Winstead Wandering

Prone to Wander

Peach and Blueberry Sangria

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Using white wine instead of red, this peach and blueberry sangria is a refreshing new twist on an old summer favorite.

I’m taking a short blogging break to soak up time with my sweet newborn baby. Things won’t be silent around here, though; I’ve got some awesome bloggers lined up to step in and share some great content. Today, Anne from Simple and Savory is here with a refreshing summer drink recipe.

Hello, it’s Anne from Simple and Savory helping out Abby while she is getting ready for the arrival of her baby. Today I’m sharing my favorite refreshing summer cocktail ~ homemade peach and blueberry sangria. It’s filled with fresh fruit and it’s easy to sip on a hot summer day.

And now for the sangria. . .

Using white wine instead of red, this peach and blueberry sangria is a refreshing new twist on an old summer favorite.

Ice cold sparkling peach and blueberry sangria is a perfect summer cocktail. Traditional sangria is made with red wine, but when the weather heats up, I like a lighter version. White wine is the perfect choice for a light sangria and the fresh, local fruit adds a hint of sweetness.

Fresh local fruit for sangria

Homemade sangria is easy to make and is much better for you than the pre-made sangrias that have way too much added sugar. All you have to do is place the fruit into a pitcher, add the wine, a shot of brandy and a little bit of honey and let it chill for an hour or two.

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Homemade Strawberry Lemonade

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You don’t have to head to your favorite restaurant to get an over-priced glass of this stuff. You can whip up a sweet, refreshing glass of homemade strawberry lemonade at home.

Strawberry lemonade has long been a favorite drink of mine. When we lived in Oregon, one of our favorite inexpensive date night restaurants was Red Robin. I’m addicted to their fries, and their freckled lemonade never ceases to brighten my day.

homemade strawberry lemonade3

Now that we live in Mississippi, the closest Red Robin is more than three hours away. I’m sure there are other, closer restaurants that serve it, but I don’t need them anymore. I perfected this homemade strawberry lemonade more than three years ago and I haven’t looked back since.

I grab a pound of strawberries and whip up a batch to celebrate the start of strawberry season every year, and I spend the rest of the spring and summer looking for any excuse to make it again. I tend to keep a pitcher of homemade lemonade in the fridge, making the whole recipe that much easier to throw together.

This homemade strawberry lemonade gets rave reviews from everyone I serve it to. The lemonade itself is wonderfully tart, with a perfect balance of sweetness. With the addition of the flavorful strawberry sauce, the whole thing is refreshing and sweet and drinks like a glass of summer.

You don't have to head to your favorite restaurant to get an over-priced glass of this stuff. You can whip up a sweet, refreshing glass of homemade strawberry lemonade at home.

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Homemade Lemonade

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This summer, ditch the canned powder and make your own homemade lemonade. With just three simple ingredients, you can enjoy a refreshing glass any time.

This summer, ditch the canned powder and make your own homemade lemonade. With just three simple ingredients, you can enjoy a refreshing glass any time.

There’s nothing more refreshing on a warm summer day than an ice-cold glass of homemade lemonade.

This recipe is so simple to make. I usually keep a jar of simple syrup in the fridge throughout the summer so I’m always ready to whip up a pitcher- or even just a glass- of homemade lemonade. It’s especially good with fresh-squeezed lemon juice, but, really who has time- or money- for that? I use the bottled version and I’ve never had any complaints. Plus, it means there’s no trip to the grocery store standing between me and a glass of this.

So many people are used to powdered or bottled versions of lemonade. Those varieties might do in a pinch, but this homemade recipe is so simple to make. Wow the guests at your next summertime gathering by throwing together a batch of homemade lemonade.

This summer, ditch the canned powder and make your own homemade lemonade. With just three simple ingredients, you can enjoy a refreshing glass any time.

Homemade Lemonade

Ingredients

2 c. sugar
10 c. water, divided
2 c. lemon juice

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and two cups of water. Stir together and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. When the mixture boils and the sugar is dissolved, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool. Store cooled mixture in a sealed container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to mix up the lemonade.

To make the lemonade, combine the remaining eight cups of water, the lemon juice, and one and half to two cups of simple syrup in a large pitcher. Stir together well and adjust the amounts of simple syrup or lemon juice based on your preferences. Serve chilled over ice.

Great Blogger Barbecue

With the unofficial start of summer next week, it’s almost barbecue season! In celebration, I’ve teamed up with several fellow bloggers to bring you 50 recipe ideas for a smashing summer shindig. See all the recipes for our Great Blogger BBQ below!

50 recipes for the perfect summer get-together! Whether you're planning a barbecue, picnic, or outdoor party, check out everything from appetizer recipes, entree recipes, cocktail recipes, dessert recipes, side dish recipes and more to go with your BBQ! #greatbloggerBBQ

50 recipes for the perfect summer get-together! Whether you're planning a barbecue, picnic, or outdoor party, check out everything from appetizer recipes, entree recipes, cocktail recipes, dessert recipes, side dish recipes and more to go with your BBQ! #greatbloggerBBQ

Appetizers

Korean BBQ Tofu Sliders with Kimchi Slaw by Hello Little Home
Corn, Black Bean, and Feta Dip by Lizzy is Dizzy
Crab, Bacon & Guacamole Crostinis by That Square Plate

Cocktails and Drinks

Blackberry Gin Slush by The Speckled Palate
Homemade Lemonade by Winstead Wandering
Blood Orange Mocktail by Body Rebooted
Fleur Collins Cocktail by Hungry Girl por Vida
Fourth of July Sparkler by Mixplorology
Black Stripe Cold Rum Cocktail by Honey and Birch
Fresh Watermelon Mojito by Twin Stripe
Mint Hibiscus Lemonade by The Little Epicurean
Wine Slushy by Living Well Kitchen
Basil Gin Lemonade by Glisten and Grace

