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 for 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.
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 a crockpot. Surround crockpot with bowls of candy canes or peppermint
sticks, marshmallows 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.
About the Author:
Brenda Hyde lives in the rural Midwestern United States and is the editor of Old Fashioned Living.com. She is also the Regional Recipe Editor at Stand Beside Her.com.
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