Holiday Matcha Shake with Moonlit Matcha

A frosty, matcha shake infused with fresh nutmeg and sweetened by Kahlua is thick with creamy cashews that makes a healthy and delicious treat!

I always have two different types of matcha in my fridge. One is for baking, a lower grade matcha that's best for donuts, waffles, smoothies and the like. The other is best for drinking, a higher grade matcha that I usually drink plain whisked into hot water using my little bamboo whisk. I don't usually make matcha lattes or anything like that, but every so often I'll crave a sort of frosty matcha shake. Today I thought I'd share my holiday version of this yummy drink and a give you a tip on where to get some fantastic high quality matcha.

For drinking, you'll want a premium or ceremonial grade matcha. Cooking grade matcha is best left to be incorporated into baked goods or smoothies. I've been buying this same ceremonial grade matcha from an ethic shop in Anchorage (50 miles from where I live) for many years, but since I don't work in town anymore and nobody sells it near where I live, I am happy to be able to purchase it online. This ceremonial grade matcha gifted to me for review by, Moonlit Matcha by Hybrid Herbs, shocked me when I opened it. 

I'm used to matcha being somewhat dull and lacking luster. This matcha was bright and lofty. When I mixed it into my water, the tea shown a vibrant and deep green color. I'd never seen matcha like that before! It was grassy, smooth, and earthy; not in the least bit bitter at all. I knew I had a keeper! 

I really love that Moonlit Matcha is also 100% organic and comes packaged in Miron violet glass jars which block light and keep items fresh for much longer than regular glass or aluminum packages. The glass is also recyclable,  but I'll keep mine to store ground flaxseed, herbs, and other such food items. 

This is definitely my new drinking matcha, and I am so happy to have discovered it. Do you have a favorite matcha brand? You can find Moonlit Matcha on Amazon, where it ships directly from Japan for free with Amazon Prime! It's priced the same as other ceremonial grade matcha but with the benefit of being organic, packaged in Miron glass, and is the brightest, sweetest matcha I have tasted yet. I definitely recommend it!

And now, onto the recipe!

Holiday Matcha Shake

Recipe by Kathleen Henry @ Produce On Parade

A frosty, matcha shake infused with fresh nutmeg and sweetened by Kahlua is thick with creamy cashews that makes a healthy and delicious treat!

Serves 1.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cold water
• 1/4 cup raw cashews
• 1 tbsp Kahlua
• splash of agave nectar or maple syrup, to taste
• 1/4-1/2 tsp Moonlit Matcha
• pinch of kosher salt
• dash of freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp xanthan gum (optional)

Cooking Directions

1. Place all the ingredients in a high powered blender and blend until smooth. If you don’t have a high powered blender, soak the nuts for 2 hours in cold water prior to use.
2. Pour into a large glass and serve chilled.

*DISCLAIMER*  PRODUCE ON PARADE IS A PERSONAL BLOG WRITTEN AND EDITED BY MYSELF ONLY, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. MY REVIEWS ARE COMPLETELY BASED ON MY OWN OPINION OF THE PRODUCT REVIEWED. THESE PRODUCTS WERE SUPPLIED TO ME AS GIFTS TO TEST AND REVIEW. OTHERWISE, IF I MENTION A COMPANY BY NAME AND THERE IS NO DISCLAIMER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST, I AM MERELY WRITING ABOUT SOMETHING I LIKE, PURCHASE AND/OR USE. THE FACT THAT I DO RECEIVE A PRODUCT AS A GIFT TO TEST AND REVIEW, WILL NEVER POSITIVELY INFLUENCE THE CONTENT MADE IN THIS POST. 

Pomegranate Gin Fizz & G'Vine Review

I'm not a cocktail person. There are several reasons for this. I like beer and wine more than hard alcohol. I'm too lazy to make fancy drinks. I don't want to buy and store a trillion different liquors and mixers. And lastly, I don't know my limits with them. 

I know how many bottles of beer or glasses of wine I can have to achieve a light buzz or be slightly toasted. With hard alcohol, this is a mystery to me. And I don't like that. In addition, there aren't many mixed drinks I enjoy. However, there are a few of cocktails of which I am quite fond of. A well-made lemon drop, and a gin & tonic. That's about it. Margarita? Too sweet. Martini? No thanks. Bloody Mary? Oh actually, yes, I really do like those. 

If the drink doesn't have too strong of an alcohol taste, I'll probably be fine with it. Take this Pomegranate Gin Fizz I created. It's blended with fresh pomegranate seeds and a floral gin made from grapes. Topped with fuzzy water, it's the perfect lightly scented adult beverage to sip on. If you're not a big hard alcohol fan, this is probably right up your alley. Finally! A lovely cocktail I enjoy!

Pomegranate Gin Fizz

Blended with fresh pomegranate seeds and a floral gin made from grapes. Topped with fuzzy water, this is the perfect lightly scented adult beverage to sip on. If you're not a big hard alcohol fan, this is probably right up your alley.

