Today’s drinks are kid friendly.  When I started working here, I couldn’t get enough of our shop’s flavorful sodas.  I’ve tried many different flavors, mixed and alone.  Here are some classic and unique recipes that not only include sparkling water/club soda, but milk as well!  If your kid doesn’t drink milk, or maybe even you don’t, here’s your chance!

Torani Root Beer Soda:  1oz. Torani Classic Root Beer Syrup (4 Pumps), 8oz. Sparkling Water or Club Soda.

Pomegranate-Apple Soda:  1/2oz. Torani Pomegranate Syrup (2 Pumps), ½ oz. Torani Apple Syrup (2 Pumps), 8oz. Sparkling Water or Club Soda.

Peachsicle Milk:  1oz. Torani Peach Syrup (4 Pumps), 8oz. Milk.

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Flavored Milk:  1oz. Torani Brown Sugar Cinnamon Syrup (4 Pumps), 8oz. Milk.

 Just a side note, but the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Milk reminded me of the time when my cousin and I came up with this delicious recipe for a vanilla flavored milk!  I’m sure one of the Torani Vanilla flavored Syrups would be delicious and a great substitute for our ingredients!  Make it just like the milk recipes above.  Try it out and let me know!

ENJOY!!

Torani Mai Tai:  1/2oz. Torani Mandarin Orange Syrup (2 Pumps), 1/2oz. Torani Lime Syrup (2 Pumps), Splash of Torani Orgeat Syrup, 1oz. Rum, 2oz. Orange Juice, 1oz. Pineapple Juice, 1oz. Sparkling Water or Club Soda.  (Add a thin slice of orange for garnish, if desired)

*Replace Rum with 1/2oz. Club Soda and 1/2oz. Juice of Your Choice.

Get the music going but keep the modern stuff in its album.  Try some tropical music and really bring the neighborhood together!  When I was younger, we did just this!  We lived in a small town that my ancestors built from the ground up after the Civil War.  Everyone knew everyone else’s families so community get-togethers were abundant during every season.  While the older kids played red rover, the adults would make themselves cocktails and start up the grill.  We were never lucky enough to have Torani recipes, but our parents always made sure we were able to experience the Mocktail at its finest.  Give your kids the chance to try something grown-up too and show them you don’t need a Cocktail to have fun!

Torani Filapina:  1/2oz. Torani Peach Syrup (2 Pumps), 1/2oz. Torani Passion Fruit Syrup (2 Pumps), 2oz. Pineapple Juice, 6oz.  (Add Pineapple wedge for garnish, if desired).

Summer Blast Granita:  ½ Bottle Torani Strawberry Puree Blend (2 Pumps), ½ Bottle, Torani Kiwi Puree Blend (2 Pumps) 2 Gallons Milk or Water.

Well these were my favorite ideas for this month.  Email me with the subject:  “RecipeGeek Favorites” at support3@jlhufford.com with your favorite recipes and activities and I’ll do my best to get them posted ASAP!

*As always, drink responsibly and ENJOY!!

A couple of weeks ago, I visited Chicago.  There is always something to do no matter where you go, so we decided to look up some local festivals for the weekend.  We found that there are numerous Farmers Markets in just about every area around the city.  If you get the chance, I would recommend finding yourself the nearest farmers market and picking up some fruits and vegetables for your smoothies and freezes.  Strawberries, watermelons, blackberries, raspberries, apples, oranges, and peaches are most likely available for purchase!    It’s a great idea to substitute part of the syrup with fruit.  You’ll still get the same great flavor, but you’ll get the benefits of getting your daily dosage of fruits!  Play around with these recipes and some fruit and let me know what worked out best for you!

Raspberry Lemon Freeze:  2 Cups Ice, 2oz. Torani Raspberry Puree Blend, 4oz. Lemonade.

Frusia Summer Freeze:  2 Cups Ice, 1oz. Torani Strawberry Puree Blend, 1oz. Torani Watermelon Syrup, 4oz. Lemonade.

And who knows?  Maybe you’ll learn more about fruits, vegetables and spices than you thought and you can start your own little garden right in your own back yard!  This is just another easy way to get your kids to eat their fruits and veggies without putting up a fight.  (They’ll never even know its in there, especially if you use a Vita-Mix Blender!!)

