This Pomegranate Party Punch recipe is easy and serves a crowd. Make an alcoholic version and non-alcoholic version this fall or winter!

This pomegranate party punch recipe is full of flavour and perfect for holidays. You can make versions which include alcohol or not. Or both so you have drinks for everyone.

Let me fill you in on a little secret. I'm can't drink alcohol. Not even a drop.

The reason I can't drink is because I have IBD and alcohol is a serious trigger for me.

Honestly, I haven't had a drink in years. I think I've had maybe 2 glasses in the last 30 years. It's just not worth it for me.

That said, I love making mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks when we host parties. That way I can partake with no side effects.

I'm going to be completely honest, this pomegranate party punch is super versatile. You can swap out ingredients easily, and adjust the sweetness based on your own taste.

So, today let's raise our glasses. Mine is filled with a non-alcoholic version of this drink.

Ingredient Notes:

• Soda or Wine - If you're making a non-alcoholic version of this party punch you can use any kind of clear soda or even sparkling water. But if you're making an alcoholic version of this holiday punch you can use any kind of wine, preferably a nice sparkling wine.
• Juice - Use pomegranate juice for this recipe. Pom juice is my personal favourite but I know it's expensive. Use whatever kind your prefer.
• Sugar - I used granulated sugar for this punch. You can make a sugar free version if you like.
• Oranges - Personally, I love using oranges in this recipe. You could also use lemons, limes, grapefruit, or any combination of them.
• Pomegranates - You can either buy fresh pomegranate and remove the arils yourself, or buy arils already removed. Most grocery stores sell fresh arils, as well as frozen pomegranate seeds.
• Ice - This is an optional ingredient. Some people like ice in their punch, some do not. That said, if you are using it be sure to add it right before serving.
• Garnish - I used fresh mint in my punch. Again, this is completely optional. Obviously if you hate mint then leave this one out.

How to Make Pomegranate Party Punch:

1. In a large pitcher, or punch bowl, mix the carbonated drink (or wine if making an alcoholic version) with the pomegranate juice, as well as the sugar. Add the sugar very slowly so it doesn't bubble over if it reacts to the carbonation in the soda. Then, stir until the sugar dissolves.
2. Next, add the orange slices and pomegranate arils. Then, mix again.
3. Right before serving add the ice, if desired.
4. Then, add the mint right before serving. Do not add it early as it will overwhelm the drink.
5. Finally, serve and sip!

How Much Punch Should You Make:

• This is very dependent on whether you are serving multiple drinks at your soiree. I always serve an alcoholic version, as well as a non-alcoholic version. That way I have lots of options.
• I usually plan on each person having one glass of punch per hour. So, if you have 10 guests for 4 hours you would estimate needing 40 servings. Then, I double that because let's be honest, it's better to have too much than not enough.
• That said, I also factor in if we're serving beer, pop, coffee, tea and water. Not everyone drinks and people love to have tons of options so I give them TONS of options.

How Much Alcohol Should You Use for Punch:

• Typically you would use two parts alcohol to three parts punch. Personally, I like to go a little light on the booze.
• Keep in mind you can always add more alcohol if it's a bit weak. Tasting it is key so you know how to adjust it for your guest.

Tips for Making Punch:

• Always err on the side of making more pomegranate party punch than you think you need.
• Be sure your punch bowl, pitcher, or beverage container is big enough.
• Also, make sure your serving vessel is easy to refill so you aren't busy fussing with it during your event.
• Use large blocks of ice if using a very large serving bowl. I've seen people use massive tubs for punch. If you're using something like that opt for blocks of ice.
• A really good tip I learned years ago is to use plastic containers to freeze ice before your parties. You can use margarine containers or takeout containers. We have a 2 L container that is used to store ice cream and it's perfect for freezing large blocks of ice.
• If you're serving different kinds of punch in smaller pitchers then you can use normal sized ice. Basically you scale your ice needs to your pitcher, glass or container.
• Use fresh garnishes. Fresh mint is lovely. Just don't add it too early. You can also buy edible flowers for cocktails. They look so pretty in drinks.
• You can buy glasses these days with chalkboard paint on them so you can write names on them. That way no one mixes up their drinks. I love that idea.
• Also, you can buy wine charms so everyone has their own little character. I dig that idea too because everyone can keep their charm as a little party gift.
• Lastly, don't over-serve people. Use common sense when hosting. Arrange for someone to be the designated driver. Keep the numbers handy for your local cab company or uber driver. Or have your friends or family crash at your place. Always use your noggin where alcohol is concerned.

More Cocktail Recipes:

• Easy Apple Sangria
• Strawberry Margaritas
• White Cosmopolitans by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Hot Buttered Chocolate Rum by Cookistry

More fall recipes:

• Maple Roasted Acorn Squash with Bacon
• How to Cook a Spatchcocked Turkey
• Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• How to Cook a Sirloin Roast

Places to stalk Cravings of a Lunatic

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Instagram ~ YouTube ~ Kiss My Smoke

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Pomegranate Party Punch

This Pomegranate Party Punch recipe is easy and serves a crowd. Make an alcoholic version and non-alcoholic version this fall or winter!

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword holiday punch, party punch, pomegranate party punch

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 176kcal

Equipment

• Glass Pitcher
• Wine Glasses

Ingredients

• 8 cups lemon-lime flavoured carbonated drink use sparking wine if making making an alcoholic version
• 1 ½ cups pomegranate juice
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 large oranges sliced thinly, use the middle slices, not the ends
• ½ cup pomegranate arils
• 4 cups ice
• Garnish: fresh mint

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• In a large bowl or pitcher mix the carbonated drink (or sparkling wine if making an alcohol-friendly version) with the pomegranate juice and sugar. Add sugar slowly if using carbonated drinks in case it bubbles up. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
• Add the orange slices and pomegranate arils. Mix again.
• Right before serving add the ice.
• At the last minute add the mint. It will over-power your drink if you add it too soon. Stir well.
• Serve with a big old pomegranate party punch loving smile!

