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berry

5 Craft Beers You Need to Try

August 28, 2018 by Vanessa 2 Comments

I can’t say when it happened, but there’s not debating it now. I’ve clearly switched over from my former life as a red wine drinker to a true craft beer fan. Cheers to that!

According to the Brewer’s Association, there were over 6,300 craft breweries in the United States as of 2017. The largest segment of growth in that count came from the opening of new brewpubs starting in 2012, a number that has exponentially grown since the report. So, it’s no surprise that my love of the suds is also growing exponentially!

A fan of unfiltered and fruit-forward brews, I’ve narrowed down my list to five must-have beers. I don’t like hoppy beers so you won’t find those on my list. However, my go-to selection includes a few shining stars you should be sipping on! Without further a do, I give you 5 Craft Beers You Need to Try!

  1. Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat 4.4% – Described as an “ale with natural citrusy flavor,” it’s Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewing Company’s best selling beer for its drinkability. Why do I love it? It’s smooth, full of flavor, and drinks like a slightly  sweetened ballpark light beer. I’ve yet to find a type of food that I can’t drink it with OR a friend who doesn’t want to drink one with me. If you have the opportunity to visit the brewery, I highly recommend making a reservation for a tour of the facility. Having visited on my birthday a few years back, I have fond memories of toasting to another great year in their tasting room!

    Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat
  2. Free State Brewery’s Guavatas Sour 4.65% – A graduate of the University of Kansas, I spent Mondays at Free State Brewery drinking ales shoulder-to-shoulder with townies and college students alike on $1 Pint Night. The “sour” craze wasn’t popular back in the day (boy did I just sound old!) so I drank their Wheat State Golden or Ad Astra Ale. Today, I’m a big fan of sours so I can’t recommend their small batch Guavatas Sour enough! Don’t be alarmed to see pulpy bits of guava in your glass after the pour – that’s normal! Why do I love it? It’s tropical notes beckon thoughts of summer and it’s mild tartness finishes nicely. The brewery’s slogan “Because Without Beer Things Don’t Seem To Go As Well” basically sums up my college experience and I’m still drinking their beer two decades later. That says something about their beer’s consistency and quality.
    Free State Guavatas Sour

    3. Uinta Crisp Apple Ale 4.0% – Clearly I’m a fan of beers with fruity notes. I grabbed a six back of Uinta’s Crisp Apple Ale on a whim and I’ve purchased it many times since then. The Uinta Brewery, located in Salt Lake City, was founded by a guy who transitioned from a home brewer to a professional set-up in a leased mechanic’s garage. They brew all types of craft beer, but I’m partial to their brews featuring fruit including grapefruit, mango, and apple. Why do I love it? It’s a light beer with a slight apple after-taste, which is always refreshing on the palette. Craving apple pie, now?

    Uinta Apple Ale

    4. Boulevard Jam Band Berry Ale 5.9% – Unlike any beer I’ve ever tasted, Boulevard’s Jam Band Berry Ale is like a dessert in a glass. This ale’s bold taste includes blueberries, raspberries, and tart cherries. I assumed this beer would be one Boulevard would make only for awhile due to the cost of using loads of fruit. I assumed it would be one of those one-offs that wouldn’t stay on liquor store shelves. I’m glad they proved me wrong. Lucky us! If you don’t like sweet beers or ciders, steer clear of this one. Why do I love it? Loaded with berry and citrus flavor, this beer balances malt with real fruit flavor. It’s my jam! 5. Roadie Grapefruit Radler 4.2% – So I need to apologize. This beer isn’t one that you can try today because it is a seasonal that is only available April-August, but it is worth the wait! Brewed in 5 gallon barrels to be heavy in citrus flavor using grapefruit puree, it’s an tangy, crisp beer perfect for drinking on a hot summer day. Why do I love it? I love all things grapefruit. Denver’s Great Divide Brewing Company’s seasonal beer is one of my must-haves. It even smells good (ha!). Although it has a tart finish, you can drink more than one in a drinking session.

    It’s not easy to narrow my list to five craft beers, but this compilation represents my current faves. I might just have to write another post for my go-to seasonal picks this fall! What are you drinking right now? I’m eager to hear which craft beer you think I should try next – remember I like ales and sours more than any other kind! Leave your recommendation in the comments section below.

