Birkenhof ***** Spa & Genussresort Archive - GREEN TRAVEL BLOG

Tag: Birkenhof ***** Spa & Genussresort

Holidays in tranquillity – Quiet time out and ‘Silent Retreats’ in sustainable accommodation

Holidays in tranquillity – Quiet time out and ‘Silent Retreats’ in sustainable accommodation

One of the descriptions of paradise in the Qur’an is that you won’t hear idle talk or lies there (78:35). Isn’t that wonderful? And certainly no construction noise – which plagues me as I write this. Work has started on an underground car park and…

Sustainable hotel restaurants – Our Green PearlsⓇ favourites

Sustainable hotel restaurants – Our Green PearlsⓇ favourites

In Germany, hotel restaurants are not necessarily a hot topic in the gastronomic scene (with a few exceptions). In countries like the USA or India, it’s quite different – and I also enjoy going to hotel restaurants (or the hotel café or rooftop terrace). Although…

Conflict issue: Vacationing as a couple with different interests

Conflict issue: Vacationing as a couple with different interests

Some people want peace and quiet, while others crave action while on vacation – How do you balance that in a relationship? Not at all? Relationship therapist Dr. Ursina Brun del Re suggests in the NZZ that some couples are better off traveling separately. But there are also (sustainable) lodges where your couple vacation will be in good hands, despite your different interests. (more…)

A sustainable 7-star gourmet weekend in Germany’s Upper Palatinate region

A sustainable 7-star gourmet weekend in Germany’s Upper Palatinate region

Would you like to treat yourself to a true gourmet weekend with wellness, world-class cuisine, elegance and exquisite service? But your “green conscience” is getting in the way? How about combining luxury with sustainability? You can at the Birkenhof***** Spa & Genussresort.

What is luxury? A concept in flux – and in harmony with sustainability?

What is luxury? A concept in flux – and in harmony with sustainability?

Luxury hotel, luxury resort, luxury brand, luxury you don’t need and luxury you ought to have – we use the word luxury a lot – but have you ever thought about what it really means? What do you consider a personal luxury?

 

So, what exactly is cream soda?

Cream soda mixed with vanilla ice cream by a soda jerk—historical photo
A soda jerk in Texas in 1920. IMAGE: Wikimedia Commons

Th drink originated in the United States. In the 1920s, soda bars were all the rage, and soda jerks would mix drinks fresh with soda water, milk, ice cream, or egg, depending on the customer’s preference.

Today, cream soda is usually a sweet, carbonated lemonade with vanilla flavoring (though it doesn’t contain milk or cream). In the U.S., it’s often golden brown, but in Japan, there are also pink and green varieties flavored with cotton candy or melon.

In German-speaking countries, cream soda is not a standard supermarket beverage. Instead, it is often only available as an imported product in U.S./U.K. or Asian sections. (Note: Mass-produced brands like A&W (U.S.) and Barr (U.K.) typically contain artificial flavors, colors, and corn syrup.

You’ll have the smallest ecological footprint if you use cream soda syrups that you carbonate or mix with sparkling water yourself.)

 

A glass of pink lemonade, garnished with a slice of lemon; in the background, other glasses containing similar drinks

Summer Smash Lemonade with Cream Soda and Berries

The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb shared its recipe for this refreshing summer drink. A sophisticated flavor with berries, cream soda, and a pinch of salt and chili to finish it off!!
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

  • 200 g mixed berries e.g., raspberries, blueberries, strawberries
  • 100 ml lime juice freshly squeezed (about 2–3 limes)
  • 100 ml elderflower syrup  or agave syrup for natural sweetness
  • 150 ml mineral water fresh and bubbly
  • ice cubes
  • 2 tbsp mint leaves
  • lime slices for garnish
  • splash chili or ginger syrup for a little kick (optional)
  • sea salt

Instructions
 

  • Place the berries in a small bowl and mash them into a purée. Set a few whole berries aside for garnish.
  • Pour freshly squeezed lime juice into a glass or shaker and mix it well with either elderflower or agave syrup.
  • Hand-pluck the mint leaves and add them to the lime juice along with ice cubes. Then, shake or stir the mixture vigorously.
  • Fill the three serving glasses with the berry purée first, and then top them off with the lime-mint mixture.
  • Now, carefully stir in the sparkling mineral water and cream soda.
  • Here's an optional tip from the hotel bartender: "If you like it spicy, add a splash of chili or ginger syrup. It gives the lemonade a cool kick that perfectly balances the fruity sweetness."
  • Garnish & Serve: Garnish with fresh berries, lime slices, and mint leaves. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top for an added kick that perfectly rounds out the flavor and enhances the fruitiness.
Keyword Mocktail