Video

Notes

Originally posted January 19, 2014.

Nutrition

Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 34mg | Potassium: 207mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg

Thanks for visiting today!

If you’re looking for more cocktail recipes be sure to check out my recipe index. You can also find a lot more Christmas recipes as well.

Be sure to follow me on Pinterest while you’re here. I love pinning great recipes! Also, make sure you follow me on Instagram. It’s a great way to stay up to date with the blog.

Toodles! xx

The post Pomegranate Party Punch appeared first on Cravings of a Lunatic.

This Walker Blood Sangria is perfect for your next TWD viewing party, or to serve on Halloween! 

To tell the truth, I'm totally in love with this walker blood sangria!

Just because the world is ending and there are walkers everywhere doesn't mean you can't entertain in style. Am I right?

Lock the doors, turn out the lights and sip this fun sangria. A little wine, a little pomegranate juice and you've got a party!

Honestly, I've been watching old episodes like crazy. One of the perks of working from home is I can actually have the TV playing in the background while I work.

I'm on season two, yet again. The one where Rick and Shane fight.

Wait? They fight in every episode, don't they?

Okay, let's clarify. It's the one where they get in a fight, again, over whether to leave Randall at the school. I think this is the episode where I realized how much foreshadowing goes on in the show.

The scene where Shane sees himself in the window gets me every time. You know what's coming down the road. Which worries me for future episodes.

Everyone knows my favourite character is Daryl. There's something about the redneck with a heart of gold that just sucks you right into the story.

Seriously, I did not expect to get this hooked on a TV show. Honestly, I blame Daryl.

If you're going to have a cocktail, you're going to share it with Daryl. I know I would. And did. Or least I did in my head.

One day maybe I'll share a walker blood sangria with him for real. A girl has to dream.

Sangria Ingredients:

• Wine - I used Merlot for this recipe. You can, in fact, use any red wine. Just look for something that has s a rich, vibrant colour, as well as great flavour.
• Juice - Use pomegranate juice for this. Again, try to use a brand that is a vibrant red. Personally, I love POM Wonderful brand.
• Liqueur - For this recipe, I used Cointreau which is an orange liqueur. Any orange liqueur will do.
• Sparkling Water - This just gives it a nice bubbly effect. You could substitute any clear soda instead if you prefer. 7-Up or Sprite would also work.
• Ice - Add ice right before serving so you don't water down the drink. If serving in shot glasses omit the ice. If you want to get really creative you could use skeleton shaped molds or freeze pomegranate juice instead of water.
• Pomegranate Arils - These are optional, use them if serving this in a pitcher. It just looks nice. But obviously be careful so no one chokes on an aril and becomes a zombie.
• Oranges - Again, these are purely decorative if serving in a pitcher. Slice them thinly and toss them in with the ice and arils.

How to Make Walker Blood Sangria:

Just to clarify, I like to let mine sit in the fridge overnight after I make it. That said, if you are in a rush then give it at least 15 minutes.  Honestly, a couple of hours is the preferred amount of time so the flavours have time to meld.

• First, pour the wine into a pitcher then add the pomegranate juice and Cointreau. Give it a stir.
• Next, chill the sangria in the refrigerator to let the flavours meld overnight, if possible. Again, you can rush it but the sweet spot is actually 2 to 4 hours so the flavour really develops nicely.
• Then, remove from the fridge and add the sparkling water and ice as well. Stir well so everything mixes nicely.
• Lastly, serve for your TWD party or as a halloween sangria! You can serve it in shot glasses, a punch bowl or a pitcher.
• Now, if you're serving this drink for a holiday I suggest adding pomegranate arils and sliced oranges for added decoration.

How to Decorate Rims:

• Option 1: Pour some water, lemon juice, lime juice, corn syrup or honey into a wide mouth bowl. Then, dump some coloured sugar on a small plate. Dunk the shot glass rims in the liquid, then quickly dunk it in the sugar and spin it so it coats the rim evenly.
• Option 2: Use a sponge, popsicle stick or toothpick to apply corn syrup or honey to the shot glass rims. Pour sugar onto another small plate and dunk the shot glass rims into the sugar, spinning them so the sugar coats the rim evenly. 

How to Store Leftover Sangria:

You can store leftover sangria in an airtight container or bottle in the refrigerator for a couple of days. The key is making sure it's sealed and there is as little oxygen exposure as possible.

If you added fresh fruit to your sangria it will spoil faster. Try to use up sangria with fruit inside of it within a day.

You can also pour leftover sangria into ice cube molds and freeze it for later. This is a great way to reduce waste and you'll have tasty ice cubes for future cocktails.

Tips and Suggestions:

If you want to make your TWD or halloween cocktails extra spooky you can add things like plastic spiders. Just glue them to the outside of the shot glasses with a hot glue gun.

Another option is to make creepy ice cubes to add to the this spooky sangria. Ice molds come in all kinds of fun designs nowadays. Get a skull ice cube mold and get creative!

While this cocktail is for grown-ups, you can also make a non-alcoholic version for kids. Just omit the alcohol and add club soda instead.

Walker Blood Sangria Disclaimer:

• First of all, this event is a fun theme week hosted by myself and a friend.
• Secondly, it’s not sponsored or endorsed by TWD.
• Although if they see this feel free to “call us”.

