drinks Archives | Winstead Wandering

Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies

November 9, 2017 by Abby

Made with flaky pie crust and chunks of caramel, Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies are an adorable, mouthwatering version of the favorite holiday dessert.

Made with flaky pie crust and chunks of caramel, Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies are an adorable, mouthwatering version of the favorite holiday dessert.

Probably my favorite thing about hand pies is that they’re supposed to be rustic. You don’t get that pressure to make sure the rim of the crust is perfectly pinched, or make a fancy design with the top crust. Instead, you get the freedom to mold the pies by hand, to make imperfect seams and homemade shapes. It’s the perfect scenario for those who love to bake, but don’t care to get fancy with it.

Made with flaky pie crust and chunks of caramel, Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies are an adorable, mouthwatering version of the favorite holiday dessert.

Know what else is perfect? The filling in these Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies. The tart apples are finely diced to allow them to soften appropriately during the abbreviated cooking time. They’re tossed with traditional apple pie seasonings, and then they just sit for a while as the flavors develop. The crust itself doesn’t need to be anything special — I just use a prepackaged kind — because, in addition to the apples, the little pies are stuffed with chunks of caramel and flakes of salt. That right there would be enough, but to take them really over the top, the pies are drizzled with a rich caramel sauce that offers the perfect finished touch.

Made with flaky pie crust and chunks of caramel, Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies are an adorable, mouthwatering version of the favorite holiday dessert.

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Spiked Strawberry Lemonade

June 29, 2017 by Abby

With from-scratch strawberry sauce, homemade lemonade, and the liquor of your choice, Spiked Strawberry Lemonade is the perfect drink to cool down with this summer.

With from-scratch strawberry sauce, homemade lemonade, and the liquor of your choice, Spiked Strawberry Lemonade is the perfect drink to cool down with this summer.

I don’t drink much alcohol. As I often tell people, I’ve spent much of my nine legal drinking years pregnant, broke, or both. Neither condition is conducive to cocktails, so I haven’t done the recipe experimentation a lot of my foodie friends have.

I got to dabble in cocktail creation during our recent trip to Oregon. I still had some ideas floating around when we returned home, but instead of my mom’s stocked liquor cabinet, I had one lonely half-bottle of below average vodka in the freezer from that one time I made homemade vanilla extract. There was also a carton of gorgeous strawberries in the refrigerator, so this Spiked Strawberry Lemonade was born.

With from-scratch strawberry sauce, homemade lemonade, and the liquor of your choice, Spiked Strawberry Lemonade is the perfect drink to cool down with this summer.

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Triple Berry Spinach Smoothies

October 4, 2016 by Abby

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CarnationBreakfastEssentials #CollectiveBias #sponsored

Triple berry spinach smoothies are the perfect deceptively-nutritious, surprisingly-delicious way to make your mornings easier.

Mornings. Ugh. Am I right?

Maybe it’s because I never seem to get enough sleep, or maybe it’s because I’m still adjusting to getting three kids ready to go every morning. Maybe I just suck at mornings.

Lately, though, I’ve been feeling like a bit of a mornings ninja. I’ve been religious about laying out clothes the night before- often on Sunday, for the entire week- for the kids and me. I’ve been getting lunches made and backpacks ready to go, water bottles filled and in the fridge.

Triple berry spinach smoothies are the perfect deceptively-nutritious, surprisingly-delicious way to make your mornings easier.

The one thing I’ve been doing that has made the biggest difference is making smoothie packets for the freezer. On Sunday night, I fill five freezer bags with the ingredients I’ll need for smoothies each morning. Everything goes in the freezer and, in the morning, I just add the contents of the bag, milk, and Carnation Morning Essentials® to the blender. Breakfast is ready in less than two minutes.

My triple berry spinach smoothies are met with approval by the entire family, which is a feat in itself. As a mom, I consider it a huge win that I can whip them up so quickly, and that my kids are actually happy about eating something that’s so good for them. Convenience, nutrition, and taste all in one? Yeah, I’m definitely a mornings ninja.

Triple berry spinach smoothies are the perfect deceptively-nutritious, surprisingly-delicious way to make your mornings easier.

There are a few other awesome things about these triple berry spinach smoothies. First, you can completely adapt them to suit your family’s needs and preferences. Any kind of milk will do, and you can change up the fruit, too. I like to use Carnation Breakfast Essentials® in Chocolate, but you can stock up on whichever flavor you prefer. Second, they’re nutrient-packed, thanks to the spinach and the Carnation Breakfast Essentials®. It’s so convenient to simply open a packet and have all those vitamins and minerals at the ready.

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Peach and Blueberry Sangria

July 25, 2016 by Abby

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.

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

June 6, 2016 by Abby

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.

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.

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Homemade Lemonade

May 25, 2016 by Abby

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.

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

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

33 Perfect Summer Strawberry Recipes

May 18, 2016 by Abby

Forget Christmas- everyone knows strawberry season is the most wonderful time of year. Here are 33 perfect summer strawberry recipes to help you celebrate.

If you’ve hung around here for a while, you’ve probably noticed the abundance of strawberry recipes I’m posting and sharing. Maybe it seems a little redundant, but not to someone like me who loves strawberries. Because I know the internet is filled with people who share my strawberry love, I decided to gather a ton of mouthwatering summer strawberry recipes from a few of my favorite bloggers.

You’re bound to find the perfect recipe for any meal or occasion.

33 Perfect Summer Strawberry Recipes

Drinks & Frozen Treats

Strawberry Lemonade Granita from Winstead Wandering

Strawberry Watermelon Agua Fresca from A Savory Feast

Strawberry Mint Julep from Feast + West

Boozy Strawberry Milkshake from The New Baguette

Strawberry Basil Frozen Daiquiris from Cake ‘n’ Knife

Strawberry Lemonade Shandies from Feast + West

Mango Strawberry Smoothie from Hip Mama’s Place

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Iced Caramel Coffee

May 9, 2016 by Abby

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.

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).

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salted caramel hot chocolate

November 2, 2015 by Abby

Homemade salted caramel hot chocolate that rivals the coffee chain version. It’s rich and smooth and, if made with almond milk or a similar milk substitute, it comes in at under 200 calories.

I’m not a coffee drinker, but that doesn’t mean I don’t lament the fact that the nearest Starbucks is 80 miles away. EIGHTY. MILES. This is The South, y’all, and we don’t value our heated caffeine like our Northwest-living counterparts. I don’t even know how for I’d have to go to find the nearest drive-through coffee stand, but it’s far.

The reason I feel the need to whine about my lack of access to a beverage that I don’t even consume? Hot chocolate. Even though I’m not interested in coffee, sometimes I’d give my firstborn- most days, really, I’d probably get more for the second one- for a cup of hot, rich, decadent cocoa.

Don’t even get me started on the powdered packet stuff. Guck. I’ve tried a few homemade recipes, but it seemed like the ones that boasted richness called for melted chocolate and specialty syrups. No thanks. Others claimed to be a substitute for the coffeehouse version, but ended up weak, watery, or bitter.

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how to make copycat sonic strawberry limeade

July 6, 2015 by Abby

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.

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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Homemade Lemonade

Ingredients

Instructions

Great Blogger Barbecue

Appetizers

Cocktails and Drinks

Entrées

Side Dishes

Desserts

33 Perfect Summer Strawberry Recipes

Drinks & Frozen Treats