Recipe: Christmas Burgundy Sangria

 'Tis the night before Christmas, and all through the house, you and your guests are craving a glass of something sweet but without too many carbs.... This makes a great holiday beverage for Christmas Eve and tomorrow's festivities as well! Fresh juices keep it light, and the citrus flavors bring out the Christmas spirit in everyone - plus it's a beautiful drink that looks very festive in your glass!

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Christmas Burgundy Sangria
(Serves 4.)

Ingredients:

2 cups Burgundy wine
2 cups seltzer water
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 lemon, washed and sliced in thin circles
1 lime, washed and sliced in thin circles
1/4 to 1/2 cup stevia (more or less for taste)

Directions:

• In a large bowl or pitcher, put all the ingredients and chill in refrigerator.
• When ready to serve, pour over ice in tall glasses.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Holiday Recipe: Kitchen Kahlua

Want to save money and impress your holiday guests this season? At your next holiday cocktail party, whip out a bottle of your own home-made Kahlua!  Not only is it a whole lot cheaper than purchasing it, but it's surprisingly easy to make. Just get it going this week if you want it to be ready for your New Year's Eve bash, as it does take a few weeks.

This is also a great frugal gift idea! Just put it in a nice bottle and tie a ribbon around it for a unique and tasty home-made gift.

Kitchen Kahlua
(Makes just over 1 quart.)

Ingredients:

Roasted coffee beans. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1 bottle (750 ml) vodka
1 1/4 cups rum
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 lb whole coffee beans
1 vanilla bean

Directions:

• Put all ingredients in a large glass bottle (save one of those double size wine bottles with the twist off cap.)
• Put a piece of food wrap plastic over the lip of the bottle, screw on the cap over the plastic until sealed tightly.  Shake gently to combine ingredients.  Don't over shake!
• Put a label on the bottle and date it.  
• Put the bottle in a dark, cool place and leave for at least 3 weeks. 
• Give the bottle a gentle shake a few times each week.
• After the 3 weeks, open the bottle, discard the plastic wrap, and pour through a fine metal sieve lined with cheesecloth into a glass bowl to strain out stuff.
• Pour finished product into clean glass bottles, seal well, and store in dark, cool place.
• If you don't have a big glass wine bottle, choose any good glass containers with an airtight lid, even a couple canning jars.
• Keep in a dark, cool place.

Fall Recipe: Orchard Apple Martini

While fall is a great time for cooking, don't forget about the beverages! This adult beverage mixes the flavors of fall for a simple, delicious cocktail perfect for an evening by the fire. For a virgin version, leave out the vodka and schnapps, and add a splash of sparkling water or sparkling apple juice for a pretty and special-occasion drink the kids can enjoy!

I have a new juicer that I absolutely love, and have been making apple juice with it regularly - it's the best apple juice I've ever tasted!  You just can't beat fresh - so use fresh apple juice if you can.

Orchard Apple Martini
(Serves 1.)

Ingredients:

2 oz. apple vodka
2 oz. apple juice
1/2 oz. apple schnapps
1/2 oz. pomegranate juice

Directions:

• Fill a shaker with ice, add ingredients, shake vigorously, pour into a chilled martini glass.
• Garnish with a crescent cut out of a red apple or with a curl of apple peel.
• Enjoy responsibly!

This makes amazing juice!