Adventures of Mel

Category: Drinks

A good drink can set the tone for both your day and your get together. Here you’ll find all sorts of drink recipes and ideas, including themed drinks (like this butterbeer recipe), punch recipes, smoothie recipes, hot beverages, and more!

Reader favorites include homemade hot chocolate mix, homemade apple juice, and orange sherbet punch.

drinks and beverages, including smoothie recipes, hot drinks, punch recipes, and more
  • Quick and Easy DIY Mulling Spice Recipe for Mulled Cider

    Quick and Easy DIY Mulling Spice Recipe for Mulled Cider

    How to make the best homemade mulling spice recipe in 10 minutes or less. Use this simple and versatile spice mix in all your favorite holiday drinks, in festive seasonal decorations, or as the ultimate gift in a jar for all your family and friends!

    This fragrant spice mix is so warm and comforting on a cold fall or winter day. I use it to make my favorite slow cooker mulled apple cider recipe, filling our house with the sweet, rich aroma of fall spices. This never fails to put everyone in the holiday spirit!

    mulling spices in a small glass jar next to a wooden cutting board with a fresh orange for decoration

    I like to keep as many seasonings, spices and mixes on hand as possible, like apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice and homemade hot chocolate mix. The great thing about this mulling spice recipe is that you can customize it fully to your preference in flavor. Sometimes it can even save a little bit of money!

    What Is Mulling Spice?

    Mulling spices are a traditional holiday spice mixture used in many hot beverages, like mulled apple cider and mulled wine. You can buy pre-packaged mulling spices in the grocery store, but I prefer to make my own.

    mulling spice recipe ingredients laid out on a white countertop ready to make recipe for mulling spices for cider

    Ingredients & Substitutions Notes

    DIY Mulling Spice Recipe

    First I’ll show you how to make the mulled spice mix, and then I’ll show you how to make the best mulled apple cider with homemade mulling spice.

    How to Make Mulling Spice Recipe

    1. Start by placing the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise pods, cardamom pods, and allspice berries in a large resealable bag.
    2. Next, close the bag and crush the spices by beating them with a rolling pin. Then add the whole peppercorns and dried orange peels, tossing everything together to mix well.
    3. Finally, add the dried orange peel and black peppercorns to the mulling spice mixture in a large mixing bowl. Toss everything together to mix well.
    4. Transfer your mulling spice recipe to an airtight container. Mulling spices will typically last up to 1 year in a cool, dark environment. I just store mine in the spice cabinet.
    4 step collage showing how to make mulling spices recipe for mulled cider

    How to Make Mulled Apple Cider

    To make mulled apple cider using homemade mulling spice, add 2 tablespoons of mulling spice for every 1/2 gallon of raw, unfiltered apple cider in a medium saucepan. Heat this mixture over a medium-low heat on the stovetop until it just starts to boil. Then turn it down to low and let simmer for about 20-30 more minutes for best flavor.

    Once simmered, remove your mulled cider from the heat. Run the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve to strain out all crushed spices. You can serve your mulled apple cider hot with a fresh slice of lemon and a whole cinnamon stick.

    small glass jar full of mulling spices next to a small glass full of mulled cider with a slice of fresh lemon on top

    Alternatively, you can also use apple juice instead of apple cider to make mulled apple juice. Follow the instructions just the same as if you were making mulled cider. This is especially good served cold!

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Do mulling spices go bad?

    Mulling spices don’t necessarily go bad, but they do lose their flavor over time. They should keep up to 6 months in an airtight container in a cool and dark environment, like the kitchen cabinet. I recommend making a large batch at the beginning of fall to last all winter long!

    Can you freeze mulling spices?

    Most spices and spice mixes will lose their flavor after being exposed to below-freezing temperatures for extended periods of time. Thankfully mulling spices store for a long time at room temperature, so freezing is neither necessary nor desirable.

    small glass jar full of mulling spices next to a large wooden cutting board with a fresh orange for decoration

    What Else Can I Make With Mulling Spices?

    There’s so much that you can do with mulling spices! Here are a few ideas…

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Mulling Spice Recipe

    Make the best homemade mulling spice recipe in 10 minutes or less. Simple and versatile spice mix for your favorite holiday drinks!

    • Large Resealable Bag
    • Rolling Pin
    • Large Mixing Bowl
    • Airtight Container
    • 3 ounces Cinnamon Sticks
    • 1/4 cup Whole Cloves
    • 1/4 cup Star Anise Pods
    • 1/3 cup Cardamom Pods
    • 1/4 cup Allspice Berries
    • 1/3 cup Dried Orange Peel
    • 1/4 cup Black Peppercorns

    Mulling Spice Recipe

    1. Start by placing the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise pods, cardamom pods and allspice berries in a large resealable bag.

    2. Next, close the bag and crush the spices by beating them with a rolling pin.

    3. Finally, add the dried orange peel and black peppercorns to the mulling spice mixture in a large mixing bowl, and toss everything together to mix well.

    4. Transfer your mulling spice recipe to an airtight container or spice jar. Mulling spices will typically last up to 6 months in a cool, dark environment. I just store mine in the spice cabinet.

    How to Make Mulled Cider With Mulling Spice

    1. Start by adding 2 tablespoons of mulling spice for every 1/2 gallon of raw, unfiltered apple cider in a medium saucepan.

    2. Heat this mixture over a medium-low heat on the stovetop until it just starts to boil. Then turn it down to low and let simmer for about 20-30 more minutes for best flavor.

    3. Once simmered, remove your mulled cider from the heat. Run the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve to strain out all of the crushed spices.

    4. That's it! Serve your mulled apple cider hot with a fresh slice of lemon and a whole cinnamon stick.

    Do mulling spices go bad?

    Mulling spices don’t necessarily go bad, but they do lose their flavor over time. They should keep up to 6 months in an airtight container in a cool and dark environment, like the kitchen cabinet. I recommend making a large batch at the beginning of fall to last all winter long!

    Beverage, Christmas, Drinks, Fall, fall recipes
    American, Christmas, Drink, Fall, Holiday
    cider mulling spice recipe, mulling spices recipe, recipe for mulling spices, recipe for mulling spices for cider
  • How to Make Campfire Coffee in a Percolator

    How to Make Campfire Coffee in a Percolator

    Learn how to make campfire coffee in a percolator pot over a campfire. Plus find the best percolator pots for the job, along with what to look for when choosing the right coffee pot.

    Just because you’re away from home doesn’t mean you have to surrender your morning cup of coffee. In fact, campfire coffee can often be some of the best coffee around!

    holding blue enamelware mug full of campfire coffee in hands

    Of course, you don’t have to be on the road to make campfire coffee. You can apply everything in this recipe for how to make coffee over a fire, right in your own backyard!

    This recipe uses a camping percolator. While the final result is similar to cowboy coffee, it’s not the same. Cowboy coffee is usually boiled in an open pot; it’s not traditionally made with a percolator.

    Why Make This Recipe

    • Campfire coffee is the best. There’s nothing better than waking up to a piping hot cup of coffee over the fire on a cold morning in the great outdoors.
    • It’s ridiculously easy. There’s no need to surrender that morning cup of joe every time you go camping.
    • It’s fun! By making camp coffee, you’ll get first-hand experience how our ancestors made their daily cup of coffee. Whether they made it on an outdoor campfire or even on the fireplace hearth, it all worked the same.

    Choosing the Best Campfire Coffee Percolators

    coffee percolating in the glass knob of a stainless steel camping percolator

    Here are a few tips for how to choose the best camping percolator…

    • Durability – In the long run, it’s often cheaper to spend slightly more on higher quality products. A coffee percolator is no exception to this rule. It’s always best to buy a coffee pot made of stainless steel– no aluminum! I also prefer a glass knob so that I can see the color of the coffee and subsequently how it’s progressing. I also highly recommend getting one with a metal hanging handle or bail wire for hanging the pot over the campfire.
    • Versatility – Some people like a strong cup of joe; others prefer a weaker brew. Whatever your preference, be sure to get a coffee pot that allows you to easily adjust the brew accordingly.
    • Portability – For obvious reasons, it’s important that a camping percolator be easily portable. Keep it simple!
    • Clean-up – As I stated above, this is for camping. It needs to be portable, and it also needs to clean up easy! Again, keep it simple.

    Once you’ve found the best coffee pot for your needs, it’s time to get started.

    Best Campfire Coffee Pots (Percolator Style)

    Based on the above recommendations, here are a few of my favorite camping percolators…

    how to make campfire coffee, ingredients with stainless steel percolator on grate over fire

    Ingredient Notes

    Let’s talk about the ingredients…

    • Ground Coffee – Although I much prefer the aromatic flavor of freshly-ground coffee with a grinder, you’ll probably want to keep it simple with pre-ground coffee, and that will work just fine. If you’re using a coffee percolator, be sure to look for a coarser coffee grind. A finer grind will usually fall through the holes in the basket and into your water. Nobody likes grounds in their coffee!
    • Water – I won’t drink coffee unless it’s made with the crystal clear bottled spring water sourced in the ancient valleys of the Himalayan Mountains– just kidding. Just use clean, cold water. Nothing fancy here!

    How to Make Campfire Coffee

    1. Build a Fire

    For campfire coffee, you need a fire that’s hot but also small. Think of it as if you were cooking food. A big fire can get way too hot way too quickly, resulting in charred, overcooked food. Campfire coffee is no different.

    The best way to achieve this is by building your campfire, then separating hot coals from the actual flame, lining them up in a wide circle to efficiently heat the water. It takes a little bit of trial and error.

    2. Fill Your Coffee Pot

    However much water you add, you will end up with that much brewed coffee. Most coffee pots will have markings on the inside that indicate how much water has been added.

    Once you’ve filled the pot, it’s time to assemble the percolator basket on the stem.

    percolator basket with stem assembled in stainless steel camping percolator

    3. Add Coffee

    Everybody has their preferences, but I find that a good rule of thumb for how much coffee to use is around 2 tablespoons per 8oz. of water. This makes a good, strong cup of coffee that’s not nauseatingly weak.

    coffee grounds in basket of percolator pot

    Some people prefer to add a coffee filter before this step, but I don’t bother. I use a coarser grind of coffee, so it’s unnecessary.

    That said, if you’re using a fine grind, it might be worthwhile to add a coffee filter to the basket. Nobody likes grounds in their coffee!

    4. Set Your Coffee Pot Over the Fire

    As I stated above, it’s best to separate the coals from the main fire. Line them in a circle and place your coffee pot directly above; or place your pot high enough above the fire on a grate that it won’t get too hot. Bring the coffee to just under a boil.

    how to make coffee over a fire in a percolator pot on a grate above the campfire

    5. Let it Percolate

    Watch and listen for the water to come up to temperature. Once this happens, it’s best to move it away from direct flame, after which you will let it percolate for 5-10 minutes before removing from the heat entirely.

    percolating camp coffee in stainless steel percolator away from direct flame

    It’s important that you never let your coffee boil. You want to see a water temperature just below the boiling point of 212ºF. This will allow the coffee to percolate without taking on a burnt flavor. Boiled coffee tastes more like burnt bread than coffee!

    6. Serve and Enjoy!

    That’s it. Take it easy, this might just be the best cup of coffee you’ll ever experience!

    pouring camp coffee from a percolator into a blue enamelware mug

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Why are there grounds in my coffee?

    Most often this is due to one of two reasons. One is that you might be using too fine of a grind of coffee. If this is the case, simply use a paper coffee filter in the percolator basket for the coffee grounds. It’s also possible that you’re letting the coffee boil over, which can be resolved by taking your coffee off the heat sooner.

    How do I get the grounds out of my coffee?

    You can easily get rid of most of the grounds by running your coffee back through a paper coffee filter. Transfer the finished coffee from your coffee pot into a large bowl or other container. Rinse out the pot and all of its parts; add a paper filter to the basket. You can now slowly pour your coffee back through this coffee filter to fill the pot back up. That’s it. Do keep in mind that during this process, your coffee is likely to get cold, so reheating it may be necessary!

    Why does my campfire coffee taste burnt?

