A friend invited us over to pick some (Macintosh?) apples. They were bruised and cracked, but had a wonderful taste.
This freezes well.
Apple Cider
Powdered Chai Mix (with Hot or Iced Chai Options)
We experimented with the mix recipe, then Megan made her “famous” iced chai. This is good hot, but it is very good iced.
Instant Mocha Mix
Mark and Katie gave us this recipe. Everyone likes as is, but I prefer it with whipping cream to make it creamer and thicker.
Experiment with different powdered creamers and omitting or swapping the spices.
Hot Chocolate Mix, Dairy free
We wanted something to drink that was different from tea and coffee. I had a bag of store bought dairy free hot chocolate mix that we liked, but was more expensive then I could afford very often. So we attempted to make our own. It is near enough to the mix that we are happy.
I prefer this with whipped cream, but have not found a dairy free alternative that I like.
Egg Nog
At a Christmas party this year, one of my children tried store bought egg nog. He was so disappointed that it was nothing like this recipe that Allan has been making us for years. He was sure to request that Daddy make some “real” egg nog soon.
I know that some people prefer alcohol in egg nog, but I think it is non essential! Using freshly grated nutmeg is the best, but use powder if that is what you have.
If you are concerned about eating raw eggs, either buy pasteurized eggs, or look online on how to make them yourself.
Chocolate Chip, Cherry, Walnut Bagels
While living in Slovakia, Allan was gone many nights. Often I would go to the office with him, play on the computer a little and just be lazy while he worked in the other room. I found a few bagel recipes that were good, but this is my favorite.
Hot Chocolate Mix
Momma used to make this mix for us in her extra large yellow popcorn bowl. I never got the recipe from her. Many years later, Allan’s Mom gave me this recipe. I made sure to pass this recipe to my children 😉
The recipe card is the original recipe but for a smaller batch. However, the printable recipe has been adjusted for our personal tastes.
Homemade Kahlua
Kahlua is a coffee flavored liqueur that is used in tiramisu. I am sure that it is used in many other recipes, but tiramisu is our favorite way to use it.
“Rotten Tea”
Many years ago, my friend Charlotte, shared this tea with me on the way to school. I thought it was great and she gave me the recipe for “friendship tea.” I made it a few times and forgot about it.
Years later, I was given the recipe for “Russian Tea” from Mom McGuire. We played with the recipe and made it in a variety of ways. Adrian has always enjoyed it. He thought it was called “Rotten Tea” and that is what we call it at home more often than not.
Ginger Beer Concentrate
I never had ginger beer until we lived in Swaziland. It was a great drink for hot days, but we did not make it often. The recipe our friend gave us was very good but required the mix to ferment a few days before drinking. We rarely planned far enough ahead, or we let it sit too long, so enjoying ginger beer was rare.
Then we discovered this recipe. We often make extra base to freeze. It defrosts quickly and is a nice beverage to enjoy on lazy summer days.
We prefer this with sugar, but it also tastes good with raw honey.
Another version that we enjoy is replace the water with very strong peppermint tea that has been cooled and strained.