I used to tend bar, so I've seen a bunch of drunks in my time. Consequently, I don't drink much. Most of these drinks can be made without alcohol.
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Sangria
This is a nice addition to parties. I don't drink often... But when I do, it's usually something like this.
1 gallon dry red wine, chilled.
1/2 cup honey
Brandy, to taste
1 can pineapple juice, chilled
1 bottle apricot juice, chilled
1 Cup Maraschino cherries & juice
Orange Slices.Mix all. Garnish with orange slices.
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Blue FlowerCombine 1 1/4 oz Rum
3/4 oz Blue Curacao
4 oz pineapple juice
1 cup crushed ice.Blend until smooth.
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Mimosa
Very good at brunch...
3 ounces of chilled Champagne
3 ounces of orange juice
dash of Grand MarnierPour orange juice into a large chilled wine glass. Slowly pour
in the champagne, stirring gently. Top with a dash of Grand Marnier. Makes one Mimosa.
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Eggnog
8 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup light rum
1 cup brandy
Real vanilla extract, to taste
2 tbs. powdered sugar
freshly ground nutmeg
CinnamonSeparate egg whites and yokes. Place yokes in large mixing bowl and whites
in smaller mixing bowl. Beat yokes at medium speed; gradually add granulated sugar. Increase speed to create fluffy texture. Mix thoroughly.
Clean and dry beaters and then beat whites until they form stiff peaks. It is important to clean beaters because egg whites will not whip if there is any oil present.
Clean beaters again, then beat whipping cream, adding the powdered sugar
and vanilla. When consistency is thick, stop.
Combine yokes and sugar mixture, beating until you get a frothy
consistency. Slowly add the cup of rum and cup of brandy (smaller portion
of liquor may be used if desired).
Fold in egg whites and whipping cream slowly, beating no more than is absolutely necessary.
Top with freshly ground nutmeg & cinnamon. Alcohol may be deleted entirely, if desired ( I do).
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Orange Froth
1 cup orange juice
1 cup water
1 egg white, or powdered egg white, or 1/4 cup egg substitute
3/4 teaspoon real vanilla extract
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup iceAdd all to blender, whip for 15-20 seconds.
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Hot Chocolate
This is a pretty standard recipe. The one that follows is from Mexico. Mexico has has chocolate for hundreds of years (at least)2 oz of heavy cream
8 oz of milk
1 stick of cinnamon
1 tbsp real vanilla extract
2 oz dark chocolate, finely chopped.
Freshly whipped creamHeat the cream and milk with the cinnamon and vanilla bean very slowly for 15-20 minutes. Add the chocolate, stirring until fully melted. serve topped with freshly whipped cream.
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Mexican Hot Chocolate
This isn't as sweet as regular hot chocolate, but it's very good.
3-4 Squares semi-sweet baking chocolate
1 egg
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups milk
1 tbsp sugar (more if desired)
Vanilla Bean, split & halved (or real vanilla extract)
CinnammonMelt 3-4 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate over low heat. While the chocolate is melting, heat 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, vanilla bean, (or extract) and 2 cups milk until hot but not until boiling. Remove bean. Stir a bit of the milk into the chocolate, until you have made a paste, then add the rest of the milk. Continuing to stir over low heat, add 1 tblsp sugar (or to taste). Beat egg. Add a bit of the chocolate mix to the egg to raise the temperature, then add the rest of the egg to the choclate. Stir over low heat for 3 minutes. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon and serve.
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Hot Mulled Cider8 c Apple juice
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
Ground nutmeg
6 inches stick cinnamon
1 tbs. whole allspice
1 tbs. whole cloves
Orange wedges
8 whole clovesIn a large saucepan combine apple cider/juice, brown sugar, and nutmeg. Make spice bag by placing cinnamon, allspice, and the teaspoon cloves in cheesecloth and tie. Add bag to cider
Bring to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 minutes. Remove spice bag and discard. Serve in mugs with clove studded orange wedges & cinnamon sticks.
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Wassail
What's a wassail? was-sail \'wa^:s-el also wa^:-'sa^-(e)l\ n
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913):
"An ancient expression of good wishes on a festive occasion, especially in drinking to some one."
An occasion on which such good wishes are expressed in drinking; a drinking bout; a carouse. ``In merry wassail he peals his loud
song.'' --Sir W. Scott.
Wassail. Say it several times out loud. Silly word!24 whole cloves
1 orange
9 cups apple cider
4 cups cranberry juice
1/2 cup sugar
3 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp Angostura Bitters
24 whole allspice
1 cup dark rumPress cloves into orange. Place in heavy large saucepan. Add remaining ingredients, excpet rum. Bring to simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to very low, covering and simmering 1 1/2 hours. Add Rum. Strain into punch bowl. Serve