The Everything Potluck Cookbook
Page 3
Mango Margarita
Raspberry Sparkle Punch
Orange Wine Cooler
Potluck Mocha Punch
Lemon-Lime Soother
Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie
Tomato-Orange Cocktail
Champagne Punch
Fruited Tea Punch
Mulled Apple Cider
Grapefruit Cocktail
Hot Apricot Soother
Milk Punch
Coconut Eggnog
Banana-Orange Punch
Lemon Mint Punch
Frothy Hot Chocolate
Lemon Sangria
Sangria is usually made with red wine. This version is lighter and tastes just like a Lemon Drop cocktail, but it’s easier to make.
EASILY DOUBLES
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 10
1 (6-ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate
1 cup cold water ¼ cup limoncello
2 (750-milliliter) bottles chilled sparkling white wine
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cups chilled lemon-lime soda
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1. In large pitcher, combine concentrate with water and limoncello; mix until concentrate dissolves. At this point you can refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Add wine, lemon juice, soda, and sliced lemon and stir gently. Serve immediately.
Limoncello
Limoncello is an Italian liqueur made from water, alcohol, lemon peel, and sugar. It’s usually a gorgeous yellow color and has a fresh taste. You can find it at most liquor stores. If you can’t, just add another 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 3 tablespoons vodka to the sangria.
Fruity Sangria
For the best flavor, this sangria should be made well ahead of time. You can use any fresh fruits you’d like!
EASY
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 12
½ (12-ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate
½ cup water
3 tablespoons sugar
½ cup peach schnapps
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 bottles rose wine
1 cup pitted Bing cherries
1 peach, peeled and chopped
1 orange, thinly sliced
1 lime, thinly sliced
2 cups ginger ale
1. In large pitcher, mix concentrate, water, sugar, schnapps, and lemon juice and stir until concentrate and sugar dissolve. Stir in wine, cherries, peach, and orange and lime slices. Stir well, then cover and refrigerate overnight.
2. When ready to serve, stir in the ginger ale. Add ice cubes if you’d like, and serve immediately.
Pink Lemonade
Pink lemonade is perfect for a ladies’ lunch or a child’s birthday party. Float more raspberries in the lemonade for a nice garnish.
HEALTHY
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 8
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup raspberries
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 cup lemon juice
3 cups chilled sparkling water
4 cups cold still water
1. In small saucepan, combine sugar, 1 cup water, and raspberries. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves.
2. Add lemon slices to syrup and stir; let stand until cool. Cover and chill until cold.
3. When ready to serve, strain syrup and place in large pitcher. Add lemon juice, sparkling water, and 4 cups plain water. Stir well and serve immediately.
Cranberry Daiquiri
These pink daiquiris look like strawberry, but the taste is much more tart. Garnish with sugared cranberries.
EASY
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 8
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/3 cup sugar
7 cups ice
2 cups cranberry juice cocktail
¼ cup lime juice
½ cup sugar
1 cup light rum
1 cup ginger ale
1. Dip the tops of eight daiquiri glasses in 2 tablespoons lime juice, then dip into 1/3 cup sugar to coat. Place on serving tray.
2. Combine remaining ingredients in blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into prepared glasses and serve immediately.
Almond Smoothie
Smoothies are a great choice for a breakfast gathering, and they can also be served as a quick and healthy snack.
QUICK
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
2 cups almond milk
2 cups vanilla yogurt
½ cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups ice
Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor. Blend or process until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
Keep It Healthy
You can find low-fat versions of almond milk and vanilla yogurt if you’d like. They should be the same thickness and consistency as the full-fat versions, so the recipe will turn out the same. Almond milk is a cholesterol-free product that is lower in calories than cow’s milk.
Mango Margarita
These peach-colored margaritas are a nice change of pace from the traditional lime variety.
EASILY DOUBLES
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 6
1 (12-ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate
12 ounces tequila
2 cups cubed mango
2 ounces triple sec
6 cups ice cubes
1. In blender, combine concentrate, tequila, mango, and triple sec; blend until smooth.
2. Add ice cubes and blend until smooth. Pour into freezer container and freeze. When ready to serve, stir, then pour into margarita glasses.
