An orange banana smoothie is proof that the simplest things are often the best. With just two ingredients and under five minutes, you can make the easiest smoothie ever. (And if you choose to include the bonus ingredients, it gets even better!)

Banana Orange Smoothie

This really is the easiest smoothie ever!

Tossed together one morning many years ago, just to use up an overabundance of bananas and oranges, my kids flipped over this simple smoothie.

After I handed the drinks to the kids, I walked out of the kitchen for a moment. My middle son yelled after me, “The smoothie is fantastic!” Why am I not surprised that they adored a smoothie made of nothing but juice and bananas?

In the years since, I’ve made it with both store-bought orange juice and freshly squeezed. Both versions are terrific. And while the ginger and lime are optional ingredients in this smoothie, I highly recommend adding them both. They work to brighten the flavors and add a new dimension to this simple drink. 

Banana Smoothie

To make these sunny smoothies, you’ll need the following two in

Make the best of the end of summer with this recipe for peach iced tea. There’s something extra special about a glass of iced tea when it’s warm outside. I’ll happily drink tea year-round, but in the summertime, a cold glass in my hand encourages me to head for the front porch and enjoy the moment.

Peach Tea

So, when I made a batch of peach simple syrup the other day, I knew right away that it was destined for some peach iced tea. This is everything I want in a summer drink: it’s light, refreshing, and just barely sweetened.

Now, if you happen to live in the south, and your cup of tea is often sweeter than mine? Go right ahead and make your peach tea as sweet as your taste buds crave it.

How to Make Peach Tea

You’ll start with some simple tea bags, black for classic iced tea flavor or peppermint (my personal favorite) for a peach mint tea that feels a little lighter. You’ll need this peach syrup, too. You can whip it up right on your stovetop. The syrup is made with just peaches, water, and sugar. Easy peasy as can be.

You can make the tea as strong or as mild as you like, and you control the sweetness by adding more or less syrup. Plus, the peach flavor is natural and fresh. I’m telling you, it tastes nothing at all like the peach tea you can buy at the grocery store.

Another little perk? You can make a big pitcher of it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge so it’s ready whenever you want a glass. If you’re hosting friends, you can easily double the batch and serve it in a big drink dispenser with plenty of ice and fresh peach slices floating on top. It’s a great way to add a little wow factor to your drink table without much extra effort.

And while it’s perfect just as it is, I won’t judge if you give it a little grown-up twist with a splash of bourbon or vodka. There’s nothing wrong with turning the front porch into a very relaxed, happy hour at home.

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Peach syrup is fragrant, fruity, and perfect for adding a burst of summer sweetness to just about anything.

It should come as no surprise to anyone when I tell you that I love peaches. For me, peaches and watermelon are two of the best things in summer. When peaches are at their best, juicy, super fragrant, and so sweet you just can’t stop eating them, you’re likely to find me standing over the sink taking a bite out of one with juices running down my arm. I can never resist them.

After I finished making the 6th or 8th or maybe it was the 10th batch of peach jam, I decided to use the last of my peaches to make a simple peach syrup. I had visions of a peach whiskey smash or maybe a fresh peach martini in mind.

Peach Syrup

If you’ve never made a fruit syrup before, don’t worry, it’s beyond easy. All you need are peaches, sugar, and water. That’s it.

Peach simple syrup is perfect for mixing into iced tea, lemonade, cocktails, or even sparkling water. You can reduce the syrup a little further and drizzle it over pancakes or waffles, try stirring it into yogurt, or use it to sweeten a bowl of oatmeal.

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Rich, sweet, and infused with whiskey that has been mellowed by heavy cream, homemade Irish cream is dreamy. It’s much more subtle and sophisticated than its commercial counterpart.

Homemade Irish Cream

Unless you’ve never been in a bar or had an adult beverage in the United States, you’ve definitely heard of and probably enjoyed Bailey’s Irish Cream. From Irish coffees to Mudslides, Irish cream is everywhere.

It’s also used in many cakes, frostings, and other desserts. And if you love Bailey’s, you should definitely be making Irish cream at home.

Why? Well, fresh is always best, for starters. But it’s also so easy to make it seems silly not to. You can also make your own subtle adjustments to the recipe to make it exactly like you want it.

Which brings us to an important point. What is Irish cream anyway?

What is Bailey’s Irish Cream?

Irish cream is a perfectly balanced of cream, Irish whiskey, chocolate, and coffee.

Commercial versions are emulsified with vegetable oil, and are good for up to six months after being opened so long as they’re refrigerated. Homemade foregoes the vegetable oil and uses the blender to add an aerated texture and is good for up to two months in the refrigerator.

Homemade Irish Cream Recipe

To make your very own homemade Irish cream, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• heavy cream
• sweetened condensed milk
• Irish whiskey
• chocolate syrup
• instant coffee granules
• vanilla extract
• almond extract

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3 ingredient hot cocoa mix is a tasty, simple, convenient, and economical way to get your hot chocolate fix. Whip up a batch to keep on hand for after school, cold weather, and cravings!

3 Ingredient Hot Cocoa Mix

We’ve been making 3 ingredient cocoa for about as long as I can remember. Milk + Cocoa + Sugar add up to a terrific cup of hot chocolate.

However, my kids prefer to just grab the packets of cocoa and add hot water when they want cocoa. So, that led me back to this mix that my mom always had on hand when we were growing up. It works the same way – and tastes better by far!

It’s a budget friendly recipe, too. So grab your whisk and 3 simple ingredients and a delightful cup of cocoa is mere moments away!

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

To make this old-fashioned hot cocoa mix, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• powdered milk
• powdered sugar
• unsweetened cocoa powder
• Optional: mini marshmallows, candy canes, whipped cream, and shaved chocolate

It’s important to use unsweetened cocoa powder for this recipe. Our family loves special dark or bittersweet cocoa powder for the mix. Use what you like best for baking, and you can’t go too far wrong.

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