Fall is party time with its Halloween parties, Harvest parties, Thanksgiving celebrations, etc. If you would like to serve some new non-alcoholic drinks this year, here are some recipes for both hot and cold drinks. Try this Honey Party Punch, which is a citrus-honey punch which gets some fizz from ginger ale. For hot drinks try the Butterscotch Flavored Coffee or Debbie’s Hot Spiced Cider.
HONEY PARTY PUNCH
2 cups boiling water
3/4 cup honey
4 cups cranberry juice
2 cups orange juice
1 cup lemon juice
1 quart ginger ale
Ice cubes
Sliced lemons, limes, oranges, and or strawberries, optional
Combine the boiling water and honey. Stir to dissolve honey. Chill mixture. In a large punch bowl, combine the juices. Stir in the honey water. Just before serving add the ginger ale and ice cubes. Float fruit slice garnishes on top, if desired.
Yield: Serves 12
BUTTERSCOTCH FLAVORED COFFEE
8 cups hot freshly brewed coffee
1 cup butterscotch baking chips
1/2 cup heavy cream
6 tbsp sugar, or sugar to taste
Whipped cream
additional butterscotch chips for garnish, if desired
In a 2-quart heat-proof pitcher, pour in the butterscotch chips; add the hot coffee. Stir together until the chips are melted. Add the heavy cream and sugar, stirring to blend. Pour coffee into serving mugs. Top each mug with some whipped cream and a few butterscotch chips, if desired.
DEBBIE’S HOT SPICED CIDER
8 cups apple cider or juice
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 3-inch cinnamon sticks
1/2 tsp ground allspice
dash of salt
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
Additional cinnamon sticks for garnish, optional
In a large saucepan, combine the cider or juice, brown sugar, 3 cinnamon sticks, allspice, salt, and nutmeg; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Discard the cinnamon sticks. Use the additional cinnamon sticks as stirrers in the mugs, if desired.
Yield: approximately 1/2 gallon
Enjoy!