Drinks and Punch for Christmas Gatherings

What are some of your Favorite Drinks or Punch for the Holidays?
Gary/Louisville

Christmas Punch

2 quarts cranberry juice
2 quarts lemonade
2 quarts pineapple juice
2 quarts carbonated lemon-lime beverage or ginger ale (or less)

Pour all of the juices together in a big punch bowl.
Add enough soda to give the punch a kick, but not so much that the flavor of the juices is diluted.
8 Servings

Hot Chocolate
Make this during the Christmas holidays; it is out of this world. Adapted from Southern Living.
5 cups
1/4 cup boiling water
1/3 cup chocolate syrup
4 cups milk
1/3-1/2 cup Kahlua
Whipped Cream

In a saucepan, mix together the boiling water and chocolate syrup.
Add in the milk and stir until blended.
Cook and stir over medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until well heated.
Add in Kahlua; stir to combine.
Pour into mugs or cups.
Garnish with whipped cream.

Delicious Hot Chocolate Mix
Make your own Hot Chocolate mix to serve anytime or give as gifts. Dont be afraid to be creative with the coffee mate....I have used the french vanilla on more than one occasion.

1 (2 lb) box nestle Quik chocolate milk mix
1 (11 ounce) jar Coffeemate
1 (1 lb) box powdered sugar
1 (8 quart) box powdered milk

This makes 1 gallon dry mix.
Mix all ingredients together and store sealed.
When you are ready for a cup, just fill a cup half full of mix and top off with boiling water.


Hot Caramel Apple Cider
This recipe calls for apple cider but you could use apple juice if you don't have apple cider on hand.

1 1/2 tablespoons caramel sauce or caramels, dip
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups apple cider

Combine apple cider, caramel and vanilla into a sauce pan.
Heat over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until apple cider is hot and caramel has melted.
Pour into a mug and enjoy.
One 12oz Serving --- Larger Servings may be made by increasing recipe as shown.

Raspberry Apple Cider
(So simple, sooo000 good!)

10 cups apple cider
1 (12 ounce) package frozen red raspberries (lightly sweetened)

In a saucepan, add apple cider and raspberries.
Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.
Remove saucepan from heat.
With a sieve, strain berries from cider and discard.
Serve warm. Enjoy!

This message was edited Dec 13, 2005 12:20 AM