cardamom pods, cracked open, seeds only (see Tip)
1-1/2 cups/about 8 ounces frozen whole strawberries
Preparation
Add yogurt, maple syrup, salt, cardamom and strawberries to a blender. Blend, gradually increasing the speed, until smooth. For a thinner consistency, blend in 1 tablespoon of water at a time.
Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
Tip
You can also substitute 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom for the cardamom seeds.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY MINT SHAKES
This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Milk shakes, like other simple concoctions, are only as good as their ingredients, so use high-quality ice cream and vanilla extract. Combining peppermint extract and vanilla ice cream gives the drink an extra-refreshing, minty flavor you wouldn't get from using regular mint chip ice cream."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 5 minutes; Yield: 1 or 2 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/st-patricks-day-mint-shakes-3362525.
Ingredients
1 pint vanilla ice cream (2 cups)
1/4 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 or 4 drops green liquid food coloring
Whipped cream and green sanding sugar, for garnish
Directions
Blend the ice cream, milk, peppermint extract, vanilla and food coloring in a blender until smooth. Pour into one or two serving glasses and garnish with whipped cream and sanding sugar.
LONDON FOG
This is from Yolanda Gutierrez at AllRecipes. For this yummy (and interesting) recipe, Yolanda wrote, "London fog is a creamy, frothy Earl Grey tea latte with a hint of vanilla. Sprinkle lavender over the top, if you like."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Servings: 1
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/london-fog-recipe-11729062.
Ingredients
3/4 cup water
1 Earl Grey teabag
3/4 cup milk
3/4 tablespoon vanilla syrup, such as Torani®
1 teaspoon lavender (optional)
Directions
Bring water to a boil. Remove from heat and add tea bag; steep for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat milk in a microwave-safe cup until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Add vanilla syrup. Froth milk with a frother or immersion blender until milk is foamy.
Pour tea into a cup; carefully pour foamy milk over the top. Sprinkle lavender over foam.
Cook’s Note
I froth milk 1/4 cup at a time, pouring over tea 3 times.
GINGER TEA
This comes from Vegetarian Times (posted on MAY 9, 2017), and begins, “Ginger is Mother Nature’s protective cloak, shielding us from sickness on winter days. This tea is very spicy—if it tastes too strong, dilute it with more hot water and honey. Traditional advice is not to drink more than 2 cups of ginger tea a day unless you are using it as a treatment for a bad chest cold.”
2 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 thin slices fresh ginger, pounded with mortar or rolling pin
1 Tbs. honey
Preparation
Put ginger and 3 cups water in small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 to 25 minutes.
Strain out ginger slices and discard or reserve for another use. Stir in honey, and serve hot. Tea can be reheated, if necessary.
LIZARD LOUNGE TEA
My oldest son spent several summers traveling the country, both singly and with friends. Several times, he wound up at the Rainbow Gathering, where he hooked up with a larger group of friends. Most of them had grown up in hot areas of the country, so they nicknamed themselves lizards; their area of the camp site was the lizard lounge. They would cook up their version of iced tea, which they would barter for other commodities. They were frequently asked what their secret ingredient was.
This is a scaled down version. I found that cranberry or cranberry-apple herb tea works very nicely with this, but any herbal tea can be used.
Ingredients
1/2 gallon apple cider
4 – 5 herbal tea bags
Directions
Place cider in a large pan or teakettle and bring to a boil. Place herbal tea bags into a large container and pour the boiled cider over the tea bags. Let steep for 15-30 minutes and cool. Very good.
STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE
This is from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yumminess, Martha wrote, "This will taste like a strawberry shake if you use a banana that is truly ripe. Frozen strawberries will lend it a shake-like texture."
Total Time: 5 minutes; Yield: One 16-ounce or two 8-ounce servings
This was featured in "Want More Fruit? Get Out the Blender," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1012542-strawberry-smoothie. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
1 medium-size or large, ripe banana
1 heaped cup fresh or frozen hulled strawberries
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
2 to 3 ice cubes
Preparation
Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve right away.
Tip
Advance preparation: Smoothies should be made and drunk right away. This will thicken and lose flavor if it sits.
