Breakfast Sangria - Weekend Recipe

For Dry January I took a typical Sangria recipe and made it into the perfect alcohol-free item to serve at a brunch.  It goes well with breakfast food and sandwiches.

This is light, bright and perfect for the morning.  It is a good make ahead beverage for entertaining. The sprigs of herbs can be removed before serving so as not to clutter the beverage.

Breakfast Sangria (makes 4 to 6 servings)

• 1 pink grapefruit
• 1 navel orange
• 2 limes
• 2 sprigs lemon balm or 1/8 cup Lemon verbena leaves.
• 3 to 4 sprigs lemon thyme
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 750 ml bottle of TOST (a sparkling alcohol alternative made with white tea, cranberry and ginger)
• 12 to 24 ounces plain or grapefruit flavored sparkling water.

Slice the citrus fruit into half moons.  Mix with the orange juice in a pitcher that holds at least 2 quarts.   Add herb sprigs, fresh is best, but dry is fine depending on season. Mix in the Tost and cover the pitcher tightly with plastic wrap.  Chill overnight or at least 8 hours before serving.

When ready to serve, remove the herbs, top off the pitcher with sparkling water and serve with lime or orange wedges.

 

 

Dry January Treats - Winter Mocktail Punch

I love Mocktails.  I do a program on making mocktails and I enjoy them in my entertaining. The key to a good Mocktail is creating a rich selection of flavors that will give you the richness of alcohol without the alcohol.

The key for this Mocktail Punch is to make your own grenadine.  Generally grenadine is just a colored sugar water when you buy the store bought stuff.  Some companies will make it with lemon juice and the original pomegranate juice (which is how it got the name, as grenade is pomegranate in French.). But a homemade grenadine can have so much more depth of flavor as you use pomegranate juice and lemon balm.

To do that you need: 

1 cup Pomegranate juice

1 cup sugar/honey

1 cup fresh or 1/2 cup dried lemon balm

dash of lemon juice

Warm the pomegranate juice in a saucepan and add 1 cup sugar or honey and stir until dissolved.  Then add the lemon balm stir until combined.  Remove from heat add a squeeze of  lemon juice and allow to cool to room temperature before straining out the lemon balm. Bottle and use within 2 weeks and keep refrigerated.

Winter Mocktail Punch

2 cups apple cider

1 cup sprite or 7up

2 Tbls handmade pom-grenadine

Combine apple cider and pom-grenadine with ice in a shaker and shake 30 seconds to chill.  Then add chilled Sprite or 7UP.  Top off with a few skewered cranberries or sliced apples.

Make it a bit more fun by stirring in a couple spoonfuls of raspberry syrup to make it more like a wintertime party punch.

Comfort from the Cold Bath - Bath Blend of the Month

 Each month we showcase a bath blend to make at home.  This month I thought something to soothe cold symptoms might be in order. I originally shared this for Advent 2020 on Facebook and thought it would be a good reshare.

The lavender will have antiseptic as well as soothing properties, the rosemary and ginger are warming and germ fighting and the eucalyptus has antioxidant properties as well containing ceramides which are great for dry skin.

Comfort from the Cold Bath

2 tablespoons dried lavender flowers and leaves

2 tablespoons dried rosemary leaves

1 tablespoon dried gingerroot powder

2 tablespoons dried eucalyptus leaves

Mix together dried herbs. Place them inside a square of natural fabric or a metal tea ball. Secure your bundle by tying the ends with a bit of sting.

To use : Hang the herb bag under your water tap. Fill the tub with warm (not too hot) water, letting the water flow through the herbs. Get in the bath, squeeze out your herb bag and place it behind your neck as you bathe. You also may use it to scrub your body with a bit of soap.