Category: Beverages

MULLED APPLE CIDER

Mulled Apple Cider is a perfect cold-weather treat! Made with cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and fresh oranges, it will warm you from the inside out!

Everything about mulled apple cider makes it the perfect beverage for fall and winter, especially for the holidays. It’s typically served warm, flavored with warm spices, and can be made with or without alcohol, making it ideal for all your holiday parties or just sitting at home curled up in front of the fireplace. Not to mention how amazing your house will smell as the cider simmers on the stove and the scent of all the spices fill the air.

Apple Cider VS. Mulled Apple Cider

What is the difference between apple cider and mulled apple cider? Typically you drink apple cider cold with nothing added to it. You drink mulled apple cider warm or hot after it has been warmed with spices and possibly fruit. Many times alcohol is added to a mulled apple cider (more on that below).

Making Mulled Apple Cider

Mulled apple cider is incredibly easy to make, and you only need a few simple ingredients.

  • Apple cider
  • An orange, sliced
  • cinnamon sticks
  • whole cloves
  • Allspice berries
  • Star anise

Add everything to a pot on the stove and heat on medium-high until it is steaming and hot. Turn down the heat and simmer for 40 minutes. Remove the orange slices and strain off the spices. Pour into individual mugs and serve hot. That’s it! Be sure to breathe in the amazing aroma as you sip your hot mulled apple cider!

Adding Alcohol

I recommend spiking apple cider with whiskey, brandy, bourbon, or rum. Whiskey will give your spiked cider a spicier warm taste, while brandy, bourbon, and rum will give it a sweeter taste.

If you add the alcohol to the entire batch, first strain off the spices, remove the orange slices and then add the alcohol (8 to 10 ounces, depending on how strong you want it). Heat for another 10 to 15 minutes on low. Serve warm.

If you add the alcohol to individual glasses, use 1 ounce of alcohol for every 8 ounces of cider.

Mulled Apple Cider

Mulled Apple Cider is a perfect cold-weather treat! Made with cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and fresh oranges, it will warm you from the inside out!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Drinks
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 2 quarts (64 ounces) apple cider
  • 5 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 teaspoons whole cloves
  • 2 teaspoons whole allspice berries
  • 2 whole star anise
  • 1 orange, cut into slices

Optional Garnishes:

  • cinnamon sticks, star anise, sliced apples, cranberries

Instructions
 

  • Add the apple cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, star anise, and sliced oranges to a large pot.
  • Heat over medium-high heat until hot and steaming (do not boil). Once it is hot, turn the heat to medium-low and simmer for 40 minutes.
  • When the cider is done, remove the orange slices and strain off the spices. If you want to keep it hot, leave it on the stove on low heat.
    **Do not leave the oranges in the pot after the cider is done. The oranges can take on a bitter flavor.
  • Optional garnishes: Pour cider into serving glasses and garnish with sliced apple, cinnamon stick, cranberries, and star anise.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Adding Alcohol:

  • Use either whiskey, brandy, bourbon, or rum. Whiskey will give your spiked cider a spicier warm taste, while brandy, bourbon, and rum will give it a sweeter taste.
  • If you add the alcohol to the entire batch, first strain off the spices, remove the orange slices and then add the alcohol (8 to 10 ounces, depending on how strong you want it). Heat for another 10 to 15 minutes on low. Serve warm. 
    If you add the alcohol to individual glasses, use 1 ounce of alcohol for every 8 ounces of cider.

Notes

**If you plan on leaving the cider on the stove longer than an hour, remove the orange slices and spices. Oranges can take on a bitter flavor if heated for too long.
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PUMPKIN PIE MILKSHAKE

Everything you love about pumpkin pie, but without the work. It only takes about 5 minutes to make this incredible pumpkin pie milkshake. 

If you love the taste of pumpkin pie, then this is your milkshake! It really tastes like pumpkin pie, just minus all the work that goes into making a pie. So if you have 5 minutes, you have enough time to create this delicious, refreshing, and satisfying treat.

When I first created this recipe, I asked my kids to sample the milkshake and give me some feedback. They immediately commented how great it was and promptly asked me to make them another one. They have asked me several times over the last two weeks to make pumpkin pie milkshakes…So I think it is safe to say this recipe is a winner!

Making Pumpkin Pie Milkshakes:

  • Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Milk
  • Pumpkin Puree (chilled)
  • Pumpkin pie spice
  • Maple Syrup
  • Crushed Graham Crackers

*I recommend chilling the pumpkin puree ahead of time. This will help keep the milkshake cold and prevent the ice cream from melting so quickly.

Place all the ingredients in the blender and process until smooth. Pour into two separate glasses and garnish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs.

That’s it. So easy and so delicious!!

