FREE In-store Pick Up. Delivery Rates vary (determined at checkout).

Christmas, Podcast, Trees Shrubs Evergreens

Turn a Balsam Fir into a Dirty Soda

Posted on by Brandi
Turn a Balsam Fir into a Dirty Soda
18
Dec

What if your favorite hike through the woods could be bottled up and served over ice? We’re adding Balsam Fir Syrup to our holiday menu, and honestly, it’s a total game-changer. From “Alpine Dr. Pepper dirty soda” to citrusy spritzes that taste like a mountain morning, we’re showing you how to turn those piney needles into liquid gold. Your kitchen is about to smell like a high-end spa, and your tastebuds are going to thank you.

Why Balsam Fir?

If you’ve ever brushed against a Balsam Fir, you know that scent—it’s sweet, resinous, and has a weirdly delicious hint of citrus. While most people just think “Christmas tree,” we think “gourmet simple syrup.”

Making the syrup is surprisingly easy. You just need fresh, clean fir needles, water, and sugar.

  1. Harvest & Rinse: Grab a few handfuls of needles (avoiding any brown ones). Give them a good scrub.

  2. Simmer: Combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a pot. Bring to a boil until the sugar dissolves.

  3. Steep: Toss in about a cup of needles, turn off the heat, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for a “woody” punch).

  4. Strain: Pour it through a fine-mesh sieve and keep it in the fridge

 

⚠️ SAFETY FIRST: Always ensure you are identifying your trees correctly! Only use Balsam Fir that has not been treated with pesticides, chemicals, or flame retardants (common on pre-cut lot trees). If you’re foraging, make sure you’re away from busy roads.

The Alpine Dr. Pepper

This recipe leans into the natural cherry/almond spice notes of Dr. Pepper while adding the fresh, piney coolness of the Balsam Fir.

Ingredient Quantity Note
Balsam Fir Syrup 2.5 Tbsp Adjust for your preferred level of pine flavor.
Maraschino Cherry Juice 1 Tbsp The juice from the jar adds a classic “soda shop” touch.
Dr. Pepper 12 oz Diet or Zero works great to manage sweetness.
Half-and-Half 2 Tbsp Or use Italian Sweet Cream creamer for a richer flavor.
Ice As needed Pebble or crushed ice is highly recommended!

Garnish: Maraschino Cherry & Lime wedge.

 

Forest Berry Spritz

This bright, refreshing spritz combines the fir’s citrus notes with tart berries and a crisp finish. This one’s super easy!

  • 1 oz Balsam Fir Syrup

  • 3 oz Unsweetened Cranberry Juice (or Raspberry/Aronia juice)

  • 4-5 oz Plain Sparkling Water or Seltzer

  • Garnish: Fresh cranberries and a small fir sprig or a lime wheel

Directions: Add the syrup and juice to an ice-filled glass. Stir gently to combine. Top with sparkling water, garnish, and enjoy your forest-in-a-glass!

The Forest Sprite

A bright, citrusy soda complements the fir’s natural lemon and pine notes, keeping it light and refreshing.

Ingredient Quantity Note
Balsam Fir Syrup 2-3 Tbsp Adjust to taste based on syrup strength.
Lemon-Lime Soda 12 oz Sprite or 7-Up (Diet/Zero is fine).
Half-and-Half 3 Tbsp Or use your favorite creamer (sweet cream or vanilla).
Fresh Lime Juice 1 Tbsp Optional, but highly recommended for balance.

Instructions:

  1. Fill the glass: Fill a large glass (about 16 oz) with ice.

  2. Add flavors: Pour in the Balsam Fir Syrup and the fresh lime juice.

  3. Add soda: Slowly pour in the lemon-lime soda almost to the top.

  4. Make it “dirty”: Gently pour the Half-and-Half over the soda. 

  5. Serve: Stir gently and garnish with a lime wheel.

Gift Exchange Links

Foton Candle (Not Sponsored)

A brand specializing in “Pearled Candles,” a unique, eco-friendly alternative to traditional block wax candles. Instead of a solid chunk of wax, Foton provides tiny wax beads (pearls) that allow for a highly customizable and sustainable experience

Customization: * Containers: You can turn almost any heat-resistant vessel into a candle.

  • Floating Candles: Their white pearls are designed to float on water, allowing for unique centerpiece displays.