 

 

Filed Under: Cocktails, Drinks Tagged With: alcohol, ale, apple, apple ale, beer, berry, Boulevard Brewing Company, brew, brewery, citrus, craft beer, Denver, faves, fruit, grapefruit, Great Divide, guava, happy hour, Jam Band, Kansas, Kansas City, Lawrence, Roadie, Salt Lake City, sour, tart, Uinta, unfiltered wheat, Utah

Blackberry Mint Fizzy Cocktail

June 16, 2018 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

Of all of the seasons to make cocktails, summer is my favorite! A cool drink with the fresh flavors of muddled fruit and mint is refreshing and bright in flavors and colors. My Blackberry Mint Fizzy Cocktail is a drink you can make for one or as a big batch for guests, if you triple the ingredients!

The best part of a serving a muddled cocktail is that it looks as if it required a ton of effort to make, but that’s simply not true. If you don’t own a mortar and pestle, you can use a wooden spoon inside of a tall glass to smash the blackberries for this drink.

I would recommend wearing an apron or coving the mortar with your other hand when muddling the blackberries to prevent stains on your shirt.

Once the blackberries are completely smashed, scoop the fruit goop (that’s a yummy word!) into the cocktail glass. (Instead of muddling the mint leaves, I tore them into super small pieces with my hands releasing their herbal aromatic flavor before dropping them into the glass.) Then add the sugar.

Next, add the juice of one lime wedge.

Summer drinks are made so much better tasting because of citrus from an orange, lime or lemon.

Now, add the vodka – yes, please!

You’re almost done! All you need to do is top off the glass with crushed ice and bubbly club soda to the rim.

:: Wishing I had Sonic ice for this right now ::

No need to transfer this cocktail to another glass to try to shake up the ingredients. Simply add colorful straws and stir the drink gently.

Garnish the glass with a sprig of fresh mint, a lime wedge, more blackberries, and colorful straws before serving! Cheers my dears!

You could easily swap blackberries for strawberries, blueberries, or another fruit of your choice.

Have a muddle cocktail recipe that you think I’d love? Please share the recipe in the comments! Happy Summer Drinking, friends!

onedelightfullife.com

1 cocktail

Blackberry Mint Fizzy Cocktail

This bubbly summer cocktail is a balance of tart and sweet and will remind you of a mojito but better!

15 minPrep Time

15 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 4-5 blackberries
  • 4-5 mint leaves
  • 1 tsp sugar.
  • 1/2 cup vodka
  • Crushed ice
  • Lime juice of one lime wedge
  • 1/2 cup club soda
  • 1-2 blackberries and a mint sprig for garnish.

Instructions

  1. Muddle 4-5 blackberries.
  2. Tear 4-5 mint leaves. Add blackberries and mint into a cocktail glass.
  3. Add 1 tsp sugar.
  4. Add 1/2 cup vodka.
  5. Fill cocktail glass halfway with crushed ice.
  6. Lime juice squeezed from one small lime wedge.
  7. Fill glass nearly full with crushed ice.
  8. Fill remaining space in glass with club soda about 1/2 cup.
  9. Stir cocktail with straw and top with fresh blackberries and a mint sprig for garnish.

Notes

You could easily substitute vodka for rum or silver tequila. Looking for a non-alcoholic cooler? Take out the booze!

7.8.1.2
89
https://onedelightfullife.com/blackberry-mint-fizzy-cocktail/
onedelightfullife.com

Nutrition

Calories

540 cal

Fat

3 g

Carbs

68 g

Protein

8 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info
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Filed Under: Cocktails Tagged With: berries, berry, blackberries, citrus, club soda, cocktail, crushed ice, drink, fizzy, lime juice, mojito, mortar, muddle, pestle, smashed, straw, sugar, summer, vodka

Berry Rum Smash with Lime Cocktail

May 29, 2017 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

Determined to create a cocktail that I could use to raise a glass in honor of those who served during Memorial Day, I created Berry Rum Smash with Lime Cocktail, a blender drink topped with carbonated soda. It’s a refreshing drink that is prepared with aged rum, berries, lime juice, and lemon-lime soda.

A liter of Cruzan Aged Rum cost me $14.99, a value!

I love a cocktail that stretches my creativity. This recipe requires you to use a blender to make a smooth juice from fresh blueberries, pitted sweet cherries, lime juice, aged rum (you can use silver rum), the juice of half of a lime, and Stevia for sweetness. After blending the above ingredients on high until the pulp of the fruit is minimal, pour it into a glass filled with crushed ice.

