Ginger vs Ginger Flavoring

Is your soda faking it?  We're pulling back the curtain on the "natural flavors" used by big brands to show you why fresh pressed root is the only way to get the true healing power of ginger.

Choosing real ginger over "fake" flavoring is the difference between consuming a medicinal powerhouse and merely sipping a scented soda. When we press raw ginger root, we capture gingerol and shogaol—the bioactive compounds responsible for ginger’s legendary anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits. Synthetic flavorings, often labeled as "natural flavors," are designed in labs to mimic a specific scent or taste but lack the complex chemical structure that provides actual health perks. By using the real root, you get the authentic, multi-dimensional heat that warms the body and settles the stomach, rather than a one-note chemical substitute that offers nothing but a hollow sensation.  

The Golden Glow

March is the heart of cold and flu season. With it's immune boosting and anti-inflammatory properties, let our Golden Glow bee your secret weapon.

Who knew that by adding a pinch of black pepper, some ground turmeric and a little bit of orange juice you can turn our immune boosting Ginger Buzz into your ultimate winter/spring wellness weapon.

The Recipe

• 1 bottle Green Bee Ginger Buzz

• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (Vitamin C)

• 1/4 tsp ground turmeric (Anti-inflammatory)

• A pinch of black pepper (Unlocks the turmeric)

Instructions: Whisk the orange juice and turmeric in a glass until smooth. Slowly pour in the chilled Ginger Buzz. The carbonation will create a beautiful sunrise effect. Add a pinch of black pepper and an orange twist. Sip, glow, and conquer the winter blues!

How Bees Stay Warm

Have you ever found yourself wondering how honeybees survive in the winter?  No, they don't hibernate. 

While most of the natural world sleeps, the colony is working hard all winter to survive.  To stay warm, worker bees form a tight cluster around the Queen. By disconnecting their wing muscles and vibrating their bodies, they create kinetic energy to "shiver" the hive temperature up to a balmy 95 degrees Fahrenheit, even when it's freezing outside.  They take turns rotating from the cold outer edge to the warm center, proving that teamwork is the ultimate survival skill.

BEEcome a Beekeeper

Winter is the perfect time to begin your beekeeping journey. 

Do what we did - check into your local Adult Continuing Education programs, local Beekeeping organizations or your local Honey Store and sign up for a class.  Not only will the classes give you valuable advice but they will help give you the confidence it takes to help take the plunge.

By keeping even a single hive, you help strengthen the local pollination networks that benefit the gardens, farms and ecosystems around you.

Beyond the environmental benefits, beekeeping simply brings joy.  It pulls you outside and gets you to slow down.  You learn to observe the seasons, listen to the hive and appreciate the small miracles happening in your own backyard.

It has never been easier to start as equipment is readily available to order online.

Armed with your newly acquired knowledge, you can have your hive (or hives!) ready for when your new ladies arrive in early spring.

 The bees need you, don't keep them waiting another year.

Why Honey is Important

Long before "prebiotic" became a buzzword, honey was quietly doing the job. 

Nature has always known what she was doing.  At Green Bee, we are just following her lead.  Most people don't know that honey is the OG of prebiotic and has been for thousands of years.  Honey contains natural compounds like oligosaccharides which help nourish the good bacteria in your gut.

What sets honey apart is the fact that it is minimally processed, made in the fields not in a lab, and is full of plant-powered nutrients and enzymes. Green Bee is all about honey.  To us one of best things about honey ( other than the fact that it is delicious)  is the fact that it helps support our bees.  If you like eating fruits and vegetables - thank the bees.  Honey bees are responsible for pollinating 130 types of fruit and vegetables in North America alone. Can't get by without your morning cup of coffee - thank the bees.  Like pretty flowers?  80% of all flowering plants are pollinated by bees. 

Now you're starting to get why we are ALL about honey.

Holiday Recipe: The Winter Dream

Blueberries aren't just for summer. This holiday season, we’re leaning into the deep, rich color of our Blueberry Dream for a drink that feels sophisticated, festive, and totally alcohol-free.

We call it The Winter Dream.

The secret here is fresh rosemary. When paired with the wildflower honey in our soda, it brings out a savory, "pine-forest" flavor that makes this the perfect sipper for a cozy night by the fire.

