Drinks – homemade beverages,
Syrups, cocktails, and more
Whether refreshing, fruity, fermented, or festive: in our Drinks category, you’ll find homemade ideas for every season and every occasion. From homemade iced tea and aromatic syrups to cocktails, fermented drinks, and special recipes for holidays or guests—everything that brings enjoyment to your glass.
It’s all about drinks you can easily make yourself with simple ingredients. Many recipes are ideal for warm days, for guests, for brunch, garden parties, or simply as a special alternative to store-bought soft drinks. At the same time, you’ll also find traditional and seasonal recipe ideas that are perfect for autumn and winter.
Our drinks category combines refreshment, creativity, and homemade goodness. Whether you’re looking for a quick summer drink, want to try fermentation, or are planning something special for holidays and celebrations—you’ll find what you’re looking for here.
Fermented Orange, Grapefruit, and Passion Fruit Lemonade
Fermented Orange-Grapefruit-Passion Fruit Lemonade with Ginger Bug ...Fermented lemonade is more than just a trend – it's basically a controlled microbe party in a glass. Instead of artificial carbonation, the fizz here happens completely naturally through...
Ginger Bug Recipe – Step-by-Step Guide to a Natural Fermentation Starter
Ginger Bug Recipe Step-by-step guide to a natural fermentation starter ...Fermented drinks are all the rage—and the key to natural carbonation is called ginger bug. This simple fermentation starter made from ginger, sugar, and water is the base for homemade ginger...
Apple Pie Aperol – autumnal aperitif with apple
Apple Pie Aperol is a fruity, spicy aperitif with apple and sparkling freshness. This special cocktail is perfect for autumn, for guests, and for festive moments of indulgence.
What drinks can you find in this category?
In this category, we collect different types of homemade drinks and drink ideas. To help you find the right recipe faster, the posts are divided into several topic areas.
Our drink recipes at a glance
Right now, you’ll find, among other things, the following recipes in this category:
Iced tea and alcohol-free refreshments
Syrups
Fermented drinks
Cocktails and aperitifs
Seasonal drinks
Iced tea and refreshing summer drinks
Especially on warm days, light and fresh drinks are very popular. Homemade iced tea and flavored water are a great alternative to store-bought drinks because you can decide for yourself how sweet, fruity, or intense you want your drink to be.
My recipes:
Lemon iced tea is an easy and refreshing way to make something summery yourself on hot days. This drink is ideal for everyday life, for guests, or as an alcohol-free refreshment in the garden.
Infused water is perfect if you want to naturally flavor your water. With fruit, herbs, or citrus notes, it becomes a light drink for every day.
If you like it even more fizzy, you should also try fermented lemonade.
Syrups and aromatic basics
Homemade syrups are versatile and a wonderful base for many drinks. You can use them with water, sparkling water, or in cocktails and summer drinks, and they add lots of flavor to simple recipes.
My recipe:
Elderflowers are incredibly versatile in early summer. From the fragrant flower heads, you can make not only this aromatic elderflower syrup, but also other seasonal treats. For example, try our baked elderflowers, or discover even more recipes and ideas about harvesting, uses, and preparation in our post about elderflowers.
Elderflower syrup goes especially well with infused water.
If you don’t just want to drink elderflower but also enjoy it, be sure to try our baked elderflowers—crispy, fragrant, and perfect for early summer.
You’ll find more recipes as well as useful information about harvesting, uses, and ideas in our post about elderflowers.
Fermented drinks and natural refreshments
Fermented drinks are exciting, aromatic, and a great way to make beverages naturally at home. Especially for anyone who likes trying new things or is interested in homemade food and drink, these recipes are particularly interesting.
My recipes:
Fermented lemonade is a fizzy, homemade alternative to classic soft drinks. It brings not only flavor, but also the distinctive aroma of fermentation.
Ginger bug is the base for many fermented drinks and an exciting recipe for anyone who wants to explore natural fermentation. With it, you can make your own fermented lemonades and creative drink variations.
If you want to get started with fermentation, begin with the ginger bug recipe and then try fermented lemonade.
As a fresh alternative without fermentation, lemon iced tea and infused water are also a great fit.
For festive drinks, it’s also worth taking a look at egg nogg.
Cocktails, aperitifs, and special mixed drinks
Not every drink is meant just for everyday life—some recipes are perfect for invitations, celebrations, summer evenings, or special moments of enjoyment. That’s exactly what cocktails and creative aperitifs are for.