Yield: 1 beverage

Ingredients

• 1/2 pomegranate, seeded (about 1/2 cup seeds)
• a couple drops liquid Stevia (optional)
• splash of lime juice (optional)
• 1-2 shots chilled G'Vine Gin
• several ice cubes
• glass of chilled carbonated water

Cooking Directions

1. Add the first three ingredients into a blender with a splash of water and whiz until well blender. The pomegranate seeds won't break up completely, and that's okay.
2. Fill a 8 oz. glass with ice cubes. Strain the pomegranate mixture through a fine mesh strainer into the glass with the ice cubes. Add 1-2 shots of G'Vine and top with carbonated water.
3. Stir and serve chilled with a few pomegranate seeds throw in.

So pretty, right? This beautiful gin fizz is made exceptional with the addition of a botanical, and floral gin called G'Vine.  

G'Vine is a small batch gin that is crafted in France, in the Charente region of Cognac, using grapes as opposed to grain. So neat! The flower of the grape plant is also macerated into the spirit and lends a delicate, blossomy essence. There are also nine other botanicals including juniper berries, ginger root, liquorice, cassia bark, green cardamom, coriander, cubeb berries, nutmeg and lime that are individually macerated and blended into the gin.

G'Vine comes in two varieties. The grey-bottled Nouaison (43.9% abv) is a bit spicier and more robust than it's flowery sibling, Floraison (40% abv) which is housed in a lively green bottle. Florasion is the French term for the period when vine flower blossoms, which occurs once a year in mid-June. I prefered the Floraison for it's juicy, botanical taste. 

This is definitely a spirit I would buy again. It was really unique and not like anything else I've ever tasted with regards to liquor. 

Find it at your local liquor store. A 750 ml bottle retails for $37. I recommend drinking with a large floppy hat, pinky out. French accent optional.

*DISCLAIMER*  PRODUCE ON PARADE IS A PERSONAL BLOG WRITTEN AND EDITED BY MYSELF ONLY, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. MY REVIEWS ARE COMPLETELY BASED ON MY OWN OPINION OF THE PRODUCT REVIEWED. I WAS NOT PAID TO WRITE THIS POST. THESE PRODUCTS WERE SUPPLIED TO ME AS GIFTS FROM THE COMPANY TO TEST AND REVIEW. OTHERWISE, IF I MENTION A COMPANY BY NAME AND THERE IS NO DISCLAIMER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST, I AM MERELY WRITING ABOUT SOMETHING I LIKE, PURCHASE AND/OR USE. THE FACT THAT I DO RECEIVE A PRODUCT AS A GIFT TO TEST AND REVIEW, WILL NEVER POSITIVELY INFLUENCE THE CONTENT MADE IN THIS POST.

Spiced Pumpkin Eggnog

Happy Halloween! I'm all dressed up, and be sure to check out social media later to see what I am. Don't forget to let me know what you're dressing up as!

It's time to do the eggnog dance. Oh yes. You might be thinking, "Eggnog? It's technically not even November yet!?" and to that I say, "If you add pumpkin, anything is game for October." Hence, the eggnog, which I was badly craving ever since I saw the organic cow milk egg nog at the store. 

I inquired about the non-dairy stuff and the stocker told me they only get a few cartons here and there. Boo that. Sometimes I forget I can just make the stuff (1000x better too) at home! So yesterday I decided to make me some! Except, I was out of cashews...drat! I wasn't about to let that stop me though. Macadamia nuts swooped in to the rescue, but I recommend using cashews. This recipe is adapted from my most delicious eggnog recipe. 

“If you want to find happiness, find gratitude.”

— Steve Maraboli

A thick and creamy, non-dairy pumpkin eggnog that’s vegan and sweetened only with dates. You’ll be amazed how incredible it is! 

Spiced Pumpkin "Eggnog"

Recipe by Katie @ Produce On Parade

A thick and creamy, non-dairy pumpkin eggnog that’s vegan and sweetened only with dates. You’ll be amazed how incredible it is! NOTES: Due to the whole-food ingredients, please consume within a of couple days. The rum is barely, barely noticeable in this eggnog, so adjust accordingly. Please use freshly ground nutmeg, it makes a world of difference!

Yield: 10-15 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup raw cashews
• 2 cups fresh cold water
• 1 15oz. can full-fat coconut milk
• half of 1 15 0z. can pumpkin puree
• 6 medjool dates, pitted
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 Tbsp. spiced rum (optional)
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp. ground cloves

Cooking Directions

1. Cover the cashews in boiling water and allow to soak for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile place all remaining ingredients into the blender. Once the cashews are done soaking, drain and add to blender.
3. Blend on high for several minutes, until smooth and creamy. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Bob tells me he loooves eggnog and to please share my glass with him right meow. 

Dutch Word of The Day: 

Pumpkin --> pompoen (pom-poon)

Good Deed of The Day:

Did you know Target now has their own line of veggie-based meat products! Yes! They have a few different types: Mushroom Miso Meatless Turkey, Korean Barbecue Meatless Chicken, Smoky Chipotle Meatless Chicken, and Teriyaki Meatless Chicken. Target also carries Just Mayo. Who knew!? Spread the word!