Kentucky Lake Attractions | Genuine Kentucky

Hitching Post and Old Country Store Elderberry Jam, Southern Sweet Tea Jelly, and Pure Honey

Sweet Haul from the Hitching Post and Old Country Store, Aurora

When it comes to Kentucky food, Kentucky products, and keeping our money in the state by supporting our neighbors, I don’t just step up on the soapbox, I leap on it ninja style.

I have a hundred and one things to do today, though, so you’ll be spared the song and dance.

This time.

I do want to tell you about a wonderful little haul we brought back with us on a recent trip to The Hitching Post & Old Country Store: Elderberry Jam, Pure Honey, and (a new obsession) Southern Sweet Tea Jelly.

I live for sweet tea, so I honestly feel like this one was made specifically for me.

Elderberry Jam is one of Michael’s favorite things, and he’s been enjoying it on toast like it’s his job. I’ll be making cornbread tomorrow night and he’ll, no doubt, cover several pieces with this delicious jam.

Honey is something we go through a lot in our kitchen. We put it in hot tea and oatmeal, on biscuits and cornbread, and I use it in lots of recipes. This Pure Honey is simply the best – plain and simple.

I have to admit that I’m completely fascinated with the Southern Sweet Tea Jelly. It’s fantastic and, to be perfectly honest, I’m in love with the charming label. And get this, it’s made especially for The Hitching Post. If you were to buy jars of it for loved ones this Christmas, odds are it’ll be as unique to them as a unicorn wearing a sweater.

Somehow it honestly tastes like delicious sweet tea. Given the fact that the first two ingredients are tea and sugar, it shouldn’t blow me completely away, and yet it does. I guess the novelty of the idea is the part I can’t wrap my head around.

How did anyone ever even think of something so perfect?!

Each Christmas, some of my favorite cookies are the Thumbprint Cookies I make with the wonderful different jams and jellies from The Hitching Post & Old Country Store. This year is going to be extra special with “Sweet Tea Thumbprint Cookies.”

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Moonshine Mixers and Moonshine Jelly at The Hitching Post

Moonshine Jelly Would Make Interesting Cookies Too!

I also wanted to take this chance to give a little extra clarity about these extraordinary stores. We’ve sat on the front porch of The Hitching Post during our last 3 or 4 visits, eating homemade fudge and drinking cold vintage soft drinks we bought in The Hitching Post.

Quite a few times, we overheard, then helped, tourists wondering which way they should go. Each time they were “out of staters” who simply didn’t know which store they should go in or which one they should go in first.

My answer? You can’t go wrong either way!

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The Hitching Post in Aurora, a legendary Kentucky Lake attraction!

The Hitching Post: A Legendary Kentucky Lake Attraction

The Hitching Post (pictured above) is home to countless mementos, Kentucky crafts, souvenirs, jewelry, t-shirts, vintage soft drinks, homemade fudge, candy, soap, whimsical gifts, and….. well… a little bit of everything for kids of ALL ages.

It’s just one smile after the next and one giggle on top of the other.

When you pull onto the property and park, The Hitching Post is on the right (when you’re facing the stores).

On the left is, essentially, a step back in time – to a beautiful, simpler time that’ll come alive in both your mind and heart the minute you step on the porch. The Old Country Store is packed with nostalgia, antiques, and vintage gifts. It really kind of defies description because most of us who LOVE nostalgia could never even hope for anyplace quite like it.

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Old Country Store in Aurora, Kentucky (Beside The Hitching Post)

Old Country Store: Sweet Nostalgia, Everywhere You Look!

The Old Country Store is truly a one-of-a-kind place that, again, kids of all ages will get a huge kick out of. If you love vintage candy, toys, games, dishes, books, and other items… be warned, you’ll never want to leave.

They even have coffee!

Mere feet separate the two stores – which is a good thing because I always find myself walking back and forth between the two.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a Spinach Artichoke Dip to make, Kroger to visit, cats to feed, and Southern Sweet Tea Jelly to spread on the nearest non-cat thing that presents itself.