Pine Apples

With countless opportunities to throw a party or entertain friends and family (holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, engagements, baby showers, etc.) it is a good idea to have a selection of drink recipes on hand for any occasion. Alcoholic beverages are always popular, but it is a smart idea to have some non-alcoholic choices on hand as well; for any under-agers, non-drinkers, or pregnant parties. The following recipes always leave you with the option to add alcohol of your choice as well, which make them versatile!

Raspberry Mint Crush

2 cups sugar
2 cups boiling water
1 cup red raspberries
1 bunch of mint
2 cups lime juice

Dissolve sugar in hot water and chill; add berries, crushed with mint and lime juice, and chill 2 to 3 hours in refrigerator. Strain and pour over cracked ice in small glasses and serve with additional mint leaves. This recipe makes enough for 12 small glasses. A fun idea would be to purchase beverage coasters in coaster sets that have pink or magenta colors on them to match the drink. Green edgings on the coasters would add to the visual.

Planters Punch

2 cups orange juice
2 cups lemon juice
2 cups grenadine
3 quarts ginger ale
Rum flavoring (to taste)
Strawberries and sliced pineapple for garnishing
Mint leaves for garnishing

Mix juices, grenadine, and rum flavoring and chill 12 hours or overnight. Add ginger ale just before serving over ice. Garnish with strawberries, pineapple, and mint leaves. Makes enough for approximately 60 servings, depending on the size of the drink glasses you choose to serve the drinks in.

Lime Rickey

Juice of 1 large lime
1 teaspoon sugar
Club soda

Stir lime juice and sugar together in an 8-ounce glass, add 2 large ice cubes, fill glass with club soda and stir again. Garnish with slices of lime. This drink looks great with matching green cocktail napkins, lime-colored absorbent coasters, and even colored plastic cocktail glasses.

Grape Juice Lime Rickey

Juice of 1 small lime
2 ounces grape juice
1 teaspoon sugar
Club soda

Stir together in an 8-ounce glass, add 2 large ice cubes, fill the glass with club soda, stir again, and serve with stirring rod.

Kumquat Rickey

Juice of 3 kumquats
1 teaspoon sugar
Club soda

Stir kumquat juice with sugar in an 8-ounce glass. Add 2 large ice cubes, and the shell of half a squeezed kumquat. Fill glass with club soda and stir again. Serve garnished with mint leaves.

Grape Juice Fix

8 parts grape juice
2 parts lemon juice
1 part pineapple syrup

Mix ingredients and serve in tall glass over cracked ice. Garnish with mint leaves.

Pineapple Daisy
1 part grenadine
2 parts lime or lemon juice
8 parts pineapple juice

Mix ingredients and pour into goblet over cracked ice. Serve decorated with pineapple sticks and fresh strawberries, if available. If you can find specialty drink glasses, table coasters, or cocktail napkins decorated with images of fruit (lemons, oranges, limes, pineapples) it will add to the visual appeal!

Raspberry Daisy

1 part Grenadine
2 parts lemon juice
8 parts raspberry syrup

Mix ingredients and pour into prepared goblet over cracked ice. Float whole fresh raspberries in this drink for an effective party-like look.

Dummy Daisy

1 part Grenadine
2 parts lemon or lime juice
8 parts orange juice

Mix and pour into prepared goblet and stir with cracked ice. Decorate with orange slices and a sprig of mint for gala occasions.

Mint Cooler

Crush 1 or 2 sprigs of mint with 1 or 2 teaspoonfuls sugar in the bottom of the glass, add the ice, decorate with lemon peel, and fill glass with ginger ale.

Lone Tree Cooler

Juice of 1 lemon and ½ an orange with 1 ounce grenadine. Fill up with club soda.

Spicy Coffee Cooler

15 whole cloves
2 sticks cinnamon
½ cup ground coffee
7 cups boiling or cold water
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
Cinnamon

Add cloves, cinnamon and coffee to water and brew as usual; strain and add powdered sugar. Pour into tall glasses half filled with crushed ice; top with sweetened cream and dust with cinnamon. These measurements serve enough for approximately 6 people.

Allison Ryan is a freelance marketing writer from San Diego, CA. She specializes in entertaining, party planning, and food and drink recipes. For coaster sets and absorbent coasters to give as gifts, as well as sandstone table coasters, stop by http://www.thirstycoasters.com/, Allison' s favorite site for interior design items for home and office!

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