Swing by my other Dead Eats Posts:

• How to Throw a Killer Walking Dead Party
• Carol’s Cookies
• Chocolate Weapons Bark
• Cinnamon Pecans
• Bloody Guts Dip
• Toilet Water Drink

Places to stalk Cravings of a Lunatic

Places to stalk Cravings of a Lunatic

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

Instagram ~ YouTube ~ Kiss My Smoke

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Walker Blood Sangria

This Walker Blood Sangria is a tasty pomegranate sangria that is perfect for Walking Dead viewing parties or Halloween.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword pomegranate sangria, walker blood sangria

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 12

Calories 112kcal

Author Kim Beaulieu

Equipment

• Tall Shot Glasses
• Glass Pitcher
• Wooden Spoon

Ingredients

• 25.4 ounces red wine I used Merlot
• 2 cups pomegranate juice
• ¼ cup Cointreau or any orange liqueur
• 2 cups sparkling water
• 2 cups ice if desired
• 1 cup pomegranate arils
• 2 medium oranges sliced

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Remember to allow your Sangria to rest for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, before serving!

• Pour the Merlot in a pitcher, add the pomegranate juice and the Cointreau, stir well.
• Put the mixture in the fridge for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight.
• Remove the mixture from the fridge and add the sparkling water. Stir well. Add ice if desired.
• If serving for a holiday that isn't Halloween or Walking Dead related I would add some pomegranate arils and sliced oranges for garnish.
• Serve with a big old Sangria loving smile!

Nutrition

Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 49IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg

Thanks for visiting today!

If you’re looking for more Halloween recipes be sure to check out my recipe index. You can also find a lot more drink recipes as well.

Be sure to follow me on Pinterest while you’re here. I love pinning great recipes! Also, make sure you follow me on Instagram. It’s a great way to stay up to date with the blog.

Toodles! xx

The post Walker Blood Sangria for Dead Eats: Recipes Inspired by The Walking Dead appeared first on Cravings of a Lunatic.

Apple Sangria is the perfect beverage for both casual gatherings and festive occasions, offering a taste of the orchard in every sip.

There is nothing better during the holidays than whipping up pretty cocktails for your friends and family. There are so many possibilities and limitless options when it comes to boozy drinks.

Any time I think of fall or winter beverages my mind immediately goes to apples. They just scream fall and winter to me. It's the perfect time of year to whip amazing apple beverages that are pretty and taste amazing.

I wanted to make a sangria that really popped with colour but still tasted like you were sipping on a heavenly drink while relaxing with your feet up on some tropical island. This one definitely met those expectations.

For this drink, I sliced up two kinds of apples, then added some citrus to help balance the drink. It worked perfectly. Not only did I apple orange slices, but I also added orange flavoured liqueur. It makes every drink pop.

If you're looking to make any drink stand out amongst all other drinks I highly suggest you invest in a bottle or two of Cointreau. I'm not even a big drinker but I know having that one hand is the key to amazing sips.

When you make this be sure to include the fresh fruit. After it chills the apple flavor melds wonderfully with the sweetness of the oranges. Honestly, the fall flavors of this drink will blow your mind.

This apple sangria would be perfect to serve for Thanksgiving, or over the holiday season. Your family and friends will lvoe it!

You can also see this Easy Apple Sangria on Food Fanatic. I used to contribute to the site as their chocolate fanatic.

Ingredients:

• Wine - I used white wine for my sangria. It's my preferred wine to pair with apples. You can use a nice Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. Moscato is a wonderful sweet wine that would pair well with the apples and oranges.
• Liqueur - For my sangria recipe, I used Cointreau. You can use any orange liqueur you prefer. You could also add a splash of brandy if you like.
• Apples - Gala and Granny Smith apples pair well with this fall cocktail. Honeycrisp apples also work well. You can also toss in some pears if you like the flavor of them.
• Oranges - I used navel oranges but feel free to use kind of oranges you love. Mandarins are wonderful during the winter months.
• Cinnamon Sticks - Tossing in full cinnamon sticks will add a lovely flavor to the sangria. You can also use cinnamon sugar or a simple syrup to jazz up this easy fall sangria.
• Sparkling Water - Any brand of sparkling water will do. Club soda is also a great option.
• Garnish - Feel free to garnish the rim with an apple slice. You can also use lemon or orange slices. Or toss in some pomegranate seeds.

Instructions:

1. Grab a large pitcher. Pour in the wine and the Cointreau. Give it a stir. Set aside.
2. Next, slice up your apples and oranges. Be sure to discard the apple core, and the orange seeds. Place the slices randomly inside the pitcher.
3. Add some cinnamon sticks to the pitcher.
4. Then, pour the sparkling water into the pitcher and mix well.
5. Place the drink in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours, or until it's sufficiently chilled. Most sangrias take 12 to 24 hours for the flavors to meld really well.
6. Remove from the fridge and serve.

How to Store Apple Sangria:

• Leftover sangria can be stored in the refrigerator. If you remove the fruit, white wine sangria will last for about 5 to 7 days. If the fruit is staying in the sangria I would recommend trying to use it up within 2 to 3 days or the fruit will get mushy,
• Sangria should always be stored in the fridge. Do not store on the counter at room temperature.

