Virgin Pina Colada

I just love coconut and pineapple so this is the perfect drink for me.  Thanks to High Heels and Grills for the recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1 cup coconut milk {I use full fat}
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 8 cups cubed ice

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a blender.  Enjoy!

Lemonade

I just love to make recipes using real food.  Lemonade is such a treat but if you buy it out and about in the world, I bet you won't be able to pronounce several of the ingredients or even know what they are.  I do not like a strong and tart lemonade that is sometimes bitter.  I created this recipe today because I was tired of drinking water.  :)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 - 2 lemons - squeezed
Simple Syrup
Water
Quart Jar

Directions:
Squeeze the lemons and pour juice into the jar.  Add at least the same amount simple syrup, more if you want, to the jar.  Then fill the jar with water.  Place lid on jar and mix well.  Keep in refrigerator and enjoy!!

Spiced Russian Tea

I have been looking for a good recipe for Russian Tea for while but all I have been finding are recipes that contain lots of premade mixes.  I was looking through our church cookbook from about 20 years ago and came across the Spiced Russian Tea recipe from Virginia Ratliff.  It contained all real stuff which made me happy, and it was from the best and greatest Sunday School Teacher ever, which made it even better!!  I know Virginia touched my life and so many others.  I am blessed to have known such a wonderful and godly woman like Virginia.  And I am privileged to be sharing her recipe.

Her recipe made a very large amount that could easily be used for a church gathering but I scaled it down to make a smaller amount that I can make at home and store in jars in the refrigerator.  That way I always have some on hand.

Ingredients  (Smaller amounts in italics)
1 quart (32 ounces) of orange juice  (8 ounces)
1 can (64 ounces) can of pineapple juice (13 ounces)
1/2 c whole cloves (1/16 of a cup.  This is 1/2 of an 1/8 of a cup or 1/4 of a 1/4 cup)
8 cinnamon sticks (2)
Juice of 6 lemons (1 1/2 lemons)
3 cups of sugar (3/4 cup)
1 gallon of tea (32 ounces)

Directions
Prepare the tea and add all other ingredients.  Bring to a boil, then simmer for a few minutes.  Serve hot.