Strawberry Punch

Photo courtesy of the Cooking Corner.

     During my graduation party travels I came upon a strawberry punch that was just delightful. I've had the standard orange sherbet punch and liked it better when the recipe was upgraded to raspberry, but I've never had a strawberry punch. I'm a huge fan of strawberry anything so this was a treat.
     Since we had a wedding in the family coming up within days, I asked the proud momma of the grad to share her recipe. I thought it would be perfect for the happy occasion. This is just too good of a party staple not to share. It will be perfect for the baby and bridal showers coming up as well as a nice thought for an Independence Day party punch.

Strawberry Punch
Recipe courtesy Lisa Young,
Princeton, IN

5 bananas
3 cups water
2-3 cups sugar
2 cans frozen orange juice concentrate
1 can frozen lemonade concentrate
1-46 oz. can pineapple juice
1 qt. strawberries, blended
6 bottles lemon/lime soda
few drops of red food coloring, optional

Mash 5 bananas with 3 cups of water and 2-3 cups of sugar in a blender. In a bowl mix 2 cans frozen concentrate orange juice and 1 can frozen lemonade and pour into banana mixture. Stir in one can of pineapple juice. Add blended strawberries and food coloring, if using. 

Mix well and put in plastic containers with lids and freeze. Remove from freezer and let set out to thaw slightly before serving.

To serve, empty one frozen container and mix with 2 bottles of lemon-lime soda in a large punch bowl. Refill as needed. Makes 4 large punch bowls.

Homemade Frappacino

Photo courtesy of the Cooking Corner.

      Sometimes during the late afternoon I need a bit of a pick-me-up. Maybe it's a soda with caffeine or a cup of flavored coffee when it's chilly out. But a little boost is just what I need to finish out the day. 
     When it's nice, warm and sunny, I trade the hot stuff in for a Frappuccino or iced coffee to do the trick. Why make a trip to the store when you can do it at home? This is my version of how to "Do-It-Yourself."

Homemade Frappuccino
2.5 cups coffee
1/8 cup sugar
1/8 cup brown sugar
1/8 cup vanilla creamer
 
Make coffee.

Put both sugars in mason jar.

Pour hot coffee and creamer over top and stir until well blended.

Cover with lid and let cool. Refrigerate and serve over ice.

Serves 2-3.

Slippery Nipple Pudding Shots

Photo courtesy of the Cooking Corner.

     A while back the girls and I got together for a night of cards. We all bring a dish to share. Of the variety of dishes, the real star that night was a twist on the familiar Jell-O shot, only using pudding. One of the girls brought Mudslide, Slippery Nipple and Pistachio pudding shots. How creative! 
    These are made by mixing pudding, alcohol and Cool Whip. The combinations are almost limitless and very easy to make. If you have an upcoming party this might be something to think about.

Slippery Nipple Pudding Shots
1 small box (3.4 oz.) instant butterscotch pudding
3/4 cup milk
3 oz. Irish cream liqueur
3 oz. butterscotch schnapps
8 oz. Cool Whip

Combine cold milk and pudding in a medium bowl. Mix with an electric mixer or whisk until smooth. Blend in your choice of liquors.

Fold in the Cool Whip until thoroughly blended. 

Fill cups and chill.

Mudslide Pudding Shots

Photo courtesy of the Cooking Corner.

    After taking some time off for multiple activities, the girls and I finally got back together for a round of cards. We had all kinds of things to catch up on.
   Everyone always brings a dish, snack or appetizer of some kind to our card parties. The dish that was the real star of night was a twist on the familiar Jell-O shot, only using pudding. One of the girls brought Mudslide, Slippery Nipple and Pistachio pudding shots.
    These are made by combining pudding, alcohol and Cool Whip. The combinations are almost limitless and very easy to make. I've made Bailey's pudding shots before and it's like a tiny cup of light pudding with a very subtle kick. If you have an upcoming holiday party, this might be something to think about.

Mudslide Pudding Shots
1 small box (3.4 oz.) instant chocolate pudding
1 cup milk
3 oz. Irish cream liqueur
3 oz. Kahlua (coffee liqueur)
8 oz. Cool Whip

Combine cold milk and pudding in a medium bowl. Mix with an electric mixer or whisk until smooth. Blend in your choice of liquors. 

Fold in the Cool Whip until thoroughly blended. 

Fill cups and freeze for 1-2 hours. 

These are easy do-ahead dishes that can eaten frozen or thawed.

Bailey's Pudding Shots

Photo courtesy of the Cooking Corner.

      Looking to be the star of the party? Then try bringing these creamy little treats that are flavored with Irish cream and a touch of vodka. The chocolate pudding adds such a smooth texture that it makes them taste like chocolate mousse with a kick. They're creamy and delicious.

Bailey's Pudding Shots
1 small pkg. instant chocolate pudding
3/4 cup of milk

Easy ingredients.

1/4 cup of vanilla vodka 
1/2 cup of Bailey's Irish cream
8 oz. whipped topping

Mix pudding and milk with an electric mixer for a minute or two. Blend in alcohol slowly and mix well. With a spoon, slowly stir in whipped topping until well combined.

Spoon pudding mix into individual plastic shot glasses or serving cups with lids. 

Store in freezer.

These can be served frozen or at room temperature. However, they are easier to eat and very creamy at room temperature.

Makes 34 (of the shot glass size that I used).

Royal Peach Fizz

Photo courtesy of the Cooking Corner.

     One of my daughters introduced me to a drink called the Vegas Bomb. This is similar only it's topped with Sprite instead of Red Bull. I didn't want that big energy kick, just a little something to cut the sweet and add fizz. Also unlike a Vegas Bomb the liquids all just get mixed together and there's no little specials glass. It's a very tame version of a drink that's got a little kick but not too sweet. They can go down easy.