    This usually means that you’ve let the coffee get too hot. It is important that you never let your coffee boil. You want to see a water temperature just below the boiling point of 212ºF. This will allow the coffee to percolate without taking on a burnt flavor. Boiled coffee tastes more like burnt bread than coffee!

    How do you clean your camping percolator?

    The best way to clean any coffee percolator is by filling it 1/3 of the way full with vinegar and the rest of the way with water. After a few shakes to thoroughly mix the solution, run the percolator over the heat as normal, allowing it to force the solution into every nook and cranny. Be sure to rinse your coffee pot well before using again.

    blue enamelware mug full of campfire coffee with stainless steel percolator on campfire ring rocks

    What to Serve with Camp Coffee

    More Ways to Make Camping Coffee

    Don’t like percolator-style coffee? Here are a few other ways that you can make coffee over the fire…

    • Instant Coffee – Perhaps the easiest way to make coffee while camping is by using Instant Coffee. It’s fast, cheap, and easy. Simply dissolve the instant coffee powder into hot water, that’s it! Despite its advantages, the flavor of instant coffee just doesn’t compare to that of coffee that’s actually brewed using other methods. Instant coffee basically gives convenience over quality.
    • Cowboy Coffee – This is one of my favorite methods of brewing coffee regardless of where I am. Simply put, cowboy coffee is brewed by pouring grounds into the open water of a coffee pot, brewing, and pouring into a cup once the grounds have settled. This method requires a bit more time, care, and attention, but the unmatched flavor is worth it.
    • Aeropress – The Aeropress is another one of my favorite coffee brewing devices. It’s essentially a piston-style press that pushes the finished coffee through a thin paper filter and into a cup. In my opinion, the Aeropress produces the best-flavored coffee. However, the one limiting factor of this brewing method is that you can only make 1 cup of coffee at a time. If you like to drink more than 1 cup of coffee per day, this method gets old very quick.
    • French Press – The French Press is similar to the Aeropress in that both methods are full-immersion, and both are methods of pressing coffee. The French Press basically consists of a tall carafe and metal mesh filter attached to a long stem. You pour hot water over your grounds and let it brew. When it’s done, you press the mesh filter all the way to the bottom to separate the grounds from the finished coffee. The Aeropress is different in that its paper filter holds many undesirable oils back from the final product. The porous metal mesh filter used in the French Press allows just about everything except the grounds into the final product. This makes for a very strong, robust, and sometimes slightly bitter cup of coffee. Some people like it, and some people don’t.
    • Expresso Maker/Moka Pot – If you really want to get fancy, make an espresso-style coffee with the Moka Pot. This three-chambered pot uses pressure that is produced by its own steam. As this builds up in the lower chamber of the coffee pot, it eventually starts pushing water up through the coffee grounds. This makes for a very hearty cup of coffee!

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    How to Make Campfire Coffee in a Percolator

    Learn how to make campfire coffee in a percolator pot over a campfire. Plus the best percolator pots for the job.

    • coffee percolator pot
    • camp coffee mug
    • 12 tablespoons ground coffee (coarse coffee grounds)
    • 8 cups cold water

    1. Build your fire*, and then separate hot coals from the actual flame, lining them up in a wide circle to efficiently heat the water.

    2. Add the water to your coffee pot and assemble the basket.

    3. Add coffee grounds to the basket* and place the lid over your coffee pot.

    4. Place your coffee pot directly above the hot coals. Bring it to just under a boil.

    5. Once your coffee pot has come up to temperature, it's best to move it away from direct flame, after which you will let it percolate for 5-10 minutes before removing from the heat entirely. Keep it at just under the boiling point.*

    6. That's it. Serve and Enjoy!

    *For campfire coffee, you need to build a fire that’s hot but also small. Think of it as if you were cooking food. A big fire can get way too hot way too quickly, resulting in charred, overcooked food. Campfire coffee is no different.

    *Some people prefer to add a coffee filter before this step, but I don’t bother. I use a coarser grind of coffee, so it’s unnecessary. 

    *You want to see a water temperature just below the boiling point of 212ºF. This will allow the coffee to percolate without taking on a burnt flavor. Boiled coffee tastes more like burnt bread than coffee!

    Why are there grounds in my coffee?
    Most often this is due to one of two reasons. One is that you might be using too fine of a grind of coffee. If this is the case, simply use a paper coffee filter in the percolator basket for the coffee grounds. It’s also possible that you’re letting the coffee boil over, which can be resolved by taking your coffee off the heat sooner.

    How do I get the grounds out of my coffee?
    You can easily get rid of most of the grounds by running your coffee back through a paper coffee filter. Transfer the finished coffee from your coffee pot into a large bowl or other container. Rinse out the pot and all of its parts; add a paper filter to the basket. You can now slowly pour your coffee back through this coffee filter to fill the pot back up. That’s it. Do keep in mind that during this process, your coffee is likely to get cold, so reheating it may be necessary!

    Camping Recipes, Drinks
    American
    campfire coffee, campfire coffee pot, how to make campfire coffee, how to make coffee over a fire
  • Polyjuice Potion Recipe (Non Alcoholic with 4 Ingredients)

    Polyjuice Potion Recipe (Non Alcoholic with 4 Ingredients)

    Brew a simple Polyjuice Potion recipe for a transformative experience at your Halloween or Harry Potter party. It’s an easy, fun, non alcoholic, lime sherbet punch your guests will love!

    I love orange sherbet punch at Christmas time, but this spooky green sherbet punch is perfect for Halloween festivities.

    mason jar of Polyjuice Potion recipe with lime sherbet punch with candy eyeball and brown paper straw

    What Is Polyjuice Potion?

    Polyjuice Potion is a drink from the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling; it allows the one who drinks it to temporarily take on the likeness of another person of their choosing.

    In the books, Polyjuice Potion ingredients include fluxweed, knotgrass, leeches, lacewing flies, boomslang skin, and bicorn horn. The catch is they also need something from the person’s body they wish to become, in order to mix into the brewing of said potion; so something like a hair, nail clippings, or even dandruff.

    Harry and his friends used Polyjuice Potion quite a few times in the books (and movies). Two particular instances stick out in my memory…

    • In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Barty Crouch, Jr. uses the potion to turn himself into Mad Eye Moody and thus get close to Harry, with the goal to eventually help bring Voldemort back to power and give Harry up to the Dark Lord.
    • In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in one of my favorite instances because it’s somewhat hilarious at first, the Order of the Phoenix uses it to safely move Harry.
    • Also in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry, Ron, and Hermione need to sneak into the Ministry of Magic but can’t risk being seen and captured. Polyjuice Potion does the trick.

    Fandom has a great wiki all about how Harry and his friends use Polyjuice Potion throughout the series; they even include a detailed list of the ingredients and steps necessary to make the real thing.

    Why You’ll Love This Punch

    Reasons to love this Polyjuice Potion recipe non alcoholic version include:

    • This Harry Potter punch has just 4 basic ingredients, so you can whip it up in no time at all.
    • You can dress it up with whatever you like, including spiders, eyeballs, or other creepy crawly creatures.
    • I love the frothy effect sherbet gives to a Halloween punch. It really does resemble a witch’s brew, or what I’d imagine a witch’s brew looks like anyway.
    • Kids and adults both love it.
    Polyjuice Potion ingredients, including pineapple juice, cranberry apple juice, lemon lime soda, lime sherbet, and candy eyeballs

    Ingredients and Substitutions Notes

    Polyjuice Potion ingredients for the non book version are simple…

    • Pineapple juice – I just get a 46-ounce can of pineapple juice at the grocery store.
    • Cranberry apple juice – I usually just go with generic.
    • Lemon-lime soda – I prefer to use Sierra Mist or 7UP. My grandma always used 7UP for her sherbet punch. You can also use ginger ale if you prefer.
    • Lime sherbet – This can sometimes be harder to find, though most grocery stores should carry it. A couple tips, especially if you live in an area with Braum’s… Their Fresh Market carries all flavors of sherbet. If you don’t have a Braum’s, I have the best luck finding it at non big box grocery stores. You can also use rainbow sherbet if you can’t find lime sherbet.
    • Gummy eyeballs, spiders (non-edible), or any other kind of creepy crawlies – for decoration.

    How to Make Polyjuice Potion

    If you’re making this punch for a party and want it to be cold, I would chill the juices and the soda beforehand. While the sherbet will help to chill it, chilling the juices beforehand will also help the sherbet not to melt quite so fast.

    Before you start to make your punch, be sure to soften the sherbet just a little bit, so it’s not too difficult to scoop.

    To make this magical green punch, you’ll need to follow these steps…

    1. Add the pineapple juice to a large punch bowl.
    2. Stir in the cranberry apple juice.
    3. Mix in the lemon lime soda.
    4. Then just scoop lime sherbet on top, and serve it immediately.
    how to make Polyjuice potion in large punch bowl

    Your final sherbet punch will have a greenish brownish appearance. It makes the perfect green drinks for kids.

    large punch bowl filled with green lime sherbet punch

    If You Want, You Can Dress It Up

    I like to dress up our Polyjuice Potion drink with candy eyeballs.

    Some people choose to add green food coloring to their potion; personally, I just don’t want to pump my kids full of food coloring, so I choose not to do that. But make it however you want.

    You can add spiders, eyeballs, and any other creepy crawlies you can think of to your cups of Polyjuice Potion. If they are plastic, be sure to wash them; and use caution when serving with small children.

    Note: Keep in mind that gummy candies don’t float very well, or at least, the eyeballs don’t. So I just add the candy eyeball on top of a scoop of sherbet. Also, note that small candies can pose a choking hazard, so use caution when serving with small children.

    Expert Tips and FAQ’s

    Can I make Polyjuice Potion punch ahead of time?

    I don’t recommend making sherbet punch ahead of time, mainly because of the sherbet, but also because of the carbonated soda. It’ll lose its fizz, and it just won’t taste as good. Not to mention, the sherbet will melt and just make a green gloppy mess. It would be impossible to store it for any length of time.

    How do you store green sherbet punch?

    Honestly, you can store the punch part, but not the sherbet in the punch. You’d have to store them separately. However, the punch will lose its fizz, or carbonation, and it won’t be as good. So I don’t recommend storing it; I recommend making it last minute same day and serving right away.

    Can I add alcohol to it?

    Go for it! If you’re having a party for adult friends and/or family, you can definitely spike the punch. My recommendation would probably be vodka, but it’s totally up to you!

    mason jar of Harry Potter Polyjuice Potion punch recipe (nonalcoholic) with gummy eyeball on top

    More Harry Potter Recipes for the Perfect Harry Potter Party

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Polyjuice Potion Recipe

    Brew a fun Polyjuice Potion recipe for your Halloween or Harry Potter party. Easy, non alcoholic, lime sherbet punch your guests will love!

    • Large Punch Bowl
    • Ice Cream Scoop
    • 46 ounces pineapple juice
    • 3 cups cranberry apple juice
    • 2 liters lemon lime soda
    • 1/2 gallon lime sherbet

    1. Add the pineapple juice to a large punch bowl.

    2. Stir in the cranberry apple juice.

    3. Mix in the lemon lime soda.

    4. Then just scoop lime sherbet on top, placing scoops of sherbet all over the top of the punch.

    5. Serve immediately. Your Polyjuice Potion will have a greenish brownish appearance, the perfect color for this fun festive drink.
    6. You can decorate it with gummy eyeballs, spiders, or any kind of creepy crawly creatures you wish! Or just serve it up plain and simple.

    *I prefer to use 7UP, Sierra Mist, or Sprite.

    Before you make the punch…

    If you’re making this punch for a party and want it to be cold, go ahead and chill the juices and the soda beforehand. While the sherbet will help to chill it, chilling the liquids beforehand will also help the sherbet not to melt quite so fast and will ensure that your punch is nice and cold. Before you start to make your party punch, be sure to soften the sherbet just a little bit, so it’s not too difficult to scoop.

    Can I make it ahead of time?

    I don’t recommend making sherbet punch ahead of time, mainly because of the sherbet, but also because of the carbonated soda. It’ll lose its fizz, and it just won’t taste as good. Not to mention, the sherbet will melt and just make a green gloppy mess. It would be impossible to store it for any length of time.

