Beverage Recipes - Refreshing & Comforting Drinks

From Granny's Sweet Tea To Pa-Paw's Hot Apple Cider - Fresh Squeezed Lemonade To Party Punch. Apple Cider To Old Fashioned Milkshakes

These are some of my favorite drink recipes, great for everyday, parties, baby and wedding showers.

For the cold winter months we enjoy hot chocolate, mulled apple cider and coffee drinks

During the summer the kid's love the old fashioned milkshakes, (well so do I) and in the south we always have a pitcher of southern sweet tea and fresh squeezed lemonade

Southern Sweet Tea

Down here in Mississippi we drink sweet tea all year, but it is especially refreshing during the hot summer months.

  • 1-2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 gallon water
  • 3 family size tea bags
  • 3 cups cold water

Put water into a pan and bring to a boil. When the water begins to boil, remove from heat, add teabags.

Cover with lid and let steep at least 20 minutes.

Add sugar to a large pitcher. Pour in tea and stir until sugar is dissolved.

You may have to heat tea up again before adding to pitcher.You want it just hot enough to melt sugar.

Now fill the pitcher up with cold water and stir until all is well blended.

We like to serve it with lots of ice, a lemon wedge and a mint leaf. We also like to drink it out of a mason jar.

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade, is a true southern favorite. Us southerners like to serve a glass of refreshing lemonade, on the front porch, as neighbors drop by to say hello.

  • 6 Lemons
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 6 cups cold water

Juice lemons to make 1 cup juice. Combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup lemon juice, and 6 cups cold water into glass serving pitcher. Stir. Serve over ice.

You may add more water or sugar depending on taste.

Fresh Squeezed Pink Lemonade

This is a deliciously refreshing drink. Great to serve it when family and friends come to visit.

  • 1 cup chilled cranberry juice
  • 2 cups fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 9 cups water

Mix lemon juice, cranberry juice, sugar and water in a glass pitcher. Stir well to dissolve sugar. Chill.

Serve over ice with a lemon wedge.

Citrus Punch

Marvelous served at showers, birthday parties, anniversary parties.

  • 2 oz. citric acid crystals
  • 1 large can frozen orange juice
  • 1 large can pineapple juice
  • 5 c. sugar
  • 1/2 bottle ginger ale

Pour 2 quarts boiling water over crystals. Let stand 24 hours. Add other ingredients and 4 quarts water. Add ginger ale just before serving.

Makes 2 gallons.

Lime Punch

This pretty punch is great served at wedding and baby showers and anniversary parties

  • 2 pkg. lime kool-aid
  • 1 tall can pineapple juice
  • 1 bottle ginger ale
  • 1/2 gal. lime sherbet

Mix kool-aid according to directions. Add pineapple juice. Just before serving, add sherbet and ginger ale.

The sherbet will melt adding a beautiful green froth to the top of punch. Makes 1 1/2 gallons.

DECORATIVE TIP - Add a little decorative pizzaz with red cherries or pineapple chunks floating in punch bowl.

Cranberry Lemon Punch

This has to be the most refreshing thing anybody could drink. Marvelous served at showers, birthday parties, anniversary parties.

  • 1 quart cranberry juice
  • 2 pints lemon sherbet

Use a blender to whirl the cranberry juice and sherbet together, even if you have to do it a little at a time.

Makes 8 large servings.

Pink Punch

Perfect for baby showers and wedding showers.

  • 6 large strawberry bottled drinks
  • 1 large can pineapple juice
  • 1/2 gal. pineapple sherbet

Mix together strawberry drinks and pineapple juice.

Just before serving, add sherbet.

Makes 1 gallon.

Mulled Apple Cider

Perfect to serve for fall and winter holiday parties. Serve in a large mug, with cinnamon sticks and orange slices floating in mug.

  • 1 tsp. whole cloves
  • 1 tsp. allspice
  • Dash of nutmeg
  • 2 qt. apple cider
  • 1/2 c. brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 orange, sliced thin
  • 3 cinnamon sticks

Tie cloves, allspice, nutmeg, in small cheesecloth.

Pour cider in large boiler, add spices, stir in sugar, salt and slowly bring to a boil. Cover. Simmer 20 minutes.

Remove spice bag.

Add orange slice floaters. Use cinnamon stick muddlers. Serve hot. Makes 10 servings.

Spiced Tea

Great Christmas gift idea for teachers, friends and co-workers. People appreciate the time and thought put into a homemade gift. For gift giving use a decorative airtight jar, attach a tag with mixing directions.

  • 2 c. Tang
  • 1 tsp. cloves
  • 3/4 c. lemon tea
  • 2 c. sugar
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon

Combine ingredients and store in container.

To use, mix 2 teaspoons of the mix to each cup of hot water.

Old Fashioned Chocolate Milkshake

Old Fashioned Milkshake recipes for chocolate, vanilla and strawberry milkshakes. Yummy treat for hot summer day's

  • 1 cup vanilla or chocolate ice cream
  • 3 1/2 tbs. chocolate syrup
  • 1/2 cup whole milk

Pour all ingredient into blender. Blend until smooth.

Serve milkshake in tall glass with a straw.

Old Fashioned Vanilla Milkshake

Yummy treat for hot summer day's

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups vanilla ice cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Pour all ingredient into blender. Blend until smooth.

Serve milkshake in tall glass with a straw.

Old Fashioned Strawberry Milkshake

My absolute favorite milkshake!!

  • 1-2 cups milk
  • 1 cup sliced strawberries
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 cups vanilla ice cream

Pour all ingredient into blender. Blend until smooth.

Serve milkshake in tall glass with a straw.

Hot Chocolate

Great gift idea for teachers, friends and co-workers. People appreciate the time and thought put into a homemade gift. For gift giving use a decorative airtight jar, attach a tag with mixing directions.

  • 1 (8 qt.) box powdered milk
  • 1 c. powdered sugar
  • 1 lb. box Nestle's Quick
  • 1 (6 oz.) jar Coffe-Mate

Mix well. Keep in closed container. Use 1/3 cup mixture to 1 cup hot water.

Before serving add miniature marshmallows or whipped cream and grated chocolate.

Egg Nog

This recipe was handed down from my mom, a family favorite for every Christmas season.

  • 6 eggs, separated
  • 1 c. sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1/2 gal. milk

Heat milk to a simmer over low heat. Mix egg yolks and sugar; beat until turns a light yellow.

Beat egg whites until very stiff. Add egg yolk mixture to milk very slowly, stirring constantly on low heat.

It's ready when you finish pouring the mixture in.

Just before serving, fold in egg whites, add nutmeg and serve in mugs. You may serve as is, or let each person add bourbon to their liking.

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