ENJOY!!

**For Blended drinks, use the best of the best when it comes to blenders...VITA MIX of course!  Check out the Professional Series.  (I WANT ONE!)

Some flavors are timeless and can evoke memories of a simpler time.  Toasted marshmallow is a perfect example brining to mind nights spend making "s'mores" around a campfire.  My family used to go camping with my mother's twin sister's family during the summers when my siblings and I were younger.  My older cousin and I always had so much fun.  Well, it was more like I thought he was the funniest guy to ever walk the planet and he would make me laugh so hard I would almost pee my pants.  Anyways, when we made S'mores, we both loved our marshmallows burnt so they would be hot enough to melt the chocolate.  Now my younger cousin and I do the same, except he makes the ultimate s'more by using two graham crackers, three pieces of chocolate, and two marshmallows.  I have a picture of me trying to take a bite. All I can say is MESSY!  During this camping season, reminisce with the Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Milk, and stay clean.

Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Milk:  1oz. Torani Chocolate Sauce (1 Pump), 1/2oz Torani Toasted Marshamllow Syrup (2 Pumps), 8oz. Milk.

ENJOY!!

As summer starts to wind down and the "Back to School" madness begins, give yourself one last day to relax and enjoy the warmth of the summer sun.  Sit on your front porch or lay in the hammock beneath the swaying trees.  Whatever you do, give yourself a much deserved rest.  Let plenty of light fill your space and serve up some chocolate tranquility with the White Coco-Mocha Freeze.  Oh what I would give to have a hammock in my back yard!  Just enjoy yourself.  That's all we could ever ask!

White Coco-Mocha Freeze:  1oz. Torani Coconut Syrup (4 Pumps), 1oz. Chocolate Bianco Syrup (4 Pumps), 2 Shots Espresso, 6oz. Milk, 2 Cups Ice, Whipped Cream and Toasted Coconut Flakes for Garnish, If Desired.

ENJOY!!

**For Blended drinks, use the best of the best when it comes to blenders...VITA MIX of course!  Check out the Professional Series.  (I WANT ONE!)

As one of summer's favorite (and largest) fruits, the watermelon has a refreshing quality perfect for cooling you down on hot days.  Though over 90 percent water, watermelons retain a distinctive sweet flavor.  They originated in Southern Africa and are the most common type of melon.  Celebrate this summertime staple by serving Torani Waves all day long! 

Torani Wave:  1 1.2oz. Torani Watermelon Syrup (6 Pumps), 1/2oz. Torani Passion Fruit Syrup (2 Pumps) 6oz. Orange Juice, 4oz. Sparkling Water or Club Soda, 1/2oz. Lime Juice.

Once at a nearby town festival, I was hanging out with all of my cousins when we heard the anouncement over the loud speaker.  "Watermelon eating contest in 15 minutes!  Be sure to sign up at the front entrance"  Don't get me wrong, I love watermelon, but I've given myself some bad experiences.  First of all, and even to this day, I still think there is something wrong with actually eating the seeds.  I never could quite just swallow the seeds whole; I would always end up chewing them or trying to spit them out.  Andy my stomach never quite agrees with eating a whole half of a watermelon.  Neither of my tactics were going to work if I wanted to win the prize, so I manned the picnic table while my cousins ran to get in line.  I come from a large extended family where most of them farm for a living.  Two of my cousins were tree trunk like boys and they apparently needed a lot of fuel for this excursion!  Of course, they came back with seeds and watermelon pieces stuck to their shirts, faces, and even hair!  They won and won't let me forget that I'm afraid to swallow watermelon seeds.

ENJOY!!

In the world of desserts, cream pies have always been a favorite.  The most popular versions of this delectrable dessert are coconut and banana.  However, raspberry flavored cream pie is a refreshing alternative to the more traditional flavors.  Serve Raspberry Cream Pie Shakes today and create a new tradition.

Raspberry Cream Pie Shake:  2oz. Torani Raspberry Puree Blend (2 Pumps), 1oz. Torani Vanilla Bean Syrup (4 Pumps), 4oz. Milk, 8oz. Premium Vanilla Iced Cream.

ENJOY!!