    Drinks
    American
    green sherbet punch, Halloween punch, Harry Potter punch, how to make Polyjuice Potion, lime sherbet punch, Polyjuice Potion, Polyjuice Potion mocktail, polyjuice potion punch, polyjuice potion recipe, sherbet punch
  • Homemade Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Chips

    Homemade Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Chips

    How to make rich and creamy homemade hot chocolate with chocolate chips. Best with marshmallows or whipped cream; easy 3-ingredient recipe for Christmas!

    When it comes to hot chocolate, there is nothing quite as dreamy and creamy as a nice warm cup of homemade hot chocolate with chocolate chips paired with my favorite hot chocolate cookies. I’m telling you, it is the absolute BEST!

    light blue mug of hot chocolate with chocolate chips, topped with mini marshmallows, sitting on gray plate with spoon and more marshmallows

    I’ve always enjoyed Swiss Miss and homemade hot chocolate mix; but I’ll tell you what, after making this hot chocolate recipe with chocolate chips, I’m sold on this way of making my favorite wintertime treat.

    Hot cocoa with chocolate chips is very creamy and slightly thicker than regular cocoa. It’s got a richness to it that just can’t be beat.

    There’s something pretty special about replacing cocoa powder with chocolate chips. It creates a silky smooth drink that slides right down your throat and gives you a craving for more, especially if you’re a chocolate fanatic like me.

    Keep reading because I’ll share tips for making your favorite chocolate drink even tastier, with ideas for extra flavors and ingredients you can add.

    pouring creamy hot chocolate from saucepan into light blue-green cup, sitting on gray plate with mini marshmallows

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

    If you’d rather skip all of my hot chocolate making tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the hot chocolate recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

    • Whole milk
    • Semi-sweet chocolate chips – I recommend Ghirardelli. You want a good brand of chocolate. I also prefer semi-sweet; but you can use milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips if you prefer.
    • Sea salt – You can use regular table salt too.

    Keep in mind, all of the ingredient amounts you’ll need are in the printable recipe card below.

    KITCHEN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED:

    Saucepan – You can use a small saucepan or a medium-sized saucepan.

    Whisk and Heat-Resistant Spatula – I like to whisk everything together in the beginning, and then as it cooks, switch to my favorite spatula.

    Your Favorite Mug

    HOW TO MAKE HOT CHOCOLATE WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS

    Making hot chocolate with chocolate chips is really simple and easy to do. Yet another reason why I love making this creamy hot chocolate recipe.

    1. Add the milk to a small saucepan over low to medium heat.
    whole milk in medium saucepan on stove
    1. When the milk has slightly warmed for about 2 to 3 minutes, add in the chocolate chips, whisking until melted.
    adding chocolate chips to milk in saucepan to make hot chocolate from chocolate chips
    1. Add a pinch of salt, and stir that into the mixture.
    adding salt to saucepan while making hot chocolate with chocolate chips
    1. Warm the mixture, stirring constantly, until small bubbles start to form around the edge of the liquid on the sides of the pan; but don’t let it boil, or it will very likely curdle.
    cooking homemade hot cocoa with chocolate chips in saucepan on stove

    Now you’re ready to pour your homemade hot chocolate into your favorite mug, and top it off with mini marshmallows, whipped topping, or peppermint whipped cream.

    light blue mug with creamy hot chocolate and mini marshmallows, sitting on gray plate

    CAN I USE CHOCOLATE MILK FOR HOT CHOCOLATE?

    You can use chocolate milk if you want, but it’s going to add an intense amount of chocolate flavor.

    Instead I prefer to let the chocolate chips do the work of flavoring, and that’s why I say to use a good brand of chocolate chips for making homemade hot chocolate from scratch.

    When you use a good chocolate, it’ll add a thickness, richness, and all the chocolate flavor you will ever need.

    light blue mug of hot cocoa with chocolate chips, sitting on gray plate with mini marshmallows

    IS IT BETTER TO MAKE HOT CHOCOLATE WITH MILK OR WATER?

    You can use water, which will actually allow the chocolate chips to stand out with flavor.

    But without the milk, you lose both the creaminess and richness of your hot chocolate. To me, milk is a no brainer.

    If by chance you follow a dairy-free diet, you can use a different type of milk like almond milk. And of course, you’d want to use dairy-free chocolate chips, as well.

    CAN I REPLACE CHOCOLATE CHIPS WITH CHOCOLATE BAR?

    Yes, you can use your favorite chocolate bar instead of chocolate chips. Just be sure to use the same amount of chocolate.

    creamy hot chocolate with mini marshmallows in light blue-green mug on gray plate

    WHAT CAN I ADD TO THIS HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS?

    Oh boy, the things you can add to make this recipe even more decadent and rich. Here are a few ideas…

    • I love adding a splash of vanilla extract or almond extract; I’m talking maybe 1/4 teaspoon of each. Both really enhance the flavors of the chocolate chips.
    • Instead of chocolate chips, you can use white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips (or half peanut butter, half chocolate), mint chocolate chips, etc. Oh the possibilities here!
    • Add a spicy kick to your hot chocolate… Think cinnamon or cayenne pepper.
    • If you’re into boozy drinks, add a splash of your favorite spirits.
    • Add creamer to your finished mug. I love adding a little bit of raspberry creamer to make raspberry hot chocolate. It’s so good!
    • Add in a little bit of coffee.
    • Or how about a flavored syrup, like caramel or butterscotch syrup?
    • Give it a minty flavor and festive feel with a few drops of peppermint extract.
    • Add in a touch of caramel with caramel extract.
    • If you like to top off your hot cocoa with marshmallows or whipped cream, give it a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
    • Sprinkle a few pieces of peppermint candy, or drop in a candy cane. I sometimes like to take peppermint candies and crush them up, then sprinkle them over the marshmallows.
    light blue mug of homemade hot chocolate with mini marshmallows and peppermint, sitting on gray plate

    HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER HOT CHOCOLATE

    Keep leftover hot chocolate in a pitcher with a lid or sealed container in the refrigerator. It should be consumed within 2 to 3 days.

    Can hot chocolate be reheated?

    Yes, you can reheat hot chocolate. Just be sure to heat it back up on the stove, and again, don’t let it boil.

    MORE FESTIVE BEVERAGE RECIPES:

    GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE

    If you love this hot chocolate recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    double image of homemade hot chocolate with chocolate chips, with top image of hot cocoa in blue mug with mini marshmallows, crushed peppermints, and spoon; and bottom image of pouring hot chocolate into light blue-green mug from saucepan

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    Homemade Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Chips

    How to make rich and creamy homemade hot chocolate with chocolate chips. Best with marshmallows or whipped cream; easy 3-ingredient recipe for Christmas!

    • 3-Quart Saucepan
    • 4 cups whole milk
    • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt

    1. Add the milk to a small saucepan over low to medium heat on the stove.

    2. When the milk has slightly warmed for about 2 to 3 minutes, add in the chocolate chips, whisking until melted.
    3. Add a pinch of salt, and stir that into the mixture.

    4. Warm the mixture, stirring constantly, until small bubbles start to form around the edge of the liquid on the sides of the pan; don't let it boil, or it will very likely curdle.

    5. Pour it into your favorite mug, and top with mini marshmallows or whipped cream.

    *I recommend Ghirardelli chocolate chips. You want a good brand of chocolate. I also prefer semi-sweet; but you can use milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips if you prefer.

    *You can use regular table salt too.

    CAN I REPLACE CHOCOLATE CHIPS WITH CHOCOLATE BAR?

    Yes, you can use your favorite chocolate bar instead of chocolate chips. Just be sure to use the same amount of chocolate.

    WHAT CAN I ADD TO THIS HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS?

    • Add a splash of vanilla extract or almond extract; I’m talking maybe 1/4 teaspoon of each. Both really enhance the flavors of the chocolate chips.
    • Instead of chocolate chips, use white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips (or half peanut butter, half chocolate), mint chocolate chips, etc.
    • Add cinnamon or cayenne pepper.
    • If you’re into boozy drinks, add a splash of your favorite spirits.
    • Add creamer to your finished mug. I love adding a little bit of raspberry creamer to make raspberry hot chocolate.
    • Add in a little bit of coffee.
    • Or how about a flavored syrup, like caramel or butterscotch syrup?
    • Give it a minty flavor and festive feel with a few drops of peppermint extract.
    • Add in a touch of caramel with caramel extract.
    • If you like to top off your hot cocoa with marshmallows or whipped cream, give it a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
    • Sprinkle a few pieces of peppermint candy, or drop in a candy cane. I like to take peppermint candies and crush them up, then sprinkle them over the marshmallows.

    HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER HOT CHOCOLATE

    Keep leftover hot chocolate in a pitcher with a lid or sealed container in the refrigerator. It should be consumed within 2 to 3 days.

    CAN HOT CHOCOLATE BE REHEATED?

    Yes, you can reheat hot chocolate. Just be sure to heat it back up on the stove, and again, don’t let it boil.

    Beverage, Drinks
    American
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  • Simple and Easy Mango Blueberry Smoothie

    Simple and Easy Mango Blueberry Smoothie

    How to make a mango blueberry smoothie you can blend up quick. Easy recipe for breakfast or a yummy snack kids will love. It’s thick and pure berry bliss!

    There are days where I just crave fresh fruit, and then I start to crave Tropical Smoothie Café. But it’s not always feasible to just pick up and trek all the way there, so I’ll grab the blender and dig around in the freezer until I find enough stuff to make my own refreshing smoothie.

    mango blueberry smoothie in glass Mason jar with brown paper white polka dot straw, on a wooden cutting board, with fresh blueberries and frozen mango in bowls

    This blueberry mango smoothie is not only refreshing. It’s really thick and delicious.

    It’s full of frozen blueberries, frozen mango, and banana. The fact it uses frozen fruit means it’s easy (no peeling or chopping required), and there’s no need to add ice or water.

    While I do use Greek yogurt in this smoothie recipe, you can leave that out if you prefer. Just keep in mind you may need to add a smidge more milk to help everything blend up really well.

    A mango blueberry banana smoothie is one of my favorite afternoon snacks when I start to crave something, anything. Better to reach for the frozen fruit in my freezer than the cheesecake sitting in my fridge, amIright?

    If you love a good smoothie, I have a couple more favorites I like to make too… A peach mango smoothie and a blueberry spinach smoothie. Apparently, I have a thing for both mango and blueberries.

    [mv_video doNotAutoplayNorOptimizePlacement=”false” doNotOptimizePlacement=”false” jsonLd=”true” key=”tjaefudcnxk9o4v2avzd” sticky=”false” thumbnail=”https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/v1579882481/gycav9veqxfxirsa2ldn.jpg” title=”Simple and Easy Mango Blueberry Smoothie” volume=”100″]

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

    If you’d rather skip all of my smoothie making tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the smoothie recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

    • Frozen blueberries
    • Frozen mango
    • Banana
    • Plain Greek yogurt
    • Milk
    • Honey

    Remember, all of the ingredient amounts you’ll need are in the printable recipe card below.

    KITCHEN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED:

    Blender

    Skinny Tumblers with Straws (or jars) – I really want a set of these skinny tumblers for our smoothies.

    HOW TO MAKE A MANGO BLUEBERRY SMOOTHIE

    The fact we’re using frozen fruit makes the smoothie making process that much easier. No need to wash, peel, pit, chop, or slice any fruit.

    1. Begin by adding all ingredients, including the frozen blueberries, frozen mango, banana, Greek yogurt, milk, and honey to the blender.
    2. Blend or pulse until everything is mixed well. If you have a smoothie setting on your blender, use that.
    blending up frozen blueberries, frozen mango, banana, Greek yogurt, milk, and honey in Ninja blender to make smoothies

    Then just pour your smoothies into tumblers with straws or jars, and serve. It’s oh so delicious and easy!

    freshly made blueberry mango smoothie in wide mouth mason jar with brown straw, on wooden cutting board, with blueberries and mango in bowls behind

    WHAT KINDS OF THINGS CAN I ADD TO MY SMOOTHIE?

