Peach-Orange Smoothie (Mel's Kitchen Cafe)

2 c fresh orange juice (or good-quality store-bought)


1 c peach yogurt


2 c frozen sliced peaches


2 Tbsp honey


¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

My smoothie turned out much thicker than the beautiful one pictured on Mel's Kitchen Cafe. I would call mine "luxuriously smooth and thick," though. I loved it! I left out the nutmeg at first, and sprinkled a bit in later. I liked it both ways. I don't think it's necessary to measure out the ingredients. Just using this combination of ingredients makes for a great smoothie! 

Peach Slushi (Julie Lloyd)

3 c water

2 c sugar

½ c lemon juice or juice of 3 lemons

20 oz can crushed pineapple

3 c mashed peaches (~7 peaches)

Sprite or 7-Up (¼-½ c per serving)

Bring water and sugar to a boil to dissolve the sugar. Pour lemon juice, pineapple and peaches into a large blender.* Add sugar syrup. Blend well. Pour into quart Ziploc bags (~3-4 c per bag). Freeze. Bring out of freezer about an hour before the meal to soften it (don’t want it rock-hard). Mash with a potato masher or re-blend. Add Sprite or 7-Up. Stir.

*The original recipe stirred the lemon, pineapple and peaches into the sugar syrup. Frozen portions were divided into bowls, Sprite poured on top, and served with a spoon. My family liked the blended version better.

Witch's Brew (Homemade Root Beer)

I like to use a large canning pot for this witch's brew - it adds to the effect. The kids love the dry ice! Wait to add the dry ice until your audience is ready. It doesn't last very long.

1½ gallons water

4 c sugar

1 oz (½ bottle) root beer extract Brand Name

5 # dry ice (lasted 30 min)

Stir ingredients together. Be careful not to get dry ice cubes in cups.

Mom’s old recipe:

For 5 gallons of drink:

5 pounds granulated sugar

5 gallons water

1 bottle root beer extract (2 fl oz / 1/3 c)

5 pounds dry ice (approximate)

For 1 gallon of drink:

2 c granulated sugar

1 gallon water

1 Tbsp root beer extract

1 pound dry ice (approximate)

Treats: Freeze plastic spiders in ice cubes with orange pop.

Orange or Grape Julius (Julie Freeman)

1.5 c orange juice or grape juice concentrate (12 oz)
2 c water
2 c milk
2 tsp vanilla
1 c sugar
20-24 ice cubes

Blend all ingredients in blender on high 1-2 min.

Sparkling Cider ("Mormon Champagne")

2 quarts apple cider

2 c cranberry juice (or a mixture of fruit juice including cranberry)

2 quarts ginger ale

Mix, chill and serve.

Wassail (Martha Gourley)

This is by far my favorite Wassail recipe. It's a winner every time!

Mix and boil for 15 minutes:

5 quarts water

4 c sugar

3 cinnamon sticks

1 tsp whole cloves

Add:

1-46 fl oz can pineapple juice

6 oz can orange juice concentrate (don’t add water)

1 c + 2 Tbsp lemon juice (fresh or from jar)

Serve hot ...yummy!

Apple-Berry Slushy (Nancy Giles)

1 can apple juice concentrate

1 c frozen strawberries

1 c milk

3 c ice

Blend in a blender. Serve cold.

Fruit Smoothies

Frozen or fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, mango, bananas, etc.)

Pineapple juice (best) or OJ

1-2 scoops ice cream*

Fill blender a little more than half full of frozen fruit. Add juice until it reaches about 2” from top. Blend. Add ice cream to taste. Serve.

*Add wheat grass for extra nutrition!

Quick Lemonade

This is a great beverage, especially when you are in a rush for something tasty, but don't have canned juice to drink.

6½ c water

1 c sugar

1 c lemon juice

If you have real lemons, try this recipe from Simplyrecipes.com:

Perfect Lemonade