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Dessert, Drinks
Servings 2 servings

Equipment

  • Blender

Ingredients
 

  • 3 cups vanilla ice cream
  • ¾ cup milk
  • ¾ cup pumpkin puree, chilled
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • â…“ cup crushed graham crackers (about 1½ whole crackers), reserve a little for garnish

Garnish (optional):

  • Graham Cracker Crumbs
  • whipped cream

Instructions
 

  • *I recommend chilling the pumpkin puree ahead of time. This will help keep the milkshake cold and prevent the ice cream from melting so quickly.
  • Add all ingredients to a blender a process until smooth.
  • Pour into serving glasses, top with whipped cream, and sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs. Serve immediately.
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PINEAPPLE SMOOTHIE

This simple and refreshing pineapple smoothie delivers a burst of tropical flavors! With blended pineapple, coconut milk, Greek yogurt, pineapple juice, and a touch of honey, you have a quick and delicious smoothie.

You don’t need to be on a tropical island to enjoy the taste of the tropics. With a few simple ingredients, you can recreate those beloved island flavors. Add a fun drink umbrella, close your eyes and imagine the sound of the wind and waves while sipping on your pineapple smoothie! This smoothie recreates all of the yummy flavors of a pina colada but without the alcohol. I’ll give you some suggestions below if you want to add alcohol and have the whole pina colada experience.

Frozen Pineapple:

I always avoid using ice in my smoothies. Ice makes your smoothie cold, but as it melts, it waters down your smoothie without adding any flavor. Using frozen fruit gives you an ice-cold smoothie while also adding loads of flavor.

You can use either fresh pineapple or buy frozen pineapple. If you are using fresh pineapple, you will need to cut it up into cubes and allow time for it to freeze. To freeze a fresh pineapple, remove the skin and cut it into uniform chunks. Place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure the pieces are not touching each other. Allow the pineapple to freeze for 6 hours or overnight. Once they are frozen, you can toss them into a freezer bag until you are ready to use them. I have made the mistake of placing all of my pineapple pieces in a container to freeze them. I ended up with one large chunk of pineapple with all the pieces frozen together, and I had to chip them apart to use them for my smoothie…Don’t make my mistake.

Adding Alcohol:

If you want to make these more true to a pina colada and add alcohol, go for it; just don’t forget the drink umbrella! I would recommend starting with 3 ounces of white rum or coconut rum, about â…“ cup. Then, of course, you can always add more if you like.

Pineapple Smoothie

This simple and refreshing pineapple smoothie delivers a burst of tropical flavors! With blended pineapple, coconut milk, Greek yogurt, pineapple juice, and a touch of honey, you have a quick and delicious smoothie.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Drinks
Servings 2 servings

Equipment

  • Blender

Ingredients
 

  • 3 cups frozen pineapple chunks
  • ½ cup plain greek yogurt
  • ½ cup coconut milk
  • ½ cup pineapple juice, (more if needed to thin out the smoothie)
  • 1 tablespoon honey, optional

To Make this an Adult Beverage:

  • 3 ounces white rum or coconut rum, (about â…“ cup)

Instructions
 

  • If using fresh pineapple, cut the pineapple into chunks and place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Be sure the pieces are in a single layer and not touching. Leave the pineapple chunks in the freezer for 6 hours or overnight. Once frozen, you can place the pineapple chunks into an airtight container or freezer bag until ready to use.
  • Place the frozen pineapple, yogurt, coconut milk, pineapple juice, and honey (if using) in the blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, with no visible pineapple pieces. If you want to thin out the smoothie, add more pineapple juice, just a little at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
    **If adding alcohol, add it to the blender along with the other ingredients.
  • Pour into the glasses and serve immediately.
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RASPBERRY FLOATS

Cool off this summer with a delicious, refreshing raspberry float! This is a fun, fruity twist on the traditional root beer float. With just two simple ingredients, these are perfect for all your summer backyard parties.

Raspberry floats are a fun, fruity twist on the classic root beer float. The use of raspberry sorbet creates a refreshing, fruity drink that screams summertime!

I honestly had never heard of a raspberry float until my oldest son came home from school raving about them after having one at a school party. He insisted that they were “The best thing ever!!” I wasn’t excited about trying it because I love root beer floats, and I often have a hard time changing up a classic recipe; I mean, if it “ain’t broke, don’t fix it…” He didn’t drop the issue, and I’m glad he didn’t! So I decided to make my kids’ raspberry floats to celebrate the end of the school year. Guys…Let me tell you, it was amazing!! Dare I say – maybe even better than the old classic root beer floats! This got me thinking, what other float flavors have I been missing out on? Well, the summer is the perfect time for me to experiment. But in the meantime, I will be enjoying my raspberry floats.

how To make a raspberry float:

There is really not much to it. All you need is Sprite and raspberry sorbet or sherbet. You can garnish with raspberries and/or whipped cream if you want to fancy them up a bit.

  • Start by adding two or three scoops of sorbet or sherbet to the glasses.
  • Fill the glasses with Sprite.
  • If desired, garnish with whipped cream and raspberries.

Sherbert or sorbet?

The main difference between sherbet and sorbet comes down to the amount of dairy each contains. Sherbet contains a small amount of cream or milk, giving it a creamier, richer texture, whereas sorbet contains no dairy at all. Either will work perfectly fine for making a float.

