1 qt boiling water
8 tea bags
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
1 1/2 cups sugar (less, if desired)
6 oz frozen lemonade
6 oz frozen limeade
3/4 cup orange juice
3 qts cold water

pour boiling water over the tea bags and mint. cover & let steep for 30 minutes. discard the tea bags. add the sugar & the next four ingredients. pour the tea through a strainer and chill.

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
6 1/2 cups hot water
mini marshmallows (optional)

in a large saucepan, combine sweetened condensed milk, cocoa, vanilla & salt; mix well. over medium heat, slowly stir in water; heat through, stirring ocasionally. DO NOT BOIL! top with marshmallows, if desired.

makes 2 qts

1 stick unsalted butter, softened
2 cups light brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
pinch of ground cloves
pinch of salt
bottle of dark rum
boiling water

in a bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves & salt. refrigerate until almost firm. spoon about 2 tbs of the mixture into 12 small mugs. pour about 3 oz of rum into each mug (filling about halfway). top with boiling water (to fill remaining half). stir well & serve immediately.

10-12 servings

1 apple
2 tsp whole cloves
1 orange, thinly sliced
2 qts apple cider
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp allspice
pinch of grated nutmeg
1 cup dark rum
cinnamon sticks, for garnish

stud the apple with cloves. in a medium pot, combine the studded apple and remaining ingredients except the rum. slowly bring to a simmer over low heat. simmer for 10 minutes.  remove from the heat and add the rum. discard the apple, ladle into mugs and garnish each with a cinnamon stick. serve immediately.

4 oz champagne
1 oz cranberry juice
whole cranberries, for garnish
mint leaves, for garnish

combine champagne and cranberry juice in a champagne flute. drop a few whole cranberries in the glass and garnish with mint leaves.

1/4 cup vodka
1/4 cup champagne
1/2 cup cranberry juice
crushed ice
2 strips orange zest, each about 1/4″ wide & 2″ long

combine the vodka, champagne and juice in a large-stemmed wine glass. add crushed ice and stir until the mixture is well chilled. twist the orange strips  over the glass, drop them in, and serve.

1 1/2 oz vodka
3/4 oz peach schnapps
3/4 oz cranberry juice cocktail
lime wedge, for garnish (optional)

fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. add the vodka, peach schnapps & cranberry juice cocktail. shake well, then strain into a cocktail glass. garnish with lime, if desired.

1 1/2 oz strawberry-flavored vodka
chilled lemon-lime soda
1/2 oz cranberry juice cocktail
strawberry, for garnish (optional)

fill a highball glass 3/4 of the way with ice. add the vodka, then fill the glass almost to the top with soda. add the cranberry juice cocktail & stir. garnish with a strawberry if desired.