Raspberry Sparkle Punch
This beautiful punch has a nice flavor, and it’s not too sweet.
INEXPENSIVE
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 14
1 (12-ounce) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 (16-ounce) package frozen raspberries, thawed
1 cup water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 (64-ounce) bottle apple raspberry juice
½ cup chopped fresh mint
3 (12-ounce) cans ginger ale
3 cups raspberry sherbet
1. In blender or food processor, combine lemonade concentrate with raspberries; blend until smooth.
2. Mix with water, lemon juice, and apple raspberry juice in large pitcher. Cover and chill over night.
3. When ready to serve, chop mint and place in punch bowl. Add chilled mixture and ginger ale; stir gently and top with dollops of sherbet. Serve immediately.
Sherbet
Sherbet is a type of ice cream that is fat free or very low in fat. It’s highly flavored and is the perfect ingredient to add to fruit punches. The sherbet keeps the punch cold and doesn’t dilute the punch as it melts, as ice cubes, crushed ice, and ice rings do.
Orange Wine Cooler
This wine cooler punch is fun to make and serve, and it’s really pretty too.
EASY
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 8
1 (12-ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cup water
1 (750-milliliter) bottle white wine
1 (48-ounce) bottle club soda
1. Combine concentrate with water and mix well. Add wine. Pour into ice cube trays and freeze until solid.
2. When ready to serve, place the cubes in a punch bowl and pour club soda over. Stir and let punch stand for 20 minutes, then serve.
Potluck Mocha Punch
Mocha is the combination of chocolate and coffee. This easy and delicious punch is pretty too.
MAKE AHEAD
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 16
8 cups strong brewed coffee
1 cup sugar
1 (16-ounce) can chocolate syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 quart whole milk
2 cups light cream
1 quart vanilla ice cream
1 quart chocolate ice cream
&nb
sp; 1. In large pitcher, combine coffee with sugar, syrup, and vanilla; mix well until sugar dissolves. Cover and chill for at least two hours.
2. When ready to serve, combine mixture in large punch bowl with milk and light cream; beat with wire whisk or eggbeater until smooth and frothy. Top with scoops of ice cream and serve immediately.
Keep It Healthy
You can use low-fat or no-fat ingredients in this punch to reduce calories. Use low fat vanilla and chocolate ice creams, nonfat light cream, and 1% or 2% milk. Chocolate syrup is already a low-fat food. If you like a strong mocha flavor, increase the amount of coffee and add 3–4 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder in Step 1.
Lemon-Lime Soother
You can make this delicious drink alcoholic or not. Just leave the tequila out if you want to serve this to kids.
EASY
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 12
1 (12-ounce) container frozen lemonade concentrate
1½ cups water
¼ cup lime juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup tequila, if desired
1 (64-ounce) bottle lemon-lime carbonated beverage
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 lime, thinly sliced
1 quart lime sherbet
1. In large pitcher, combine concentrate, water, lime juice, lemon juice, and tequila; mix well. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours.
2. When ready to serve, pour into punch bowl and add lemon-lime beverage. Stir well, then float lime and lemon slices in punch and add scoops of sherbet. Serve immediately.
Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie
This tastes like a strawberry cheesecake in a glass! You can substitute other frozen fruits; try peach or raspberry.
QUICK
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 8
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
3 cups strawberry-flavored milk
1 (16-ounce) package frozen strawberries, thawed
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Combine all ingredients in large blender or food processor. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Serve immediately.
Party Fun
Garnish each glass with a strawberry for a fancy touch. Wash whole fresh strawberries with leaves and dry, then cut a small slit in the bottom. Pour the smoothie into the glass and balance the strawberry on the edge of the rim. Or you could make strawberry fans by slicing thin layers into the strawberry, keeping it whole at the leaves.
Tomato-Orange Cocktail
This super-refreshing cocktail is sweet, tart, and slightly spicy. It’s perfect for a summer party.
INEXPENSIVE
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 6
4 cups tomato juice
2 cups orange juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons minced red onion
¼ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
Mix together all ingredients and chill in refrigerator for 4–5 hours. When ready to serve, mix well, then strain and pour over crushed ice to serve.
Champagne Punch
Champagne punch is a great old-fashioned recipe.