    There are quite a few things you can add to smoothies to add more flavor and quite possibly, more nutrients. Things that mix really well with blueberries like…

    CAN I USE FRESH BLUEBERRIES AND MANGO?

    Yes, of course, you can use fresh fruit if you prefer.

    But do keep in mind that you may want to add a bit of ice (about 1 1/2 cups) to give your smoothie more of a frozen texture rather than that of just a really thick fruit juice.

    mango blueberry banana smoothie in mason jar with brown paper straw, on wood cutting board with blueberries and mango in small white bowls

    WHY DOES MY BLUEBERRY SMOOTHIE CURDLE?

    It’s best to drink smoothies right away. However, if a smoothie does sit for a bit after making it, you’ll notice it may take on a somewhat curdled appearance.

    This happens because of a reaction between the dairy in the smoothie (the yogurt and milk) and the fruit.

    While I don’t advise you to leave a smoothie sitting out (put it in the fridge if it’s sitting), you can blend it up again, and the curdling will go away.

    CAN I MAKE A BLUEBERRY MANGO SMOOTHIE AHEAD?

    While I don’t really advise it (it’s super quick and easy to just blend it up when you need it), you can do this.

    However, I’d leave the yogurt, milk, and honey out until you’re ready to drink the smoothies (see the section above about curdling).

    Just blend up the fruit, and stick it in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to finish making the smoothies.

    mango banana blueberry smoothie in wide mouth mason jar with brown paper straw, sitting on wood cutting board with blueberries

    CAN I MAKE THIS WITHOUT YOGURT, DAIRY-FREE?

    Yes, you certainly can make this smoothie completely dairy-free. Again, just keep in mind you may need to add a smidge more liquid to help everything blend up really well.

    The yogurt, you can just leave out. And the milk, you can replace with whatever kind of milk you prefer, whether it’s almond milk, soy milk, rice milk, coconut milk, oat milk, cashew milk, hemp milk, hazelnut milk, etc.

    Changing it to dairy-free will likely change the flavor, depending what type of liquid you use.

    GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE

    If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    mango blueberry smoothie recipe

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    Simple and Easy Mango Blueberry Smoothie

    How to make a mango blueberry smoothie you can blend up quick. Easy recipe for breakfast or a yummy snack kids will love. It's thick and pure berry bliss!

    • SKINNY TUMBLERS 4 Colored Acrylic Tumblers with Lids and Straws | Skinny, 16oz Double Wall Clear Plastic Tumblers With FREE Straw Cleaner & Name Tags! (Clear, 4)
    • homgeek Blender Smoothie Blender, 1450W High Speed Professional Countertop Blender for Shakes and Smoothies 30000 RPM, Built-in Pulse& 10-speeds Control, 68 Oz Dishwasher Tritan Jar
    • Amazon Brand – Happy Belly Raw Wildflower Honey, 32 oz
    • 2 cups frozen blueberries
    • 2 cups frozen mango
    • 1 large banana*
    • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
    • 1/2 cup milk
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    1. Begin by adding all ingredients, including the frozen blueberries, frozen mango, banana, Greek yogurt, milk, and honey to the blender.
    2. Blend or pulse until everything is mixed well. If you have a smoothie setting on your blender, use that.
    3. Then just pour your smoothies into tumblers with straws or jars, and serve. It’s oh so delicious and easy!

    *Or you can use 2 smaller bananas.

    CAN I USE FRESH BLUEBERRIES AND MANGO?

    Yes, of course, you can use fresh fruit if you prefer. But do keep in mind that you may want to add a bit of ice (about 1 1/2 cups) to give your smoothie more of a frozen texture rather than that of just a really thick fruit juice.

    CAN I MAKE THIS WITHOUT YOGURT AND DAIRY-FREE?

    Yes, you can make it completely dairy-free. Again, just keep in mind you may need to add a smidge more liquid to help everything blend up really well. Changing it to dairy-free will likely change the flavor, depending what type of liquid you use.

    The yogurt, you can just leave out. And the milk, you can replace with whatever kind of milk you prefer, whether it’s almond milk, soy milk, rice milk, coconut milk, oat milk, cashew milk, hemp milk, hazelnut milk, etc.

    CAN I MAKE A BLUEBERRY MANGO SMOOTHIE AHEAD?

    While I don’t really advise it (it’s super quick and easy to just blend it up when you need it), you can do this. However, I’d leave the yogurt, milk, and honey out until you’re ready to eat it, as dairy mixed with fruit can tend to curdle if not eaten right away.

    Just blend up the fruit, and stick it in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to finish making the smoothies.

    DELICIOUS ADD-INS AND ALTERNATIVES FOR SMOOTHIES

    There are quite a few things you can add to smoothies to add more flavor and possibly, more nutrients. Things that will mix really well with blueberries like…

    Drinks
    American
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  • Quick and Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

    Quick and Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

    How to make the best homemade hot chocolate mix. Easy recipe, perfect for gifts in a jar. Makes a rich and creamy hot cocoa that’ll warm you right up.

    Homemade hot chocolate mix makes the creamiest cup of hot chocolate, the perfect warm beverage to cozy up with on a cold winter day. Made with only 4 ingredients, it’s also simple and easy to make. And it makes the best hot chocolate cookies!

    homemade hot chocolate mix in a jar with a spoon

    My middle child, Jaden, and I share a love for homemade hot cocoa. I think it started when he was around preschool age, and I’d mix him up some hot chocolate in his festive little snowman cup.

    Ever since, we’ve loved coming in together out of the cold to a teapot full of hot water, a warm mug of homemade hot chocolate, and a handful of mini marshmallows.

    Don’t get me wrong… We enjoy our store bought mix. One of our favorites has always been Swiss Miss.

    But I really wanted to try making our own hot cocoa mix, so I did a little research and came up with my own recipe for a homemade hot cocoa mix.

    Another one of my favorites throughout the winter months, and especially around Christmas, is this homemade hot chocolate with chocolate chips. Only 3 ingredients, and it’s so creamy delicious!

    hot chocolate mix recipe in cracker jar and made into homemade hot chocolate with mini marshmallows in Disney Bambi mug

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

    If you’d rather skip all of my tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    [mv_video doNotAutoplayNorOptimizePlacement=”false” jsonLd=”true” key=”u9abtl4gqayami6q1wkf” sticky=”false” thumbnail=”https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/v1572903701/aynzktwa93pakmoxre1p.jpg” title=”Quick and Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix” volume=”100″]

    INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

    Keep in mind, all of the ingredient amounts you’ll need are in the printable recipe card below.

    KITCHEN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED:

    Large Mixing Bowl

    Whisk

    Cupcake Scoop – Makes it super easy to scoop the mix into a jar or container.

    Airtight Container or Jar

    Cute Coffee Mugs

    Homemade hot chocolate mix also makes great Mason jar gifts. Grab a pretty Mason jar, fill it with your mix, and maybe add a few mini marshmallow bits for even more yumminess.

    Add a pretty gift tag (with mixing instructions) or a holiday recipe card, and a ribbon or bow, and you’ve got a meaningful homemade gift in a jar your recipient will really enjoy.

    HOW TO MAKE HOT CHOCOLATE MIX FROM SCRATCH

    1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder to help remove any lumps. 
    2. Add in the dry milk powder.
    3. Then add the coffee creamer, and whisk everything together ’til mixed well.
    4. Add your homemade hot chocolate mix to an airtight container or jar for storage.
    steps for how to make hot chocolate mix from scratch in Pioneer Woman jadeite mixing bowl
    1. To mix up a cup of homemade hot chocolate, add 1/2 cup hot chocolate mix to your favorite mug.
    2. Add 8 ounces hot water to the mix in the mug.
    3. Stir everything together well.
    4. Add mini marshmallows or peppermint whipped cream to top it off. You can also add candy canes to make it even more festive.
    adding homemade hot cocoa mix with water and mini marshmallows to Disney Bambi mug

    CAN I USE A CHOCOLATE DRINK MIX INSTEAD OF COCOA POWDER?

    No, I wouldn’t recommend doing this, because if you do, you’ll be adding extra sugar and other ingredients to your hot chocolate mix. It will not turn out the way it should and will probably be way too sweet.

    homemade hot chocolate with mini marshmallows and a spoon in a Disney Bambi mug

    IS HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE MIX GLUTEN-FREE?

    It really depends on the ingredients you use.

    Dry milk can have wheat or the possibility of contamination with wheat. So, you really need to look for a specifically gluten-free instant dry milk powder if you need gluten-free.

    Also, watch your cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and coffee creamer to be sure they don’t have any cross-contamination.

    hot cocoa mix made into homemade hot cocoa in mug with spoon and mini marshmallows

    MORE FESTIVE BEVERAGE RECIPES:

    You’ll find even more holiday recipe inspiration on my ultimate list of Christmas recipe ideas.

    GET THE PRINTABLE HOT CHOCOLATE MIX RECIPE

    If you love this homemade hot cocoa mix as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    quick and easy hot chocolate mix recipe

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    Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

    How to make the best homemade hot chocolate mix. Easy recipe, perfect for gifts in a jar. Makes a rich and creamy hot cocoa that'll warm you right up.

    • Scoop
    • 1-Gallon Jar
    • 2 cups powdered sugar
    • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 3 cups instant dry milk powder
    • 1/2 cup French Vanilla coffee creamer

    1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder to remove any lumps. 

    2. Mix in the dry milk powder.

    3. Then add the coffee creamer, and whisk everything together ’til mixed well.

    4. Add the homemade hot chocolate mix to an airtight container or large jar with lid for storage.

    5. To mix up a cup of homemade hot chocolate, add 1/2 cup hot chocolate mix to your favorite mug. Add 8 ounces hot water. Stir everything together well. Top it off with mini marshmallows or whipped cream.

    *Do not substitue a chocolate drink mix for unsweetened cocoa powder. If you do, you’ll be adding extra sugar and other ingredients to your hot chocolate mix. It will not turn out the way it should and will probably be way too sweet.

    **Dry milk can have wheat or the possibility of contamination with wheat. So, if you need a gluten-free option, you really need to look for a specifically gluten-free instant dry milk powder. Also, watch your cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and coffee creamer to be sure they don’t have any cross-contamination.

    6. You can add warm milk instead of hot water. With the milk powder, I find that it’s creamy enough, so I simply add hot water to my mix and stir it up.

    Beverage, Drinks
    American
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  • How to Make Homemade Apple Juice without a Juicer

    How to Make Homemade Apple Juice without a Juicer

    How to make the most delicious homemade apple juice without a juicer and without any added sugar. Simple and easy Instant Pot recipe.

    For the longest time, I really thought I needed an apple juicer or an apple press for juicing apples. I’m not sure why I thought that because after learning how to make my own apple juice, I realize how easy it really is.

    homemade apple juice in a Sunshine Brand Coffee jar and jelly jar

    You can make apple juice, apple jelly, and pressure cooker applesauce all at the same time. For now, let’s focus on homemade juice.

    Why You’ll Love Making Apple Juice

    • While I use my Instant Pot, you can totally make this homemade apple juice on your stove. The cook time just may be a little longer.
    • There is no added sugar in this apple juice either. The only ingredients you need are apples and water. Of course, you want a sweeter tasting apple, but we’ll talk about the types of apples you can use.
    • It’s easy to make; your Instant Pot does most of the work for you.
    • Have I mentioned it’s the most delicious apple juice recipe?
    fresh apple juice in a jar with a paper straw

    What Are the Benefits of Making Your Own Apple Juice?

    Remember the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Apples have a ton of nutritional value and are a great addition to our diet.

    While you’d probably get a LOT more benefit out of the whole apple, apple juice is a good source of vitamin C and potassium. It’s also a great source of antioxidants.

    And since you are able to cook most of the apple, including the core and peeling, when making apple juice, you may have added fiber and other nutrients that a whole apple provides.

