Maple Beverage Recipes

Spiced Maple Cider

2 quarts apple juice or cider
8 fl.oz. Pure Maple Syrup
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 small orange, sliced
3 cinnamon sticks
8 whole cloves
1/4 cup Southern Comfort liqueur, optional

In large saucepan, combine all ingredients expect liqueur; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 20 minutes. Remove orange slices and spices. Add liqueur if desired. Serve warm; garnish as desired.
Tip: Can be served chilled; or chill and add 1 (32 oz.) bottle ginger ale before serving.
Yield: about 2 quarts

Maple Banana Eggnog

1 Banana
1 egg
2 tablespoons Maple Syrup
1 cup cold milk

Peel 1 ripe banana and cut in to pieces. Blend with beater or blender.
Note: Makes for one tasty drink!!!

Iced Maple-Espresso Shake

3 cubes of ice
3/4 cup cold, brewed espresso or other strong coffee
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 pint good quality vanilla ice cream
1 tablespoon coffee liqueur (optional)

Chill two big glasses in the freezer. Put the ice cubes inside a folded tea towel and crush them. Just a little, with a hammer. In a blender, combine the crushed ice with the remaining ingredients. Process briefly until smooth. but with a slight ice grainy texture. Pour into the frosted mugs and enjoy.
Note: Makes for one tasty drink!!!

Maple and Yogurt Smoothie

1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 ripe banana, peeled
pinch of cinnamon
Several ice cubes

Combine everything, except the ice, in a blender. Put the ice in the folds of a tea towel and shatter them with a hammer. Add to the blender and process until smoth. It's fine if shards of ice remain after the blending. Serve at once.

Maple Fruit Punch

2 cups Pure Maple Syrup
2 cups strong tea
2 cups strawberry pieces (or other fruit)
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
3/4 cup crushed pineapple

Mix ingredients and chill for 1 hour. Add water or soda water to make one gallon.

Maple Shake

2 cups milk
1/2 cup Pure Maple Syrup
1 pint vanilla ice cream

Beat all ingredients in a large bowl until well combined, using a beater of blender. Serve at once. Makes 4 servings