Creamy Hot Cocoa

When the weather turns cold, my family and I love hot cocoa. Nothing is better than some homemade, and this was super easy to make. I tripled the original recipe I found (as well as cut back on the sugar). The amount was perfect for a small crowd (supposed to serve 12).

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 pinches of salt
1 cup boiling water
10-1/2 cups milk
2-1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract

Combine the cocoa, sugar, and salt in a large saucepan. Heat the cup of water in the microwave until it starts to boil, then blend in with the cocoa mixture. Bring this to an easy boil while you stir; simmer and stir for two minutes (don't let it scorch!). Stir in the milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla. Add some cream or milk to cool down, or see my recipe for homemade flavored whipped cream!

Red Wine Sangria

Ingredients:
2 bottles red wine
1 cup brandy
1/2 cup triple sec
1 cup orange juice
1 cup pomegranate juice (I used cherry pomegranate juice)
1/2 cup simple syrup, or more to taste (equal parts sugar and water, heated until sugar dissolves, cooled)
Blueberries
Orange slices
Apple slices
Blackberries

Directions:Mix all liquids together and let stand in a tightly sealed container or pitcher for at least 24 hours in the refrigerator before serving.  Add fruit 1-2 hours before serving.  If there are any leftovers, be sure to remove the orange slices before refrigerating so the sangria does not go bitter.

Orange Frost

My kids and I *love* smoothies! We had breakfast for dinner and made this "orange frost" instead of having the traditional orange juice. It was a big hit! My husband compared it to an orange julius. (I doubled the recipe when I made it.)

3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup water
6-oz frozen orange juice concentrate
8 ice cubes (I used a couple handfuls of ice)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Place all ingredients in order in a blender. Blend for about 30 seconds or until mixture is smooth and foamy. Serve immediately.

Margarita Punch

Okay, so this recipe isn't exactly "kid approved", but it is rather yummy for adults! Thanks to Holly for this great recipe!

2 frozen limeades

1 frozen lemonade

6 cups of water

2 litres of Fresca (I used Squirt when I couldn't find Fresca)

1 & 1/2 cups tequila (more or less to your taste)

triple sec to taste....I used about a cup.

Serves 10-12

Mix all together and serve over ice with fresh lime wedges. This makes quite a bit, so you could probably halve it and it would be plenty! Any leftovers can go into the freezer for some frozen margaritas later!

Wassail - a hot and yummy fall beverage!

2 quarts apple cider
1 pint cranberry juice cocktail
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp bitters
2 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp whole allspice
1 orange stuffed with cloves

warm in crock pot for about an hour till hot....
this is really yummy, and for the adults, you can add a little rum to your mug for a relaxing evening delight!

Kids feel "grown up" drinking this! he he he! ( minus the rum, of course!)

Russian Tea

This is a super easy powdered drink mixture that I've been drinking since I was little. It's sweet, tangy, and has a good amount of spice (from cinnamon and cloves). It's great to keep on hand during the winter. It also makes great Christmas gifts for teachers, friends, etc.

1 c. unsweetened instant tea
2 1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp cloves
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 pkg lemonade
2 c. Tang

Mix the powder together and keep in a canister or container. Add two heaping teaspoons to 6 oz. of hot water (sometimes I add a little extra). Enjoy!

Mixed Berry Smoothie

We make this for breakfast, and the kids always gulp it down.

2 cups cold milk
1 container (6 oz) low-fat yogurt (I use vanilla)
1 pkg (4-serving size) JELL-O strawberry flavor gelatin
1 cup frozen mixed berries (I used strawberries, blackberries, & raspberries)
2 biscuits large shredded wheat cereal, crumbled

PLACE all ingredients in blender; cover.

BLEND on high speed 15 sec or until smooth.

SERVE immediately.

** You can change the flavors as you like. I thought it was a bit gritty with the cereal in it, so you can leave it out.

Citrus Blueberry Blast

Instead of reaching for a milkshake, try this instead. It's fruity and delicious, and full of Vitamin C!

1 c. frozen blueberries
1/2 c. unsweetened vitamin C-fortified white grape juice
1 c. calcium-fortified orange juice
1 c. sparkling water

Place the blueberries, grape juice, and orange juice in a blender or food processor and process until the fruit is pureed and the mixture is well blended. Divide the drinks evenly and stir sparkling water into each and serve.

Note: This recipe came from Eating Well When You are Expecting, by Heidi Murkoff.