    Not to mention, homemade apple juice tastes so much better than store bought. It’s so fresh and crisp and light.

    washing seconds apples in the sink for apple juice recipe

    Ingredients Notes:

    You only need 2 ingredients to make apple juice without a juicer…

    • Apples – You’ll need about 5 pounds of apples. I prefer to use a sweeter apple, so I don’t have to add any sugar. Something like Gala or Honeycrisp works well. We’ll talk more about apples a little further below.
    • Water

    What Kind of Apples Should I Use to Make Apple Juice?

    There are certain types of apples that are sweeter and certain types of apples that have a more tangy, sour taste. As I mentioned above, when making homemade apple juice, you probably want to use a sweeter apple, so you don’t have to add any sugar.

    I used Gala apples for this recipe because they were available as seconds at our local orchard. Gala have a very sweet taste.

    The best apples for juicing include:

    • Gala
    • Honeycrisp
    • Fuji
    • Yellow Delicious or Golden Delicious
    • Rome
    • and Pink Lady
    homemade apple juice made without an apple juicer, in a Sunshine Coffee jar

    Where Can I Find the Best Apples for Juicing?

    Fall is a great time to find the best apples for juicing, but you can use any apples you find, whether you’re shopping at an orchard, a farmer’s market, or the store.

    However, in the fall, you can usually buy seconds at just about any orchard (and sometimes at the farmer’s market). Meaning you can buy a HUGE box of apples for a lot less than normal cost, which is going to save you a ton of money.

    Now I will say… It takes a LOT of apples to get very little juice, jelly, apple butter, or applesauce. But in my opinion, it’s totally worth it.

    how to make apple juice without a juicer, in your Instant Pot with the whole apple, including core and peelings

    How to Make Apple Juice without a Juicer

    For this recipe, you’ll need about 5 pounds of apples, a little bit of water, and an Instant Pot (a pot on the stove will work too, just with a longer cooking time).

    Be sure to wash the apples before you get started. I like to soak any fruit we eat in a vinegar/water bath for at least 10 minutes or more.

    How to Make Fresh Apple Juice without an Apple Juicer, Step By Step…

    1. Using a paring knife, remove any bad spots. Core the apples, either peeling them or leaving the peeling intact; you’ll throw the peeling in the pot too, even if you peel the apples.
    2. Cut the apples into chunks.
    3. Remove the stem and the blossom ends of the apple cores, and throw the cores into your Instant Pot, along with the apple chunks and peelings.
    4. Add enough water to cover about half of the apples. In our case, we used about 5 pounds of apples and 5 cups of water.
    steps for how to make apple juice without a juicer in the Instant Pot, including peeling and coring the apples and adding water
    1. Close your Instant Pot, and set it to Pressure Cook on Normal for 6 minutes. Let the valve naturally release after cooking.
    2. After cooking, you’ll just need to strain the juice from your apples. You can do this with a mesh strainer and/or a flour sack towel or cheesecloth.
    pouring apple juice and pulp into flour sack towel for straining
    1. Try not to squeeze the ingredients too much, so you don’t get a lot of pulp in your juice. Instead let the juice drip into a container for an hour or so.
    straining homemade apple juice with a flour sack towel and bucket

    If you want, you can strain the leftovers in a food mill to make homemade applesauce and cinnamon applesauce. And you can either drink the juice or make homemade apple jelly with a little bit of it.

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    What’s the difference between apple juice and apple cider?

    There are a few differences between apple juice vs apple cider. Apple juice is going to be a thinner, more transparent liquid without any pulp left behind. Apple cider is a thicker, more opaque juice, and it may have pulp and chunks of apple left behind; you can actually make a warm mulled cider with spices and citrus. Also, in terms of commercial apple cider vs apple juice, apple juice is pasteurized and has a longer shelf life than apple cider.

    Is it safe to juice apple seeds? What about Arsenic/Cyanide in the apple seeds?

    Studies have shown that you’d have to eat a whole lotta seeds to have any risk of poisoning. And in this case, we’re not eating the seeds, we’re simply cooking them in the mixture to get the added benefits of the natural pectin in the apple core. I’m just going to leave you with this article from Pick Your Own: Cyanide, Arsenic, and Other Toxins in Fruit: Facts, Myths, and Old Wive’s Tales. Blender Mom also has a really informative post about how Apple Seeds Are Safe. If you’re still not sure, Here’s How Many Apple Cores It Would Take to Poison You. Again, for this recipe, we’re simply cooking the seeds and cores, then straining them out.

    Can you freeze homemade apple juice?

    Yes, you can. In fact, you can freeze or can apple juice, whichever you prefer. We usually don’t keep it around long enough to do either/or; but if you make enough, yes, you can freeze it. If you choose to can it, Ball has wonderful Canning Guides to guide you through the process.

    How should you store apple juice?

    You’ll need to store it in an airtight container, jar, or pitcher in the fridge; it should keep for about 1 week.

    fresh homemade apple juice in Sunshine Coffee jar and jelly jar with paper straw

    If You Love This Instant Pot Apple Juice Recipe, Try Some of Our Other Apple Favorites:

    If you love this homemade apple juice as much as I do, you’ll love our other apple favorites too…

    And learn how to use your Instant Pot with our Instant Pot Quick Start Guide, filled with practical tips, Instant Pot recipes, accessory ideas, and more!

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    How to Make Homemade Apple Juice without a Juicer

    How to make the most delicious homemade apple juice without a juicer and without any added sugar. Simple and easy Instant Pot recipe.

    • Johnny apple peeler
    • Paring Knife
    • 8-Qt. Instant Pot
    • Mesh Strainer
    • Flour Sack Towels
    • Cheesecloth
    • Food Mill
    • 5 pounds apples
    • 5 cups water
    1. Wash the apples.*
    2. Remove any bad spots from the apples.

    3. Core the apples and cut them up into chunks, either peeling them or leaving the peeling intact. Throw the chunks and peelings into your Instant Pot.

    4. Remove the stem and the blossom ends of the apple cores, and throw the cores into the pot.
    5. Add enough water to cover about half of the apples. In this case, we used about 5 pounds of apples and 5 cups of water.
    6. Close your Instant Pot, and set it to Pressure Cook on Normal for 6 minutes. 
    7. Allow the valve to naturally release after cooking.

    8. Once cooking is done, strain the juice from your apples.* You can do this using either a mesh strainer, flour sack towels, or cheesecloth.

    9. Let the juice drip into a container for an hour or so.*

    10. Once you have all the juice you can possibly get, pour the juice into a pitcher or cups for drinking. 

    11. For what to do with leftovers, see the Recipe Notes.*

    * We used Gala apples for our juice, but you can use any kind of apples. The best apples for juicing are Gala, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Rome, and Pink Lady.

    *When straining the juice from your apples, try not to squeeze the ingredients too much, so you don’t get a lot of pulp in your juice. Instead let the juice drip into a container for an hour or so.

    *We hung our flour sack towel from a cabinet door handle (make sure it’s strong enough to support the weight) and let it drip into a small bucket.

    *Got leftovers? You can strain the leftovers in a food mill to make applesauce. And you can either drink the juice or make homemade apple jelly with it.

    Store leftover juice in an airtight container, jar, or pitcher in the fridge, where it should keep for about 1 week.

    Drinks
    American
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  • Easy Orange Sherbet Punch Recipe

    Easy Orange Sherbet Punch Recipe

    Inspired by family tradition, orange sherbet punch is easy to make and the perfect recipe for Christmas, weddings, baby showers, and holiday parties.

    Soon we’ll be celebrating Christmas and ringing in the New Year, believe it or not. This orange sherbet punch is a recipe very similar to the sherbet punch my grandmother made every single Christmas without fail.

    mason jar with orange sherbet punch and red and white striped paper straw

    Orange sherbet really does make the best holiday punch. While I love the non alcoholic punch all by itself, the sherbet adds a creamy delicious froth that leaves behind an epic sherbet mustache.

    Out of all the punch recipes in the world, this one is my favorite by far. I’ve even added it to my list of favorite Christmas recipes because it truly is the best.

    If you’re looking for a Christmas punch or party punch you can throw together in just a few minutes, you’ve come to the right place.

    easy orange sherbet punch made in a large holiday punch bowl

    If you’d rather have a different flavor, you may enjoy my Polyjuice Potion recipe, aka lime sherbet punch.

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE RECIPE FOR ORANGE SHERBET PUNCH?

    If you’d rather skip all of my cooking tips, important cooking info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the sherbet punch recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    creamy orange sherbet punch in a mason jar with red and white paper straw, easy sherbet punch recipe

    A HOLIDAY PUNCH THAT BRINGS BACK SO MANY MEMORIES

    Every Christmas my grandma would set the punch bowl out on top of her big console tv. Little handled glasses hung on the sides of that punch bowl.

    Grandma, my mom, and aunts would scoop orange sherbet as fast as they could, topping that delicious party punch with every scoop.

    scooping orange sherbet while making orange sherbet punch in punch bowl

    Everyone would grab a cup, and the punch seemed to refill itself as everyone enjoyed it. Looking back, I realize now how much pride and happiness Grandma got out of having everyone in her home.

    Personally, I love a good non alcoholic drink recipe. My family doesn’t really drink, and we have a lot of kids in the family who love to enjoy a really good punch.

    orange sherbet punch from punch bowl to mason jar, perfect punch recipe for party punch, holiday punch, Christmas punch, and more

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE A DELICIOUS SHERBET PUNCH

    While Grandma used 7-Up in her punch, I love to use Cranberry Sprite. Really, any lemon lime or cranberry lemon lime soda will work.

    ingredients for making orange sherbet punch recipe, including pineapple juice, cranberry apple juice, Cranberry Sprite, and orange sherbet

    I also use a little less cranberry apple juice than Grandma used. 3 cups seems to be just the right amount of juice.

    pouring juice for orange sherbet punch into large punch bowl

    Just a couple of tips…

    • Chill the juices and soda ahead of time so they’re nice and cold, and the sherbet won’t melt as fast.
    • Definitely be sure to get your sherbet out of the freezer ahead of time so it’s easier to scoop when you’re ready for it.
    scooping plenty of orange sherbet onto top of sherbet punch in punch bowl
    • 1/2 gallon of sherbet seems to do the trick, but if you want more, add a whole gallon. No one will ever complain of too much sherbet.
    serve orange sherbet punch recipe in mason jar or small party punch cups

    KITCHEN TOOLS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE A SHERBET PUNCH RECIPE

    Punch Bowl

    Ice Cream Scoop

    Punch Cups – These Glitter Plastic Cups and Snowflake Tumblers are so pretty. But my favorite is the Moose Mug from Christmas Vacation.

    EASY ORANGE SHERBET PUNCH RECIPE

    If you love this sherbet punch recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest! If you make the recipe, be sure to share that you tried it on Pinterest. I love when readers share feedback!

    Inspired by family tradition, orange sherbet punch is easy to make and the perfect recipe for Christmas, weddings, baby showers, and holiday parties.

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

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    Click on the video below to see how easy it is to make orange sherbet punch!

    Orange Sherbet Punch

    Inspired by family tradition, orange sherbet punch is easy to make and the perfect recipe for Christmas, weddings, baby showers, and holiday parties.

    • Punch Bowl
    • 46 ounces pineapple juice
    • 3 cups cranberry apple juice
    • 2 liters lemon lime soda
    • 1/2 gallon orange sherbet

    1. Combine the pineapple juice, cranberry apple juice, and lemon lime soda in a large punch bowl, stirring well.

    2. Then scoop orange sherbet on top, placing scoops all over the top of the punch.

    3. Serve immediately!

    I highly recommend chilling the juices and soda beforehand; this will help the sherbet not to melt so quickly.

    *You can use any lemon lime or cranberry lemon lime soda for this sherbet punch.

    *If you like more sherbet, feel free to add a whole gallon. 

    Beverage, Drinks
    American
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  • Quick and Easy Butterbeer Recipe

    Quick and Easy Butterbeer Recipe

    How to make a super simple, quick and easy, homemade butterbeer recipe. Just mix and stir your favorite sweet drink from the Harry Potter series.

    It’s been a couple of years since we last visited the Wizarding World in Universal and had a big tall glass of butterbeer. So I thought it was high time that I make my own butterbeer recipe.

