Food/Beverage, Recipes

5 Cocktail Recipes Using Beer or Hard Cider

Erin Sluka
5 Cocktail Recipes Using Hard Cider or Beer

With so many beer and cider flavors on the market it is easy to get creative and impress your guests with some cocktail recipes using beer, ciders, wines and liquor that transform these ingredients to a brand new level. It’s like making one drink that will satisfy everyone from the beer lover to the cocktail lover.

There are some go-to items to grab at the grocery store when you plan on entertaining guests that will be handy for any recipe creation whether you are using beer, cider or hard liquor. So, make sure you grab fresh berries, citrus fruits and some bottles of Sparkling Ice!

Summer Shandy

Summer Shandy

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

In an ice filled glass, combine light beer and Sparkling Ice Peach Nectarine. Garnish with a strawberry slice and serve. 

Sunshine Boilermaker

Boilermaker

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

In a pint glass, pour beer at an angle to eliminate head. Add 1.5 oz of bourbon. Top with Sparkling Ice Lemon Lime. Garnish with lemon wedge. 

Gold Apple Cider Martini

martini
  • For Anise Simple Syrup:
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 whole stars of anise

Directions 
To make the Anise Simple Syrup:
Put all ingredients in a small pot & cook until sugar dissolves. Set aside until cool. Cocktail: In a shaker filled with ice, mix the martini ingredients and stir until chilled. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a floating star anise on top.

Pear Secco Rum Blush

rum blush

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2-ounce pear juice
  • 3/4-ounce dark rum
  • 1-tablespoon cherry grenadine
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • (1) 8 oz. cold can of Strongbow Pear Secco CiderPear slice and cherry for garnish (optional)

Directions 
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Serve in a tumbler over ice with a slice of pear and a cherry.

Original Dry Spritz

dry spritz

Ingredients

Directions 
Build all ingredients sequentially in a large wine goblet, topping with Strongbow. Add ice and garnish with a lemon.

The reason why I am featuring Strongbow Ciders is that they are a personal favorite of mine. The Strongbow 100 calorie slim cans are also a 2019 Product of the Year award winner. I was sent some samples for this feature so I have tasted and recommend the brand.

Comment: I was sent product for this authentic feature. All opinions are my own

Healthy Living, Infant Toddler Products, Kids

3 All natural supplements and vitamins that keep your kids healthy

Erin Sluka
3 All natural supplements and vitamins that keep your kids healthy

Last year was brutal. Our youngest had a sinus infection, colds a few times and even got Type A flu with 2 other classmates who also tested positive and they were vaccinated! This year is good so far except I already have co-workers with head colds so it is starting.

When Anthony came home last week to say many kids were not in his classes because they called in sick I broke out the supplements and there are 3 I keep close by – Elderberry Gummies, Nature Nose Beast and Immune Boost.

It is important that our supplements do not contain synthetic ingredients. Anthony’s natural supplements come from JoySpring. I have been pitched and researched on my own many supplement and vitamin brands and I narrowed it down to JoySpring. I just love the natural, organic and allergen free formulas. While typical immune boosters for kids contain synthetic ingredients or chemicals, their immune support liquid is 3rd party tested and safe for infants, toddlers & growing kids.

You may wonder why I have Elderberry and Immune Boost. The difference in these two are that the Elderberry Blend+ drops contain Organic Elderberry, Mullein Leaf, Marshmallow Root, Angelica Root, Orange Peel, Calendula Flower. Immune Boost drops contain Organic Echinacea Purpurea Root, Oregon Grape Root, Lemon Peel, Thyme Leaf, Black Walnut Hull.

The way I use these 3 supplements is that everyday Anthony gets the Elderberry Gummies or drops as maintenance germ fighting. Then when allergy season hits he gets the Nasal Nose Beast drops as well. I use the Immune Boost in place of our Elderberry when I know he is exposed to germs, kids in class sick or we are sick, for a powerful germ-fighter against live viruses.

I would also use the Immune Boost and Elderberry together near the Holidays or finals at school because JoySpring supplements and vitamins are ok to mix and he is 11 so his older age means we can up dosage a bit. With Elderberry power and the Immune Boost (Echinacea) power he is really covered. I do space each out am and pm so he is not taking too much at a time for his stomach’s sake.

While my son has sinus issues I love that they have Nature Nose Beast drops that are a blend of Elderberry, Elecampane Root, Lungwort Leaf & Astragalus Root to fight allergies, congestion and inflammation. JoySpring says that the ingredients are widely considered the safest homeopathic remedy, these respiratory herbs can also be used to loosen congestion caused by seasonal colds, the flu & other illnesses that affect breathing. Just 2-3 drops per day by mouth or mixed into food/drink.

The end of this season will tell for sure if we can stay healthier this year. For now, he is going strong in his first year at Middle School. You can find even more than the 3 supplements options I recommended by visiting JoySpring and stocking up for the upcoming seasons.

Make sure to use the code: PARENTINGHEALTHY and save 15%

Comment: I was sent samples and have decided to become an affiliate. All opinions are my own

Children's Books, Giveaways, Infant Toddler Products

Chew-proof and rip-proof Indestructibles Baby Books – Giveaway

Erin Sluka

It’s always the favorite books that get torn pages and bent covers. I always grab the most used books for the boys and stash them in keepsakes as they grow beyond them and I have some tattered books in their boxes. With Indestructibles baby books, these pages won’t tear.

There are many titles from learning (colors, shapes, numbers) to everyday sights and Holidays (Hanukkah Baby and Christmas Baby). The books are chew-proof and rip-proof and printed on a unique 100% nontoxic, paperlike material making them Indestructible.

These books were invented by Amy Pixton, a mother of triplets, after bits of traditional board books found their way into her babies’ mouths. If they get dirty, just wipe them clean.

There are several collections and I get to give a collection away. I am giving away the Kate Merritt Collection. Open to US residents age 18+. Enter below by October 7, 2019. Good luck!

Indestructibles Baby Books

Comment: I was sent product for this authentic feature. All opinions are my own

Education, Infant Toddler Products

High Contrast Educational Flashcards for Baby

Erin Sluka

One of the easiest developmental stages we can help our baby develop is visual stimulation. We do this by using high contrast toys and books or educational flashcards for baby like the varieties from Banana Panda.

The boldness of black and white images stand out best for baby as they start off seeing a blurry world from their eyes. With pops of color like yellows, reds and other primary colors it really is engaging for baby.

High contrast shapes and patterns provide the baby with something simple and engaging to focus on, and in this focus – or intense concentration – they can allow their minds to rest. Researchers have repeatedly shown that newborns prefer to look at black and white geometric shapes, rather than bright colors or pastels.

These make fantastic gifts for new parents on your next baby shower invite. Find Banana Panda – The Way I See It Educational Flash Cards on Amazon. Find High Contrast Flash Cards on a Ring on Amazon.

Comment: I was sent product for this authentic feature. All opinions are my own