Fun Drink Friday - Cherry Punch Cocktail for Mom's Brunch

Cherry Punch Cocktail

For those mom's having a get together or brunch as you send the little lovies back to the educational system after a long hot summer. Here's a cocktail that can be made with or without alcohol.

Ingredients:

1 bottle of sparkling white wine OR 1 liter of sparkling lemonade

1 bottle of cherry juice or nectar

1/2 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice

Freshly pitted cherries, for garnish

Directions:

Pour the ingredients into a tall pitcher and stir well. Pour the blended punch into a glass filled with ice, and then garnish with fresh cherries.

For added impact, freeze a few of the pitted cherries the night before and swap out the ice for the frozen cherries. This will also ensure that the punch does not become diluted.

Serves:

8

Save time on party planning by pitting the cherries the night before, and rather than making individual drinks, opt instead for a large pitcher for simple serving. (If cocktails are not on the menu, simply replace the sparkling white wine with sparkling lemonade for the same bubbly effect.)

Head on over to: Celebrations for the full "How to Host a Back to School Brunch for Mom's."

Fun Drink Friday - Watermelon Coolers (kid friendly)

Photo: Charles Schiller; Styling: Stephana Bottom

Watermelon Coolers

Pair the sweetness of frozen watermelon cubes with the spicy bite of ginger ale and the tart flavor of limeade for this refreshing, icy sipper.

Yield: Serves 8

Ingredients

• 8 cups seeded 1/2-inch watermelon cubes
• 2 cups chilled ginger ale
• 1/4 cup water
• 6 ounces frozen limeade concentrate

Preparation

1. Arrange watermelon cubes on a baking sheet. Freeze 30 minutes, or until solidly frozen. Working in batches, blend frozen watermelon, chilled ginger ale, 1/4 cup water and frozen limeade concentrate in a blender until smooth. Serve in chilled glasses.

I thought, why not an alcoholic free drink that the kiddos could enjoy as well. 

And found this yummy concoction over at:

My recipes . com

I love watermelon and think I'll be giving this cooler a try!!

Here's some nutritional info as well...

1. Nutritional Information

   Amount per serving

   • Calories: 133
   • Fat: 0.0g
   • Saturated fat: 0.0g
   • Protein: 1g
   • Carbohydrate: 34g
   • Fiber: 1g
   • Cholesterol: 0.0mg
   • Sodium: 12mg

Fun Drink Friday - Champagne Punch

Photo by New Mom Kate

Ingredients:

Servings:
20
Units: US | Metric
1 (12 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed (small can)
1 (12 ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed (small can)
1 (12 ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate, thawed (may use 1 small can pineapple juice concentrate, thawed)
1 (2 liter) bottle ginger ale, chilled
1 (2 liter) bottle champagne, chilled
Directions:

1
Mix the juice concentrates in punch bowl (do not add water).
2
Stir in the Gingerale then add the Champagne (do not stir after adding the champagne!)
3
** Note ** The large bottles of Gingerale and Champagne should be equal volumes (use 2 L. bottles).

I found this over on Food.com and thought it looked festive for the holiday season approaching, and if kiddies are attending, then leave out the champagne.

Have a great Friday all!!

Fun Drink Friday - Cranberry Tree

 Cranberry Tree

ingredients

• 1/2Cup chilled champagne
• 1/2Cup cranberry juice
• Fresh cranberries threaded on a skewer

directions

1.In a champagne glass combine chilled champagne and cranberry juice. Garnish with cranberry skewer. 

Makes 1 serving.

Best for: Evening cocktail parties
Start to finish: 2 minutes

Tip: To make this drink kid-friendly, add sparkling cider instead of wine.

Yummy little drink from Better Homes and Gardens.

Fun Drink Friday - Autumn Punch

Autumn Punch

       ingredients

• 2teaspoons whole cloves
• 1/2of a vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 164 ounce bottle apple-cranberry juice
• 4medium purple and/or green plums, pitted and sliced
• 1750 milliliter bottle Gewurztraminer, or other 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 Gewurztraminer. 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.

from the test kitchen*Nonalcoholic Option:

• Substitute two 12-ounce cans chilled ginger ale for the Gewurztraminer, and serve over ice.

nutrition facts (Autumn Punch)

• Servings Per Recipe 10,
 
• cal. (kcal) 180,
 
• carb. (g) 33,
 
• fiber (g) 1,
 
• pro. (g) 1,
 
• vit. A (IU) 243,
• vit. C (mg) 64,
 
• sodium (mg) 30,
 
• calcium (mg) 10,
 
• iron (mg) 0,
 
• Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Makes: 10 to 12 servings

Prep 20 minsChill 4 hrs

Yummy!! I found this little treat over at Better Homes and Gardens, under Festive Fall Drink Recipes.