More Apple Recipes:

• Caramel Apple Dip
• Apple Pull Apart Bread with Caramel Drizzle
• Skillet Caramel Apple Crisp
• Cookie Butter Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Streusel Topping
• Overnight Apple Pecan Caramel Sticky Buns 
• Caramel Apple Triscuit Bites

Places to stalk Cravings of a Lunatic

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Instagram ~ YouTube ~ Kiss My Smoke

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Easy Apple Sangria

Apple Sangria is the perfect beverage for both casual gatherings and festive occasions, offering a taste of the orchard in every sip.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword apple sangria

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Chilling Time 2 hours hours

Total Time 2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings 10

Calories 151kcal

Author Kim Beaulieu

Equipment

• Glass Pitcher

Ingredients

• 750 milliliters white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
• ½ cup Cointreau or any orange liqueur
• 2 medium Granny Smith apples thinly sliced, core discarded
• 2 medium Gala apples thinly sliced, core discarded
• 2 medium oranges thinly slices, seeds discarded
• 3 cinnamon sticks more or less to taste
• 750 milliliters sparkling water

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• First, pour the wine into the pitcher. Then, add Cointreau and mix well. Set aside.
• Next, slice the apples and oranges into thin slices and place in the pitcher randomly. Discard cores and seeds. Peels can be left on, if desired.
• Grab 3 cinnamon sticks and toss into the pitcher.
• Pour the sparkling water into the pitcher. Mix well.
• Give the sangria one last good stir and then place it in the fridge. Chill the sangria for about two hours.
• Serve or save for later!

Notes

This recipe yields 10 glasses of wine. Serving size for the nutritional information is for one glass of wine. 

You can easily substitute red wine if you prefer it. 

Nutrition

Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 189mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 101IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Thanks for visiting today!

Check out my recipe index for more amazing recipes. Not only can find more no bake recipes but also tons of dessert recipes.

After that, please take a minute to follow me on Pinterest. I’m always pinning great recipes as well as fun DIY projects.

Lastly, be sure to follow me on Instagram. It’s actually a great way to stay up to date on all the latest and greatest blog recipes.

Toodles! xx

The post Easy Apple Sangria appeared first on Cravings of a Lunatic.

Kick off the summer season by making one of The Best Mojito Recipes on the web. These recipes are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

The Best Mojito Recipes

I don't know about you but I'm wicked excited for summer to officially kick off. Until that day I say we just pretend it's summer. The earlier the summer cocktails roll out the better.

Sitting on the deck on a gorgeous day sipping a cold drink after a hard day of work is one of my favourite things in the world. I get to kick back and watch the pups play in the yard.

If I'm lucky the dogs don't knock the drink out of my hand. I swear they get so freaking wired when they play outside. Our yard is huge so they can run to their heart's content.

Ellie is quite getting quite big. She's almost a year old now. For those who don't know Ellie she's my daughter's dog. She's a German Shepherd/Husky cross. With some Boxer mixed in.

Malia is our older dog. She's a little West Highland Terrier and she's a holy terror. Small but mighty with a little bitchy mixed in. She thinks she 10-feet tall and is a total bully some days.

The two of them get chasing each other out back and it always ends in hilarity or chaos. There's no middle ground. It usually starts with Ellie chasing Malia then vice versa.

When they're done making complete fools of themselves we try to get them to cool off in the kiddie pool we bought them. Malia is so tiny she can swim in it. Ellie, not so much.

Our last house had a pool and we were always in it. I miss having one. One day we'll have one again. If for no other reason than to keep the dogs happy and occupied. Yes, we spoil them.

Until that day I'll just have to settle for sipping mojitos on the deck while I watch the pups act like hooligans in the yard. Life is good. Maybe I'll even dunk my feet in the kiddie pool.

Now let's all grab a mojito, or two, or ten!!!

Raspberry Mojitos from Heather Christo

Wild Blueberry Mojitos from The Viet Vegan (Guest Post on Cravings of a Lunatic)

Fresh Strawberry Mojito from Joyful Healthy Eats

Strawberry Mojito from The Lemon Bowl

Classic Mojito from Mind Over Batter

Coconut Lime Mojito Shooters with Blueberries from A Cookie Named Desire

Blended Lemon Raspberry Mojito with Muddled Blueberries from Food Faith Fitness

Watermelon Mojitos from Celebrating Sweets

Blackberry Basil Mojitos from The Roasted Root

Pineapple Blackberry Mojitos from Fake Ginger

Hibiscus Mojito from Mind Over Batter

Passion Fruit Mojito from A Cookie Named Desire

Lemon Jalapeno Blackberry Mojito from Peas and Peonies

Blueberry Mango Mojito from The Little Ferraro Kitchen (Guest Post on Cravings of a Lunatic)

Raspberry Mojitos by Crumb

PIN THIS TO YOUR FAVOURITE SUMMER BEVERAGE BOARD!

 Other Great Summer Recipe Round Ups:

• The Best Margarita Recipes from Cravings of a Lunatic
• 12 Easy Grilled Chicken Kebab Recipes from Kiss My Smoke
• Favorite Summer Recipes from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Amazing Milkshake Recipes from Call Me PMc
• 16 Amazing Vegan Summer Drinks by Healthy Slow Cooking

What's your favourite kind of mojito?

Thanks for visiting today!

Check out my recipe index for more amazing recipes. You can find more beverage recipes and tons of summer recipes.

While you’re here please take a minute to follow me on Pinterest. I’m always pinning great recipes and fun DIY projects.

You should also follow me on Instagram. It’s a great way to stay up to date on all the latest and greatest blog recipes.

Toodles! xx

The post The Best Mojito Recipes appeared first on Cravings of a Lunatic.

This Bourbon Apples Cider is a must make recipe for apple cider lovers. Turn fresh apple cider into the perfect fall cocktail!

Welcome to Day 6 of Booze Week. Today is the last day for this round. Don't fret though, Boozy Desserts Week kicks off again in October. This one is the Halloween Edition of Boozy Desserts Week and will take place from October 20 to 24. You're welcome!

