Midterms, homework and studying have you down and in need of some refreshment? Look no further than these five drinks specifically crafted for the fall. Perfect for any occasion, these drinks are sure to make your stomach smile.
1. Autumn Punch
Fresh-sliced plums garnish a blend of apple-cranberry juice and sweet white wine.
Prep: 20 minutes
Chill: Four hours
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons whole cloves
1/2 of a vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 64 ounce bottle of apple-cranberry juice
4 medium purple and/or green plums, pitted and sliced
1 750 mililiter bottle of any fruity white wine
Ice Cubes
Directions:
1. Place cloves and vanilla bean in center of a double-thick 6-inch square of 100-percent-cotton cheesecloth. Bring corners of cloth together; tie closed with clean string. Pour apple-cranberry juice into a large container or pitcher. Add plums and spice bag. Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours.
2. Remove and discard cheesecloth bag. Stir in wine. Serve beverage and plum slices over ice. (Or omit the ice and heat the juice mixture and wine in a 4-quart Dutch oven until hot. Serve in heatproof mugs.) Makes 10 to 12 servings.
2. Sparkling Cranberry Rose
A fizzy blend of sugar cubes, cranberry juice, and rose wine.
Start to finish: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
8 sugar cubes
1 cup of cranberry juice
1 750 mililiter bottle sparkling rose wine, champagne, or sparkling white grape juice
Fresh cranberries (optional)
Directions:
1. Place one sugar cube in the bottom of 8 to 10 chilled champagne flutes or other tall, narrow glasses. Pour 2 tablespoons cranberry juice into each glass.
2. Fill each glass with sparkling rose wine or champagne. If desired, place a wooden skewer of fresh cranberries in each glass. Makes 8 to 10 servings.
3. Hot Apple Pie
A warm blend of apple cider, cinnamon, and Tuaca liqueur.
Ingredients:
2 ounces of Tuaca Liqueur
Hot apple cider
Whipped cream
Cinnamon stick for garnish
Directions:
1. Pour Tuaca in an Irish coffee glass.
2. Fill glass with hot apple cider.
3. Top with whipped cream.
4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
4. Pumpkin Martini
A little twist on the traditional pumpkin- found in a martini glass!
Ingredients:
1/2 ounce of cream liqueur
2 ounces of vanilla vodka
1/2 ounce of pumpkin liqueur or pumpkin spice syrup
1 tsp whipped cream (optional)
Cinnamon stick for garnish
Directions:
1. Pour the cream liqueur and vodka into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well.
3. Add the pumpkin liqueur or syrup.
4. Shake again.
5. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
6. Top with a teaspoon of whipped cream.
7. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
5. Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
A delicious mixture of everyone’s two favorite guilty pleasures… Chocolate and peanut butter!
Ingredients:
1 cup of powder chocolate milk mix or powder cocoa mix
8 cups of hot water
3/4 cup of chocolate syrup
1/4 cup of peanut butter
1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla
Directions:
1. Pour cocoa mix in a 3-4 quart slow cooker.
2. Carefully stir in hot water.
3. Stir in chocolate syrup.
4. Cover and cook on low heat for 3-4 hours or on high for 90 minutes to 2 hours.
5. Whisk in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth.
6. Ladle cocoa into mugs. Serves nine.