Apple Pie Aperol
Apple Pie Aperol is a special drink for anyone who likes aromatic cocktails and autumnal or spicy notes. This recipe combines familiar aperitif elements with a unique flavor profile and is wonderful for guests or a cozy evening. That’s why we created this fantastic drink for AFBA2025.
You’ll find even more mixing ideas in our Cocktails and Mocktails category.
As an aromatic addition, elderflower syrup also goes really well with homemade mixed drinks.
Seasonal and festive drinks
Alongside summer refreshments, seasonal classics also belong in a good drinks category. Especially in the colder months or around the holidays, creamy and special drinks are very popular.
Our recipe:
Egg nogg is a classic festive drink and is especially suited to winter, the holidays, or as a special treat on cozy days. It adds variety to the drinks category and complements the fresh summer recipes with a seasonal option.
If you love special drinks, you should also check out Apple Pie Aperol.
Find more ideas for mixed drinks in the Cocktails and Mocktails category.
What occasions are these drinks suitable for?
Our drink recipes suit many occasions:
- for hot summer days
- for garden parties and BBQ evenings
- for brunch and breakfast
- for guests and celebrations
- for autumn and winter
- for holidays and special moments of enjoyment
- as an alcohol-free everyday alternative
- as a creative addition to desserts and menus
Why homemade drinks?
Homemade drinks have many benefits: you can control the ingredients, sweetness, and flavor yourself, try new combinations, and avoid artificial additives. Plus, many recipes can be adapted to the season and prepared in advance.
Whether fruity, spicy, fermented, or creamy—homemade drinks add variety to everyday life and are often easier to make than you might think.
Discover our cocktails too
If you’re looking for mixed drinks, aperitifs, and special recipe ideas for guests, check out our Cocktails and Mocktails category. There you’ll find more inspiration for social evenings, festive occasions, and creative drink ideas.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about homemade drinks
What recipes can I find in the Drinks category?
In the Drinks category, you’ll find homemade recipes for iced tea, syrup, fermented drinks, cocktails, and seasonal beverages. These include, for example, lemon iced tea, infused water, elderflower syrup, fermented lemonade, ginger bug, Apple Pie Aperol, and egg nogg.
Are there alcohol-free drinks in the category as well?
Yes, many recipes in this category are alcohol-free or can easily be made without alcohol. Particularly popular are infused water, lemon iced tea, elderflower syrup, and fermented lemonade.
Which drinks are especially good for summer?
For warm days, lemon iced tea, infused water, elderflower syrup with sparkling water, and fermented lemonade are especially suitable. These drinks are refreshing, homemade, and ideal for the garden, patio, or guests.
What are fermented drinks?
Fermented drinks are created through a natural fermentation process. In this category, you’ll find, for example, ginger bug as a base and fermented lemonade made from it. These recipes are especially exciting for anyone who likes homemade food and natural drinks.
Which drinks go well for guests or celebrations?
For guests and special occasions, Apple Pie Aperol, egg nogg, homemade syrups, and fresh summer drinks are a great choice. They look beautiful, can be prepared ahead of time, and add variety to your glass.
Can I prep syrups and drinks in advance?
Yes, many recipes in the Drinks category can be prepared in advance. Elderflower syrup, iced tea, or infused water can be made ahead of time, making them ideal for celebrations, brunch, or hot summer days.
Which drinks are suitable for winter?
In the colder months, egg nogg and aromatic mixed drinks like Apple Pie Aperol are especially popular. They go well with the holidays, cozy evenings, and seasonal menus.
Why is it worth making drinks yourself?
Homemade drinks have the advantage that you can control the ingredients, sweetness, and flavor yourself. You can also use seasonal ingredients, try creative combinations, and avoid many additives.
My Conclusion
Whether it’s refreshing iced tea, aromatic syrup, creative cocktails, or exciting fermented drinks – in this category you’ll find homemade drink ideas for every season and every occasion. From light summer drinks such as Infused Water und Lemon Iced Tea to Elderflower syrup all the way to special recipes like Apple Pie Aperol, Egg Nogg or fermented lemonade the Drinks category offers plenty of variety for everyday life, guests, and special moments of enjoyment.
Homemade drinks are not only versatile, but also a wonderful way to choose ingredients mindfully and discover new flavors again and again. That way, simple ingredients quickly turn into something special in your glass.
If you’re looking for even more inspiration, also check out our Cocktails and more seasonal recipe ideas on the blog.
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👉 Follow @letsdocooking – there you’ll find regular new recipes, ideas, and creative serving tips.
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