    Tall glass mug of homemade butterbeer with frothy whipped cream topping and a paper straw on a Hogwarts shirt

    As I mentioned with my Polyjuice Potion recipe, I’m creating a few Harry Potter recipes for my fellow Harry Potter fans. I’ve heard tell there’s a new movie coming out in November, and it’s got me all excited.

    This homemade butterbeer is a little different from other recipes I’ve seen in that it makes a smaller amount, AND it’s quick and easy… No stove time with this recipe!

    tall mug of cold butterbeer with ingredients for butterbeer recipe around it

    That’s right, no standing in front of the stove stirring. You’ll basically mix your ingredients in your favorite mug (or in a punch bowl for a larger amount) and serve it. Easy peasy!

    You may also love this butterbeer buttercream frosting that pairs so scrumptiously with chocolate cupcakes, it’s not even funny. And if you need a good breakfast recipe, butterbeer pancakes from scratch are the best!

    I JUST WANT THE RECIPE! TAKE ME TO THE BUTTERBEER RECIPE!

    If you’d rather skip all of my mixing tips, important cooking info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the delicious recipe for Butterbeer – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    FIRST OF ALL, WHAT IS BUTTERBEER?

    If you’ve never had butterbeer, you’re in for a real treat, my friend.

    quick and easy butterbeer recipe in large glass mug with paper straw

    Butterbeer is a drink the characters in the Harry Potter series enjoyed from time to time, especially when visiting Hogsmeade.

    It’s a sort of butterscotch (caramel-ish) sweet drink that’s served hot or cold (cold in this case). It’s described as a “less-sickly butterscotch.”

    It also has a little bit of fizz to it, and in the series, possibly a little bit of alcohol.

    Now mine doesn’t have any alcohol, simply because I don’t like the taste of it. But it’s definitely something you can think about adding, maybe a little bit of rum?

    homemade butterbeer recipe in glass mug with whipped cream

    Fandom has a really good explanation of butterbeer and all the who/what/when/where/why/hows of it.

    BUTTERBEER INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

    You’ll need a few butterbeer ingredients to make your own yummy Harry Potter drinks:

    butterbeer ingredients for butterbeer recipe, including cream soda, butterscotch topping, caramel extract, butter extract, salted butter, and whipped cream

    DO I HAVE TO USE HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM?

    While I prefer to use homemade whipped cream, you can totally use store bought.

    homemade whipped cream in green bowl for butterbeer recipe

    I prefer the texture and the ingredients that are in homemade whipped cream. It’s really simple and easy to make.

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE BUTTERBEER

    Butterbeer is super easy to make. In fact, you can mix it up in a bigger batch for a large group and use a punch bowl; or you can mix up a small amount for individual mugs.

    mix butterbeer ingredients together with whipped cream for butterbeer recipe

    First you’ll mix together the whipped cream, butterscotch topping, melted butter, butter extract, and caramel extract in a small mixing bowl.

    whipped cream mixture for butterbeer recipe in green mixing bowl

    Add a tablespoon of the whipped cream mixture into the bottom of your mug. Then pour in 1/2 cup of the cream soda and stir.

    Add another tablespoon dollop of the whipped cream on top and stir. It’ll fizz up and the whipped cream mixture will expand, creating a fizzy top that’ll give you a butterbeer mustache when you drink it.

    boy drinking butterbeer recipe from glass mug with whipped cream mustache

    Now these instructions are for a smaller mug. If you’re mixing up a taller, larger mug like I show in the pictures, you’ll want to double the amounts I give.

    close up of Harry Potter butterbeer recipe in large glass mug

    Usually less is more when it comes to butterbeer because it can be a really sweet drink. The smaller mug is usually enough for me to curb my butterbeer cravings.

    MORE HARRY POTTER PARTY IDEAS YOU WILL LOVE:

    And my friend Linda, from Life on Summerhill, will show you how to make the prettiest decorations for a Harry Potter celebration!

    quick and easy butterbeer recipe with frothy whipped cream in glass mug

    KITCHEN TOOLS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE HARRY POTTER BUTTERBEER:

    Liquid Measuring Cup

    Mixing Bowl

    Fun Mugs – Some of my favorites are this Magical Marauder’s Map Mug, this Hedwig Mug, this Morphing Book Cover Mug, this Espresso Patronum Mug, and this Butterbeer Mug.

    BUTTERBEER RECIPE

    If you love this butterbeer recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest! If you make the recipe, be sure to share that you tried it on Pinterest. I love when readers share feedback!

    quick and easy butterbeer recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

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    Quick and Easy Butterbeer Recipe

    How to make a super simple, quick and easy, homemade butterbeer recipe. Just mix and stir your favorite sweet drink from the Harry Potter series.

    • 1/2 cup whipped cream
    • 1 tablespoon butterscotch topping
    • 1 tablespoon salted butter (melted)
    • 1/2 teaspoon butter extract
    • 1/4 teaspoon caramel extract
    • 2 cups cream soda
    1. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the whipped cream, butterscotch topping, melted butter, butter extract, and caramel extract.

    2. Add 2 tablespoons each, of the whipped cream mixture, into the bottom of 2 mugs.

    3. Then pour 1 cup of the cream soda into each mug and stir.

    4. Add 2 more tablespoons of the whipped cream on top of each mug and stir. 

    5. The mixture will fizz up and the whipped cream will expand, creating a fizzy top that’ll give you a butterbeer mustache when you drink it.

    Looking for a festive Harry Potter mug? Some of my favorites are this Magical Marauder’s Map Mug, this Hedwig Mug, this Morphing Book Cover Mug, this Espresso Patronum Mug, and this Butterbeer Mug.

    Drinks
    American
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    quick and easy homemade butterbeer recipe from Harry Potter series
    quick and easy Harry Potter butterbeer recipe
  • Easy Slow Cooker Mulled Cider

    Easy Slow Cooker Mulled Cider

    How to make mulled cider in your slow cooker. Warm apple cider filled with cinnamon, spices, and a smidge of brown sugar, perfect for the holidays!

    ‘Tis the season for warm drinks, soft blankets, good books, and apple pie spice with all of its fall spicy goodness. Even though I love summer, I love this time of year when the temperatures drop and mulled cider becomes the beverage of choice.

    easy mulled cider with cinnamon sticks, oranges, and cloves in a slow cooker

    While I’m more of a hot chocolate girl myself, I do love a warm mug of cider, especially when my house smells as good as it does after an afternoon of slow cooking a batch of spiced cider.

    This hot apple cider is so easy to make, anyone can make it. It doesn’t require a lot of ingredients or time in the kitchen.

    Are you ready for an apple cider drink that will get you in the mood for fall? This is most definitely it.

    I JUST WANT THE RECIPE! TAKE ME TO THE RECIPE FOR MULLED CIDER!

    If you’d rather skip all of my cooking tips, important cooking info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the delicious mulled cider recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    glass mug of warm mulled cider with fresh apples and cinnamon sticks

    WHAT IS APPLE CIDER? WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN APPLE JUICE AND APPLE CIDER?

    You can use either apple juice or apple cider for this recipe.

    There are a few differences, though, between apple juice vs apple cider.

    Apple cider is a thicker, more opaque apple juice, and it may have pulp and chunks of apple left behind. Apple juice is a thinner, more transparent liquid without any pulp left behind.

    In terms of commercial apple cider vs apple juice, apple juice is pasteurized and has a longer shelf life than apple cider.

    If you have fresh apples and want to make the juice yourself, here is a fairly simple recipe for how to make apple juice in your Instant Pot. You can also use the same recipe to make a thicker apple cider drink.

    mug of hot cider, mulled cider recipe, with apples and cinnamon sticks

    WHERE TO BUY APPLE CIDER

    If you decide to actually go with cider and buy it instead of making it, you can usually find it at any grocery store, orchard, or maybe even a farmer’s market.

    If apple cider isn’t available where you live and you decide to buy juice instead, you could go with a thicker juice, maybe Simply Apple or something similar.

    APPLE CIDER BENEFITS

    Remember the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Apples have a ton of nutritional value and are a great addition to our diet.

    mulled cider with orange slices, whole cloves, and cinnamon sticks in black slow cooker

    While you’d probably get a LOT more benefit out of the whole apple, apple juice is a good source of vitamin C and potassium. It’s also a great source of antioxidants.

    Now with the added sugar (I use 1/4 cup of brown sugar), this hot cider won’t be quite as good for you, but it is delicious, so I guess you could say that’s a benefit too.

    APPLE CIDER INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

    You’ll need a few ingredients to make this delicious mulled cider.

    ingredients for making mulled cider, including apple cider, oranges, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, allspice, and whole cloves

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE APPLE CIDER

    Making apple cider is really easy. Just a few steps and you can walk away and let your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting.

    You’re essentially going to combine all of the ingredients in your slow cooker. But the orange and cloves require a bit of attention first.

    You can wash and slice the orange, add the cloves to the orange slices, and then add the slices to the slow cooker. Or you can wash and peel the orange and stick the cloves all over in the orange, then add the orange to the slow cooker.

    slow cooker mulled cider with orange slices, whole cloves, and cinnamon sticks

    Note: You can leave the peeling on the orange, but it may add a little bitterness to your hot cider.

    Once you’ve decided what to do with the orange, just combine all the ingredients and give it a good stir. Then cook everything on low for about 4 hours.

    Homemade apple cider makes your house smell so good.

    Once it’s cooked, strain out any loose cloves, the oranges, and the cinnamon sticks. You can serve it up in your favorite mugs, and maybe add a cinnamon stick for garnish.

    hot apple cider, mulled cider, in a glass mug with apples and cinnamon sticks

    IF YOU LOVE THIS MULLED CIDER RECIPE, TRY SOME OF OUR OTHER APPLE RECIPE FAVORITES:

    Instant Pot Apple Butter

    Apple Crumb Pie

    Homemade Apple Jelly without Pectin

    Easy No-Peel Instant Pot Applesauce

    No-Peel Instant Pot Cinnamon Applesauce

    50 Mouthwatering Apple Recipes

    slow cooked mulled cider in a glass mug with apples

    KITCHEN TOOLS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE HOT APPLE CIDER:

    Slow Cooker

    Orange Peeler

    Wooden Spoon

    Festive Mugs – I love Peanuts mugs, this Mr. Tea mug, and I also love enamel mugs. So fun! Because why shouldn’t you have something fun to drink from? Right?! Right!

    MULLED CIDER RECIPE

    If you love this mulled cider recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    easy slow cooker mulled cider apple cider recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

    Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter

    Sign up to receive my newsletter, filled with delicious recipes and outdoor travel adventures, in your inbox:

    FREE EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION

    Slow Cooker Mulled Cider

    How to make slow cooker mulled cider. Warm apple cider filled with cinnamon, spices, and a smidge of brown sugar, perfect for the holidays!

    • 2 quarts apple cider (or apple juice)
    • 1 whole orange
    • 2 teaspoons whole cloves
    • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
    • 3 whole cinnamon sticks
    1. Pour the apple cider or apple juice into the slow cooker.
    2. You can wash and slice the orange, add the cloves to the orange slices, and then add the slices to the slow cooker. Or you can wash and peel the orange and stick the cloves all over in the orange, then add the slices to the slow cooker.
    3. Add the brown sugar, allspice, and cinnamon sticks to the cider in the slow cooker, and give it all a good stir.
    4. Put the lid on the slow cooker, and cook everything on low for about 4 hours.
    5. Strain out the oranges, cloves, and cinnamon sticks.
    6. Serve it in your favorite mugs, and maybe add a cinnamon stick for garnish.

    *You can use apple cider or homemade apple juice for this recipe.

    *Leaving the peeling on the orange may add some bitterness to your apple cider.

    Drinks
    American
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    Easy Slow Cooker Mulled Cider Recipe
    easy mulled cider recipe made in the slow cooker
  • Blueberry Spinach Smoothie

    Blueberry Spinach Smoothie

    Blueberry Spinach Smoothie recipe that’s healthy, quick, and an easy to make snack. Made with fresh spinach, plain Greek yogurt, and honey, also a tasty addition to mornings.

