Archive for the ‘Beverage’ Category

An ancient expression of good wishes.

TIE IN A SPICE BAG:

2 sticks of cinnamon
1 teaspoon whole ginger OR 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves

SIMMER:1-3/4 c. sugar
3 cups water
and spice bag for 8 minutes

REMOVE SPICE BAG AND ADD:3 more cups of very hot water
1 quart (4 cups) apple cider
1/2 cup lemon juice
3 cups orange juice

Heat just to boiling point and serve hot.  Makes about 12 one cup servings.

I LOVE peppermint.  No two ways about it.  So when I came across this idea, I asked Marie if I could share with all of you.  Thanks Marie!!!!  Here is a link to her blog.  

This stuff is really magic. Mostly because it is gone is seconds as your guests will pile huge dollips into their hot cocoa. My sweet sister-in-law, Jeanne, first introduced this to me years ago and I have been making it for parties ever since. 
Buy peppermint candy canes or even just peppermint round candies. Then using a blender, crush them to powder. It gets loud, so plug your ears.

Then get your whipped cream out. It can be Cool Whip or whipping cream that you whip yourself. For 16 oz. of whipping cream, I poured 1/2 cup of powdered peppermint candy. Stir it in. It makes a fun pink cream and there are even some tiny chunks that are yummy too.

I like to make a large pot of hot cocoa on the stove and then have my bowl of peppermint whipping cream on the side with a large spoon for scooping. Or you can make one mug of hot chocolate and stir in a spoonful or two of the cream. Either way is delicious. To store left over cream, put it into a freezing container and freeze until your next cup of hot cocoa is ready, simply thaw in the fridge. To store leftover peppermint powder, pour into a plastic bag or container and place in the cupboard.

- 1 container of frozen limeade
- 1 container of frozen lemonade
- 8 servings worth of strawberry lemonade mix (I use the Countrytime)
- 1 two liter container of Sprite
- sliced fruit (as desired)

Mix and serve!  That’s it….yum!