Today my special guest is the talented Erin Sellin of Dinners, Dishes and Desserts. Erin is a really good friend of mine, in and out of blogging.

She's amazing, always so open and generous with her time. She cooks up some of the most amazing treats you've ever seen.

I think the coolest part of blogging is meeting people with similar passions in life. I consider myself lucky to get to do what I love for a living.

Thanks so much to Erin for whipping up this fabulous cocktail for all of us today. I wish I was sipping on one right  now. It looks so inviting!

Welcome to Erin!

Hi everyone!  My name is Erin, and I write over at Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts.  I live in Colorado with my husband and 9 year old son.

We love being outside and enjoying the mountains.  I share tons of recipes, from snacks and appetizers, to easy dinners and desserts.  Plus some cocktails along the way.

Apples are all over the place now, and I love it!  Fall is my favorite seasoning.  I hate that it leads into winter, but while it is here I fully enjoy it!

We actually have a cider press from when my husband was a kid, so every year we make our own apple cider.  What better way to use up some of that apple cider than in a cocktail.  And spicy bourbon just seemed like the perfect pair.  So, Bourbon Apple Cider was born!

This time I mixed in a little ginger ale for some sweetness and fizz.  If you want to go all out, you could even line the rim of your glasses with a cinnamon and sugar mixture.  Too bad I didn’t think of that until too late!

The bourbon gives the apple cider a little heat and spice.  Bourbon apple cider is perfect for sipping on a cool fall day.

Ingredient Notes:

• Apple Cider - You can buy it or make your own.
• Ginger Ale - Use any brand you love. Obviously, us Canucks love Canada Dry.
• Triple Sec - This is an orange flavoured liqueur. It's typically made from dried peels of oranges. Use any brand you love.
• Bourbon - Erin used Bulleit Bourbon for this recipe. If you can't find it substitute any bourbon you love.
• Cinnamon Sticks - These are optional but add a bit of fun to any apple drink. Plus they are great for stirring drinks.

How to make Bourbon Apple Cider:

1. Add all the ingredients to a pitcher and mix together.
2. Pour over two glasses filled with ice.
3. Add a cinnamon stick to each glass.
4. Serve!

More Apple Recipes:

• Caramel Apple Dip
• Apple Pull Apart Bread with Caramel Drizzle
• Turtle Apples
• Skillet Caramel Apple Crisp
• Cookie Butter Apple Cinnamon Muffins with Streusel Topping
• Overnight Apple Pecan Caramel Sticky Buns 
• Easy Apple Sangria
• Caramel Apple Triscuit Bites

Places to stalk Cravings of a Lunatic

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Bourbon Apple Cider

This Bourbon Apples Cider is a must make recipe for apple cider lovers. Turn fresh apple cider into the perfect fall cocktail!

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword apple cider cocktail, bourbon apple cider, bourbon cocktail

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Calories 274kcal

Ingredients

• 2 cups apple cider
• 2 cups ginger ale
• 1 oz Triple Sec
• 1 oz Bourbon I use Bulleit Bourbon
• 2 cinnamon sticks for garnish

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Mix everything together in a small pitcher.
• Pour over 2 glasses filled with ice.
• Garnish with a cinnamon stick, if desired.

Notes

Recipe Source: Full recipe and photo credit go to Erin Sellin of Dinners, Dishes and Desserts

Nutrition

Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 28mg | Potassium: 238mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 48g | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 1mg

Thanks for visiting today!

Check out my recipe index for more amazing recipes. Not only can find more fudge recipes but also tons of Christmas recipes.

After that, please take a minute to follow me on Pinterest. I’m always pinning great recipes as well as fun DIY projects.

Lastly, be sure to follow me on Instagram. It’s actually a great way to stay up to date on all the latest and greatest blog recipes.

Toodles! xx

The post Bourbon Apple Cider: Guest Post by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts appeared first on Cravings of a Lunatic.

This Spiced Plum Jam Gin Cocktail is perfect for any occasion. Look in your pantry for an incredibly easy and impressive fall cocktail to make.

Welcome to Day 5 of Booze Week. Today my special guest blogger is Susan of The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen. My regular readers know me and Susan are blogging buddies.

We do theme weeks like Christmas Week, Cookie Week and Ice Cream Week together. Honestly, we always have a blast.

I've even had the pleasure of meeting her in person. I adore this lady so very much. So when I was planning Booze Week I knew I had to ask her to participate.

If you are in search of an incredibly simple, yet impressive fall cocktail then look no further than your own pantry to make Spiced Plum Jam & Gin Cocktail.

Spiced Plum Jam Gin Cocktail

Hi there Lunatics! I’m thrilled to pieces to be back guest posting here today.  The last time I was around these parts was over two years ago! I’m a bit overdue, don’t you think?  You might recognize my name because Kim and I just put on a celebration of ice cream epicness with #IceCreamWeek in August.

Now that summer is over, it’s time to start concentrating on fall flavors, warm spices and cocktails to settle down with by the fire.

Are you familiar with the trend of putting jam in your cocktail? It seems to have been floating around for awhile but I finally decided to give it a go and let me tell you – I’m all for it.

Jam in my booze is my new jam.

No more need for busting out the blender to mix up special fruit purees or mashing and smashing.  Heck you could even make use of that almost empty jam jar shake things up right in there.

So why plum and not a more traditional fall fruit like apple or pear? I’ll tell you why, because I always feel like plums are the forgotten fruit, the middle child if you will.  In the beginning of the summer we are gaga over berries, then come the peaches and as soon as peach season ends everyone starts apple picking and poaching pears.

How about those plums? They get stuck right in peach season and stay great through October.