*If Raspberry is not your thing, Torani offers their Puree blends in Banana and Pina Colada too!

**For Blended drinks, use the best of the best when it comes to blenders...VITA MIX of course!  Check out the Professional Series.  (I WANT ONE!)

The month of August is when families will be taking advantage of the warm weather and those few weeks before another school year starts.  Many will try to squeeze in one last excursion during this month(that's what my family did), and others will be out and about exploring their own town.  Be sure to have your lemonade stand ready to go for all those travelers who get thirsty along the way!  Stay tuned for some other amazing recipes and some very interesting fun facts about the different types of fruits you will be using!

For the Lemonade Stand:

Raspberry Mango Granita:  1/2 Bottle Torani Raspberry Puree Blend, 1/2 Bottle Torani Mango Puree Blend, 2 Gallons Milk or Water.

Sugar Free Strawberry Soda:  1oz. Torani Sugar Free Strawberry Syrup (4 Pumps), 8oz. Sparkling Water or Club Soda.

ENJOY!!

When I was in high school, I played volleyball and was asked to play for Team Indiana.  The most exciting part was having the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful places in the world!  HAWAII!!!  We not only got to play our favorite sport, but we were taken on a tour of the Dole Plantation.  If you ever get the chance, don’t pass it up!  Almost every person I’ve spoken to believes the pineapple grows on a tree.  In reality, they grow from a bush that has trough-shaped pointed leaves.  The hummingbird pollinates the flowers that grow the fruit.  I also found out that each single pineapple is made up of numerous flowers which means that what we believe to be one single pineapple is really a bunch of fruit that has grown together!  A good way to shop for fresh pineapple is to look at the “eyes” or markings on the fruit and make sure they are even from top to bottom.  This will ensure a ripe pineapple.  One of my favorite ways to eat fresh pineapple is on the grill!  I love how it caramelizes the sugar…yummm!  

Tropical Blend Lemonade:  1/2oz. Torani Passion Fruit Syrup, 1/2oz. Torani Pineapple Syrup, Splash Torani mango Syrup, 8oz. Lemonade.

Barbados’ original “forbidden fruit”, the grapefruit, and the mandarin orange, most popularly grown in China, fuse their juices together to make one blissful concoction!

Citrus Bliss Lemonade:  1oz. Torani Mandarin Orange Syrup, Splash Torani Pink Grapefruit Syrup, 8oz. Lemonade.

Torani’s Passion Fruit Syrup mixes the ripe sweet fruit juices of the tropics together to get the perfect proportions of sweet and tangy to make this drink drive your taste buds CRAZY!

Pure Passion Lemonade:  1oz. Torani Passion Fruit Syrup, 8oz. Lemonade.

Enjoy!

My family used to have peach, apple and pear trees that lined our driveway.  If you’ve been following this month’s blogs, you must know by now that we lived in the boondocks.  We just recently were able to get a cell phone signal at our old house, which is on a hill!  Anywho, my experience with peaches goes back a ways.  I used to climb the trees and watch the cars go by.  It was peaceful and relaxing, until you slipped on the rough bark and scratched your butt up so bad it looked like you slid into home base without any pants on. 

This is a little off subject, but I’ve always heard that peaches and nectarines are different fruits.  Well technically the nectarine and peach belong to the same species.  It all has to do with the breeding of the plant.  Some have believed a nectarine is a cross breed between peaches and plums, or it’s a “Peach with a plum skin”.  In reality, nectarines are formed because of a recessive gene; whereas the peach’s fuzzy skin is a dominant gene.

Lemony-Peach Freeze:  2 Cups Ice, 2oz. Torani Peach Puree Blend, 4oz. Lemonade.

Strawberry Peach Lemon Freeze:  2 Cups Ice, 1oz. Torani Peach Puree Blend, 1oz. Torani Strawberry Puree Blend, 4oz. Lemonade.

The mango flavor is for some, but not for all.  I really like it, probably because I enjoy all fruit flavors.  It is, however, one of the most popular fruits for food, juice, flavor, frangrance, and color.  Even its leaves are used for special occasions like decorations for religious ceremonies and even weddings!  Mango is a great flavor for smoothies, teas, lemonades, and mixed drinks!  I’m sure you’ll find a way to have a crazy good time with mango!

