Homemade Rootbeer

1 bottle McCormick rootbeer extract
5 pounds sugar
5 gallons water
5 pounds dry ice

Mix water, sugar, and extract
Add dry ice--do not cover! Let brew for about 20 min.

Party Slush

Blend:

1 cup sugar

4 cups hot water

3 oz. lime jello pkg.

Dissolve.

Add 1 can pineapple juice and juice from 3 lemons.

Freeze, then chop up and serve with Sprite.

Tip: When I make this, I freeze it in gallon size plastic bags. This makes it easy to break up. I also double the recipe and can take out only as many gallon bags as I need, so I will always have a nice drink mix on hand in the freezer.

Cucumber Limeade

3 cans limeade concentrate
crystal light lemonade powder ( 2 quart package)--I just used a lemonade Koolaid packet
1 liter sugar free sprite, 7-up
2 quarts water
1 cucumber, cut into slices, leave skin on
3 limes, cut into slices
1/2 bag ice

From here

Almond Punch

I made this yesterday for our Easter lunch, and it was so easy and delicious.

Almond punch:

1 can orange juice concentrate

1 can pineapple juice

2 liter sprite

2 T. almond extract

lots of ice

Here's Ann's version:

1 (6 0z.) frozen lemonade concentrate

1 1/2 c. sugar

10 c. water

1 (6 oz.) frozen orange juice

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. almond extract

1 qt. Sprite

Mix all together. Makes 1 gallon.

Penny's Smoothies

Blend together:

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1/2 frozen banana, sliced

4 large frozen strawberries

1 cup pineapple juice

2 T. vanilla yogurt

1 scoop protein powder (vanilla flavored)

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Then add:

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1 T. Honey

ice

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Re-blend and serve

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I got this recipe from Penny S. We made them tonight for our Family Night treats. The kids call them "slushie drinks." They are a yummy, healthy treat. Also a filling drink to have for summer breakfasts.

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(A tip that I got from Penny: cut your bananas up into slices, put them in a plastic baggie, then put them in the freezer. Then you have them ready to pop into your smoothies every time you make them. This really comes in handy if you made them often. She also mentioned you could throw in some almonds. Ginger adds a scoop of oatmeal to hers.)

Cranberry/Lemonade Slushie Drink

1 pkg. raspberry gelatin
1 c. boiling water
2 c. cold water
2 c. cranberry juice
1 12 oz. frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 12 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

1 liter Sprite

In a large bowl (or large pitcher), dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Stir in cold water, cranberry juice, and both concentrates. Pour into 2 1/2 qt. tupperware container and freeze overnight. Remove 2 hours before serving. Fill glasses 2/3 c. full, and fill remainder with Sprite.

Vanilla Lemonade

1 can limeade
1 2-litre sprite
1/4 cup vanilla syrup (this is not the same thing as vanilla extract, it is found in the section of the grocery store for specialty drinks)

Mint Julips

Mint Julep

A 10-ounce glass filled with crushed ice
4 fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons mint simple syrup (recipe below)
Ginger Ale (in place of the KY bourbon of course)
1 small cocktail straw to stir drink

Place 2 tablespoons of mint simple syrup and a tall spring of mint into a 10-ounce glass. Press the mint leaves into the glass using the back of a spoon to release the flavor. Fill the glass with crushed ice, and add ginger ale.

Mint Simple Syrup

2 cups water
2 cups sugar
8 sprigs of fresh mint
Add sugar to boiling water. Continue to boil for about five minutes, or until sugar dissolves; do not stir.
Place 8 sprigs of mint in an airtight, plastic container, and pour the sugar-and-water mixture over the mint. Refrigerate.

When we were living in KY we bought a bunch of these souvenir mint julip glasses. I fondly remember the derby parties that we used to have with our ward. We made "mormon mint julips" and wore our derby hats and had a great time. I always thought I'd have a KY derby party every year after we graduated and moved back to Utah, but it hasn't happened yet. I have made these mint julips many times though!

I grow mint in my herb garden on the side of the house for this very purpose!

Jumbleberry Smoothies

1 c. mixed frozen or fresh berries
1 or 1 1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. sugar
2-3 c. low fat vanilla frozen yogurt.

Add berries to the bottom of the blender. Pour milk over the top and blend together. Add sugar and frozen yogurt. Blend until smooth. You can add more or less milk and frozen yogurt depending on the amount and consistency that you want.