Annie Hartwig is a runner, setting the pace for everything she does in life. She’s a mom of three, wife, volunteer, gardener, inventor, entrepreneur, and marketer of a growing line of food and beverage extracts.
Describing herself as ‘creative and crafty’ with a degree in marketing, Annie began making vanilla extract ten years ago. “I made vanilla at Christmas for family and friends who brought the bottles back for refills throughout the year. Since vanilla was such a hit, I began to wonder what other flavors I could create.” The pandemic led to a year of virtual schooling for her children. “Virtual schooling was much harder than I thought it would be and I needed a creative outlet. I often worked late at night creating new flavors while my three children and husband slept.”
Annie’s Extracts began in early 2022 and continues to grow. Even after scaling to a business, Annie maintains a very personal relationship with customers and store owners. “Because my flavors began as gifts for family and friends, I strive to maintain that same personal touch with every customer and business owner I work with.”
Wholesale is important to Annie. “It is an honor to be part of the small business community in Tulsa. This supportive and unique group of business owners cares deeply for one another and loves to celebrate each other’s successes.” Today, Annie’s Extracts can be found online or in the following Tulsa Area stores: Primo’s Fine Wine and Spirits, Bon Broth Bar, Robinson Ranch, Kwenchers, Cecropia Decor, Ida Red, Pure & Simple Market, Queen City and more.
Running, intermittent fasting and cutting back on sugar helped Annie lose weight after her third child was born. Adding extracts to water, coffee and tea boost flavor without adding calories or sugar. “Extracts typically need a sweetener to get the full flavor. I leave the sugar out of my flavorings so the customer can decide which sweetener to use. Although stevia and sugar are great, I personally prefer agave or honey.”
There are no artificial colors and as many natural, organic and local ingredients as possible used to create these extracts. Annie believes what we eat and drink can be both healthy and delicious.
Recipes include vanilla-rose ice cream, homemade coffee creamer, and cinnamon vanilla honey latte. There are refreshing drinks (with cocktail options) like Mint Medley Lemonade, Fresh Basil Gimlet, Prickly Pear Perfect Margarita, Citrus Mimosa Thyme, Christmas At The Cape and many more. New recipe ideas are added often to ExtractsByAnnie.com or Annie’s Extracts on social media.
Raspberry Mint Lemonade (with cocktail option)
Ingredients
5-6 fresh raspberries
Juice of 1/2 freshly squeezed lemon
1 ounce vodka (optional)
0.5 ounce blue agave or honey
3 droppers Annie’s Extracts Mint
3 droppers Annie’s Extracts Raspberry
4 ounces club soda, chilled
Directions:
In a shaker, muddle fresh raspberries then add ice. Add all ingredients except club soda to shaker and shake for 30 seconds. Strain mixture from shaker into glass, top with club soda, gently stir and enjoy!
Raspberry Mint Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients for Smoothie
1 cup frozen raspberries
1/2 frozen banana, sliced
1/2 cup almond yogurt, vanilla flavor
3 droppers full Annie’s Extracts Mint Medley
Additional Ingredients
Fresh raspberries
Sliced bananas
Granola
Directions
Add first four ingredients to blender. Blend until smooth and pour into a bowl. Top with fresh raspberries, sliced bananas and granola.
Fresh Blood Orange Spritzer (with cocktail option)
Ingredients
1 ounce blood orange juice, freshly squeezed
0.5 ounce blue agave syrup
1 ounce vodka (optional)
3 droppers full Annie’s Extracts Rosemary
4 ounces club soda, chilled
Directions
Add blood orange juice, agave, vodka and ice to the shaker. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. In a glass, pour chilled club soda, then strain shaker contents on top.
Sublime Lime Italian Soda (with cocktail option)
Ingredients
Juice of 1 freshly squeezed lime
0.5 ounce blue agave syrup
1 ounce vodka (optional)
2 droppers full Annie’s Extracts Basil
3 droppers full Annie’s Extracts Strawberry
4 ounces club soda, chilled
Directions
Add lime juice, agave, basil extract and strawberry extract to shaker. Shake for 30 seconds and pour into glass. Top with chilled club soda, swirl gently and enjoy!