The poor poor plum, but today it gets its due and it pairs perfectly with a little cardamom and nutmeg.  Toss a cardigan on while sipping this cocktail and watch the leaves change, it’s just what you need at the end of the day.

More Drink Recipes:

• Frozen Strawberry Margarita
• Peach Sangria
• Pomegranate Party Punch
• Boozy Strawberry Watermelon Slushies
• Easy Apple Sangria
• Cranberry Sangria

Places to stalk Cravings of a Lunatic

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

Instagram ~ YouTube ~ Kiss My Smoke

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Spiced Plum Jam & Gin Cocktail

This Spiced Plum Jam Gin Cocktail is perfect for any occasion. Look in your pantry for an incredibly easy and impressive fall cocktail to make.

Course Cocktail

Cuisine American

Keyword gin recipe, spiced plum jam gin cocktail

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Calories 539kcal

Ingredients

• ½ ounce spiced simple syrup
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon plum jam or preserves
• 2 ounces gin
• ice
• slice of fresh plum for garnish
• Spiced Simple Syrup:
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• In a small saucepan bring the water, sugar, cardamom and nutmeg to a boil. Cook until the sugar has completely dissolved. Let cool. Pour the syrup into a small jar and save extra in the refrigerator for additional uses.
• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the spiced simple syrup, lemon juice, jam and gin. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a slice of plum.

Notes

Recipe Source: photo and recipe credit to Susan Palmer of The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 539kcal | Carbohydrates: 138g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 30mg | Potassium: 313mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 122g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

Thanks for visiting today!

Check out my recipe index for more amazing recipes. You can find more dessert recipes and tons of fruit recipes.

While you’re here please take a minute to follow me on Pinterest. I’m always pinning great recipes and fun DIY projects.

You should also follow me on Instagram. It’s a great way to stay up to date on all the latest and greatest blog recipes.

Toodles! xx

The post Spiced Plum Jam Gin Cocktail: Guest Post by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen appeared first on Cravings of a Lunatic.

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Electric Tea

Looking for a fun twist on the classic Long Island? Get Electric. Cocktail that is. This cocktail is not for the faint of heart, with a strong mix of several liquors it goes down sweet and smooth.

Prep Time 16 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz bourbon
• 1 oz grenadine
• Juice from half a lemon use remaining half for garnish
• 1 oz triple sec
• Ice
• 1 12 oz bottle 7Up or other zesty lemon-lime soda

Instructions

• Combine vodka, bourbon, grenadine, lemon juice, and triple sec in a cocktail shaker with ice. Top and shake vigorously until cold.
• Strain into ice filled glasses and top each off with 7UP.
• Garnish with a lemon wedge if desired.

Notes

Recipe and Photo Credit to Kita Roberts of Pass the Sushi and Girl Carnivore, recipe adapted from Chow

The post Electric Tea: Guest Post by Kita of Pass the Sushi and Girl Carnivore appeared first on Cravings of a Lunatic.

A Light Drizzle Cocktail is a spicy-sweet drink, inspired by the popular Dark & Stormy, that won't kill your diet!

This delightfully elegant cocktail combines the spicy flavor of ginger with the tartness of lime for a subtle sweet sip. "It's a refreshing twist on the classic Dark and Stormy cocktail.

This recipe was a guest post courtesy of Ashley of Quarter Life (Crisis) Cuisine. Ashley is no longer blogging and her domain has expired but I wanted to keep the recipe on the blog as it's a delicious cocktail many people love.

I've left Ashley's guest commentary on the blog for now for anyone who wants to read it. I may update it further down the road but for now I just wanted to give my readers a quick update about her blogging status.

Ashley's Guest Post:

Hi everyone! I'm Ashley from Quarter Life (Crisis) Cuisine!

I met Kim via one of the blogger Facebook groups and have been following Cravings of a Lunatic for a few years now. Kim's been an awesome blog-role-model and always seems to be doing what what she can to help us all out.

I'm constantly amazed by everything Kim does in the blog-o-sphere and beyond, and am so excited to be guest posting for you all!

When trying to lose "a pound or two (or twelve)" the hardest thing for me to give up is ALWAYS the booze. I'm 26, I work a fairly demanding job, and both my social time and my personal time are always helped along by just a bit of booze.

Happy Hour with friends? Cue the cocktails. A night to myself with the fiancé and the pooch? Pass the wine while I binge-watch cooking shows. Not to mention the fact that I work at a fun and funky start up that gives us margaritas at our weekly meeting and routinely has full-office happy hours where the first drink or so is on the company's tab... yeah. It's a little bit of a social lubricant, a little bit of a relaxer.

In short, booze happens.

Unfortunately, booze also happens to have a ton of calories, sugar, carbs... actually, just about anything I'm trying to cut out when trying to lose weight. A simple cocktail can run you as many calories as a meal and so, SO much sugar.

So I make a deal with myself: keep the booze to weekends. Okay, that doesn't always work (margarita meetings, remember?). So here's my OTHER deal: low cal cocktails. When I'm out and about, a flavored or infused vodka with soda water is what I go for. Under 100 calories, just enough buzz.

When I'm home for those few personal nights... something like this. Based on a Dark and Stormy, I call this "a light drizzle." Homemade ginger syrup sweetened with stevia, soda water I make myself with my SodaStream*, a hint of lime... perfect. Since it's practically calorie-less (just the vodka!) instead of a Dark and Stormy, it's a Light Drizzle. I'm clever like that.

It's not TOTALLY guilt-free, but between this and a 700+ calorie cocktail with 10 grams of sugar? Gimme my light drizzle.

Enjoy!