The Recipe

• 1 Bottle Green Bee Blueberry Dream

• ½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice

• Garnish: A sprig of fresh rosemary & frozen blueberries

How to make it: Pour the lemon juice into a glass filled with ice and top with cold Blueberry Dream. Pro Tip: Give the rosemary sprig a quick smack between your hands before garnishing—this releases the oils and makes the drink smell like winter the second you pick it up.

(Want to spike it? It pairs perfectly with 1.5 oz of Gin.)

Bee Spotlight - Why Bees Love Fall Flowers

You may think that summer is prime time for pollinators, think again.  Fall blooms like goldenrod and asters are essential for bees.  These late-season flower provide vital nectar and pollen.

For honeybees and other pollinators, fall is one of the most important times of the year. As colonies prepare for winter, bees rely on late-blooming flowers like goldenrod, asters, and sunflowers to build up their reserves of nectar and pollen.

These autumn blossoms may not look as showy as spring tulips or summer roses, but they provide exactly what bees need: high-quality nectar for energy and pollen packed with protein. Without this fall forage, colonies would head into winter with less food stored — making survival much harder.

The good news? Anyone can help. By planting pollinator-friendly flowers in your yard, leaving patches of wildflowers untouched, or simply letting a corner of your garden “go natural,” you’re giving bees an essential food source when it matters most. Small actions add up, and your choices this season can help ensure local bees thrive through the winter and return stronger next spring.

Behind The Botttle - Honeycomb Cider

Nothing says fall in Maine like fresh-pressed apples… but what happens when you add cinnamon and honey? Our Honeycomb Cider transforms a New England classic into something refreshingly new.

See How It's Done!

We start with a large tote of Maine apple cider.

We mix that into Bubba (the brewing pot) along with Wildflower Honey, and steep with cinnamon.

Once that is brought to temp it is carbonated and chilled in our large holding tank.

After chilling overnight we are ready to bottle it!

Maine Life has Aired!

The wait is over—our Maine Life feature is now live! Get a behind-the-scenes look at how we craft our all-natural, bee-friendly sodas right here in Maine, and meet the people behind the buzz.

Watch now and see where the magic happens!

August 2025 Schedule!

🍯 August Green Bee Events

8/14 – Market Basket, Topsham — 12–4 PM
8/15 – Portland Whole Foods — 3–7 PM
8/15 – Portsmouth Whole Foods — 3–7 PM
8/21 – Market Basket, Westbrook — 12–4 PM
8/22 – Robinson’s Wharf Cocktail Day — All Day
8/22 – Portland Whole Foods — 3–7 PM
8/22 – Portsmouth Whole Foods — 3–7 PM
8/28 – Market Basket, Topsham — 12–4 PM
8/29 – Framingham Whole Foods — All Day
8/29 – Newtonville Whole Foods — All Day
8/29 – Wellesley Whole Foods — All Day
8/29 – Dedham Whole Foods — All Day
8/30 – Charles River Plaza Whole Foods — All Day
8/30 – Charlestown Whole Foods — All Day
8/30 – Ink Block Whole Foods — All Day
8/30 – Symphony Whole Foods — All Day

Come say hi!

Behind the Bottle–A Local Collab with A Golden Twist

We love when good ideas grow close to home—especially when they start with our friend and farmer, Gary, from Replenova Farm in Durham, Maine. Gary had a vision: to take the organic turmeric he was growing and turn it into something refreshing, unique, and truly local.

He came to us at Green Bee with a simple question—could we help him turn his golden root into a soda?

The result? A bold, bright, and bee-friendly turmeric soda that brings together our honey-sweetened approach with Gary’s homegrown passion. It’s a celebration of local ingredients, collaboration, and creativity—and we’re proud to share it with you.

It all starts at Replenova farm, with organically grown Turmeric.

Fresh turmeric

We then process the turmeric by chopping it finely, steeping into hot water, and finally pressing the remains to squeeze out any remaining juice.

We then mix in Wildflower Honey, and fresh Lemon Juice, and allow that to heat together.

After heated and then eventually cooled, we will then send the liquid to our bottling machine.

