Farmhouse Smiling Gecko Archive - GREEN TRAVEL BLOG

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Travel that changes you – Transformative Travel

Travel that changes you – Transformative Travel

What is the purpose of your trip? Relax and have fun? Not bad. But there is also a travel trend for those looking for (even) more meaning in their travels. Transformational travel describes the search for experiences that foster personal growth, self-discovery, and a deeper…

Say goodbye to single-use plastics: Green solutions from sustainable hotels

Say goodbye to single-use plastics: Green solutions from sustainable hotels

Clean beaches and seas, unspoiled nature in the mountains – that’s what tourists want. And hotels want to deliver. The problem is that the hotel industry itself is a major source of plastic waste. Single-use plastics in the form of typical hotel slippers, small packages…

Charity Hotels – Stay the night and do some good

Charity Hotels – Stay the night and do some good

Lying by the pool, sipping a chilled lemonade, taking in the view, perhaps even joining a guided tour to explore the stunning natural surroundings and ancient temples – doing good can be so rewarding. All it takes is a charity hotel.
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8 things you should NOT do on vacation

8 things you should NOT do on vacation

Want to be sustainable on vacation and be a model (sustainable) hotel guest? Then read on to find out what hoteliers are saying about what their valued guests should NOT do while on vacation 🙂

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…

 

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