You can find these festive straws and garnish picks for $1 at Target. (not an affiliate)

After pouring the berry mixture into the glass of crushed ice, top the glass with lemon-lime soda water until filled. That’s it! It’s a fruity, cool drink to serve to guests at your next outdoor deck party or just because you want to delight in a new cocktail made from your home bar.

Cheers, my dears!

onedelightfullife.com

2 glasses

Berry Rum Smash with Lime Cocktail

This refreshing cocktail doubles down on berries, aged rum, lime juice, and lemon-lime soda.

15 minPrep Time

15 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz. aged rum (I used Cruzan)
  • 2 tsp Stevia
  • 1/2 c. pitted sweet cherries
  • 1 c. fresh blueberries (reserve a few for garnish)
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • crushed ice
  • 1 can lemon lime sode

Instructions

  1. Blend all of the ingredients except the ice in a blender on high until very smooth.
  2. Fill a glass with crushed ice.
  3. Pour berry mixture into glass.
  4. Top with lemon lime soda until full
  5. Garnish with blueberries and a lime wedge.

Notes

You can use frozen fruit for this blended cocktail. Add 1 tsp of honey for added sweetness.

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https://onedelightfullife.com/berry-rum-smash-with-lime-cocktail/
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Nutrition

Calories

189 cal

Fat

1 g

Carbs

47 g

Protein

3 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info
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Filed Under: Cocktails, Drinks Tagged With: aged rum, alcohol, alcoholic drink, berry, blueberries, blueberry, cherries, cherry, cocktail, fruit, garnish, lime, lime juice, mint, patriotic

Berry Beach Blast

July 25, 2016 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

Raise your hand if you wish you were on a sandy beach right now.

Me too!

Sometimes we can’t always escape to the beach to watch the crash of the waves and swarming seagulls overhead. There are bills to pay, children to feed, and a to-do list to accomplish on the weekends. But, I’ve got the next best thing just for you: Berry Beach Blast cocktail.

Okay, you’re right. It’s not just like sitting on the beach, but humor me for a second. Once you take a couple sips of this all natural cocktail made with coconut and lime juices and ripe strawberries, you may just mentally escape during happy hour.

Oh, and coconut water has numerous healthy benefits. According to lifehacks.org, it is rich in nutrients and reduces your blood pressure. You can buy it at any grocery store but you’ll probably find it in the organic section. If you’re not sure which brand to buy, check out this ranking list of the Top 7 Coconut Water Brands by the Thrillest.

This summer cocktail takes ten minutes to make and delivers real tropical flavor. Be sure to comment below and tell me what you think of it or tag OneDelightfulLife on Instagram. 

I can hear those ocean waves crashing now. 🙂

Cue the Jimmy Buffet.
Cue the Jimmy Buffet.

onedelightfullife.com

Berry Beach Blast

One sip and you'll swear you can hear the waves at the beach.

10 minPrep Time

10 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz. vodka
  • 1 c. coconut juice
  • juice 1/2 lime
  • 1 sliced strawberry
  • 1 sliced lime
  • 1 T. red cocktail rim sugar

Instructions

  1. Rim a glass with lime juice.
  2. Rotate glass in red cocktail rim sugar until the rim is coated well.
  3. Add ice cubed ice to the glass.
  4. In a separate large glass mix vodka, coconut juice, and sliced fruit. Stir.
  5. Transfer mixed cocktail into ice glass.
  6. Garnish with a strawberry. (optional)
7.8.1.2
39
https://onedelightfullife.com/berry-beach-blast/
onedelightfullife.com

Nutrition

Calories

19 cal

Carbs

5 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info
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I love that red gingham antique metal tray in the photo. I bought it at The Vintage Rhinestone, a super cute store stocked to full of household treasures.

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Filed Under: Cocktails, Drinks, Taste Tagged With: alcoholic drink, beach drink, berry, cocktail, coconut juice, coconut water, drink, happy hour, lime, lime juice, strawberries, strawberry, sugar, summer drink, vodka

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Hello! I'm Vanessa. Welcome to One Delightful Life, a blog created to add more delight to your life with delicious recipes, travel destinations, and lifestyle improvement ideas. Thanks for exploring my blog!

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