More Cocktail Recipes:

• Copycat Frozen Bahamaritas
• Watermelon Jalapeno Cocktail
• Sage Smash Gin and Tonic
• Peach Sangria
• Wild Blueberry Mojitos
• Spiced Plum Jam Gin Cocktail

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A Light Drizzle Cocktail

A Light Drizzle Cocktail is a spicy-sweet drink, inspired by the popular Dark & Stormy, that won't kill your diet!

Course Cocktail, Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword a light drizzle cocktail

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Calories 40kcal

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups water
• 1 large knob ginger peeled and cut into chunks
• 3 tablespoons stevia if using sugar use ½ cup
• 1 ounces vodka
• .5 ounce lime juice
• 1 cup Club Soda
• 1 lime wedge

Instructions

• Bring the water to a boil. Add the ginger chunks and let boil rapidly for 10 minutes.
• Turn heat down to medium, add the stevia or sweetener and mix until fully dissolved.
• Let mixture simmer until reduced by a third. Taste often, if it's getting too spicy, remove the ginger (I like it spicy so the ginger stays until the very end). Strain into a heat-safe jar and let cool to room temperature.
• Once cooled, gently mix 2 tablespoons of ginger syrup into soda water. Taste, add more syrup if needed.
• Fill a glass with ice. Pour vodka over ice, and top with ginger ale (you realized that's what you just made, right?) and lime juice. Stir, gently.
• Serve with a lime wedge garnish.

Notes

Recipe and Photo Credit to Ashley Blom of Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine

Nutrition

Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 35mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Thanks for visiting today!

If you’re looking for more cocktail recipes be sure to check out my recipe index. You can also find a lot more snack recipes as well.

Be sure to follow me on Pinterest while you’re here. I love pinning great recipes! Also, make sure you follow me on Instagram. It’s a great way to stay up to date with the blog.

Toodles! xx

The post A Light Drizzle Cocktail appeared first on Cravings of a Lunatic.

This Fig Newton Cocktail is refreshingly delightful and oh so easy to prepare. I can't think of a better way to beat the heat!

Fig Newton Cocktail is the epitome of upscale cocktails without a lot of fuss. The flavour is incredible and it's such a gorgeous drink to serve to guests!

Today is a very special day. I have the distinct pleasure of kicking off Booze Week. It's a week of guest posts by some of my bloggy buddies, all booze centric.

My first guest is no stranger to Cravings of a Lunatic. My dear friend Veronica of My Catholic Kitchen is going to entertain and delight you today.

Veronica has guest posted for me before. You can see her Boozy Caramel Apple Bread and Butter Pudding on my blog, she did that one for Boozy Desserts Week.

She also made Cedar Planked Salmon for me for Seafood Week. Not many friends would be willing to guest post for you so often but Veronica is a rare sweetheart of a friend.

Now that I've gushed on like a crazy person, please welcome Veronica back to Cravings. I'm delighted she is here.

Welcome to Veronica from My Catholic Kitchen

Hey Yall, Veronica here from My Catholic Kitchen.  If you love figs they you are going to love this Fig Newton Cocktail recipe.

A few months back I was given some dried figs. Not sure what to do with them at the time, I decided to macerate them in some booze. So, I bought a bottle of cheap vodka, sliced the figs and added them to the vodka.

I then allowed them to hang out and get to know each other for a few months. They chilled out in the back of the liquor cabinet.

To be honest I didn’t know what to do with them, until Kim mentioned she was looking for a few people to guest post for her.  When I heard Kim was devoting a whole week to booze, I was all in. What self-respecting Irish woman wouldn’t.

I immediately stepped up and said I would be more than glad to do it. It is a dirty job, but someone has to do it.

Look, if you don’t have homemade fig vodka hanging out in your liquor cabinet, no worries. The Liquor store does have a fig vodka that they sell. Just use that, it is all good.

More Cocktail Recipes:

• Bourbon Apple Cider - Guest Post by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
• Spiced Plum Jam Gin Cocktail - Guest Post by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
• Sage Smash Gin and Tonic - Guest Post by Crumb
• Electric Tea - Guest Post by Pass the Sushi
• A Light Drizzle Cocktail - Guest Post by Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine
• Blueberry Mango Mojito - Guest Post by The Little Ferraro Kitchen

Places to stalk Cravings of a Lunatic

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

Instagram ~ YouTube ~ Kiss My Smoke

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Fig Newton Cocktail

This Fig Newton Cocktail is refreshingly delightful and oh so easy to prepare. I can't think of a better way to beat the heat!

Course Beverage, Cocktail

Cuisine American

Keyword fig newton cocktail

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Calories 175kcal

Author My Catholic Kitchen

Ingredients

• 2 ½ ounces homemade fig vodka or store bought
• 1 ounce sprite or other lemon lime soda

Optional:

• fresh figs

Instructions

• Add the vodka to a cocktail sharer. Fill with ice and shake well. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass, top with sprite.
• Garnish with fig slices if desired.

Notes

Recipe and Photo Credit: My Catholic Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 0.03g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 3g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.02mg

I'd like to thank Veronica for guest posting for me today. Be sure to show her some love and leave some comments on her cool drink.

Thanks to all my Booze Week Peeps for helping out while I took some time off. Cheers!

Thanks for visiting today!

If you’re looking for more cocktails be sure to check out my recipe index. You can also find a lot more snack recipes as well.

Be sure to follow me on Pinterest while you’re here. I love pinning great recipes! Also, make sure you follow me on Instagram. It’s a great way to stay up to date with the blog.

Toodles! xx

The post Fig Newton Cocktail: Guest Post by My Catholic Kitchen appeared first on Cravings of a Lunatic.