Raspberry Floats

Cool off this summer with a delicious, refreshing raspberry float! This is a fun, fruity twist on the traditional root beer float. With just two simple ingredients, these are perfect for all your summer backyard parties.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Dessert, Drinks

Ingredients
 

  • Sprite
  • Raspberry sorbet or sherbet

Garnish: (Optional)

  • Whipped cream
  • Raspberries

Instructions
 

  • Add 2 to 3 scoops of raspberry sorbet or sherbet to each glass.
  • Fill the glass with Sprite.
  • Garnish with whip cream and raspberries (optional)
  • Serve immediately.
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MIXED BERRY SMOOTHIE

This berry smoothie is a perfect summer afternoon treat. It’s cool, refreshing, healthy, and bursting with flavor!

I have been making smoothies for my kids since they were little. It’s a treat that I always felt good about giving them. Not only are they a great way to get your kids to eat fruits and vegetables, but they are healthy and super easy to make. But smoothies are not just for kids; they are an adult favorite too!

One of the great things about smoothies is their versatility. Nothing is written in stone when it comes to making smoothies. I honestly never measured any of the ingredients for my smoothies until I needed to write a recipe for the blog. But I wanted to give you a starting point in making your smoothies. But even with the recipe I am sharing with you, the amounts are suggestions, and you can easily substitute any of the ingredients. I will even give you some suggestions on some substitutions.

What goes into this smoothie:

Frozen Berries: I prefer to use frozen berries because it eliminates the need for adding ice. I don’t like adding ice to my smoothies because the ice waters down the smoothie and does not add flavor. You can use any combination of berries that you want. I prefer a mix of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and/or blackberries.

Bananas: Bananas add to the smoothie’s creamy texture and are a healthy addition. If you don’t like bananas, you can always leave them out.

Yogurt: Yogurt also adds to the creamy texture of the smoothie without watering it down. Choosing a berry-flavored yogurt adds wonderful flavor to the smoothie. If you are aiming for a healthy smoothie, choose yogurt with less sugar. Of course, you can always use plain greek yogurt and, if needed, add a little honey to make it sweeter.

Milk: Smoothies need some form of liquid to thin them out. I don’t like adding water because it adds no flavor. Using milk adds healthy nutrients, creaminess, and flavor. Any milk will work. Almond milk is an ideal liquid; it pairs well with any add-ins. But you could use regular soy, rice, or almond milk.

 

Mixed Berry Smoothie

This berry smoothie is a perfect summer afternoon treat. It's cool, refreshing, healthy, and bursting with flavor!
4.50 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Drinks

Equipment

  • Blender

Ingredients
 

  • 3 cups frozen, mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, or any mixture of these)
  • ½ -1 banana (1 small or ½ of a large)
  • 1 cup blueberry, strawberry, or mixed berry yogurt
  • ½ cup milk (regular, almond, soy, etc.) more or less depending on desired thickness

Instructions
 

  • Add everything to a blender and blend until the ingredients are creamy and smooth.
  • If the smoothie is too thick, add more milk, a little at a time.
  • Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
  • **This recipe makes 2 to 3 smoothies depending on the serving size.
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SPARKLING FRUIT PUNCH

This Easy fruit punch is my go-to drink for every party and get-together. Super sweet, super fruity, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!

Every time I have served this fruit punch at a party, at least one person has asked for the recipe. It’s that good! It’s full of bold, fruity flavors with bubbly carbonation. The addition of the blended strawberries and bananas thickens the juice and gives it a smooth, creamy texture.

Not only is this juice amazingly delicious, but it’s also so easy to put together. It all comes together in under ten minutes! So it’s easy to serve at a casual backyard barbeque or dress it up with strawberries or fruit slices (lemon, lime, or pineapple slices) for a more formal get-together.

Looking for a more adult-themed beverage, add light rum or vodka to the fruit punch. Reduce the ginger ale to one liter and start with 3 to 4 cups of alcohol (you can always add more or less depending on your preference). You can also make the juice by following the instructions and then adding the vodka or rum to the individual glasses.

Sparkling Fruit Punch

This Easy fruit punch is my go-to drink for every party and get-together. Super sweet, super fruity, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Course Drinks
Servings 20 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 1 can (46 ounces) pineapple juice,
  • ¾ cup frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
  • 1 cup water, divided
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 large ripe bananas
  • 1 package (20 ounces) frozen unsweetened whole strawberries, thawed
  • 2 liters ginger ale, chilled
  • alcohol (optional), see notes

Instructions
 

  • In a punch bowl or large pitcher, combine pineapple juice, lemonade concentrate, ½ cup water, and sugar.
  • Place bananas, thawed strawberries, and remaining water in a blender; cover and process until smooth. Stir into the juice mixture.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.
  • Just before serving, stir in the chilled ginger ale.
  • **See notes for adding alcohol

Notes

Looking for a more adult-themed beverage, add light rum or vodka to the fruit punch. Reduce the ginger ale to one liter and start with 3 to 4 cups of alcohol (you can always add more or less depending on your preference). You can also make the juice by following the instructions and then adding the vodka or rum to the individual glasses.
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