Royal Peach Fizz
1 shot Crown Royal
1 shot peach Shnapps
1 shot lemon lime soda (Sprite or 7 Up)

Combine all 3 liquids, mix and serve in chilled glass.

Serves 1.

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Kahlua Iced Coffee

Photo courtesy of the Cooking Corner.

    During warm, sunny afternoons I've found that an iced coffee hits the spot. It's cool, smooth and creamy. With the addition of Kahlua, this sweet flavored coffee is a personal treat.

Kahlua Iced Coffee
1 pkg. Hills Iced Coffee mix
6 oz. cold milk
1 shot Kahlua
3-4 ice cubes

Pour milk into glass and sprinkle in coffee mix. Stir well, until dissolved.

Add Kahlua, stir and add ice cubes.
Makes 1 serving.

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Texas Mudslide (or an Irish Mocha Crown)

Photos courtesy of the Cooking Corner.

  
    Mudslides have always been a favorite drink of mine. They are creamy with just a bit of bite. This version is made with classics, Kahlua, Baileys and Crown, to give a royal taste to the drink. They're easy to make and even easier to drink.

Texas Mudslide
1 oz. Crown Royal® Canadian whiskey
1 oz. Kahlua® coffee liqueur
1 oz. Baileys® Irish cream

Put ice in a shaker and pour all ingredients into the shaker. 
Shake vigorously and then strain into glass. 
This is more of a shot than sipping drink.

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Vanilla Baileys with Coffee Cubes

Photo courtesy of the Cooking Corner.

   If you're a fan of Irish cream and coffee, this drink is perfect for you. It's similar to a mudslide, but instead of a coffee liqueur, coffee cubes chill the drink. This is easy to make and can be adjusted to your taste. The coffee cubes save quite well.

Vanilla Baileys with Coffee Cubes
2-3 cups of coffee
1 oz. vanilla vodka
2 oz. Baileys Irish Cream

Pour coffee into ice cube trays and let freeze. Check in an hour or two. Remove iced coffee cubes and place in a plastic bag. Refreeze any leftovers.

Drop 2-3 cubes in an old-fashioned glass or other small glass, slightly bigger than a shot glass.

Pour vodka and Baileys over the top and stir slightly.

Sip and enjoy.

(There will be enough cubes for 4-6 drinks depending on size of glass and preference.)

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Bacon Bloody Mary

Photo courtesy of the Cooking Corner.

     As far as drinks go, the Bloody Mary has never been one of my favorites, probably because I'm not a fan of tomato juice, amped up or otherwise. You won't catch me adding tomato juice to any pot of chili either, ever. 
   But a few weeks ago, I did try a Bacon Bloody Mary, well, just because curiosity got the better of me. I must say it wasn't what I expected at all. This tasted more like a V-8 on steroids. The only downfall was that we couldn't find bacon flavored vodka so we tried to make our own. If we had strained out the bacon, this would've been fine. My friends suggested using the Bloody Mary mix as a base for some vegetable soup and that sounded like a perfect fit.

 Bacon Bloody Mary

Recipe courtesy Shannon West

Ingredients -

1 liter bold and spicy Bloody Mary mix 

3/4 cup vodka (bacon flavored if you can find it, if not add bacon below) 

1 pkg. real bacon bits

1 slice of bacon per glass for garnish

Preparation -

Mix all ingredients in large pitcher. Let sit in refrigerator until chilled (if you can). Strain out floaties and serve over ice. Makes 1 pitcher.

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Adult Vanilla Pepsi Float

Photo courtesy of the Cooking Corner.

     As a kid, floats were a special treat easily made at home. This adult version is no different. With just a few scoops of ice cream into a mix of vanilla vodka and soda, any adult can enjoy a childhood favorite kicked up. There are a variety of flavor options, cherry soda, root beer and coffee. What a quick and easy treat.

Adult Vanilla Pepsi Float
1 shot of vanilla vodka
1/2 can (12 oz.) Pepsi (or Coke)
2 heaping tablespoons of vanilla ice cream

Pour vodka into a tall frosted pilsner glass.
Slowly add soda to fill half of glass. Mix with tall spoon.
Gently scoop ice cream into glass. 

Scoop ice cream through liquid with tall spoon and eat. After a few minutes, stir ice cream with liquid and drink like a milk shake.

Refreshes one adult.

Adult Vanilla Coffee Float
1 shot of vanilla vodka
1/2 can (12 oz.) Pepsi (or Coke)
2 heaping tablespoons of vanilla ice cream
1/2 shot Kaluha 

Repeat directions above but adding Kaluha.

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Honey Jack Irish Coffee

Photo courtesy of the Cooking Corner.

     Late one afternoon, I thought an Irish coffee would be good, however there was no Irish whiskey in stock (surprise). After surveying the options, I decided to substitute some Honey Jack, a new version of Jack Daniels that was introduced to us by our Navy girl.
     I researched the makings of an Irish coffee and many included brown sugar, probably to offset true Irish whiskey, which will knock your socks off. In this case, with the sweetness of the Honey Jack, I'm not sure it's needed. However, this was a lovely warm drink that was a little sweet with quite a kick. The best way to drink "Jack" I'm thinking. 

Honey Jack Irish Coffee
1 cup of black coffee
1 tsp. brown sugar
1 shot of Jack Daniel's Honey Jack bourbon
1 heaping T. whipped topping

Coffee ingredients.

Make one cup of coffee to taste. 

Place brown sugar in bottom of coffee cup. 

Pour Honey Jack into cup and add coffee. Stir until sugar is dissolved. 

Top coffee with a scoop of whipped topping. Serve immediately.

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