Mango Berry Freeze:  2 Cups Ice, 1oz. Torani Mango Syrup, 1oz. Torani Raspberry Syrup, 4oz. Lemonade.

ENJOY!!

My first question to you is…”Do you like Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain?”  I always thought this was a fun loving song, until I listened to the lyrics.  It sure is fun, and loving.  And I actually do like getting caught in the rain.  It's sort of liberating!  I personally, LOVE Pina Coladas, especially with a slice of pineapple on the side.  Mmmm.  It’s like heaven on earth! Let’s try Torani’s twist on the Pina Colada.

Pina Colada Freeze:  2 Cups Ice, 2oz. Torani Pina Colada Puree Blend, 4oz. Lemonade.

*Blend ingredients in blender until smooth.  Yields one 16oz. drink.

 This next minty delight is sure to keep you awake in the warm summer air as you sit under the shade tree.  Torani’s Crème de Menthe syrup is pretty intense, but not overwhelming.  The lemonade will help calm it down! 

Refreshing Mint Lemonade:  1oz. Torani Crème de Menthe Syrup, 8oz Lemonade

*Combine ingredients and pour over ice.  Yields one 16oz. drink.

ENJOY!!

The Chinese gooseberry, melonette, or kiwifruit as we common day folk call it, has to be one of the coolest berries around.  Sometimes sweet and sometimes sour, kiwifruit was my favorite breakfast food when I was growing up.  My dad would bring home a big bag to surprise us.  My older sister and I would never let a single one go bad; they would be gone by the end of the school week!  Kiwis were the common ground between us! (Just kidding sis!)

And just as a side note…I once accidentally grew my own little watermelon in our driveway.  It was little because it wasn’t in ideal conditions.  I babysat it every day after school.  I couldn’t wait to finally pick it from the rind.  Then, one day after I finally managed to make it up our big hilly driveway after being dropped off by the bus, I found it.  My little guy was completely smashed.  Someone had accidentally run it over. 

Endless Summer Lemonade:  1oz. Torani Watermelon Syrup, Splash Torani Kiwi Syrup, 8oz. Lemonade.

*Combine ingredients and pour over ice.  Yields one 16oz. drink.

Just about everyone knows about strawberries.  My family had this little side garden where we grew rhubarb and strawberries.  You know what I love about strawberries?  They come back every year!  I’m not a fan of replanting your plants! I’m just glad we lived in an area where strawberries could survive year after year!  Try these blended lemonades on those especially hot August days.

Strawberry Kiwi Freeze:  2 Cups Ice, 1oz. Torani Strawberry Puree Blend, 1oz. Torani Kiwi Puree Blend, 4oz. Lemonade.

Kiwi Freeze:  2 Cups Ice, 2oz. Torani Kiwi Syrup, 4oz. Lemonade.

*Blend ingredients in blender until smooth.  Yields one 16oz. drink.

ENJOY!!

 **For Blended drinks, use the best of the best when it comes to blenders...VITA MIX of course!  Check out the Professional Series.  (I WANT ONE!)

Do you know where Guavas are from?  I knew they were a tropical fruit, but I never sat down to really think about their origin.  Well what good is the internet if you can’t find answers to your questions, so we did a little guava searching!

Guavas are native to Mexico, Central America, Northern South America, parts of the Caribbean, and in some tropical areas as well.  They have distinct dark green elliptical leaves and five pedaled white flowers. In certain areas, the guava will be green to yellow, but in others it drastically differs with a pink to red hue.  No matter the color, this fruit can be considered a superfruit.  The guava is abundant in Vitamins C and A, omega-3 and 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and has especially high levels of dietary fiber.  Guavas are sweet and tangy all in one big bite.  No wonder the Torani syrup is so delicious!  They grabbed the best of both worlds!!

Guava Lemonade:  1oz. Torani Guava Syrup, 8oz. Lemonade.

Guava Lemonade Tea:  1oz. Torani Guava Syrup, 4oz. Lemonade, 4oz. Tea.

