I Can't Believe It's Not Rum...Hot Buttered Rum Mix

"I love warm drinks in the winter time, especially when it's freezing outside.  They are so comforting and drinking them warms you from the inside out.  One of my favorite drinks, especially around the holidays, is a Hot Buttered Rum.  This recipe is a non-alcoholic version and the mix can be stored in the refrigerator so that you can whip up a warm, comforting drink anytime that you want to relax and warm up.  Of course a warm drink wouldn't be complete without a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of nutmeg on top.  Mix yourself some up today and ENJOY!"  

Hot Buttered Rum Mix
1 stick or 1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon rum extract*
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Mix all ingredients together until completely combined.  Store in the refrigerator in a covered container. 

To prepare a drink:

Mix 1-2 Heaping Tablespoons of mix (depends on your taste-My husband and I like it with 2 Tablespoons) with 12 ounces of HOT water until mix is dissolved.  Top with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle with desired amount of nutmeg.

*Tip:  You can substitute the desired amount of rum if you prefer an alcoholic drink.

Caramel Apple Cider

"I love the caramel apple spice drinks at Starbucks.  Unfortunately, the nearest Starbucks is 15 miles away and I don't get to have them as often as I would like.  The solution--make them at home.  I saw several copycat recipes on the Internet, but they were all too sweet for my husband and I so we came up with our own version.  The good news--we don't have to travel to get our caramel apple spice fix.  The bad news--I can't stop drinking them!  Believe me, after tasting this warm & delicious drink, you will have a new addiction too!"

 

2 cups Apple cider

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 cinnamon stick

4 Tablespoons caramel syrup

whipped cream

Additional caramel syrup for drizzling

 

In a medium saucepan, combine the apple cider, water, brown sugar, cinnamon stick and caramel syrup.  Heat until brown sugar is completely dissolved and cider is desired temperature.  Remove cinnamon stick and pour cider into mugs.  Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel syrup.  Makes 2 servings.      

This recipe was featured on Jam Hands 



Slow Cooker Apple Cider

"I make this apple cider every Halloween.  I mix it up in the slow cooker and let it simmer all afternoon.  Which by the way makes the house smell so good!  Then my hubby and I drink it while we watch our Halloween movies.  I wait for Halloween night all year!"

1 large container of apple cider (I used an 89 ounce container of LITEHOUSE brand apple cider.)
1/2 cup brown sugar (You can add more if you like it sweeter.)
1 Tablespoon McCormick apple pie spice

Whisk together cider, brown sugar and apple pie spice in a slow cooker.  Cook on low heat for 4-6 hours.  Ladle into cups and sip away!

Mixed Berry Sangria

"We grow our own raspberries and they are a delicious addition to this refreshing drink.  Mix some up and enjoy it at your next barbecue!" 

 

1.5 quart bottle Arbor Mist White Zinfandel Exotic Fruits, or your favorite white wine

11.5 ounce can Welch's Berry Sunsplash frozen concentrate, or any berry juice concentrate

mixture of cut up fruits (for example; nectarines, apples, oranges, grapes, raspberries, etc.)

1 liter bottle 7-up or Sprite

In a large pitcher, mix together white wine, juice concentrate and cut up fruits.  Refrigerate 1-2 hours to allow flavors to blend together.  Just before serving, stir in 7-up or Sprite.  ENJOY!

Strawberry Lemonade

"A Strawberry Simple Syrup takes lemonade to a whole new level.  It's tart and sweet at the same time and it looks pretty too!"

"How SWEET it is!"

Prepared Lemonade (Make your lemonade from frozen concentrate, fresh lemons or powdered mix.)

Strawberry Simple Syrup (Recipe follows)

Lemon slices and whole strawberries, for garnish

Strawberry Simple Syrup

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

a few strawberries, cut in half

Combine water, sugar and strawberries in a saucepan.  Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.  Reduce heat to medium and allow to cook for about 10 minutes.  (This will allow sugar to completely dissolve and syrup to thicken.)  Remove from the heat and strain to remove solids.  Allow to cool slightly and then refrigerate until ready to serve.

To assemble strawberry lemonade:

Fill glass with desired amount of ice.  Pour 1-2 Tablespoons of Strawberry Simple Syrup into glass, depending on how sweet you want your lemonade.  Pour in lemonade.  Garnish glass with lemon slice and whole strawberry, if desired.

"Cool and Refreshing!"

 

Frothy Fruit Smoothies

"I love to prepare this Smoothie for lunch, especially in the Summertime when it's so hot outside.  It's a light and delicious way to cool off!  It's also a great recipe for breakfast."

"What a SWEET way to begin your day!"

Smoothie Ingredients

Place all ingredients in blender.

Blend until well incorporated and frothy.

Ready for SIPPING!

Smoothie Ingredients:

1 cup orange juice

1 cup mixed frozen fruit for smoothies; includes strawberries, mango and pineapple 

1/2 cup chopped fresh pineapple

1/2 cup strawberries

1 cup vanilla yogurt

1 Tablespoon honey

Blend ingredients together and Enjoy.  Makes 2 servings.

 

TIP:  By substituting different fresh and frozen fruits and changing the flavor of yogurt, you can create any number of different Smoothies.  Here are just a few that I have come up with, but feel free to make up your own!

 

Berry Yummy Smoothie:
1 cup orange juice

1 cup frozen mixed berries; raspberries, blueberries and blackberries            

1 cup fresh strawberries

1 cup strawberry yogurt

1 Tablespoon honey

 

Tropical Smoothie:

1 cup orange juice

1 cup mixed frozen fruit for smoothies;  pineapple, mango, strawberries

1 banana

1/2 cup kiwi 

1 (6 ounce) container of Pina Colada, Mango or Pineapple flavored yogurt

1 Tablespoon honey

  

Melon Smoothie:

1 cup orange juice

1 cup mixed frozen fruit for smoothies; pineapple, mango, strawberries

1 cup chopped melon;  honeydew and cantaloupe

1 cup vanilla yogurt

1 Tablespoon honey

Cherry-Berry Smoothie:

1 cup orange juice

1 cup frozen cherries

1 cup fresh blueberries

1 (6 ounce) container cherry yogurt

1 Tablespoon honey

I could go on and on!  Have fun inventing your favorite!

Peach Smoothies

"This recipe is adapted from a recipe that my sister gave me.  It's perfect for breakfast or for a light lunch!"

Peachy-Keen!

2 cups orange juice
1 cup frozen peaches
1/4 cup milk
1 Tbsp. honey
1/4 tsp. vanilla

Blend all ingredients and serve immediately.