We experimented with the mix recipe, then Megan made her “famous” iced chai. This is good hot, but it is very good iced.
Powdered Chai Mix (with Hot or Iced Chai Options)
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.
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.
Mango Lassi
I can not remember the first time we bought the kids mango lassies at a restaurant. I think they were little and we were heading home from vacation. Everyone was tired and hungry and Allan decided to treat us to an Indian restaurant. The three (at the time) children loved Indian food, but because they were all so tired, they were only interested in the mango lassies Allan ordered for them.
The first time Andrea made this recipe, a few years later, she did not realize that she needed to peel the mangoes before blending. It was not the best lassi she has ever made, but it is the most remembered.
Since she first copied this recipe in Sept 2012, Andrea has experimented and changed it slightly depending on what ingredients we had and what flavor she wanted. This however, is still her favorite combination.
Baby Eskimo
Very good, light drink. Great if you do not want a strong alcohol taste. Very rich.