Entrées

Salt Plate Shrimp by The Mexitalian
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Burgers by Simple and Savory
Roasted Vegetable Grilled Pizza with Garlic Herb Oil by Ciao Chow Bambina
Memphis Style Pulled Pork by Two Places at Once
Balsamic & Honey Chicken Skewers with Strawberry-Kiwi Salsa by No Spoon Necessary
Amazing Basic Spice Rub for Grilling by An Oregon Cottage
Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs by PasadenaDaisy
Smoked Porchetta Pork Loin by Tasty Ever After
Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork by Appeasing a Food Geek
Peach Barbecue Sauce by The Beach House Kitchen
Tuna Stuffed Sweet Peppers by SugarLoveSpices
Herb Marinated Steak Gyros Plates with Tomato-Onion Salad and Green Tahini Sauce by Feed Me Phoebe
Marinated Skirt Steak with Sweet Corn and Cherry Salad by Domesticate ME!
Sweet & Sour Chicken Kebabs by Tastefully Frugal

Side Dishes

Caprese Pasta Salad by Club Narwhal
Cranberry Almond Broccoli Salad by Two Sisters Kitchens
Coconut Milk Mac & Cheese by A Little Gathering
Cherry Quinoa Salad by Food Lovin Family
Cheddar, Corn and Bacon Potato Salad by Family Food on the Table
Lemon Rocket Pasta Salad by Lauren Caris Cooks
Green Goddess Potato Salad by Love & Flour
Red White & Blue Watergate Salad by A Joyfully Mad Kitchen
Zesty Potato Skewers by Pamela Salzman
Quinoa Tabouli by A Fork’s Tale

Desserts

Banana Pudding Ice Cream Cake by Feast + West
Strawberry Beer Floats by bethcakes
Cherry Cheesecake Dessert by The Little Blonde Baker
Light Berry Angel Food Cake by The Creative Bite
Lemon Cream Tarts with Berries by Girl Heart Food
Fresh Strawberry Muffins by Spiced
Lemon Pie Sundae by Flavours & Frosting
Strawberry Lemon Shortcakes by Dash of Herbs
Grasshopper Pie by 2 Cookin’ Mamas
Berry Mango Smoothie Pops by HÄLSA Nutrition
Mixed Berry Vanilla Bean Cake by Cake ‘n Knife
No Churn Cookies and Cream Strawberry Ice Cream by The Secret Ingredient Is
Coconut Blueberry & Vodka Ice Pops by Nik Snacks
Strawberry Key Lime Margarita Greek Yogurt Ice Pops by Beer Girl Cooks
Cherry & Rhubarb Tart by Crepes of Wrath

This summer, ditch the canned powder and make your own homemade lemonade. With just three simple ingredients, you can enjoy a refreshing glass any time.

Iced Caramel Coffee

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Save your money and skip the expensive coffeehouse drink. With just three ingredients, you can make your own iced caramel coffee right at home.

This is a recipe that I had in the queue on my old blog; I just never got around to posting it. Somehow, in all the times I’ve made it since starting this one a year and a half ago, I never snapped new pictures and took the time to write down the steps. In honor of hot summer days and early-rising children, I decided to make it happen.

iced caramel coffee5

The “recipe” for this iced caramel coffee is probably as loose a recipe as I’ve ever posted. Basically, you can combine coffee, milk, and caramel syrup and get a passable version. But because I cold-brew the coffee, and because I know some people appreciate precise measurements, I’m sharing all the details here.

Before we get to that, though, let’s talk about your coffee vessel. The mason jar in these photos isn’t just a prop; I actually use these jars to make and drink my coffee. Screwing the lid on the top to shake everything up is a super easy way to get it all mixed together. These screw on lids with straws turn the jar into a fun drinking container. See? You can be trendy and practical.

Let’s talk about the cold-brewing method. The hot water is what adds a lot of the bitterness that people dislike about coffee; by brewing with cold water, you get a smoother flavor. Of course, you could definitely brew a pot of coffee the regular way and stick the leftovers in the fridge. Cold-brewing is just what I, as a non-coffee lover, prefer for this drink.

The same goes for the syrup and the milk: You can use whatever you have and prefer. I love Torani salted caramel (it’s only 100 calories for two tablespoons), but you can use any flavor or brand you want. I usually use almond milk, for the flavor and for the low calorie count, but I use regular milk, too, if that’s all we have around. Basically, the possibilities are as endless as your imagination (and budget).

Save your money and skip the expensive coffeehouse drink. With just three ingredients, you can make your own iced caramel coffee right at home.

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how to make copycat sonic strawberry limeade

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A simple strawberry sauce and store bought soda are all you need to make a copycat sonic strawberry limeade.

A simple strawberry sauce and store bought soda are all you need to make a copycat sonic strawberry limeade.

Sonic was a pretty big deal when I was in college. Happy hour always fell right as most of my friends and I were arriving back in our dorm after classes and work, and the half-price drinks beckoned to us.

I’ve tried my share of smoothies and slushes, but the strawberry limeade will always be my first love. Fruity, refreshing, with just the right amount of zesty zing.

A simple strawberry sauce and store bought soda are all you need to make a copycat sonic strawberry limeade.

I consider it fate that, just the other week at the grocery store, as I was buying strawberries to make my favorite strawberry sauce, I found a bottle of store brand limeade on an end-cap.

The rest is history.

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