Autumn Drinks
We all know that with October comes chilly weather, crazy costumes, and tons of candy and sweets! Start off this autumn by keeping warm with a few delicious and easy to make drinks. From the old standbys to the new and intriguing, here are some liquid delights to indulge in this fall.
Pumpkin Juice
2 cups diced pumpkin
2 cups apple juice
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 cup pineapple juice
Juice the pumpkin using your juicer and add the pumpkin juice to the pineapple and apple juice. Add honey and blend in a blender. Serve iced.
Butterbeer
root beer or cream soda
butter
cream
butterscotch (butterscotch chips or sauce or both)
Pour the root beer or cream soda in a cup, and the butter and butterscotch into a a small bowl. Put the bowl of butter and butterscotch in the microwave and melt it. Then put the root beer in the microwave for a few seconds so it's just a bit warmer than room temp; don't microwave it long, or else it loses its carbonation. Pour some melted butter and butterscotch in the root beer to taste. Then pour some cream (coffee cream) in. Then stir it all up. It might take a few tries, but eventually you'll find the right mix.
Chilled Butterbeer
8-oz ginger ale or cream soda
2-3 tablespoons of butterscotch syrup
Mix in a tall glass and serve over ice.
And now for some Halloween drinks!
Blood Juice
3 cups cranberry juice
1 cup apple juice
2 cups lime and lemon pop
candied ginger to taste
Mix it all together. For a hot drink, substitute lemonade for pop.
For older wizards: add vodka.
Spiced Apple Cider
6 cups apple juice
4 tbsp packed brown sugar
2-1/2 tsp of ground spice or 12 whole allspice berries
1/2 tsp freshly ground nutmeg (place allspice and nutmeg in cheesecloth if possible)
8 whole cloves
Four 3-inch cinnamon sticks, broken in half
1 apple of your choice, cored and sliced
Over medium heat combine the apple cider, the brown sugar the allspice or allspice berries, the nutmeg, the cloves, the cinnamon sticks and the apple cored and sliced. Cover the pan and turn down heat when the mixture hits a simmer. Let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes and then take it off the heat. Place back on stove, uncovered and re-heat to a warm temperature. Strain the mixture to remove large allspice and nut meg pieces. Pour into glasses and serve with a few slices of the cut apples.
Make sure to store in a glass container and re-heat if you so desire, that is if there is any cider left over.
And there you have it! With these recipes at your disposal you're sure to win over any guests at any Halloween party or just keep yourself warm and toasty this fall!