  • Scenting: While they offer pre-scented pearls, their “Scent-Free” version allows users to add a few drops of their own essential or fragrance oils near the wick before lighting.

https://fotoncandle.com/

Upload Image...
Translate »

Calcium Nitrate:

Mix Ratio: Apply ¼ teaspoon per 2 litres once a week. I full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended preventing blossom end rot and calcium deficiency in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchinis, and cannabis. It is also highly beneficial for all leafy greens and cruciferous plants (cabbage, Brussel sprouts, broccoli etc.).

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Iron Chelate

Mix Ratio: Soil drench – apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix ratio: Foliar spray - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 4 Litres of water once every 4 weeks. A full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended for correcting iron deficiency in a variety of plants grown in high pH soil. Iron deficiency is diagnosed by the yellowing or pale colour of the plant leaves, especially in young growth.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

High Drainage

Moisten Thoroughly before use: (optional) Peat moss can be water-repellent. Before use, thoroughly wet the soil.

Potting:

Use pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Fill the pot with the moistened soil, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more soil.

Firm the soil gently.

Watering:

This is crucial! Water frequently, especially during hot weather.

Check the soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger into the soil.

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is low in nutrients, fertilize regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Consider Amendments:

For plants that prefer more moisture retention, you can add a small amount of coco coir or vermiculite to the mix.

Important Notes:

Overwatering: While frequent watering is necessary, avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Plant Selection: This type of soil is well-suited for seed starting as well as plants that prefer well-drained conditions, such as cacti, cannabis, succulents, and some tropical plants.

Adjustments: You may need to adjust your watering frequency based on the specific plant and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight).

Alberta Blend

Moisten the Peat Moss before use: (optional) Peat moss can be hydrophobic (water-repellent) when dry. Before using it, thoroughly moisten it. You can do this by placing it in a container and adding water, then squeezing out any excess.

Mixing: (optional) Our Private Label Alberta Blend comes ready to use, expertly formulated for your plants, either indoors or outdoors.

If you're using this mix as your own base, combine it with worm castings, volcanic dust, vermiculite, etc. to improve nutrition, drainage and/or aeration.

Potting:

When potting your plants, ensure that the pot has drainage holes.

Fill the pot with the moistened potting mix, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more potting mix.

Lightly firm the soil around the plant leaving ½ inch to an inch of space at the top for watering.

Watering:

Because peat moss retains water, be careful not to overwater.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly before watering again.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is nutrient-poor, you'll need to provide your plants with regular fertilization.

Use the correct fertilizer according to the plant's needs.

20-20-20 Houseplant Complete

Mix Ratio: For all houseplants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week once every week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

It is highly recommended to start your houseplants on a fertilizer regime, but only while they are actively growing. Houseplants tend to have a period of dormancy (normally winter, however poinsettias, Xmas cacti etc. are exceptions to this rule) and whilst dormant they should not be fertilized.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

22-6-15 Plus Herb and Leafy Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all herbaceous and leafy vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This fertilizer is ideal for all leafy vegetables and for herbs. This product can be used year-round if you grow herbs indoors.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

20-12-28 Tomato and Fruiting Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all fruiting vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Use this fertilizer on planting day and push right through until the plant either stops producing or reaches the end of season. In the case of transplanted seedlings this fertilizer should be used after the 2 feedings of Js - Jump-Start & Transplant.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

10-52-10 Jump-Start & Transplant

Mix Ratio: For outdoor summer plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Normally two applications, one at the time of transplanting, the second application can be done one week later from the initial fertilizing. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix Ratio: For seed starting - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Do not over water seedlings, feed every 2 weeks until transplanted outside. Feed them at the time of transplanting outdoors, then one more feeding a week later. After that start using the correct fertilizer for type of plant. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

 e.g. Vt Vegetable: Tomato and Fruiting for tomatoes, F3 Flower flower flower for bedding out/annual plants.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

4-5-28 Perennial Complete

Mix Ratio: All perennials (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks from spring to late summer. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your perennials. For existing perennials, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. new shoots etc.). For new perennials we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

28-14-14 Plus Trees and Shrubs - Fruit and Flower

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water per week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

14-7-21 Tree and Shrub Leaf & Needle

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your evergreen/coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

15-10-30 Flower, Flower, Flower

Mix Ratio: Outdoor plants (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water twice a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your annual plants. We recommend starting to fertilize at time of planting outdoors and go through to first frost.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.