Beverages

The theme for May is Beverages. (I know it isn't May anymore, work with me here.) I don't often make punches or different drinks, which made the idea of a theme of them all the more interesting since it would open a new world for me. There are times however that you have to have a great punch and nothing else will fit the bill, so it's essential to have some recipes in your stash.

Maybe I could inspire some of you to share a few favorites?

I have posted a few that are my go-to's for when a special drink is needed. They are my top three.

Can I remind all my family of some of Grandma's favorites too? Do you remember her chocolate floats? You make some chocolate milk and float vanilla ice cream scoops in it. It's like a chunky shake. Yum, I remember sharing these with her when I was a little girl.

Do you remember having her banana milkshakes? Yum!! Vanilla ice cream, banana, milk, and a big spoonful of pineapple ice cream topping. Oh man they were good!!!

Hot Spiced Apple Cider

I use this for the holidays. I love it and the longer it sits the better it gets. I have served it in big Gott containers for hoards of people. It stays very hot in there, like someone might sue you hot, so be careful. You may want to set aside a Gott for this purpose if you have a need as the spice flavor sticks around a long time.

Hot Spiced Apple Cider

1 gallon apple cider (or juice)
*2 tsp whole allspice berries
*2 tsp whole cloves
*2 3-inch sticks cinnamon
2/3 cup sugar
1 to 2 fresh and washed oranges, studded with cloves

*Make a spice bag using cheesecloth or muslin. (You can tie it or sew it.) Put the allspice, cloves and cinnamon in the bag.

Bring apple cider, sugar and spice bag to a boil. Simmer 20 minutes. Remove spice bag before serving. Float the orange in the bowl or pot (or Gott) to serve. The orange will infuse the cider.

* I use the cheapest spices I can find, especially when I'm making hundreds of servings. Look in the Hispanic section of the grocery store. They taste the same as the expensive spices to me.

Heather's Punch

I'm not sure where the recipe came from, but Heather introduced it to us and we love it!

Heather's Punch

1 cup sugar
6 cups pineapple juice
1 cup lime juice
2 liters club soda

Mix well.

Frappe'

This is the good old standby that is also so good it doesn't need any improvement. Whenever I have served it people say, this is my favorite punch, I wonder why I never serve it anymore?


This is the ratio our family likes the best--1 part Lemon-Lime Soda:1 part sherbet.

Put equal amounts of cold lemon-lime soda and sherbet in a large bowl and mix well.


We love raspberry, it makes a really pretty pink punch. I would choose any flavor of sherbet except rainbow. The color mix down would be scary I think. Has anyone tried it with success? Let us know!