After bottled, it reaches the labeler:

That gives us the final product! You can find it exclusively at Replenova farm!

Green Bee Featured by Real Maine + Maine Life!

We’re proud to share that Green Bee has been selected by Real Maine—a program of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry—for their upcoming feature celebrating producers who support pollinators, beekeepers, and local farmers.

To bring this story to life, Real Maine teamed up with Maine Life, the Emmy-nominated show that highlights standout Maine businesses, and came to tour our facility in Brunswick! They got a behind-the-scenes look at how we brew every bottle with real ingredients and a mission rooted in sustainability and support for the hive.

We’re honored to be the only soda made in Maine that not only uses real, whole ingredients—but also champions the bees, beekeepers, and farmers who make it all possible.

Catch our segment on News Center Maine this August! We’ll share the air date as soon as we get it—stay tuned!

Lemon Sting Ice Cream Float

Simple is Better 🍋🍦
They say the simplest things bring the most joy—and we couldn’t agree more. Take our OG flavor, Lemon Sting: just 3 real ingredients, perfectly balanced for a crisp, honey-sweetened zing.

This summer, keep things easy and refreshing with a Lemon Sting Float. Just pour it over a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or try it with lemon or raspberry sherbet. Want to kick it up a notch? Add a splash of vodka or gin for an effortless adult twist.

No fuss. No frills. Just pure, fizzy bliss.
Because simple really is better.

Behind the Bottle - Lemon Sting

This month we are taking you behind the scenes to see what goes into the making of our Lemon Sting.  Lemon Sting, is the OG of all of Green Bee’s flavors.  It is what we started brewing in our home kitchen all those years ago as a way of keeping our 3 children away from the ick that is the traditional high fructose corn syrup laden soda.

We start with fresh lemon juice sourced directly from our farmer partners in Florida, We then steep organic rosemary in tea bags and finish it off with a touch of wildflower honey in our Brewing kettle (Bubba).

Once Bubba has been thoroughly heated and mixed, we pump it’s contents into a large tank, where it will then chill and carbonate.

Once the soda has reached a nice cold tempature, it’s then ready to get bottled!

No shortcuts, no fake flavors, no BS.  Just 3 simple ingredients and a touch a magic. 

A Sweet Way to Sauce up Father's Day!

This year, skip the tie. Make Dad something bold and Maine-made: our Blueberry Dream BBQ Sauce. It’s tangy, rich, and sweetened naturally with raw honey and real wild blueberries. Perfect for ribs, grilled veggies, or anything that needs a summer kick.

Blueberry Dream BBQ Sauce

Made with real Maine blueberries and Green Bee Soda

Perfect on: Grilled chicken, pork, salmon, veggies, or as a burger glaze.

Ingredients / Instructions:

• 1 cup Blueberry Dream (Green Bee Soda)

• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

• 1/2 cup ketchup (preferably organic)

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 2 tbsp raw honey (extra flavor, optional)

• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• Pinch of salt

• Optional: 1/4 tsp chipotle powder or hot sauce for heat

 1 - Simmer the blueberries and Blueberry Dream in a saucepan over medium heat for 5–7 minutes, until the berries start to burst.

2 - Add the remaining ingredients and stir well to combine.

3 - Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and reduces.

4 - Blend using an immersion blender (or transfer carefully to a blender) for a smooth consistency — or leave it a little chunky if you like texture.

5 - Cool & store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to a week.

Behind the Label – What’s in a Bottle?

Ever check the label on a soda and feel like you need a chemistry degree? Not with Green Bee. Every bottle we make is brewed with a few real ingredients you can actually recognize — and pronounce. Today we will highlight the process behind Blueberry Dream!

Real ingredients. Real process. All in Maine.

We start with wild blueberries sourced from local farms right here in Maine. On our in-house juice press, we turn every last berry into fresh, vibrant juice — no shortcuts.

Next, we chop fresh ginger and steep it in tea bags, blending the ginger infusion with the blueberry juice and a touch of wildflower honey for natural sweetness.

Once brewed, we bottle, label, and cap everything in-house — right here at our facility in Brunswick. It’s a hands-on process that keeps us connected to every batch.

