Holiday Beverage

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With all the holidays coming up, this will come in handy for this non-alcohol drinking Mormon!

{What you need}

Cranberry juice

Apple juice

Ginger ale

Mix equal parts together, or to your preference.  Serve chilled.

Mexican Hot Chocolate

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Oh my word, this was amazing!  John requested it for his birthday meal so I searched online for a unique hot chocolate recipe, and this one is just perfect.  Plus, what is fall without some hot chocolate?  (We had friends over and I made this x 9)

{What you need}

3 Tbsp instant hot chocolate mix

1 Tbsp chocolate syrup

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 pinch chili powder

1/4 cup milk

3/4 cup water

Add all ingredients to a pot, whisk until blended, and heat to a simmer, or until it gets as hot as you like.

original recipe here

Brazilian Limeade

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Found this winner on pinterest and have made it twice within the past few weeks.  It is so refreshing and the perfect companion to the warm weather we've been having here in Utah.  It is super easy but fancy enough that we have served it at bridal showers and it is a major crowd pleaser.

{What you need}

8 juicy limes

2 cups sugar

12 cups cold water

12 T sweetened condensed milk

**I do this in two-three  installments...

Combine the water and sugar the night before (not the end of the world if you don't do this...).  Cut the limes in quarters.  In a large blender, blend the sugar water with the limes (rind and all) and sc milk.  Pour the liquid into a large pitcher through a fine-mesh strainer, pushing the liquid through with a spoon to make sure you get it all through.  If it is a little bitter go ahead and add a little more sugar until it suites your tastes.  Serve immediately over lots of ice as it doesn't keep that well.

original recipe from Our Best Bites

Italian Sodas

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I threw a baby shower for my sister and decided to serve these beauts.  So easy, so classy, so fun, and so unique.  They were a major hit, and we will definitely be doing them again soon.

{What you need}

club soda

fruity syrup of choice, often found in the coffee isle

(I had strawberry, raspberry, and peach)

pellet ice

(we get ours from Sonic Drive In)

half and half

whipped cream and cherries for topping, if desired

skinny hot chocolate straws

9 oz (or so) glasses

Pour desired amount of fruit syrup in the bottom of the glass.  Too little will be bland, too much will be bitter.  I fill the bottom of the glass and a little extra.  Fill the glass half way with pellet ice.  Fill glass a little more than half way with club soda.  Top with half and half, leaving about a 1/2 inch from the top.  Stir very well with straw, so that all the fruity syrup is mixed in.  Top with whipped cream and a cherry if you like.

You'll get the hang of it once you start, and you'll figure out your own proportions that suit your taste best.  These are basically just guidelines to start with.  Enjoy!

Citrus Water

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Refreshing and delicious. And so elegant! Great for parties or showers.

{What you need}

5 quarts water

3 cups sugar

2 tablespoons citric acid

1 teaspoon lemon extract
4 lemons, sliced

4 limes, sliced

pellet ice*

Mix together all ingredients and serve with lemon and lime wedges and pellet ice.

*pellet ice can be purchased at Sonic Drive In for under $2.00 for a ten pound bag. It is a great touch to this drink and is highly recommended for it!

Pineapple-Orange Slush

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Great for wedding or baby showers. I've had it at both, actually! Very refreshing and just beautiful. This was inspired by a recipe found at AllRecipes.Com, but I tweaked it a little to make it easier for me because I already had some ingredients that would work for it. This would also be great for summer barbecues or family parties because it is so easy to make and it just makes a TON. Enjoy!

{What you need}

2 Liters pineapple-flavored soft drink

(I think I used Shasta)

1 Liter Ginger ale

1 pint Orange-flavored sherbet

1 1/2 pint vanilla ice cream

Combine in a large punch bowl. Sort of chop the sherbet and ice cream up so it's not just a glob in the bowl, so that it can be separated into cups when it is served. Very tangy!