    Blueberry Spinach Smoothie snacks are not only easy to make, they’re also full of nutrition. I love a smoothie during that afternoon witching hour when I’m starting to crave something sweet.

    Blueberry Spinach Smoothie in mason jar with straw and fresh blueberries

    This particular smoothie has a few hidden ingredients, like spinach, a banana, Greek yogurt, milk, and honey. My boys didn’t quite know what to think when they found out there was spinach in their smoothies.

    You can use fresh or frozen blueberries, totally up to you. I used frozen because cheaper.

    I do add the banana and tablespoon of honey to sweeten the smoothie just a bit; however, it’s not overly sweet. The banana and honey really work together to give just the right amount of sweetness but not too much.

    Blueberry Spinach Smoothie in mason jar with straw on wooden cutting board with fresh blueberries and blue polka dot cloth

    The Greek yogurt gives the smoothie more of a creamy factor. You could probably leave it out if you don’t want that tangy yogurt taste… I make smoothies both with and without yogurt, depending on what’s in my fridge at any given time.

    Tips for how to make a Blueberry Spinach Smoothie:

    Gather your ingredients… You’ll need fresh or frozen blueberries, fresh spinach leaves, a banana, plain Greek yogurt, milk, raw honey, and ice.

    1. If you’re using fresh blueberries, wash your berries. If you’re using frozen blueberries, there’s no prep needed.
    2. Also wash the spinach.
    3. Add your blueberries, spinach leaves, peeled banana, yogurt, milk, and honey to a large blender.
    4. Pulse until everything is mixed well.
    5. Add the ice to the mixture, and pulse again until you reach the desired consistency. If your blender has a smoothie setting, you can use that.
    6. Pour into cups or jars and serve with straws.

    This recipe yields about 2 to 4 smoothies, depending on the size smoothie you prefer. We like them on the smaller side, so my 3 boys and I can usually split the recipe between us.

    Alternative options or add-ins for your smoothie:

    • If you don’t want regular milk… You can use whatever kind of milk you prefer, whether it’s almond milk, soy milk, whatever you choose.
    • Add a handful of strawberries for an extra berry kick.
    • Add flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, or goji berries to your smoothie.
    • Use a different flavor yogurt… Maybe add a double dose of blueberry with blueberry yogurt.
    Blueberry Spinach Smoothie in mason jar with polka dot straw and fresh blueberries

    Other smoothie recipes you may enjoy:

    Kitchen tools you may need to make a Blueberry Smoothie:

    Fruit Wash Bowl – Handy for washing fruits and vegetables.
    Blender – You’ll need a blender that has the strength to blend up ice in a smoothie.
    Cups or Jars with Straws – for serving.

    Print the recipe for Blueberry Spinach Smoothie

    Blueberry Spinach Smoothie

    Blueberry Spinach Smoothie recipe that’s healthy, quick, and an easy to make snack. Made with fresh spinach, plain Greek yogurt, and honey, also a tasty addition to mornings.

    • 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
    • 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
    • 1 banana
    • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
    • 1/2 cup whole milk
    • 1 tablespoon raw honey
    • 1 1/2 cups ice
    1. If you’re using fresh blueberries, wash your berries. If you’re using frozen blueberries, there’s no prep needed.
    2. Also wash the spinach.
    3. Add your blueberries, spinach leaves, peeled banana, yogurt, milk, and honey to a large blender.
    4. Pulse until everything is mixed well. 
    5. Add the ice to the mixture, and pulse again until you reach the desired consistency. If your blender has a smoothie setting, you can use that.
    6. Pour into cups or jars and serve with straws.

    This recipe yields about 2 to 4 smoothies, depending on the size smoothie you prefer. We like them on the smaller side, so my 3 boys and I can usually split the recipe between us.

    Drinks
    American
    blueberry smoothie, blueberry spinach smoothie, spinach smoothie

    Pin this recipe to save it for later!

    Recipe for Blueberry Spinach Smoothie
    Blueberry Spinach Smoothie from above
  • Peach Mango Smoothie

    Peach Mango Smoothie

    Peach Mango Smoothie recipe that’s healthy, quick, and an easy to make snack. Made with 1 banana and a dash of honey, also a tasty addition to mornings.

    Peach Mango Smoothie snacks are so easy to make for myself and the boys. A smoothie is a great way to give us all a boost of fruit in our diet and also very refreshing.

    Peach Mango Smoothie that’s easy to make and makes a delicious snack or morning addition to breakfast. 6 ingredients make a healthy snack my kids and I all love!

    On rare occasions, I’ll mix up a smoothie to go with our breakfast or lunch. Most of the time, though, it’s in that late afternoon timeframe when I’m craving something sweet but don’t want to give in to my sweet tooth and eat something useless… That’s usually the time I bring out the ole blender and mix up a frozen treat that’s healthy too.

    I do add a banana and a tablespoon of honey to sweeten the smoothie just a bit; however, it’s not overly sweet. The banana and honey really work together to give just the right amount of sweetness but not too much.

    You can use fresh or frozen mangoes and peaches, totally up to you. I’ve used both and the smoothies turn out just as good either way I make them.

    How to make a peach mango smoothie the whole family will love. It’s a refreshing late afternoon snack or a tasty morning treat.

    This particular recipe makes enough smoothies for me and all 3 of my boys, even Dan sometimes if he happens to want one. So, you’ll get enough for 4 to 5 people out of this recipe.

    Tips for how to make a delicious Peach Mango Smoothie

    Gather your ingredients first… You’ll need mangoes (fresh or frozen), frozen peaches, a banana, milk, ice, and honey.

    • If you’re using fresh mangoes, wash, peel, pit, and chop your mangoes. If you’re using chopped frozen mangoes, there’s no prep needed.
    • Add your mangoes, frozen peach slices, peeled banana, milk, and honey to a large blender.
    • Pulse until everything is mixed well. You may need just a little extra milk to get everything blended well.
    • Add the ice to the mixture, and pulse again until you reach the desired consistency. If your blender has a smoothie setting, you can use that.
    • Pour into cups or jars and serve with straws.

    Alternative options or add-ins for your smoothie

    • Add a handful of spinach for a healthy dose of green. You’ll never know it’s there, though you may need to add just a little extra milk with it.
    • Speaking of milk, if you don’t want regular milk… You can use whatever kind of milk you prefer, whether it’s almond milk, soy milk, whatever you choose.
    • Add a handful of strawberries for a berry kick.
    • Add flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, or goji berries to your smoothie.
    My middle child loves a good smoothie, and this Peach Mango Smoothie is one of our favorite frozen treats. We make it as an afternoon snack, using a banana and a little bit of honey to sweeten the deal.

    Looking for more smoothie or frozen drink recipes?

    Kitchen tools you may need to make a Peach Mango Smoothie

    Cutting Board – If you’re using fresh mangoes, you’ll need a cutting board for prep.
    Mango Slicer, Peeler, and Pit Remover Tool – How handy is this for prepping fresh mangoes?! Kinda wishing I’d had this when I prepped this recipe.
    Blender – You’ll need a blender that has the strength to blend up ice in a smoothie.
    Cups or Jars with Straws – for serving.

    Make a delicious, refreshing Peach Mango Smoothie for an afternoon snack or morning treat. Filled with healthy ingredients like mangoes, peaches, a banana, and just a little bit of honey, it’s so good!

    Print the recipe to make your own Peach Mango Smoothie

    Peach Mango Smoothie

    Peach Mango Smoothie recipe that’s healthy, quick, and an easy to make snack. Made with 1 banana and a dash of honey, also a tasty addition to mornings.

    • 2 fresh mangoes or 2 cups frozen mangoes
    • 1 16- ounce package frozen peaches
    • 1 banana (peeled)
    • 1 cup milk
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • 1 1/2 cups ice
    1. If you’re using fresh mangoes, wash, peel, pit, and chop your mangoes. If you’re using chopped frozen mangoes, there’s no prep needed.
    2. Add your mangoes, frozen peach slices, peeled banana, milk, and honey to a large blender.
    3. Pulse until everything is mixed well. You may need just a little extra milk to get everything blended well.
    4. Add the ice to the mixture, and pulse again until you reach the desired consistency. If your blender has a smoothie setting, you can use that.
    5. Pour into cups or small jars and serve with straws.
    Drinks
    American
    mango smoothie, peach mango smoothie, peach smoothie

    Pin this recipe to save it for later!

    Peach Mango Smoothie recipe that's healthy, quick, and an easy to make snack. Made with 1 banana and a dash of honey, also a tasty addition to mornings.
    Refreshing Peach Mango Smoothie that’s healthy and easy to make. Made with 1 banana and a dash of honey, it’s a tasty morning treat or afternoon snack when you’re craving all the things.
  • Peppermint Whipped Cream

    Peppermint Whipped Cream

    Peppermint Whipped Cream you can make in 5 minutes. Creamy delicious dessert topping or add a dollop to your hot chocolate for a minty treat!

    Peppermint Whipped Cream is probably one of my favorite ways to top off a nice warm mug of creamy hot chocolate. It adds a minty flavor, as well as an even creamier texture; and it’s so delicious!

    Peppermint Whipped Cream is so easy to make. Perfect topping for your favorite desserts, and I love adding a dollop to my hot chocolate. So deliciously creamy!

    This recipe is super easy to make and only calls for 5 ingredients. You can pretty much throw everything into the mixing bowl, add a whisk to your mixer, and mix away.

    How to make homemade Peppermint Whipped Cream for a minty dessert and hot chocolate topping. Adds a whole new meaning to the word creamy on all your favorite holiday desserts!

    Before you know it, you’ll have a minty, creamy whipped topping you can enjoy with pies, cakes, hot chocolate, and all your favorite desserts. Just add a dollop and you’re set for a really yummy sweet treat.

    Tips for how to make Peppermint Whipped Cream

    • Gather your ingredients… You’ll need cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and powdered sugar.
    • Add all of your ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
    • Use a whisk or mixer with a whisk to mix all of the ingredients together, and keep mixing until the mixture thickens to the desired consistency for whipped cream.
    • Note: It will thicken up really fast before you realize it. So if you’re wanting it to have a more silky appearance, just stop the whipping process sooner.
    • Enjoy on your favorite dessert or warm drink.
    Peppermint Whipped Cream is one of my favorite dessert toppings on both pie and hot chocolate. Easy recipe you can make in about 5 minutes!

    Looking for a few lovely desserts or warm drinks to enjoy with a dollop of peppermint whipped cream?

    You may also enjoy my Quick and Easy Homemade Whipped Cream (original flavor) or Meringue Pie Topping.

    Mix up a bowl of Peppermint Whipped Cream. Only 5 ingredients and a super easy recipe you can make in 5 minutes. Turns any dessert or drink into a minty delicious treat!

    I’m definitely adding this easy peppermint whipped cream recipe to my list of The Best Christmas Recipes for Your Holiday Celebrations.

    Tools you may need to make Peppermint Whipped Cream

    Mixing Bowl – for mixing up all of your ingredients.
    Whisk or Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer – A hand mixer works great for mixing up homemade whipped cream.
    Spatula – Can’t live without my spatulas (as in plural).

    Peppermint Whipped Cream you can whip up in about 5 minutes. Makes a minty delicious topping for hot chocolate, pie, and all your favorite holiday desserts!

    Print the recipe for Peppermint Whipped Cream

    Peppermint Whipped Cream

    Peppermint Whipped Cream you can make in 5 minutes. Creamy delicious dessert topping or add a dollop to your hot chocolate for a minty treat!

    • 2 ounces cream cheese
    • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
    • 1/2 cup powdered sugar

    1. In a large mixing bowl, whip the cream cheese.

    2. Add the heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and powdered sugar to the cream cheese.

    3. Use a mixer to whip together the ingredients until the mixture begins to thicken to the consistency of whipped cream. It will thicken up rather quickly, so if you're wanting it to have a thinner texture/more silky appearance, just stop the whipping process sooner.