EASILY DOUBLES
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 20
3 cups orange juice
1 cup lemon juice
4 cups pineapple juice
1 cup brandy
2 (750-milliliter) bottles champagne
1 (750-milliliter) bottle ginger ale
1 quart orange sherbet
1. In large pitcher, combine orange juice, lemon juice, pineapple juice, and brandy; mix well and chill for 4–5 hours.
2. Make sure champagne and ginger ale are chilled. When ready to serve, pour orange juice mixture into large punch bowl. Add champagne and ginger ale and stir gently. Top with scoops of sherbet and serve immediately.
Transport Tips
If you have a large pitcher with a tight, well-sealed top, you can transport this recipe to the party. Pack everything into a large cooler and add ice cubes in bags or frozen cooler packs. Be sure to bring the punch bowl, ladle, and cups. Assemble the punch at the party.
Fruited Tea Punch
Tea and fruit are so good for you, and when combined in this delicious punch they become a party in a glass.
HEALTHY
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 8–10
2 tablespoons loose tea leaves
2 cups boiling water
1 cup sugar
1 cup orange juice
½ cup lemon juice
2 oranges, thinly sliced
2 cups pitted Bing cherries
3 (12-ounce) cans ginger ale
6 cups cracked ice
1. Place tea leaves in bowl; add boiling water. Let steep for 3–4 minutes. Strain liquid into large pitcher; stir in sugar, orange juice, and lemon juice until sugar dissolves.
2. Add oranges and cherries; cover and chill for 4–5 hours. When ready to serve, pour into punch bowl. Add ginger ale and cracked ice and serve immediately.
Mulled Apple Cider
Mulling spices include cloves and cinnamon; they add a spicy heat to apple cider.
HEALTHY
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 10–12
10 cups apple cider
1 cup orange juice
¼ cup honey
2 cinnamon sticks
1 orange
12 whole cloves
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1. Combine cider, orange juice, honey, and cinnamon sticks in 4-quart slow cooker.
2. Roll the orange on the countertop to soften. Stick the cloves into the whole orange and add to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 3–4 hours or until flavors blended and hot. Stir in lemon juice and serve.
Party Fun
This punch is really delicious in the late fall, which is the season for tiny apples called Lady Apples. If you can find them, they make a wonderful garnish for the punch. Place them in the slow cooker at the end of cooking time, and arrange some around the slow cooker too.
Grapefruit Cocktail
Pineapple adds a sweet touch to grapefruit in this pretty and easy cocktail.
EASY
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 8
2 red grapefruit
5 cups grapefruit juice
1 (16-ounce) can pineapple tidbits, undrained
1/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cups ginger ale
1. Peel grapefruit and chop. Combine all ingredients except ginger ale in large pitcher; cover and chill for 2–3 hours.
2. Add ginger ale and stir. Strain into cocktail glasses and serve.
Hot Apricot Soother
Apricots have a sweet-tart flavor and beautiful deep orange-yellow color in this pretty and warming drink.
MAKE AHEAD
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 10
8 cups apricot nectar
2 cups water
2 tablespoons honey
4 whole cloves
2 canned apricot halves
1 cinnamon stick
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1. In 3-quart slow cooker, combine nectar, water, and honey. Stick cloves into the apricot halves and add to slow cooker along with cinnamon stick.
2. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or until mixture is blended and hot. Stir in lemon juice and serve immediately.
Party Fun
You can serve this mixture or any hot punch with cinnamon-stick stirrers. Just add a cinnamon stick to each cup or mug. This will release more cinnamon flavor into the drink, and it looks pretty too. Or you can sprinkle the top of the soother with ground cinnamon just before serving.
Milk Punch
The combination of textures and flavors in this punch tastes like a Creamsicle, that favorite kind of Popsicle.
QUICK
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 18
1 (12-ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate
6 cups cold whole milk
4 cups vanilla frozen yogurt
4 cups orange sherbet
1. In blender or food processor, combine concentrate with 1 cup milk; blend until smooth. Place in large punch bowl and stir in remaining milk.
2. Stir in ginger ale and mix, then add scoops of the frozen yogurt and sherbet. Stir gently and serve.
Coconut Eggnog