Another fruit I have always been curious about is the Pomegranate.  I had no idea it was a shrub!  Or that it grew in the Middle East’s drier areas!  We’ve brought this ruby fruit to the US to California and Arizona for their juice production abilities.  These red flowered beauties can be between a lemon or grapefruit in size.  These too are high in Vitamin C and B5.  Torani is taking the syrup world by storm with these good-for-you fruits! 

Pomegranate Lemonade:  1oz. Torani Pomegranate Syrup, 8oz. Lemonade.

*Combine ingredients and pour over one cup of ice.  Yields one 16oz. drink.

ENJOY!!

I am in loooovvve with Iced Tea and Lemonade.  Besides good ‘ol H2O, they are my all time favorite summertime drink.  However, I am not a big fan of really fruity or sweet drinks.  So I've found a solution to my not-so-sweet tooth. Torani offers about 29 different flavors of SUGAR FREE syrups!  Substitute any of these syrups in the following recipes for a sugar free drink.  Enjoy it the way you like it, enjoy it with peace of mind, and just plain out enjoy your drink! 

Raspberry Limeade:  1oz. Torani Raspberry Syrup, Splash Torani Lime Syrup, 8oz. Lemonade.

Torani Strawberry Lemonade:  1oz. Torani Strawberry Syrup, 8oz. Lemonade.

Peach Melba Lemonade:  1/2oz. Torani Peach Syrup, 1/2oz. Raspberry Syrup, 8oz. Lemonade.

Mango madness Lemonade:   1oz. Torani Mango Syrup, 8oz. Lemonade.

Watermelon Lemonade:  1oz. Torani Watermelon Syrup, 8oz. Lemonade.

*Combine ingredients and pour over one cup ice.  Yields one 16oz. drink.

*For a Sugar Free drink, use sugar free lemonade and replace regular Torani syrup for their Sugar Free syrup.

All Torani Sugar Free Syrup:  Almond Roca, Almond, Black Cherry, Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Caramel, Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Chocolate, Classic Caramel, Classic Hazelnut, Coconut, Coffee, English Toffee, French Vanilla, Hazelnut, Irish Cream, Lemon, Lime, Mango, Orange, Peach, Peanut Butter, Peppermint, Raspberry, Strawberry, Sweetener, Vanilla Bean, Vanilla, Watermelon, White Chocolate.

Sugar Free syrups are a great way to go if you prefer to control the sweetness level in your beverage!

ENJOY!!

That's right all you RecipeGeek blog readers, August is the month of Lemonade!  Let your kids have some summer fun raising money for a local charity by holding a lemonade stand.  Or maybe at the next baseball game you can whip out your mad lemonade making skills and show everyone how its done.  Whatever the case, you're sure to make bank wih tomorrow's fresh recipes.  Master your technique and then follow along the rest of the month for new ideas and tips on everyone's favorite summer drink!

 Basic Flavored Lemonade Recipe:  1oz. Torani Syrup, 8oz. Lemonade, 1 Cup Ice.  Stir well and enjoy!

 Best Lemonade Flavor Fusions:  Raspberry, Peach, Strawberry

Trendy Fusions:  Guava, Pomegranate, Peach, Watermelon

*Yields one 16oz. drink.

ENJOY!!

P.S.  I'll give you a sneak peak preview of what you can expect the rest of the month!  They're going to be creative!!

Jungle Juice:  1 Tbsp. Torani Orgeat (Almond) Syrup, 1/2 Tbsp. Torani Passion Fruit Syrup, 1/2 Cup Lemonade, 1/4 Cup Cranberry Juice.

*Combine lemonade, juice and Torani syrup in a tall glass filled with ice and stir well.

After sitting outside and catching some summer rays, I decided that I needed something to cool me down. Then it hit me! I should make a blended ice drink. What better way to relax with a Big Train Fruit Tea Blast! Mix these tasty treats up into a party of flavor for your mouth to devour! Try the Wildberry Boost, Mango Madness, Pomegranate Blueberry, Lemon Cooler, Cranberry Raspberry, or my favorite Peach Pizazz.

The best way to mix these mouth-watering delights is to use one of our Vita-mix Blenders. Did you decide that you want one for home and at work? No problem, we carry both lines of Vita-mix machines. The Vita-mix Professional series is my favorite home unit, while the Vita-mix Bar Boss will get the job done at work or in your restaurant.