Beverages

(Organic!) Homemade Irish Cream

St Patrick’s Day is coming!  In my youth, I was an Irish dancer and spent the holiday traveling from bar to bar, dropping into bed exhausted. Now that I’m older, I plan to spend the evening more simply, reading by the fire with a glass of Irish Cream.  (After driving the kids from event to … Continue reading »

Make Your Own Chocolate Syrup: No High Fructose Corn Syrup!

  I made an interesting discovery last Thanksgiving.  You can bake the most beautiful pies in the world and the kids will go for the ice cream–the “a la mode”, sans pie.  I can still see the delighted small bodies bent over the gallon tub, digging up scoops, followed by mock battles over the spray … Continue reading »

Warm Your New Year with Hot Buttered Rum

There is a soft spot in my heart for hot toddies, the classic winter beverage that blends sweet, smooth and soothing in a single warm gulp.  When winter freezes your breath and numbs your toes, it is only right to defrost by a fire, then get warm on the inside too. On New Year’s Eve … Continue reading »

Coffee for a Better Tomorrow

Every morning, my husband brings me coffee in bed.  He tiptoes in and leaves a steaming mug on the nightstand. I catch the rich aroma first, then ease upright for a first warm sip.  When I step out of bed I have a better outlook on life—and  have gotten a healthy dose of anti-oxidants. Coffee … Continue reading »

Hot Spiced Cider

Hot apple cider is almost synonymous with autumn.  My earliest memories center around an outdoor fall festival in Sister Bay, WI, strolling packed streets in anticipation of falling ping pong balls (dropped from helicopter) and vendors selling harvest wares.  As your breath steamed and you silently thanked Mom for mandating gloves, you’d be lucky to … Continue reading »

Hot Toddy Time: Spiked Cocoa

Hot Toddy (n.) a mixed drink, usually including alcohol, that is served hot. Wikipedia adds that “hot toddies (such as mulled cider) are traditionally drunk before going to bed, or in wet or cold weather. They were believed to help cure the cold and flu, but the American Lung Association now recommends avoiding treating the … Continue reading »

“L” my Recipe is Lime Cranberry Fizz … (and I’m Going on a Picnic!)

Louise from Months of Edible Celebrations has organized a picnic and I’m invited!  Do you remember the old children’s alphabet game?  The one I used to play goes like this: “A my name is Alice, I live in Atlanta, my husband is an Architect and I love to eat Artichokes.”  The next person takes “B” and … Continue reading »

Low Calorie Summer Beverages: Iced Russian Tea

I have never been an iced tea lover.  Forced into trying it–through thirst or politeness–it seemed either cloyingly sweet or tongue-bitingly bitter.  But in my quest for alternatives to Diet Coke, iced teas are simply too big to ignore.  Even better, tea has been linked to a number of health benefits from delivering a healthy dose … Continue reading »

Lo-Cal Summer Beverages: Homemade Lemonade

I spent years as a Diet Coke Addict. In the early days, I had many food vices, but as coffee, wine and chocolate became healthy, it was all I had left. Now even that is gone; you see… I have given it up. Trouble is, I still relish the flavor. I know how the ex-smoker … Continue reading »

The Last of the Winter Wine

Scandinavian Vodka Cider

This hot cider recipe comes from the PBS Series New Scandinavian Cooking where they prepare food outdoors in every beautiful season. A great winter warm-up that honors the land! Continue reading »