💙 That’s the Green Bee way: real fruit, real flavor, and no BS.

Where to Find Us This June!

Come say hi — and grab a cold one!

We’ve got a busy month ahead, and we’d love to see you out in the wild. Whether you're looking to sample our latest flavors, connect with the team, or sip something special — here’s where we’ll be:

🗓️ Upcoming Events

June 13 – Market Basket Demo
📍 Biddeford, ME | 🕐 1:00–4:00 PM
Swing by for cold samples and good vibes — we’ll be in the beverage aisle.

June 13 – Maine Center for Entrepreneurs Showcase
📍 Wolfe’s Neck Smith Center, Freeport, ME | 🕠 5:30–7:00 PM
Celebrating Maine innovation with fellow founders and food lovers.

June 20 – Cocktail + Mocktail Pop-Up @ Robinson’s Wharf
📍 Southport, ME | 🕐 All Day
We’re mixing up signature drinks all day long — join us dockside!

June 21 – Whole Foods Demo
📍 Portsmouth, NH | 🕚 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Catch us at the Portsmouth Whole Foods — full lineup, full flavor, all day long.

📍 Got an event you think we should be at? Let us know — we’re always down to bring the buzz.

Meet Green Bee’s New Brewmaster: Xander Wing

We’re thrilled to announce a promotion in the hive—Xander Wing, our new Brewmaster and outdoor enthusiast extraordinaire!

Xander’s a master of many things: brewing, fishing, mushroom facts, and holding a plank longer than seems medically advisable (seriously, over 10 minutes—we timed it). When he’s not crafting the perfect batch of Green Bee soda, you can probably find him waist-deep in a stream with a fishing rod in hand or tending to his impressively large collection of house-grown mushrooms.

His love for the outdoors is matched only by his passion for flavor. With a finely tuned palate and a serious eye for detail, Xander brings nature’s balance and a whole lot of heart to every bottle we make.

Next time you sip a Green Bee, you might just taste a little sunshine, and a hint of adventure!

A Dreamy Toast To Mom: Blueberry Bloom Mocktail

This Mother’s Day, skip the store-bought bouquet and serve up something she’ll really remember: a fresh, floral mocktail starring our Blueberry Dream soda.

Blueberry Bloom Mocktail Recipe

Ingredients:

• ½ cup fresh blueberries

• Juice of ½ lemon

• 4 oz Green Bee Blueberry Dream soda

• Splash of sparkling water (optional)

• Crushed ice

• Fresh mint & edible flowers to garnish

Instructions:

1. Muddle blueberries, lemon juice, and honey in the bottom of a glass.

2. Add crushed ice and pour in Blueberry Dream.

3. Top with a splash of sparkling water if desired.

4. Garnish with mint and edible flowers for a touch of flair.

It’s vibrant, lightly sweet, and 100% alcohol-free—perfect for brunch toasts or garden sips. Make it together or surprise her with a tray and a handwritten card.

Pollinator Powerhouses for Your Garden

Want to help the bees and beautify your yard? Plant these pollinator powerhouses and watch your garden buzz to life

Bees need more than just our soda’s namesake—they need nectar-rich plants to thrive. Whether you’ve got a big backyard or a sunny balcony, you can turn any space into a pollinator paradise.

Here are 5 easy-to-grow, bee-approved plants for spring:

1. Lavender – Fragrant, hardy, and a nonstop bee magnet. Bonus: it smells amazing and repels mosquitoes.

2. Bee Balm – With its wild, colorful blooms, this one lives up to its name and supports native pollinators.

3. Coneflower (Echinacea) – Drought-tolerant and long-blooming, it's a favorite for both bees and butterflies.

4. Borage – A fast-growing herb with blue star-shaped flowers bees love. The edible blooms are great in salads or drinks.

5. Sunflowers – Tall, cheerful, and packed with pollen. Plant a few and you’ll have happy bees and great Instagram shot
   The best part? More bees mean better pollination for your veggies, herbs, and flowers. Plant a patch, skip the pesticides, and let the buzz begin.

 Got a bee-friendly garden already? Tag us with #GreenBeeGarden—we’d love to see it!

Here’s our Garden from last year! #greenbeegarden