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Festive Beverages for the Holidays
By Brenda Hyde
Whether you are celebrating at home with your family, or throwing a
large get together, special punches and beverages add a festive touch to the holidays.
Pull out your punch bowl even if it's just you and your children. Enjoy the atmosphere!
The recipes we feature are non-alcoholic so they can be enjoyed by children and adults.
Harvest Apple Drink
Ingredients:
1 gallon fresh cider or bottled apple juice
2/3 cup brown sugar
4 cinnamon sticks
10 whole cloves
In a saucepan, bring all items to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Strain and serve. You may also easily halve the recipe for a smaller amount of
people. After straining you may transfer to a crockpot set on low to keep
warm.
Hot Cranberry Punch
Ingredients:
6 cups cranberry juice
4 cups orange juice
1 cup water
1 can (6 ounces) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3 tsp. whole cloves
3 tsp. ground allspice
1 whole nutmeg, crushed
4 3-inch cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces
In a large saucepan, combine first five items. Place spices in a piece of cheesecloth
and tie with string; add to punch, Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce
to low heat, cover ans simmer 30 minutes. Serve hot. Makes about 3 quarts of punch. May
be put in crock pot after last step.
Orange Cream
Ingredients:
4 cups orange juice
3 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 pint vanilla ice cream
In a large saucepan, combine orange juice, cinnamon and vanilla over medium-high
heat. Bring mixture to a boil, and reduce to low heat. Simmer 10 minutes. Remove
cinnamon sticks. Stir in ice cream. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until
heated through. Do not allow mixture to boil. Serve with mini marshmallows if desired.
Makes 4-6 servings.
More Easy Beverage Ideas
*Mix orange juice and gingerale together and garnish with orange slices.
*Buy a canister of hot chocolate and make according to directions, then add to crockpot.
surround crockpot with bowls of candy canes or peppermint sticks, marshmellows and
whipped topping, plus the cups for a self serve hot chocolate table. Decorate the table
with festive decorations and plates of cookies.
*Set up a table with hot water and teas from around the world, including herb teas. Many are
available online and in your larger grocery stores. Decorate the table
in a Christmas around the world theme and serve chinese, english, irish and an assortment of herb
teas, as well as 2 or 3 types of petite cookies.
*Provide many different juices, plus bottles of seltzer water. Wearing a festive
apron you can "mix" the juice of your visitors choice with the bubbling water and garnish
with their choice of fresh fruit. Use "fancy" glasses!
Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer living on ten acres in rural Michigan with her husband and three kids. Stop by and visit her garden blog, Garden of Grace & Whimsy, and her photography blog, A Dance of Words & Photos.
SeptemberLady "Born and have lived in Southern MD most of my life. My husband and I just finished building a new home on the family farm, where I hope to retire in the near future.
My interests: Doll collecting, cookbook collector (especially old ones), antiques, family/friend get-togethers, cooking/baking, flower and vegetable gardening, bird-watching."
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Memorial Day: Backyard Grilling
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The Perfect Porch Swing