This Bourbon Pecan Pumpkin Pie Milkshake is like your favorite pie in a glass - but so much simpler to make.  Rich pecans meld with vanilla ice cream, shortbread cookies and a touch of molasses to create the perfect milkshake!

Welcome to Day 5 of Booze Week. Today we're celebrating hub's 48th birthday, and our 22nd wedding anniversary. I figured if I married him on his birthday he could never claim to forget our anniversary, at least not if he wants his birthday present. See, I'm always thinking. Happy Birthday Old Dude. Cripes time just flies by. One day we're young and hot, then the next day we're old and not. Thankfully as you age your eyesight starts to falter. I think it's the world's way of not scaring the crap out of you every morning. Okay, seriously, I'm kidding. Hubs is hot. For an old guy. Minus the beard. That thing has got to go.

We're still on staycation. Yesterday we went shopping and to a movie. Then came home and made a killer stir fry at around midnight. It's how we roll. We were going to go shopping in the states but were too paranoid about back ups at the border. So we stayed local, and still managed to break the bank. But we scored some awesome DVD's to binge watch so it's all good. We also stocked up on copious amounts of candy for the binge watching. I mean that's just common sense, right.

I wanted to take some time off work while our son was in town so I asked some of my favourite foodie friends to guest post for me while I'm gone. Today I have a very, very special friend here. Her name is Aly, and she blogs at Cooking in Stilettos. Alycat is my buddy, through thick and thin, we just adore each other. Aly is my calming force, when the job gets to me Aly is the one who keeps me pushing through.

I had the pleasure of bunking with her at Blogher Food this year. We had so much fun, I can't even begin to tell you how amazing that trip was. Largely due to Aly's amazing gift for keeping me calm while travelling. And man this girl travels in style. We rented a car to zip around in and painted the town red. It was so much fun. Aly is as true as the come. She is an amazing person, and a talented cook. I hope you dig her a much as I do.

When Lunie put out a call for a boozy treat, I knew I had the perfect sweet cocktail for y’all.  I have a confession - over the years, I’ve become a bit entranced by all things bourbon.  I use it for sweet and savory dishes, mix it into cocktails and find that it is perfect for spring, summer, winter and fall.  It’s become one of the tried and true spirits in my household and I love finding new ways to incorporate it into dishes.

Recently, I saw this recipe for a Bourbon Pecan Pie Milkshake spotlighted on Food Network and I had to give it a whirl.  Elizabeth Faulkner is a renowned pastry chef in Cali so I knew if anyone can whip up something sweet with a bit a bit of bourbon bite, it’s her.

My grandmother makes the best pecan pie that I have ever had.  Now – she’s never added any bourbon to it that I can ever remember, but the flavors are always a reminder of early afternoon holiday dinners.   The pecan shortbread cookies, which are a vital component of this dish, remind me of my Bampa who always had these cookies in his pantry. This milkshake weaves in the classic pecan pie flavors with a bit of a wallop.

Granted – you can always leave the bourbon out of the milkshake but, in my opinion, the bourbon adds a bit of a sophisticated flavor.  You could whip up some of these milkshakes and serve them shooter style at a soiree and your friends will be begging you for the recipe.  Just tell them it was something you just “whipped up” – we’ll never tell.

More Milkshake and Float Recipes:

• Chocolate Coconut Milkshakes
• Caramel Macchiato Iced Coffee Chocolate Milkshakes
• Chocolate Hot Fudge Root Beer Floats
• Extra Chocolatey Chocolate Milkshake
• Chocolate Affogato aka Chocolate and Coffee Ice Cream Floats

Places to stalk Cravings of a Lunatic

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

Instagram ~ YouTube ~ Kiss My Smoke

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Bourbon Pecan Pie Milkshakes

This Bourbon Pecan Pumpkin Pie Milkshake is like your favorite pie in a glass - but so much simpler to make. Rich pecans meld with vanilla ice cream, shortbread cookies and a touch of molasses to create the perfect milkshake

Course Beverage, Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword bourbon milkshake, pecan pie milkshake

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Calories 1602kcal

Author Guest Post by Aly Cleary

Equipment

• Blender

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups vanilla bean ice cream
• ½ cup milk
• 3 tablespoons toasted pecans chopped
• ½ cup crushed pecan shortbread cookies
• 2 teaspoons molasses
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• bourbon to taste

Optional for Garnish:

• whipped cream
• whole toasted pecans

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• In a blender, add the ice cream, milk, pecans, crushed cookies, molasses, honey, vanilla extract and salt.
• Blend until smooth.
• Add bourbon to taste.
• Top with a bit of whipped cream and a pecan and enjoy!

Notes

Recipe adapted from Bourbon Pecan Pie Milkshake on The Food Network

Photo credit to Aly Cleary of Cooking in Stilettos.

Aly passed away in her home on January 8, 2018. Those of us who knew and loved her miss her every single day. She was the best friend you could ever ask for. 

Nutrition

Calories: 1602kcal | Carbohydrates: 169g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 89g | Saturated Fat: 33g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 39g | Cholesterol: 173mg | Sodium: 1060mg | Potassium: 1701mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 102g | Vitamin A: 1550IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 929mg | Iron: 5mg

Thanks for visiting today!

If you’re looking for more dessert recipes be sure to check out my recipe index. You can also find a lot more ice cream recipes as well.

Be sure to follow me on Pinterest while you’re here. I love pinning great recipes! Also, make sure you follow me on Instagram. It’s a great way to stay up to date with the blog.

Toodles! xx

The post A Sweet Tipsy Ending - Bourbon Pecan Pie Milkshakes: Guest Post by Cooking in Stilettos appeared first on Cravings of a Lunatic.