STRAWBERRY LASSI
This is from Zaynab Issa in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Zaynab wrote, "Strawberry lassi is a popular variation of lassi, the yogurt-based blended beverage with origins in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. This refreshing drink is made with frozen strawberries instead of ice to add flavor while keeping it cool. Sugar is the traditional sweetener in lassi, but the maple syrup here adds a subtle earthiness and dissolves quickly while blending. South Asian dahi (yogurt) is ideal for achieving the drink’s characteristic tart creaminess, but plain whole-milk yogurt will also work well. (Greek yogurt and skyr can be too thick for lassi.)"
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
This was featured in "Nothing Quenches Thirst Like a Lassi," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1026600-strawberry-lassi. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
2 cups plain whole-milk yogurt, preferably South Asian dahi
2 to 3 tablespoons maple syrup, depending on desired sweetness
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, such as Diamond Crystal
4 green cardamom pods, cracked open, seeds only (see Tip)
1-1/2 cups/about 8 ounces frozen whole strawberries
Preparation
Add yogurt, maple syrup, salt, cardamom and strawberries to a blender. Blend, gradually increasing the speed, until smooth. For a thinner consistency, blend in 1 tablespoon of water at a time.
Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
Tip
You can also substitute 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom for the cardamom seeds.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY MINT SHAKES
This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Milk shakes, like other simple concoctions, are only as good as their ingredients, so use high-quality ice cream and vanilla extract. Combining peppermint extract and vanilla ice cream gives the drink an extra-refreshing, minty flavor you wouldn't get from using regular mint chip ice cream."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 5 minutes; Yield: 1 or 2 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/st-patricks-day-mint-shakes-3362525.
Ingredients
1 pint vanilla ice cream (2 cups)
1/4 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 or 4 drops green liquid food coloring
Whipped cream and green sanding sugar, for garnish
Directions
Blend the ice cream, milk, peppermint extract, vanilla and food coloring in a blender until smooth. Pour into one or two serving glasses and garnish with whipped cream and sanding sugar.
LONDON FOG
This is from Yolanda Gutierrez at AllRecipes. For this yummy (and interesting) recipe, Yolanda wrote, "London fog is a creamy, frothy Earl Grey tea latte with a hint of vanilla. Sprinkle lavender over the top, if you like."
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 10 minutes; Servings: 1
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/london-fog-recipe-11729062.
Ingredients
3/4 cup water
1 Earl Grey teabag
3/4 cup milk
3/4 tablespoon vanilla syrup, such as Torani®
1 teaspoon lavender (optional)
Directions
Bring water to a boil. Remove from heat and add tea bag; steep for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat milk in a microwave-safe cup until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Add vanilla syrup. Froth milk with a frother or immersion blender until milk is foamy.
Pour tea into a cup; carefully pour foamy milk over the top. Sprinkle lavender over foam.
Cook’s Note
I froth milk 1/4 cup at a time, pouring over tea 3 times.
GINGER TEA
This comes from Vegetarian Times (posted on MAY 9, 2017), and begins, “Ginger is Mother Nature’s protective cloak, shielding us from sickness on winter days. This tea is very spicy—if it tastes too strong, dilute it with more hot water and honey. Traditional advice is not to drink more than 2 cups of ginger tea a day unless you are using it as a treatment for a bad chest cold.”
2 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 thin slices fresh ginger, pounded with mortar or rolling pin
1 Tbs. honey
Preparation
Put ginger and 3 cups water in small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 to 25 minutes.
Strain out ginger slices and discard or reserve for another use. Stir in honey, and serve hot. Tea can be reheated, if necessary.
LIZARD LOUNGE TEA
My oldest son spent several summers traveling the country, both singly and with friends. Several times, he wound up at the Rainbow Gathering, where he hooked up with a larger group of friends. Most of them had grown up in hot areas of the country, so they nicknamed themselves lizards; their area of the camp site was the lizard lounge. They would cook up their version of iced tea, which they would barter for other commodities. They were frequently asked what their secret ingredient was.
This is a scaled down version. I found that cranberry or cranberry-apple herb tea works very nicely with this, but any herbal tea can be used.
Ingredients
1/2 gallon apple cider
4 – 5 herbal tea bags
Directions
Place cider in a large pan or teakettle and bring to a boil. Place herbal tea bags into a large container and pour the boiled cider over the tea bags. Let steep for 15-30 minutes and cool. Very good.
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