    4. Refrigerate until serving, and serve with your favorite desserts and drinks.

    Desserts
    American
    peppermint whipped cream, peppermint whipped topping

    Pin this recipe to save it for later!

    Peppermint Whipped Cream you can make in 5 minutes. Creamy delicious dessert topping or add a dollop to your hot chocolate for a minty treat!
    Peppermint Whipped Cream you can easily make in 5 minutes. Creamy dessert and sweet treat topping or add a dollop to your hot chocolate for a minty delicious treat!
  • Easy Grapefruit, Berry, and Tropical Fruit Smoothie Recipe

    Easy Grapefruit, Berry, and Tropical Fruit Smoothie Recipe

    Sweet Scarletts Disclosure
    How to make a simple, easy, natural fruit smoothie, no sugar added. All you need is fruit and ice for a refreshing Grapefruit, Berry, and Tropical Fruit Smoothie. Printable recipe!

    Mmmm, there is nothing like a sweet, red, juicy grapefruit. Throw that together in a blender full of other tropical fruits and berries, and you’ve got a fruit smoothie that is out of this world delicious, not to mention refreshing. If you’ve never tried grapefruit in a smoothie, you are so missing out. But no more, because today I’ve got the perfect recipe for you. It’s so easy and simple and has NO added sugar. The natural fruit itself, including Sweet Scarletts Texas Red Grapefruit, is the sweetness in this smoothie.

    How to make a simple, easy, natural fruit smoothie, no sugar added. All you need is fruit and ice for a refreshing Grapefruit, Berry, and Tropical Fruit Smoothie. Printable recipe!

    Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved a good grapefruit. In fact, just looking at a grapefruit brings back really fond memories for me. My dad was an over-the-road truck driver, and sometimes he’d be out for a month at a time. But when he’d return, he ‘d always come home bearing gifts. At certain times of the year, after going through the great state of Texas, he’d bring home huge boxes of grapefruit. We’d store them in our uninsulated cold stairwell that led up to the second story of our old farmhouse. Then every morning (or even of a night) we’d grab a grapefruit and one of the only grapefruit spoons we owned, split the grapefruit open to reveal red, juicy fruit inside, and enjoy to our hearts’ content. We’d eat every bite of the fruit inside, then squeeze out all the juice and drink it down. Not a drop was left when we were finished. My dad loved adding a dash of salt to his grapefruit, a habit he’s passed on to my boys; myself, I love them just the way they are.

    How to make a simple, easy, natural fruit smoothie, no sugar added. All you need is fruit and ice for a refreshing Grapefruit, Berry, and Tropical Fruit Smoothie. Printable recipe!
    How to make a simple, easy, natural fruit smoothie, no sugar added. All you need is fruit and ice for a refreshing Grapefruit, Berry, and Tropical Fruit Smoothie. Printable recipe!
    How to make a simple, easy, natural fruit smoothie, no sugar added. All you need is fruit and ice for a refreshing Grapefruit, Berry, and Tropical Fruit Smoothie. Printable recipe!
    How to make a simple, easy, natural fruit smoothie, no sugar added. All you need is fruit and ice for a refreshing Grapefruit, Berry, and Tropical Fruit Smoothie. Printable recipe!

    For this particular smoothie recipe, all you need is a bunch of fruit, including Sweet Scarletts Grapefruit, and ice cubes. That’s it! No sugar, no extra stuff. Wash, peel, and chunk the fruit into a blender.Then blend until you have a nice, smooth puree. Add the ice cubes and blend again. You’re left with a bright pink smoothie that my guys couldn’t get enough of…

    It’s nature’s sweetness at its finest and simplest. It’s healthy too, a good source of vitamin C and fiber. And it’s so yummy!

    Looking for more smoothie or frozen drink recipes?

    How to make a simple, easy, natural fruit smoothie, no sugar added. All you need is fruit and ice for a refreshing Grapefruit, Berry, and Tropical Fruit Smoothie. Printable recipe!
    How to make a simple, easy, natural fruit smoothie, no sugar added. All you need is fruit and ice for a refreshing Grapefruit, Berry, and Tropical Fruit Smoothie. Printable recipe!

    Grab the printable recipe below and enjoy!

    Easy Grapefruit, Berry, and Tropical Fruit Smoothie Recipe

    Throw a sweet, red, juicy grapefruit together with a blender full of other tropical fruits and berries, and you’ve got a fruit smoothie that is out of this world delicious, not to mention refreshing.

    • 1 Sweet Scarletts Grapefruit
    • 8-10 strawberries
    • 1 orange
    • 2 bananas
    • 2 kiwi
    • 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or frozen)
    • 3/4 cup mango chunks (fresh or frozen)
    • 2 cups ice cubes
    1. Wash all fresh fruit; I like to soak mine in a vinegar/water bath for about 10 minutes.
    2. Peel grapefruit, orange, bananas, kiwi, pineapple, and mango.
    3. Stem strawberries.
    4. Chunk fruit up into blender.
    5. Blend until mixture is a nice, smooth puree.
    6. Add ice cubes and blend until mixture is well combined.
    7. Pour into jars or glasses, add straws, and serve immediately.
    8. Enjoy!
    Drinks
    American
    grapefruit smoothie, tropical fruit smoothie
    How to make a simple, easy, natural fruit smoothie, no sugar added. All you need is fruit and ice for a refreshing Grapefruit, Berry, and Tropical Fruit Smoothie. Printable recipe!

    Try Sweet Scarletts, the sweetest Texas red grapefruit. Check out the Sweet Scarletts Facebook page for more from the reddest, sweetest, and best grapefruit you’ve ever tasted.

  • Homemade Raspberry Hot Chocolate Recipe

    Homemade Raspberry Hot Chocolate Recipe

    Whirlpool Every Day, Care Holiday Disclosure {MamaBuzz - mamabzz.com} #EveryDayCare
    Homemade Raspberry Hot Chocolate {MamaBuzz - mamabzz.com} #EveryDayCare

    The holidays bring so much excitement and child-like wonder…it’s a happy time of year and a time when we especially take family traditions very seriously.

    It’s not just about the big day and presents under the tree. It’s about being together and sharing this experience as a family.

    We have a few fun traditions including new jammies and a holiday movie like Christmas Vacation on Christmas Eve.

    It’s definitely the holiday treat making season, as well; one of my favorite traditions is making hot chocolate, filling our travel cups, and heading out to see the lights.

    Hot Chocolate Holiday Tradition {MamaBuzz - mamabzz.com} #EveryDayCare

    With beautiful holiday lights in mind, I decided to try making homemade hot chocolate. The boys love hot cocoa, and it’s just a given any time it snows or it’s cold outside. It’s kinda become our thing; it’s a way for me to let them know I care, a way to share something we all love.

    They love it when I put the tea kettle on, pull out the hot cocoa and marshmallows, and prep our favorite cups. Jaden loves a reindeer cup, and Jacob has his glass mug.

    Homemade Hot Chocolate {MamaBuzz - mamabzz.com} #EveryDayCare

    This particular recipe is very rich, very chocolatey. We love adding a little creamer to our hot chocolate, but it’s not something we always have on hand.

    So, we did a li’l something different with that too. I made a homemade raspberry creamer. Ooo la la! It’s so good! Frozen raspberries, a little Half & Half, a little sugar, and you have your own homemade creamer.

    Add homemade raspberry creamer to hot chocolate {MamaBuzz - mamabzz.com} #EveryDayCare

    Of course, don’t forget the marshmallows or whipped cream. Personally, I love to stack my cup with loads of mini mallows. So yummy!

    Looking for more festive beverage recipes?

    You’ll find a printable recipe below… I’m definitely adding this recipe to my list of The Best Christmas Recipes for Your Holiday Celebrations.

    Hot Chocolate Tradition {MamaBuzz - mamabzz.com} #EveryDayCare

    Tonight if we’re not out viewing the beautiful holiday lights in our neck of the woods, I think I may just sit down with my boys, a cup of homemade chocolatey goodness, and a good book.

    Homemade Raspberry Hot Chocolate Recipe {MamaBuzz - mamabzz.com} #EveryDayCare

    Daily acts of care don’t always have to involve housework, after all… Sometimes they involve reading a good book together, taking a few to remember why we celebrate this wonderful holiday season.

    Homemade Raspberry Hot Chocolate, a warm drink perfect for a cold winter day. Cozy up with a delicious cup of creamy delicious hot cocoa.

    Whirlpool® has launched the Every day, care™ Project, highlighting simple acts of care that can change or light up your world. Little acts, such as laundry, cleaning, washing the dishes, reading a good book together, or even making a warm, homemade cup of chocolatey goodness can make a difference in the lives of those we care about and love. Click here to take a look at the Every day, care™ website to see how daily acts of care can change your world.

    Pin this recipe to save it for later!

    Cozy up with a warm cup of Raspberry Hot Chocolate, a sweet treat and a delicious homemade drink the whole family will love on a cold winter day.

    Homemade Raspberry Hot Chocolate Recipe

    Warm up with a delicious cup of homemade chocolatey goodness. Homemade raspberry hot chocolate recipe.

    Raspberry Creamer

    • 12 oz. frozen raspberries
    • 2 cups Half & Half
    • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

    Hot Chocolate

    • 3 cups Half & Half
    • 10 oz. Semi-Sweet chocolate chips
    • 10 oz. Milk chocolate chips
    • 1 tbsp. vanilla extract

    Raspberry Creamer

    1. Thaw raspberries and add to blender/food processor with Half & Half and sugar.
    2. Purée mixture.
    3. Run mixture through colander or strainer to remove all seeds.

    Hot Chocolate

    1. Add Half & Half, chocolate, and vanilla to saucepan and cook on medium heat, stirring constantly to avoid scorching.
    2. Cook until chocolate melts and mixture is hot, probably about 20 minutes.
    3. Pour into cups for serving.
    4. Add a spoonful or two of homemade raspberry creamer. Add marshmallows or whatever else you like in your hot chocolate.
    5. Enjoy!
    Drinks
    American
    beverages, drinks, homemade raspberry hot chocolate, hot chocolate, hot cocoa, raspberry hot chocolate, raspberry hot cocoa, warm beverages, warm drinks
  • Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Party Drink Recipe with a Touch of Tangerine

    Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Party Drink Recipe with a Touch of Tangerine

    It’s no secret to any of my friends that I don’t drink. I just really don’t like the taste of alcohol at all; there’s something about the taste that I can.not.stand…. Same with coffee. Believe me, there have been many a time where I’ve wished I could sit down with a glass of wine at night or with a cup of coffee in the morning. But my taste buds won’t let me. Since Dan and I do like to sit down with a glass of sparkling grape juice every once in awhile, I thought it’d be fun to create a sparkling non-alcoholic party drink recipe, especially in honor of New Year’s Eve. Planning a New Year’s Eve party requires party drinks. If you love a good mocktail, this sparkling non-alcoholic party drink with a touch of tangerine will have your taste buds hoppin’. Get the super easy recipe!

    How to Make a Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Party Drink

    If you’re like me and just don’t drink at all, you may enjoy this non-alcoholic version of a celebratory drink. The nice thing is that it’s so easy and simple to make. I’m definitely adding this recipe to my list of The Best Christmas Recipes for Your Holiday Celebrations.

    I hope you enjoy!

    Looking for more festive beverage recipes?

    Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Party Drink with a Touch of Tangerine

    Non-alcoholic sparkling drink with just 3 simple ingredients. Easy to make and perfect for a party!

    • 1 cup sparkling white grape juice
    • 1 cup ginger ale
    • 1 teaspoon tangerine juice ((just a spritz))
    1. Simply mix the ingredients together.
    2. Then squeeze in a bit of fresh orange or tangerine juice. Just a spritz or two will do.
    3. Finally, add a touch of orange peel or a slice of orange for a decorative touch.
    4. Serve and enjoy!
    Beverage
    American
    non-alcoholic party drink, sparkling drink

    Want to pair this drink with a platter of simple to make appetizers? Check out these 3 Super Easy Appetizer Recipes for New Year’s.Hosting a New Year's Eve party or celebration? Here are 3 ideas for super easy appetizer recipes. Easy recipes and bacon? Yes please!